Despite high water conditions, field trip participants were able to observe more than 100 species over the course of the IOS Shorebirding Weekend, including more than 15 species of shorebirds. Expert field trip leaders made the most of the situation and scoured the Illinois River area for birds with willing participants benefiting from their efforts.
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, which typically holds thousands of shorebirds this time of year when mudflats are exposed, instead was alive with big numbers of waterfowl taking advantage of the high water condition including Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, and American White Pelicans. Raptors were well represented by Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Cooper’s Hawk, several Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and American Kestrel. Swallows filled the air over the crossdike with all five species represented with especially large numbers of Bank, Tree, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows.
At lunch, participants retreated to the cool environs of the Dickson Mounds State Museum. Arriving at the museum, a surprise Barred Owl was heard cackling mid-day near the parking lot. Inside, attendees were treated to lunch and a great shorebird ID talk by Geoff Williamson.
On Sunday, one field trip took a pontoon boat out on Thompson Lake at Emiquon Preserve where huge groups of swallows were gathered. Small numbers of Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs were seen along the lake edges along with a summering group of Snow Geese. An American Golden-Plover gave great views from the boat. While navigating, at one point, the boat got stuck in a shallow spot. Thanks to a few volunteers, the group was able to get back to the boat launch safely, where we wrapped up the weekend.