Visit 2015 Listers Corner

The 2015 Listers Corner is now ready for viewing in the Publications section of our Web site!
Special thanks to committee members, Joe Lill, Jim Mountjoy and Mike Madsen, for all their help and their willingness to discuss the smallest detail; to Greg Neise, IOS Webmaster, who updated the site, and to all the birders, from every corner of the state, who graciously contributed their data to this online archive.

IORC Update – 3-Apr-2016

Records Accepted

  • Barrow’s Goldeneye, 6 Dec 2015 – 27 Feb 2016, Carpentersville, Kane County (2015-058; Anna Szal; Russ Goulding)
  • White-faced Ibis, 5-11 Nov 2015, Pingree Grove, Kane County (2015-049; Matthew Cvetas, Marion Miller)
  • Swallow-tailed Kite, 1 Sep 2012, Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve, Lake County (2012-053; Kathy Amberg)
  • Common Ground-Dove, 18 Oct 2015, Bloomington, McLean County (2015-050; Rod Mitchell)
  • Common Ground-Dove, 6-20 Nov 2015, Lincoln Park in Chicago, Cook County (2015-045; Matthew Cvetas, Fran Morel, Geoffrey A. Williamson
  • Parasitic Jaeger, 13 Sep 2015, Waukegan, Lake County (2015-037; Annette McClellan)
  • California Gull, 5 Dec 2015, Fulton, Whiteside County (2015-055; Dan Williams)
  • Slaty-backed Gull, 25 Nov 2015, Hampton, Rock Island County (2015-054; Jim Forde)
  • Barn Owl, 18 Apr 2015, Coles County (2015-062; J.E. Brown)
  • Barn Owl, 7 Nov 2015, Chicago, Cook County (2015-046; Steven J. Huggins)
  • Barn Owl, 29 Nov 2015, Urbana, Champaign County (2015-057; Greg Lambeth)
  • Burrowing Owl, 6-15 Oct 2012, Lincoln Park in Chicago, Cook County, (2012-052; Jake Cvetas, Matthew Cvetas, Josh Engel)
  • Burrowing Owl, 19-20 Oct 2015, LaSalle County (2015-059; Don Coons)
  • Prairie Falcon (2), 8 Nov 2015 – 13 Mar 2016, Coles County (2015-051; Tyler D. Funk)
  • Cave Swallow, 8 Nov 2012, Lincoln Park in Chicago, Cook County (2012-049; Richard C. Payne)
  • Cave Swallow, 7 Nov 2015, Illinois Beach State Park (north unit), Lake County (2015-048; Brendon Lake)
  • Cave Swallow, 20 Nov 2015, Illinois Beach State Park (south unit), Lake County (2015-052; Nat Carmichael, Al Stokie)
  • Cave Swallow, 20 Nov 2015, Illinois Beach State Park (north unit), Lake County (2015-053; John Leonard, Greg Neise, Andrew Stewart)
  • Swainson’s Warbler (2), 9 & 23 May 2015, Alexander County (2015-039; Ida Domazlicky, Rhonda Rothrock)
  • Green-tailed Towhee, 13 Dec 2015 – 2 Mar 2016, Monroe County (2015-061; Tim Enbring; Carl DauBach, Pen DauBach)

Records Not Accepted

  • Barrow’s Goldeneye, 22 Nov 2015, Peoria Lake, Tazewell County (2015-056)
  • Anhinga, 16 Sep 2012, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, DuPage County (2012-051)
  • Swallow-tailed Kite, 4 Aug 2012, Homer Lake Preserve, Champaign County (2012-054)
  • Ruff, 31 Aug 2014, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County (2014-010)
  • Little Stint, 13 Apr 2013, Carlyle Lake, Clinton County (2013-010)
  • Chimney Swift, 14 Nov 2013, Chicago, Cook County (2013-033) [accepted as Chaetura sp.]

IOS 2016 Awards

The Illinois Ornithological Society (IOS) is very pleased to announce the presentation of the following 2016 awards recognizing individuals for their distinguished service and contributions to IOS and/or Illinois Birding:

 

Sue Friscia was presented with a cardinal carving for her many years administering the Illinois Birders Exchanging Thoughts (IBET) listserv.

Bob Fisher was presented with a meadowlark carving for his long service as IOS President.

