Tag Archives: killdeer

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.

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.

Cook County

Park No. 566

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Park No. 566
About-
Part of the historic US Steel South Works plant, the land occupied by the present-day park, was cleared in the late 1990’s. The land was acquired in 2004 by McCaffery Interests and, in an agreement with the city, subsequently deeded part of the land as a park. The Chicago Park District currently has a framework plan in place that will greatly alter the current state of the abandoned land but, no timeline has been set. The plan can be found on the CPD website.
Getting there-
Park No. 566 is most easily accessed from Lake Shore Drive, near the entrance to Rainbow Beach Park. You will pull past the intersection of S Farragut Dr & S Lake Shore Dr (for those coming from the north) and parallel park along the side of the road. Coming from the south, you will make a U-turn at that intersection to park on the south side of S Lake Shore Dr, east of Farragut. For those wishing to travel to the park in a low-carbon fashion, there are a variety of bus routes that travel nearby as well as the Cheltenham (79th St.) Metra Electric stop less than a half-mile away. The entrance into the park is off of Farragut. Look for a yellow gate. The path begins there.
How to bird-
The private land adjacent to the park runs along the south edge of the gravel path. As such, you won’t venture much off this path while birding this area. Hiking is an in-and-out endeavor. You’ll simply walk as far as you’d like and turn around. Lake-watchers will walk in until you find a mulch path headed north, there is a berm running along the slag shoreline which creates a good place to set up a scope. Unless you’re planning on lake-watching, avoid days with strong winds as it will keep the birds down in the grass and difficult to find. After rain, the path will likely be very muddy. No bathroom facilities are within walking distance.
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Birds found there-
Walking along the path, sparrows and other grassland birds are definitely the prime attraction with individual counts often above 100. In addition to the typical Emberizids, Grasshopper, Clay-colored, Henslow’s, Le Conte’s, and Nelson’s Sparrows have all been found here. Raptors are also common visitors. Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls can occasionally be found sitting on the side of the path; more so the farther you walk in. The row of trees near the entrance to the park can hold a surprising array of spring and fall warblers and, because of the relatively large tract of land and its position of jutting out into the lake, the numbers of migrants can occasionally be outstanding. During the summer, Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers are often seen running along the edges of the path. Other shorebirds may occasionally be found but the habitat is suitable only as a temporary stopping place and are definitely not typical. Gulls and waterfowl are regularly seen as at many other lakefront sites. However, when at the “lake-watching spot” be mindful that the Indiana border is a few hundred feet offshore due east. You’re best bet for Illinois viewing is focusing northward, back at the downtown area. Late fall/early winter is an excellent time to walk to the clearing (Slag area) and look for ground foraging birds. Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, and Lapland Longspur can assemble in huge flocks as they scrounge for seed in the open area. Winter residents are limited to White-crowned and American Tree Sparrows along with a few other common sparrow species.
Why this place is special-
There are many great places to bird in Chicago. Even the best feel very urban and surrounded by human activity. When you visit Park No.566, you’ll probably be the only person there. With S Lake Shore Dr not being heavily traveled, there are moments when you forget you’re standing within the boundaries of a large city.