Tag Archives: Franklin’s Gull

Peoria County, Tazewell County

Peoria Lake

2 Comments

Peoria Lake is the large body of water formed by the broadening of the Illinois River between Peoria and East Peoria. It may also be referred to as Lower Peoria Lake to be distinguished from Upper Peoria Lake to the north. It’s deceptively large (approximately 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide) and you can often be looking across as much as 2 miles of open water. Fortunately there are several publicly accessible locations from which to view it. Peoria Lake is a natural migratory corridor which thousands of ducks and other waterbirds use. It is especially productive for diving ducks from November through March. Large numbers of Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, and Canvasback rest and feed here during migration. It’s also good for Bufflehead, Redhead and Ring-necked Duck. Common Goldeneye and Common Merganser are regular winter residents. It’s a one of the best places in the area to look for scoters and other uncommon diving ducks. It’s good for loons and grebes as well.

The strip of woods between Cooper Park South which starts behind Jonah’s Seafood House and extends north of the Carl Spindler Campground to the McCluggage bridge can be very good for migrant landbirds. There is a nice trail system and boardwalks through the area.

East Port Marina is a good area to check for gulls. They like to congregate and loaf on the piers. Jonah’s often throws out old dinner rolls which attracts Ring-billed Gulls and occasionally bigger gulls will come in as well. Herring Gull is common here and Glaucous Gull has been a rare but regular visitor in recent winters. Lesser Black-backed, Thayer’s, Iceland, California, Franklin’s, and Bonaparte’s have all been found here. I’ve seen reports of Sabine’s Gull on Peoria Lake as well, but have never seen or heard of one roosting at East Port Marina.

Here is map of Peoria Lake with some of the better birding spots.


View Peoria Lake in a larger map

 

 

 

 

Mason County

Chautauqua NWR

Leave a comment

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge is well known to Illinois birders for waterfowl and shorebird concentrations. The water in the various pools is regulated, and if dropped at the right time of year the habitat can be outstanding for shorebirds. Even if the water levels are fairly high, there are usually mudflats in the SW corner of the upper pool (north of the crossdike). There is a small island and usually mudflats in the NE corner, viewable from the dike at Goofy Ridge. There are parking lots and trail access at the east end of each dike.

In season, and when proper habitat is present, this can be the best place in Illinois to find large shorebirds such as American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit. Red-necked Phalarope and Wilson’s Phalarope have been found here in numbers some years. Very rare vagrants that have been seen here include Ruff, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Curlew Sandpiper. Gulls also concentrate here, and Franklin’s, Sabines, Little, Lesser Black-backed have been recorded at Chautauqua. The south pool can have tens of thousands of waterfowl during migrations and is one of the best places in the state to see large numbers of Greater White-fronted Goose, Cackling Goose and Northern Pintail.

The area around the headquarters can be very good for migrating land birds, and there is an observation tower where you can get a good view of the south pool. The woods around the Goofy Ridge access can also be very good during migrations. Breeding birds here include Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Screech Owl, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Eurasian Tree Sparrow.


View Larger Map

Fulton County

Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge / Thompson Lake

1 Comment

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.


View Illinois Birding Map in a larger map

Carroll County

Miller’s Hollow Landing / Lazy River Marina

Leave a comment

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 →