DuPage County, Illinois RBA for February 12, 1999

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Location: DuPage County, Illinois

Number: 630-406-8111

Coverage: Western, southwestern suburbs of Chicago

Compiler/Transcriber: Jim Frazier

Email: jfrazier@elnet.com



DuPage Hotline Site (including directions and archives)

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jimfrazier/dupage.htm



Official DuPage Birding Club site:

http://www.xnet.com/~ugeiser/Birds/BirdClub.html

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This is the DuPage Birding Club Hotline for Friday, February 12,

1999 at 8:45pm



From DuPage County:



The last report I have for the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE is from

Sunday. The bird has been seen at the Arboretum on the south

section of Illinois Trees Trail loop 2. BLUEBIRDS are also being

seen in the area and frequently associate with the Solitaire.



The Solitaire has been seen on the hill across from parking 2;

flying towards Crabapple Lake; and all over the clearing where it

was first located. People report having to work as long as 4

hours to see this bird.



To get to the location where the Solitaire was seen, park in lot

2, cross the street and go up the hill with all the pines. At

the top, you'll see a wood chip trail. Take it east past the

"Plants of Korea" sign. On your left will be an oak woodland

with freshly cut stumps and wood chips. The Solitaire was

foraging with the bluebirds in this area. It was seen mostly on

the ground around freshly cut stuff, but would sometimes perch on

an exposed branch no higher than 10 to 15 feet. Look for the

bluebirds and they may lead you to the Solitaire.



The SAW-WHET OWL continues to be seen on Hemlock Hill at the

Arboretum. The last report that I have is from today, the 12th.

If you search for this bird, please be very careful not to

disturb it. It has been reported from a couple of locations, so

there may be more than one in the area. From parking 24, go to

the trail that goes east and west through the pine plantation

north of the parking lot. Walk west until you get to the

Hemlock/Yew plantings which constitute Hemlock Hill. It has been

seen in spruce trees along the eastern and southern edges of this

planting. It seems to be consistently seen at a height of about

8 feet. Look for white-wash.



RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS showed up in droves on Tuesday. They are

now being seen all over the area.



KILLDEER were seen at Argonne and Waterfall Glen on Wednesday.



The NORTHERN SHRIKE was still at Greene Valley, just inside the

entrance, last weekend.



And a NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen on Wednesday at Brewster Creek

Marsh Pond at Pratt's Wayne.



A EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH has been reported from a couple of feeders

in southwest Bartlett over the last few weeks. It has not been

seen consistently, but it seems to turn up at different

locations. This bird is probably an escapee, but if any

additional reports are received from a location where it is being

seen regularly, it will be reported.



A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen flying over the yard in Downers

Grove on Wednesday and a KILLDEER was seen on Tuesday.



From Kane County:



A BALD EAGLE was seen today in downtown St. Charles along the

river.



2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and a flock of 38 SNOW GEESE were seen on

Tuesday at Nelson Lake.



GOLDENEYE were seen on the Fox River between Geneva and St.

Charles on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.



A male HOODED MERGANSER was seen from the Valley View area, north

of St. Charles on the Fox River. Also seen were GOLDENEYE.



From Fermilab:



The three HOODED MERGANSERS, RING-NECKED DUCK, and AMERICAN COOT

were still on Swan Lake this week.



5 or 6 GREAT BLUE HERONS were seen today in the canal between the

Education Center and the High Rise.



GOLDENEYES were seen today at Dusaf Lake, and on Tuesday they

were seen on the Main Ring Lake along with COMMON MERGANSERS,

GADWALL and BLACK DUCKS. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was seen

on Saturday on the Main Ring Lake.



A LESSER SCAUP was on CASEY'S POND on Tuesday.





Thank you to everyone who called or emailed reports this week.



Thank you for calling the DuPage Birding Club Hotline.

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Jim Frazier, Year 2000 Practice Manager

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