Canada Goose | Illinois Birding by County

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

Though discovered years before, 2012 has seen a rise in interest in the Lake County Fairgrounds as a birding destination. With close proximity to a dump, it is easy to see what makes this spot stand out in the winter months.

The fairgrounds main parking lot is becoming a good destination for winter gulling in Lake County and one of the only reliable Lake County spots outside of Winthrop Harbor that hosts a wide range of species in the winter. As per usual, the dominant species in the parking lot are Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gull. Scattered amongst these species, there have been records of Lesser Black-backed Gull, Thayer’s Gull, Iceland (Kumlien’s) Gull, and California Gull.

Just north of the parking lot is a small ponds that many of the gulls travel to for preening and water. This pond in April had a beautiful pair of juvenile Bonaparte’s Gulls that spent the better part of a week feeding there. Besides the gulls, this pond can hold significant amounts of waterfowl. Recorded so far have been, Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, and American Wigeon.

In summer, the pond dried significantly, revealing decent mud flats. Large numbers of Great Egret and Great Blue Heron congregated in late summer and shorebirds seen during fall migration included Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Spotted Sandpiper. Sora’s have been heard and seen in the cattails.

The gravel parking lot to the west of the pond had summering Horned Larks. In winter, flocks of American Tree Sparrow are common, and on rare occasions, Snow Bunting have been seen and heard. The fairgrounds is also an easy spot to pick up American Kestrel, as a resident pair has been seen here for more than a year.

NOTE: It’s important to know that gull congregations are only great when the water at the pond adjacent to the parking lot is OPEN. If it is frozen, the gulls WON’T congregate in any significant number. The gulls need open water for bathing and preening. This most likely designates this as a great gulling spot early and late in the season.

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