Tag Archives: Forster’s Tern

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.

Stephenson County, Winnebago County

Lake Summerset

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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

Cook County

Harborside International Golf Course

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Harborside International Golf Course is located at 11001 S. Doty Avenue East in southeast Chicago. Doty Avenue is the frontage road which runs along the east side of I-94 (Bishop Ford Expressway), and it may be easily accessed by exiting I-94 at the 111th, 115th, or 130th Street east exits. The golf course is situated at the northwest corner of Lake Calumet, and clear views of the lake and its various habitats are easily obtained from the clubhouse balcony (a spotting scope is recommended). The facility is normally open from April 1st through October 31st. Species groups found at Harborside since 2002 have typically included waterfowl, wading birds, raptors, shorebirds, and grassland birds.

Harborside International Golf Course is a private facility, but the Harborside management has no objection to birders observing from this location if certain protocols and restrictions are observed. Cameras/photography are forbidden on the premises. Birders are allowed to view from the clubhouse balcony only, but only on days when the balcony is not already in use for a special event. Birders are discouraged from using the balcony from noon to 1 pm, when golf course patrons may be lunching there. To get to the clubhouse balcony, enter the golf course and follow the entrance road to the parking lot. Drive to the east end of the parking lot, park, and walk east to the clubhouse. The balcony is at the east end of the clubhouse.

Birds seen at Harborside Golf Course since 2002 include 27 waterfowl species (21 ducks). Less common waterfowl have included Greater White-fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Tundra Swan, and White-winged Scoter (usually three, but up to six Greater White-fronted Geese were regularly viewed from the clubhouse balcony during May of 2013). Ring-necked Pheasants were commonly heard calling from the clubhouse balcony through 2008, but it appears that this species no longer occurs on the property. Pied-billed & Horned Grebes are commonly seen during the proper season, and an Eared Grebe could be viewed from the clubhouse balcony during May of 2002 and April of 2009. American White Pelicans occur only uncommonly and sporadically during migration.

Nine wader species have occurred since 2002, with less common species including Least Bittern, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. At least twelve raptor species have been seen at Harborside since 2002. Turkey Vultures & Red-tailed Hawks are commonly seen throughout the summer months, but Osprey, American Kestrel, & Peregrine Falcon are also occasionally seen. A pair of Bald Eagles recently built a nest at the tip of the northernmost slip at southeastern Lake Calumet, and the nest (w/incubating adult) could be viewed from the clubhouse balcony during the spring of 2013. Virginia Rail & Sora (and Marsh Wren) may be heard calling from the clubhouse balcony during the proper season, and Common Gallinule has also occasionally been seen from that vantage point.

At least 24 shorebird species have occurred since 2002, with less common species including American Avocet, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, White-rumped Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed & Long-billed Dowitchers, and Wilson’s Phalarope. A few Bonaparte’s Gulls may be seen with the many Ring-billed & Herring Gulls during migration, and a Laughing Gull could be viewed from the clubhouse balcony during June of 2006. A 1st-cycle Great Black-backed Gull lingered throughout May & much of June in 2004. Caspian Terns are regular during summer, and Forster’s, Common, & Black Terns are occasionally seen during migration. A nesting colony of Bank Swallows (50-100+ nest holes) was located at the northeast corner of Lake Calumet (across the lake from the clubhouse balcony) from 2002 – 2009.

A Northern Mockingbird has appeared on the golf course grounds on more than one occasion. Savannah Sparrows, Dickcissels, & Eastern Meadowlarks are commonly heard singing along the Harborside entrance road during June, and Bobolinks have also occurred. As a plus, Franklin’s Ground Squirrels breed on the property and are also occasionally seen along the entrance road.


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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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Lake County

Chain O Lakes State Park

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COLSP is truly a birding haven. It’s best time is spring migration, but it is also a great spot for uncommon breeding birds, and in the winter is one of the best places  to see Rough-legged Hawks in Lake County. It sports a wide range of habitats including riparian edge, open lake, mudflats, oak woodlands, marsh, and conifer stands. Warblers and other passerines love the extensive woodlands and riparian edges, but I enjoy it most for the breeding birds. Sedge Wrens, Cerulean Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Henslow’s Sparrow, Osprey, American Redstart, and Red-headed Woodpecker are just a few of the breeding gems at this park. It is also the best spot in Lake County for both Wild Turkey and Ring-necked Pheasant. A trip on a boat onto Grass Lake will probably get you American White Pelican, Forster’s Tern, and Black Tern as well.


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Fulton County

Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge / Thompson Lake

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Thompson Lake is one of the magical birding spots in Illinois. The number of rarities and unusual species found here in recent years is too big to list here. Breeding or summering species include up to 16 species of ducks and geese, Black-necked Stilt, Black Tern, American White Pelican, Common Gallinule, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail, King Rail, Marsh Wren, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle.

Shorebird numbers depend on the water levels. During migrations Thompson Lake is an excellent place to look for unusual shorebirds including American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit, Willet, Piping Plover, Western Sandpiper, Sanderling (always difficult to find away from Lake Michigan), Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalaropes. Franklin’s Gulls can usually be found here dring spring and fall migration, along with Common, Forster’s and Caspian Terns. White-faced Ibis have been seen here regularly, especially in fall. The scrub and weeds south of the observation tower can be very good for sparrows and other migrants September—November, including LeConte’s Sparrow, Nelson’s Sparrow, Sedge Wren. After breeding, hundreds of Eurasian Tree Sparrows often congregate near the observation platform.

In November and December Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl rest at Thompson, and flocks of 10,000 or more Snow Geese are frequently encountered. Ross’ Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose and Cackling Goose can usually be found here as well.

At the Clark Rd. hunter’s access, many scrub and prairie species can be found, including Henslow’s Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, White-eyed Vireo, Bell’s Vireo, Willow Flycatcher, Red-headed Woodpecker. Walking the half-mile trail to the water’s edge can often be very productive. Note that the access is simply a mowed path in the grass, and may not be accessible to all vehicles.


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Carroll County

Miller’s Hollow Landing / Lazy River Marina

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Directly across the road, on the west side of Rte. 84, from the north entrance to Mississippi Palisades State Park. The backwaters and sand flats that are viewable from the boat launch are good to check for migrating shorebirds and other water-birds. Continue reading Miller’s Hollow Landing / Lazy River Marina →