Tag Archives: Fox Sparrow

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.

Mason County

Sand Ridge State Forest

February 19, 2013 Greg Neise 1 Comment

Sand Ridge is a large expanse (over 7,000 acres) of mixed oak woods, savanna and planted pines. The habitats offer exceptional birding year-round.

Breeding species include Pileated Woodpecker, Broad-winged Hawk, Barred Owl, Whip-poor-will, Wood Thrush, Orchard Oriole, White-eyed Vireo, Northern Mockingbird, Blue Grosbeak. Pine warbler has bred in the pines near the parking lot west of Cactus Drive and south of Co Rd 2500N (teal-blue marker, below). Along Co Rd 2500N west of the Fish Hatchery entrance, listen for Prairie Warbler. For many years, Sand Ridge had been reliable for Chuck-will’s-widow, but none have been found in recent years. Still, it is worth listening for if you are there on a spring or summer evening.

The Virginia pines near the intersection of Co Rd 2300N (Goofy Ridge Rd) and Co Rd 2300E often has Red Crossbills and White-winged Crossbills during migrations and winter. Evening Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin and Red-breasted Nuthatch have been found here also.

The Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery, north of Co Rd 2500N east of Cactus Drive (2600E) is a good place to check for herons and egrets.

At the intersection of Cactus Drive and 2300N is the campground. From here, Cactus Drive continues south and becomes Forest City Rd. Staying to the right takes you onto Bishop Road, which is a quiet, sandy road through woodland and savanna. Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Kentucky Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, and all of the expected species breed here. In winter, huge flocks of American Robins can be found here. Other wintering species include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush and Fox Sparrow.

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Lake County

Grant Woods

February 10, 2013 Beau Schaefer Leave a comment

Grant Woods is an extensive forested area with some shrubland in western lake county. In winter it is a good place to check for winter finches in the extensive pine stands of the North Unit. There is also a nesting Cooper’s Hawk in this area most summers. Northern Shrikes also like the tall shrubs bordering the grassy areas. I have had Purple Finches and Brewer’s Blackbirds here during fall migration and the South Unit is one of the better places for Fox Sparrows during the winter. The North Unit is especially good for warblers in the spring as the blossoming crabapples attract a multitude of insects for them to feast on. I had 20 warbler species here in May in 2011 on a nice sunny morning following the passage of a warm front. These included Black-throated Blue (2), Golden-winged, and Connecticut. It can be an electric place during spring migration. In the summer I have had breeding Blue-winged Warbler, Pine Warbler, Ovenbird, Wood Thrush, and Broad-winged Hawk. It is also my favorite spot for migrating Common Nighthawk. The open area south of the small lake has had summering Clay-colored Sparrow.

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