Northern Illinois Summer Warblers: American Redstart

A male American Redstart, Nygren Wetlands, Rockton, IL; 5/12/2012. 

Talking about summer warblers that reside in Northern IL in my past few posts, another very common warbler found in Northern Illinois is the American Redstart (Above). I found this one at the Nygren Wetlands...

Another male American Redstart, Rock Cut State Park, IL; 5/12/2012.

...then the same day I found another Redstart (Above) at Rock Cut State Park. Another one, a week later (Female Below).

A female American Redstart, Rock Cut State park, Rockford, IL; 5/20/2012.



American Redstarts are fairly easy to find as they like to perch on medium height branches in smaller trees and are very vocal with their song. males and females are quite different in their appearances as seen by the female (Above). The remaining pics are all of male Redstarts.

Another male American Redstart, Rock Cut SP, Rockford, IL; 6/13/2012.



A male American Redstart, Peninsula SP, Door County, WI; 6/20/2012.

Sora Rail and Checkered White Butterflies

SORA RAILS ONLY OFFER A GLIMPSE

Sora Rail, Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, WI; 6/16/2012.

Until a month ago, I've only managed to see a Sora Rail once. It was over two years ago in a marshy area in Rock Cut State Park in Rockford, IL. And despite my many efforts, I never saw one there again. That marshy area has not been much of a wetland for the past two years, so it's no wonder that Soras would not stay there as a breeding ground. I've heard their whinny-like call emanating from marshes in several other areas (mostly Horicon Marsh and Necedah Wildlife Refuge - both in Wisconsin), but not in Illinois. So on June 16, while I was hiking in the Horicon Marsh, on a narrow spit of trail sandwiched between the large marsh, I heard the sharp call of a Sora Rail and it sounded very close. I scanned the reeds to try to locate where the sound might be coming from, but to no avail I couldn't spot it. After a few minutes I no longer heard it and decided to move on. As I turned, I saw some movement in the reeds on the other side of the trail. And there high-stepping through the shallow water was a Sora Rail (Above).

The same Sora escaping into the reeds, Horicon Marsh NWR, WI; 6/16/2012.

I was able to get a couple of pics before it slipped into the thicker cattail reeds (Above).

The last glimpse of the Sora, Horicon Marsh NWR, WI; 6/16/2012.

It only made its appearance for a matter of seconds before it was swallowed up by the cattails and gone from sight. That is the same thing that happened when I saw my only other Sora at Rock Cut SP - I saw it for a couple of seconds and then it melted into the reeds.

BUTTERFLY OF THE DAY * CHECKERED WHITE *

A male Checkered White, Deer Run Forest Preserve, Cherry Valley, IL; 7/12/2012.

As promised, I am including pictures of butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies in my posts for the remainder of the summer. Today's butterfly is the Checkered White (Above). I almost ignored these guys thinking they were the same as the Cabbage Whites (yesterday's post) that I have been seeing for the past several weeks. As I was trying to search out some Grasshopper Sparrows (which I failed to find - only heard), I noticed that these little white butterflies seemed to have different markings on their wings than the Cabbage Whites. So I gave them closer attention, took some pics, and sure enough, they were indeed a different species.

A female Checkered White, Deer Run Forest Preserve, Cherry Valley, IL; 7/12/2012.

The females have a bit fancier markings on their wings (Above).

A male Checkered White with its wings spread, Deer Run Forest Preserve, Cherry Valley, IL; 7/12/2012.

Like Cabbage Whites, the Checkered Whites can be found across the U.S., however unlike the Cabbages, which are common all over, the Checkereds are more common West of the Mississippi River, and into Mexico and Florida. So it was cool that I was able to see them in a less common area.

Black Terns nesting in Glacial Park, IL & Horicon Marsh NWR, WI

BLACK TERNS

A Black Tern hovering over part of Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, WI; 6/16/2012.

About a month ago I was able to see my first Black Terns (#397 on my Life List), which were at Glacial Park, near Richmond, IL. However, they were so far out over the marsh that the best photo I could muster (Below) was pretty poor quality. So it goes without saying that a week later when I encountered a pair of Black Terns at Horicon Marsh, excited me for the chance to see them in action at more of a close range and to get a better photograph (Above) of this  beautiful species.

The best photograph I could come up with for the first Black Tern on my Life List, Glacial Park, Richmond, IL; 6/10/2012.

