Category Archives: Winnebago County

Oliver Road

January 16, 2017 Dan Williams Leave a comment

ALL OF THE AREAS DESCRIBED BELOW ARE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, SO DO NOT LEAVE THE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY.

Oliver Road runs along the Pecatonica River and feeder streams northwest of Rockford. From IL 75, turn north on Harrison Road and follow it to Oliver Road on the left. After crossing a small stream, the surrounding area opens on to an area of planted prairie grass on the south and a “flood bottom” cornfield on the north. A tree line north of the corn field marks the edge of a stream and the Pecatonica River bottoms. In spring, the corn field is often flooded, and so it is attractive to migrating shorebirds. Species of interest found here are Wilson’s and Red-necked Phalaropes, Willets, Least, Semipalmated, White-rumped, Pectoral, Baird’s, Stilt and Western Sandpipers, several species of plovers, and terns, usually Forster’s, but occasional Black. On the south side of the road, in a small pond surrounded by prairie grass (the pond is visible from your car so you can avoid spooking the birds in it) usually has puddle ducks, a few herons, and, on one spring count, a White-faced Ibis.

About another 1/4 mile down the road is a cattle pasture with an old oxbow. A stand of bur oaks is just behind the oxbow on higher ground. The oxbow runs west to east, then turns north and passes in between stands of old oaks. Bald Eagles are frequently in this area in spring, and the oxbow should be checked for shorebirds and pipits. Flooded fields to the northwest often have small ponds with a lot of waders and ducks (a telescope is necessary).

The road then makes a 90 degree left turn and passes over a small stream that has a beaver dam on the right (west) side. Heck, this stream for Green Heron, Wood Ducks and, in migration, a lot of warblers, particularly on cool days when they are low feeding on insects near the water.

The road comes to a “T” intersection at Knapp Road. By turning right (west) and then left on Eddie Road, you can take Eddie Road back to IL 75.

Winnebago County

Carl & Myrna Nygren Wetland

January 16, 2017 Dan Williams Leave a comment

This property is owned by the Natural Land Institute (NLI) of Rockford. It is open to the public 365 days per year. A parking lot is located at the intersection of Rockton Road and Hansberry Road west of Rockton. The parking lot is owned by Rockton Township, not NLI, and the township locks the gate in winter, because it doesn’t plow the snow in the lot. But, you can park by the gate if there is room to stay off of the highway, which is difficult with all of the heavy snow this winter. A loop trail (The Dianne Nora Nature Trail) runs 2.5 miles around the marsh and along Raccoon Creek. Cross-country skiing is good here in the winter.

The Natural Land Institute is restoring prairies, woodlands and wetlands to this beautiful land west of Rockton along Raccoon Creek and the Rock and Pecatonica rivers. In the summer, blossoms of wild bergamot, sunflowers and gray-headed coneflower create a purple and yellow ocean of color stretching from the scenic bluff in the north to the rivers in the south. Wildlife species, including migrating waterfowl and songbirds, are returning in abundance. NLI purchased the 721-acre preserve in 2000 using a generous gift left to us in Carl Nygrens will.

Both migrating and dabbling ducks are found here like Northern Shoveler, Blue- and Green-winged Teal, and Northern Pintail.

Game birds Ring-necked Pheasant and Wild Turkey can both be found here.

A variety of wetland birds are present in spring and summer including American White Pelican, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, Green Heron, and Sandhill Crane. A Tri-colored Heron spent a few days here in June 2013.

Red-headed Woodpeckers can be seen in the area of restored oak savannah, which is about 500 feet to the east of the parking lot along the trail.

Stephenson County, Winnebago County

Lake Summerset

January 16, 2017 Dan Williams Leave a comment

Located on Best Road in far northwest Winnebago County, Lake Summerset is one of the two largest bodies of water (Pierce Lake in Rock Cut State Park is the other) in the county. This is a gated community, so access is not allowed, but viewing the lake is possible from Best Road. About 2 miles N of the intersection of IL 75 and Best Road, go N on Best Road. Park in the lot of the State Bank and walk across (W) Best Road to a yellow gate marked “Emergency Vehicles Only.” Don’t block the gate, but set up your telescope on either side for good views of the lake in morning hours (you are looking straight west, so afternoon isn’t optimum). This lake attracts a variety of loons, grebes, waterfowl, gulls and terns. It is a deep lake (although manmade, the deep end is near the gate and earthen dam) and freezes over during cold winters, so viewing is limited until the ice goes off of the lake, usually by the 20th of March. April and May are best in spring. Be aware that the Winnebago-Stephenson County line runs approximately 1/2 way across the lake. Any bird opposite the swimming beach on the south shore are in Stephenson County.

