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DuPage County, Illinois RBA for February 8, 2004
Date: February 8, 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:
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL **
ICELAND GULL
THAYER'S GULL
MERLIN
NORTHERN SHRIKE
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
BALD EAGLE
COMMON REDPOLL


____ DUPAGE COUNTY ____________________________________

At Greene Valley on February 7, the NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen again
along the entrance road off 79th Street. It is usually about 30-50
yards deep in the shrubbery on the NW side of the road and somtimes
hard to see.

On February 3, a COMMON REDPOLL was seen in a backyard in Wheaton. A
flyover GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was also seen headed west.

At the Morton Arboretum on February 7, a MERLIN was seen flying west
near P-24.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS have been reported from multiple locations including
the DuPage Airport, Greene Valley, and FermiLab.

A LONG-EARED OWL was seen in an undisclosed location.

____ KANE COUNTY _______________________________________

On February 4 at Settler's Hill, an adult GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL and
an adult ICELAND GULL were seen.

At the Geneva Dam (Fox River) on February 8, a first winter GREAT
BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen. On February 4, an adult ICELAND GULL and
an adult THAYER'S GULL were seen. A CALIFORNIA GULL was also reported
on February 4, but has not been relocated since then.

Other sightings along the Fox River this week include THAYER'S GULL,
MUTE SWANS, GADWALL, BUFFLEHEAD, AMERICAN COOT, and HOODED MERGANSERS.

On February 2, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen at the corner of Fabyan and
Wenmoth Road.

One or two BALD EAGLES have been seen regularly along the Fox River
this week between Geneva and South Elgin.

____ UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS ______________________________

Saturday, February 14, 7:00 a.m. Mississippi River Eagles.
This will be an all day trip to visit several sites along the
Mississippi River to see Bald Eagles, other raptors, gulls, and
waterfowl. On the return trip we may make a few stops in Lee or DeKalb
Counties to look for longspurs, buntings, game birds and raptors. Meet
at 7:00 am in the parking lot southwest of the main building of
Yorktown Mall (facing the intersection of Butterfield Rd & Highland) in
Lombard. Bring walkie-talkies, scopes, and dress for the cold.
Note-this trip is limited to 20 people (8 cars). Please register with
the leader, but not before January 25.
Leader: Urs Geiser, (630) 515-1712.

Sunday, February 15, 8:00 a.m. Morton Arboretum again.
Another chance to learn more about where to find birds at the Morton
Arboretum. Hopefully, we will find winter specialties, Finches,
Nuthatches and maybe Owls. Meet at parking lot no. 2. There is a $5
charge for nonmembers, and members, don't forget your membership card
for free admittance. The Thornhill refreshment area for coffee should
be open.
Leader: Joe Suchecki, (630) 369-5570.
_____________________________________

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/