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DuPage County, Illinois RBA for January 10, 2004
Date: January 10, 2004
Location: DuPage County, Illinois
Number: 630-406-8111
Coverage: Western suburbs of Chicago
Editor: Eric Secker

DuPage Hotline Site
http://www.gadwall.com/birding/hotline/

Official DuPage Birding Club site:
http://www.dupagebirding.org
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Highlight Species:
SPOTTED TOWHEE **
ICELAND GULL
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
THAYER'S GULL
MERLIN
RED CROSSBILL
MUTE SWAN


____ DUPAGE COUNTY ____________________________________

The SPOTTED TOWHEE was seen again on January 10 around noon in the
backyard at the NE corner of Twin Oaks and Wallace (house with the RV
in the driveway).

>From I-88, head north on Winfield Road.  Take Winfield a few miles to
Mack Road (1st road north of the stoplight at Butterfield Road).  Turn
east on Mack Road and follow it for about one mile to Twin Oaks Drive,
where you turn right (south).  Then turn east (left) onto Wallace. 
Look for the bird at the NE corner of Twin Oaks and Wallace.  Also look
in the brusy area further down on Wallace across from the house for
sale.
----------

At the Morton Arboretum on January 10, highlights from the DuPage
Birding Club trip included PINE SISKINS, GREAT BLUE HERON, RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH and other regulars.  A MERLIN was also seen from the bridge by
the entrance road after the trip.

On January 10 at Hidden Lake, a WILSON'S SNIPE was seen.

____ KANE COUNTY _______________________________________

On January 10, three or four THAYER'S GULLS, a 1st winter? ICELAND
GULL, and an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were seen along the Fox
River above the dam just north of Route 38 (Roosevelt Rd.) in Geneva. 
Park in the lot by the Mill Race bike shop just west of Route 25.

At Fabyan Forest Preserve on January 10, a small flock of RED
CROSSBILLS was seen in the pines near the Japanesse Garden (off of
Route 31 just north of Fabyan Road).  A WINTER WREN, a CAROLINA WREN,
PURPLE FINCHES, and a HERMIT THRUSH were also seen along the stream in
the woods north of this location.

On January 10, a MUTE SWAN and COMMON GOLDENEYES were seen along the
Fox River a few blocks south of Route 64.  They are best viewed from
Riverside Ave south of Route 64 (go left/straight when Route 25 forks
right).  A GADWALL was also seen on the river between Route 64 and
Illinois Street.  On January 9, two BLACK DUCKS and a female LESSER
SCAUP were also seen in this area.  

On January 9, four MUTE SWANS and eight COMMON GOLDENEYE were seen on
the Fox River at Blackhawk Forest Preserve.

A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was seen in a backyard in Batavia on January 7.

Thanks for all the Kane County reports this month!  Please keep them
coming.

____ UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS ______________________________

Saturday, January 17, 2004, 8:00 a.m. Starved Rock Dam If conditions
are right, we should see wintering Bald Eagles, ducks and gulls. We
will meet at the Illinois Waterways Visitor Center at the lock and dam.
Here we can even view the area from inside and stay warm! Take I-80
west and exit at Utica (178) south. Go through town to Dee Bennett Rd
(just before the river) and turn left (east) and continue to the
Visitor Center which will be on your right. We will also check out
other local areas for any unusual over wintering birds (last year
produced Harris's Sparrow and Dickcissel) time permitting. Bring your
scope and walkie-talkies if you have them.
Leader: Darrell Shambaugh, (815) 498-9367. 
_____________________________________

Thank you to everyone who called or emailed reports to the DuPage
Birding Club Hotline.

=====
The DuPage Birding Club Hotline
DuPage County, Illinois (western suburbs of Chicago)
640-406-8111   mailto:dupagehotline@yahoo.com
http://www.gadwall.com/birding/hotline/