Tag Archives: Hermit Thrush

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.

Winnebago County

Rock Cut State Park

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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

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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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Henderson County

Big River State Forest

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The Virginia pines in the Equestrian area to the north of the main section attract both Red and White-winged Crossbills in season. Virginia pines can be recognized by their scraggly appearance and that they are often covered in small black cones the crossbills seem to like so much.

The main section has a lot of pines as well, and crossbills can be found here also, again, in-season. The woods here can be very birdy, and wintering passerines, such as Hermit Thrush, Brown Creeper etc. can be plentiful. The habitat looks to be excellent for Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls as well.


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