By Dan Williams

Winnebago County

Blackhawk Park

January 16, 2017 Dan Williams Leave a comment

Blackhawk Park is located across (east) the Rock River from Klehm. Return to IL 2 and continue north 3 blocks to the stoplight intersection of Marchesano Driver/15^th Avenue (the name changes from one side of IL 2 to the other) and turn right. You will cross the 15^th Avenue bridge. At the other end of the bridge is the entrance to Blackhawk Park on the right. A baseball stadium is there at the corner. Drive slowly along the river and check the trees. The river downstream of the bridge often has waterfowl, and Carolina Wrens can often be found along either side of the river or in the limestone ravines on the east side. Wintering falcons (Peregrine and Merlin) often are seen along this stretch of river, and north of 15^th Avenue on the other side of the bridge. In spring, this area sometimes has singing Carolina Wrens. Watch for roaming gulls and waterfowl, too.

The new Morgan Street bridge is now open and provides good views of the open water below the Fordham Dam. Park on Buchanan Street, which is at the west end of the bridge access, and walk along the sidewalks (the downstream side has been plowed, the upstream side has a wildcat path pressed into the snow, and there are snow piles between street and sidewalk which makes moving from one side of the bridge to the other difficult. Access the north side from Buchanan Street-there is an opening for the sidewalk on the north side of Morgan Street and west of the bridge). You can set up a scope on the sidewalk.

North of 15^th Avenue bridge is a gravel bar in the middle of the river. This is an overnight roost for waterfowl, particularly geese. There is an open access on the east bank opposite the gravel bar that is right along a street that is opposite the entry into Blackhawk Park. Just upstream from the gravel bar is a very old, tall Cottonwood that is a regular perch for Bald Eagles. Check the river for ducks. Carolina Wrens are often seen/heard along this stretch of the river, too.

By Dan Williams

Winnebago County

Klehm Arboretum

January 16, 2017 Dan Williams Leave a comment

Klehm Arboretum is in south Rockford, about 2 miles north of US 20 (bypass). Exit US 20 (bypass) at IL 2 (Main Street) and go north on IL 2. The entry for Klehm Arboretum is at Clifton Avenue at the bottom of a long hill. Turn left on to Clifton and then another left into the Arboretum. Admission is $4 for adults. The arboretum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but is usually closed during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Check the Arboretum website for closure information and winter hours. The visitor center has feeders. Check them when you pay your admission. The Arboretum honors memberships from other botanical gardens if they are a member of the participating agency group.

The abundance of berries and winter food, plus the mixture of deciduous and coniferous vegetation, plus a lot of thickets, make Klehm a winter hotspot for birding. The main attraction is the flocks of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins, which sometimes include a Bohemian Waxwing. Winter finches also frequent Klehm, and, during invasion years, both species of crossbills can be found there. In the winter of 2012-2013, a Hoary Redpoll was in a flock of 110 Common Redpolls, and, at the same time, a Gray Catbird was in a thicket below the redpolls. Birders have also found Eastern Bluebirds (frequent in winter), Brown Thrasher, and, for two years in a row, a Townsend’s Solitaire (presumably the same bird) was feeding on juniper berries.

Raptors like to haunt Klehm and hunt the waxwings and robins. Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks are most common. Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles (the Rock River is less than ¼ mile away) often fly over.

by Dan Williams

Winnebago County

Rock Cut State Park

November 23, 2013 Dan Williams Leave a comment

Rock Cut State Park is located northeast of Rockford. It is bisected by I-90. A convenient exit is located at the intersection of I-90 and IL 173. Proceed west from the exit ramp (toll at this spot-no cash, only IPass) to the main entrance off of IL 173.

The entry road will pass through a planted prairie and then into scrubby second growth. This area should be checked for Northern Shrikes in March and sometimes Loggerhead Shrikes in late March/early April. The shrikes are often in the vicinity of the campground. Turn left at the first stop sign and drive 500 feet to the campground entrance. The loop road is closed beyond the campground entry during the winter, but you can enter the campground. Once the roads are cleared of snow, the gates are often opened and the full loop road can be accessed. On the entry road into the campground, look for a variety of sparrow species, particularly Fox, Song, American Tree and juncos. n early Hermit Thrush might be in their company.

Once you check the campground, retrace your path back to the stop sign intersection on the loop road and turn left toward Pierce Lake. The road will pass through upland hardwood forest which is pretty empty of birds during winter, so keep going to the parking lot by the dam at the west end of Pierce Lake. The deepest part of the lake is just east of the dam. Check the open water on the lake. If the lake is open, there are several other spots to check for waterfowl, including the Red Oak picnic area. Continue on the loop road across the dam and follow it past the concession stand to the driveway to Red Oak. Park at the end of the lot up on the hill and walk down toward the lake for the best views.

The Olson Annex to Rock Cut SP is located on the east side of I-90. You can cross over I-90 on a small bridge from the main loop road and, at the stop sign, turn left toward the beach area. Olson Lake is much more shallow than Pierce Lake, and it freezes deeper, so it is later to open in the spring. Diving ducks are usually at the western end, near the dam/spillway, while the east end has puddle ducks.