I was actually trying to locate some Marsh Wrens chattering away in the cattails and trying to get a Yellow-headed Blackbird in flight (would that be a YHBBIF?), when a Black tern flew over my head and I followed its flight to over the marsh. They are pretty easy to pick out, as their heads, belly, and breat are completeyl black, whereas most terns are primarily white. It flew pretty far out, but was still a lot closer than the Glacial Park Black Terns. Then I noticed at least two of these Terns hovering over the marsh.

A Black Tern fishing for a meal in the light rain, Horicon Marsh NWR, WI; 6/16/2012.

The two Terns put on quite a display, and even though it had started to rain, I was able to follow some of their flight and snap a couple of photos (Above).
I noticed that one of the Terns landed in the reeds and I lost its trail, but the other kept circling, hovering, and hunting nearby.  It also confronted a couple of Blackbirds (Red-winged and Yellow-headed) as if warning them not too get too close. I hoped that meant there was a nest somewhere. Only when the second Tern also landed did I notice the first Tern sitting on a muddy clump of reeds at the far end of the marsh (Below).

As I was following the flight of the Black Tern in the upper right center part of this photo, there was also another Black tern sitting on a nest in the lower left-center part of the photo, Horicon Marsh NWR, WI; 6/16/2012.

There are two Black terns in the photo (Above). Can you spot them both? (Below) is a close up the nesting Tern from the photograph (Above).

A close up of the Black Tern sitting on its nest, Horicon Marsh NWR, WI; 6/16/2012.

Having never seen a Black Tern before this summer, then seeing them twice within one week was exciting for me, as it is anytime I see a new bird. You birders who are able to identify a bird for the forst time know the feeling I am talking about.

A Black Tern, Horicon Marsh NWR, WI; 6/16/2012.

In the summer months, Black Terns are found across the northern states of the country, from Oregon and Washington in the West to the Great Lakes States in the Mid-section and the East, and spread throughout much of Canada. There are small pockets in California, Nevada, Colorado, and Kansas, where they can also be found. They typically will start their migration already in late July to their winter grounds in and around the northern coasts of South America.

Tree Swallow feeding its fledgling, Horicon Marsh NWR

Even though the series of photos below are not the sharpest, I thought  it was fun to see a Fledgdling Tree Swallow being fed in mid flight by its mother.

"Feed me! Feed me!"  This young Tree Swallow was squawking up a storm, Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, WI; 6/16/2012.

While hiking through the many trails at Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge I was trying to photograph Tree Swallows flying through the air, but was unable to get any decent shots. But I did notice the young Tree Swallow (Above) sitting on a branch and not doing much flying. As I aimed my camera at it, it suddenly started squawking, and before I knew it another Tree Swallow swooped in with a bug in its bill and fed the Juvenile while in flight (Below)...

An Adult Tree Swallow feeding its young in mid flight, Horicon Marsh NWR, WI; 6/16/2012.

"Feed me! Don't fly away! Don't ignore me!"
The Juvenile Tree Swallow kept squawking even after its parent had fed it and was leaing.

Even after the adult Swalllow fed its young, the youngster kept complaining, until it realized it had some food, then suddenly it looked very content (Below)...

"Oh, I have some food...thanks, Mom"
"Don't mention it. Please."

Pied-billed Grebe family at Horicon Marsh NWR

On a gray rainy morning a couple of weeks ago, while I was stalking some Marsh Wrens in the long cattail reeds on the side of a pond, a little duck-like bird suddenly swam out of the reeds making a beeline away from me. The little guy had a black, white and orange markings on its head and was quite striking. I had never seen a water bird like this before, but the shape of its body, particularly its head and bill looked like a Pied-billed Grebe. My suspicions were confirmed when I saw its Pied-billed Mama swimming fast toward it and diverting its course to the opposite side of the pond.

A Pied-billed Grebelet, Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, WI; 6/16/2012.

A Pied-billed Grebe with a soon-to-be-a meal-frog in its bill, Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012.

The P-B Grebe turned toward the opposite side of the pond, still with the frog in its bill, Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012.

"Look at what I have for dinner...yummy," says the Mother to her Grebeling, Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012.

Soon two more Grebelets appeared and followed Mom,  Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012.

"Okay, now we all have to learn to share," Mother Grebe says to her brood, Horicon Marsh NWR; 6/16/2012. 

