Tag Archives: Pileated Woodpecker

Swallow Cliff Woods South

The large pine trees around this parking lot has been a good place for Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll and Red-breasted Nuthatch in season. In the woods immediately to the east of the parking area, Summer Tanager has been a regular breeder. Along the Sag Valley Trail to the east, between where the two trails cut off to the south, Kentucky and Hooded Warblers have bred. Barred Owl and Pileated Woodpecker can be found here as well.


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Swallow Cliff Woods North

Pileated Woodpecker and Louisiana Waterthrush have bred in the woods along the Sag Valley Trail, where it runs west, from the southwest corner of the parking lot.  The first ravine on the left has been good for the waterthrush, and the woodpecker bred here in 2009 … but there is good habitat all along this stretch of trail.


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Lost Mound unit: Upper Mississippi NWR

This is a large (very large) area, most of which is off-limits. But the area that is accessible has extensive grassland, scrub and sand-prairie habitat. The habitat is criss-crossed by roads in various state of repair, and birding is primarily done from the car.

The map below gives some suggestions, but many of the target species can be found almost anywhere. Blue Grosbeak and Lark Sparrow are easily found in May and June, as is Northern Mockingbird.

Breeding species found here include Blue Grosbeak, Henslow’s Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Whip-poor-will, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird. Other species that have been found here include Summer Tanager, Carolina Wren and, where the entrance road crosses a creek just before entering the property, Prothonotary Warbler.


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For county listers, the Jo Daviess/Carroll county line is in yellow.

Mississippi Palisades State Park

Mississippi Palisades is well known for its concentration of breeding forest birds, especially warblers. At other seasons, almost anywhere in or around the park can be great birding, this entry is concerned with the breeding species that can be found primarily May–August. Continue reading Mississippi Palisades State Park