Tag Archives: American Golden-Plover

Winnebago County

Oliver Road

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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.

Ford County

Sibley Grove

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Sibley Grove is a mesic savanna and wetland complex that is probably the best remaining example of a mesic savanna, pond, marsh, and prairie complex in east-central Illinois. The grove of oak trees found here, including some nearly 400 years old, dominates a ground layer that is being restored, with ongoing removal of honeysuckle, buckthorn, and other invasive and non-native plants. The 50 acre site is owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy.

From the junction in the town of Sibley of Illinois Route 47 and County Road 1300N proceed south on Route 47 to Ohio Street, turn east (left) onto Ohio Street, proceed 0.75 mile, turn south (right) on County Road 480E, proceed 0.75 mile, turn east (left) on County Road 1250N. You are now on the north side of the preserve. Proceed less than a quarter-mile to the small grass parking lot on the south side of County Road 1250N east of the marsh.

The main attraction of Sibley Grove from a birding perspective is not its great species diversity, although it appears to be birded very little, so it’s hard to say how many species actually occur here. Rather, it is the combination of excellent natural habitat in the otherwise seemingly endless agricultural landscape of Ford County, which is flat, dominated by corn and soybean fields, has few water bodies, and where most of the watercourses are little more than drainage ditches. Sibley Grove deserves more attention from birders in order to discover what species do occur here, and if you are a county lister it’s almost the only decent natural habitat in Ford County.

Because of the combination of habitat types in a small site species diversity could be higher than what has already been recorded. Puddle ducks, pied-billed grebe, great blue heron, great egret, and American coots have been observed on the pond. Shorebirds include American golden-plover, killdeer, lesser yellowlegs, and least, solitary, and spotted sandpipers. Upland areas host the expected woodland species including black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, house wren, kinglets, thrushes, wood warblers, sparrows, and blackbirds.

Lake County

Waukegan Beach

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Nestled amongst an archaic industrial backdrop, Waukegan Beach is one of the premier lakefront birding sites in Lake County.  Historically, this site has hosted quite a few state rarities, including Tricolored Heron, Arctic Tern, and Mountain Bluebird.  In the fall and winter months, the northernmost pier has been the most reliable spot in the state to find a Purple Sandpiper.  It almost strictly a migratory bird stopover site, with very few notable breeders.  The summer months are dominated by beach goers, and unless you get there early, a fee to enter the beach.  Birding Waukegan can be broken into several categories: beach, dunes, park, harbor.

The beach proper is best birded by heading north on the shoreline from the northern pier.  The half mile stretch of beach to Greenwood Ave is a great place in the spring and summer to pick up migrating shorebirds.  In April, it is a great spot for Piping Plovers.  Other notable shorebirds seen in fall/spring migration include Baird’s Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Dunlin, Willet, American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Golden-Plover, and Red Knot.  In spring, terns are easily seen flying over the lake with both Common and Forster’s being numerous.  Also, Bonaparte’s Gulls are readily seen in season while walking the beach, though not in their previous numbers.

As mentioned earlier, the piers are, with luck, a great spot to find Purple Sandpiper.  In migration, Ruddy Turnstones are seen almost annually on the piers, too.  In winter, this has been a historical site to find Harlequin Duck.  Off the piers (northern or “Government” Pier) on a fall day with stiff NE winds, is a great place for lake watching.  All three scoter species have been found alongside Long-tailed Ducks and the other common divers.

The dunes adjacent to the beach are a great place to hike during migration.  Any part of the dunes near water can kick up Nelson’s and Le Conte’s Sparrows.  An early morning hike can include hunting Northern Harriers and flushed Short-eared Owls.  Swarms of swallows course over the marshland, with all the regular occurring species seen in good numbers.  The fall of 2012 included a November sighting of Cave Swallow.  Scrubbier habitat near the beach parking lot can hold large quantities of migrating passerines on any spring/fall day.  Always worth checking this area.

The park just west of the swimming beach, locally known as the “Magic Pines,” can be migrant trap.  Notable species seen during migration include Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Canada Warbler, Mourning Warbler, and Clay-colored Sparrow.  Almost any migratory passerine can be found here on the right day.  Like most lakefront sites, this can also be a great place to see high counts for a species.

The harbor is the place to look for ducks that enjoy sheltered waters.  During migration and winter, look for Horned Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye.  To bird the harbor, it is best to walk along Government Pier, parking in the marina parking lot.  It’s always worth scanning from the end of government pier.  Most recently, a Western/Clark’s Grebe was spotted there.  Snowy Owls have been found on the harbor docks in winter, as well as on the end of the piers in good years.  As the harbor freezes over, gulls congregate in small/medium numbers.  Despite not having the highest individual counts, the seven “regular” species have been seen.


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