Because of this little episode in the the lives of the Pied-billed Grebe family, I lost the Marsh Wrens that were chattering in the reeds.

Duck Families - Mallards & Woods

Mother Mallard looking after her 3 ducklings, Rock Cut State Park; 6/15/2012.

As with Canada Geese (yesterday's post), by mid June to mid July, Mallard Duck families (Above) are easy to run across almost anywhere in the northern half of North America. Generally, Mallards will lay anywhere from a half dozen to a dozen eggs in one clutch taking about one month to incubate. Then another 7-8 weeks for the ducklings to be fully fledged. The large quantity of young in a clutch makes the Mallard Duck the most widely spread Duck in North America (perhaps the world?), so I was surprised last year while I was watching a Mallard with only one duckling following it around (Below). I waited for more to appear, but no more did. It goes to reason that the rest of her clutch was lost by a predator, parasites, or perhaps didn't hatch.

Mallard and single baby, Rock Cut State Park, IL; 5/22/2011.

Manky Mallard (cross with a domestic duck?) mother giving instructions to her brood, Rock Cut SP; 7/21/2010.

At first glance, you wouldn't suspect that the family of ducks (Above) were Mallards. The Mother (on the right) is likely a mix of a Mallard with a domestic species (the dark bill and white breast looked like perhaps a mix with a Northern Pintail? but more likely with a domestic duck).  Mallards have been notoriously known for their promiscuous behavior with their mating habits. They have been known to breed with several other species - wild and domestic.  When Mallards breed with a domestic duck they have been called "Manky Mallards" (coined by Charlie Moores at http://10000birds.com/manky-mallards-domestic-feral-or-just-plain-odd-mallards.htm ). This particular Manky mother has a brood of eight "Manklets" (I coined that one). In the photo (Above) you can see that six of them have the same markings as their mother, and in the photo (Below), you can see that only two of them have the more traditional Mallard Duckling look.

Falling in line under the watchful eye of the Sgt. Manky Mallard, Rock Cut SP; 7/21/2010.

In my short Birding life (2-3 years?) I have been trying to photograph as many Manky Mallards as I come across them. perhaps someday I will do a post featuring all these Mankies.

A Wood Duck family at the Nygren Wetlands, Rockton, IL; 6/2/2012.

Another duck speces, that is less common or promiscuous than the Mallard, is the Wood Duck. I have had the lucky oppurtunity to winess at least two Wood Duck families this Spring. The family of six ducklings (Above) were at quite a distance at Nygren Wetlands. (Below) I was was able to catch a baby Woodie running acoss the mudflat to catch up with the rest of the family. Again I was quite far away, and the ISO on my camera was not working properly that day, so all my photos in this outing were blown out and contrasty.

A blurry fuzzball of a Wood Duckling scurrying to catch up with rest of the brood, Nygren Wetlands, Rockton, IL; 6/2/2012.

Another distance shot of a different Wood Duck family, Horicon Marsh NWR, WI; 6/16/2012.

The second Wood Duck family (Above) I saw this Spring was at Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin.  Even though I was quite far across the pond from them, it didn't take Mother Woodie long to coax her brood of three into the cattail reeds out of sight. Because Wood Ducks are less common than Mallards, it is always a treat to spot one.

Birds that Nest in Man-made Structures

BIRD REAL ESTATE:
"BUT IS IT TURN-KEY READY?"

Of all the birdhouses I've seen, this is my favorite -  made entirely out of Birch. Seen at Khlem Arboretum, Rockford, IL; 5/7/2011.

You've heard of a pet door? A curious Tree Swallow checks out what all the commotion is about, Colored Sands Forest Preserve, IL; 6/2/2012.

Most birds will build their own nests (see yesterday's post); however, there are some who just like the convenience of moving into a ready-made structure. Bluebirds and House Wrens especially are species that typically will nest in man-made boxes. Another bird that comes to mind are Tree Swallows who love to occupy these birdhouses that were intended for Bluebirds (Above). Purple Martins almost exclusively nest in bird houses made especially for them (Below). One of the hazards of building boxes in hopes of attracting Bluebirds, Wrens, Swallows or Martins, is that they do not automatically attract these species first. Less desireable species such as House Sparrows or European Starlings often take over these types of houses. In fact, House Sparrows will nest anywhere and in anything. I've heard of sparrows nesting in old shoes, wheel wells of cars, clothes pins bags hanging on a clothes line, and even one inside a garage on top of the garage door opener. Someone must have let their garage open long enough for a sparrow to put a nest on top and lay eggs. Anything that is convenient and left lying for any length of time is a potential nesting place for a House Sparrow.

"It Takes a Village." Purple Martins enjoy the condo living style in these man-made houses, Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, WI; 5/29/2011.

"Those dang Bumpesses!" Mr. and Mrs. Martin sitting on their front deck with a look of disapproval at their unruly neighbors, Horicon Marsh NWR; 5/29/2011.

"Don't mind me. I live here." A Tree Swallow staking its claim on a Bluebird house, Horicon Marsh NWR; 5/29/2011.

The Tree Swallow (Above) checks to make sure all is okay before entering its abode. Other Swallows [Barn, Northern Rough-winged (Below), and Cliff] like to use bridges, porches and other underhangs that are safe from inclement weather to buld their nests. Then there are Chimney Swifts, which not only like to roost in the chimneys on man-made buildings, but are even named from their behavior. My question is, what were they named before chimneys existed in their habitat?

A dream home? or a pipe dream? This Northern Rough-winged Swallow found a home in a drainage pipe off the Pierce Lake Dam in Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 5/8/2011.

"A Room with a View." A typical box built for Wood Ducks, Horicon Marsh NWR; 10/16/2010.

Another type of man-made box built for birds are specifically built for waterfowl such as Wood Ducks (Above). However, once again, this doesn't assure that only Wood Ducks will use these structures. The Mallard (Below) sure looks like he's found a comfortable home...

"There's a great view from the upper deck." This Mallard sure looks like he's claimed this Wood Duck box. The Green Heron in the Upper Left corner seems to be green with jealousy. Rock Cut State Park, IL; 5/17/2009.

"Using the Widow's Walk to wait for the Terns out at sea to come home." Horicon Marsh NWR, WI; 5/29/2011.

Even though the Forster's Terns (Above) seem to be attached to the nesting box, it is more likely that they are using it for a perch to scope out prey in the water. Their nests usually are on the ground in the sand or dirt or on a floating raft of reeds.

This nesting box looks like a good candidate for a "fixer - upper" for some very handyman duck, Rock Cut State Park, IL; 3/27/2010.

"Spacious Living." This Osprey is looking over the edge of its large nest built atop of a man-made platform, Isla Contoy, Mexico; 12/21/2010.

Another type of structure specifically constructed for nesting purposes are the large platforms on top of a tall towers. These platform towers are built for and used by Ospreys (Above and Below).

"The loft in this unit is a plus." An example of an Osprey Tower. Photo credit: Brian Tague

These Osprey towers are being built in many natural areas where Ospreys breed or in places that are trying to attract breeding Ospreys. The Link (Below) is from Brian Tague's website which includes his photography mostly dealing New England landscapes and wildlife...

http://www.briantague.com/Birds-VulturesHawksFalconsOwls.html

However, just because humans have built these Osprey towers doesn't mean only Ospreys will utilize them. Other species have also been using these towers: Canada Geese, Hawks, and Eagles. Also Osprey's nesting habits do not necessarily mean they will only use these towers. They are likely to build nests on aything that is tall and large enough to hold their huge nests which can weigh more than 250 lbs and measure almost 4' in diameter.

An Osprey nest with modern ameneties, near Cancun, Mexico; 12/20/2010.

While vacationing in Mexico in the winter of 2010, on our way out to Isla Mujeres, we boated past a utility tower that had a huge Osprey nest on top. In the photo (Above) you can see the head of the Osprey sitting in the nest.

It looks like there are eight units in this Apartment building for birds, Khlem Arboretum, Rockford, IL; 5/7/2011.

Like the Osprey Tower, the birdhouses (Above and Below) are bult on a post, and unlike the Osprey towers thay are much smaller in scale, but they offer the opportunity for more bird families.

This birdhouse is more like a quadplex, with four units,  Khlem Arboretum, Rockford, IL; 5/7/2011.

Mail Slots? This house is obviously not built for birds, unless it is for very skinny birds or it where they pick up their mail. Can you guess what it is used for? Khlem Arboretum, Rockford, IL; 5/7/2011.