Alex Meloy was presented with a framed set of two bird cards from the 1930s – a cardinal and a meadowlark – for his many years of service as IOS Treasurer.

Barbara Williams was presented with a meadowlark carving for her service as IOS Membership Secretary.

Marj Lundy was presented with a meadowlark carving for her service as the editor of the IOS newsletter, Wings Over the Prairie.

Bruce Thompson of Arcola, Illinois was presented with a framed photo of a Prairie Falcon perched on the Magic Stump with an inscription thanking him for welcoming birders to see the Prairie Falcons.

We thank them for their outstanding service and dedication. If you meet them in the field, please congratulate and thank them.

Rare Bird Alert – 3-Feb-2016

 

Slaty-backed Gull
Slaty-backed Gull by Josh Engel

 

SLATY-BACKED GULL: Will County (North) – Discovered by Andrew Aldrich on 26-Jan-2016, a Slaty-backed Gull is still present on the property of ASIP: Local 150 at 19800 W. Arsenal Rd. Birders have had success viewing the gull in the morning prior to 9am resting on the frozen pond of the property during the work week while the nearby landfill is open.

New winter field notes editor

redheadflying

IOS is proud to announce that Dan Williams, a long-time supporter and field trip co-chairman, has agreed to become the Field Notes Editor for the Winter Season, Dec. 1 to Feb. 28, which is published in Meadowlark.  You can send him your notes via email (preferred) or snail mail.  Contact Dan at 6055 Safford Road, Rockford IL 61101 or click here to send him your notes.

IOS is grateful to past winter season field notes editors including Kelly McKay, who served for many years, and Michael Hogg, who served as an interim editor for two years, among others.

Meadowlark has one of the most, if not the most comprehensive and interpretive field notes of many surrounding states. The data are used and will be used by ornithologists, researchers and birders for many years to come. Much of these data can now be found on line on our website.

Please send your notes directly to Dan even if you post to IBET and eBird.

All field notes editors use your notes, IBET, eBird and many other sources to provide you the most comprehensive list of sightings of birds that help us understand the population dynamics of avian life in Illinois.

 

IORC Update – 18-Jan-2016

Records Accepted

  • Wood Stork, Sun Lake Forest Preserve, Lake County, 21 Oct 2015 (2015-044; Philip Willink)
  • White Ibis, Eldon Hazlet State Park, Clinton County, 12-13 Sep 2015 (2015-041; Keith McMullen, Al Smith)
  • Little Gull, Lake Shelbyville, Moultrie County, 18 Oct to 15 Nov 2015 (2015-043; Tyler Funk, Travis Mahan; Ron Bradley)
  • Barn Owl (2, found dead), Sharpsburg, Christian County, 7 Sep 2015 (2015-040; Kevin Veara)
  • Say’s Phoebe, Illinois Beach State Park (north unit), Lake County, 30 Aug 2012 (2012-048; Paul Sweet)
  • Bullock’s Oriole, River Forest, Cook County, 14 Oct 2015 (2015-042; Jill Anderson)
  • Hoary Redpoll, Oak Park, Cook County, 28 Feb 2008 (2008-054; Aaron Gyllenhaal)
  • Hoary Redpoll, Klehm Arboretum, Rockford, Winnebago County, 22 Dec 2012 (2012-047; Dan Williams)
  • Hoary Redpoll, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Glencoe, Cook County, 6-16 Jan 2013 (2013.069; Matthew Cvetas)

IOS elects officers, new directors for 2016

The Illinois Ornithological Society Board approved a slate of officers and newly elected board members for  2016 at its  Jan. 10 meeting.

The following officers will serve one-year terms”

President                        Matthew Cvetas

Vice President                Tara Beveroth

Treasurer                         Urs Geiser      

Recording Secretary      Adam Sell      

Membership Secretary   Ted Wolff      

Chief Editor                       Sheryl DeVore           

In addition, the following were elected to serve three-year terms on the board to fill three vacant seats: Amar Ayyash and Urs Geiser have agreed to serve a second three-year term, and  Tyler Funk has agreed to join the board for his first three-year term.

Other board members include  Tara Beveroth, Ted Wolff, Fran Morel, Adam Sell, Matthew Cvetas and Bob Fisher.

Nine board members serve IOS – with three elected annually for three-year terms. Directors may serve two consecutive terms, and then skip a eyar before being eligible to serve another three-year term.

The IOS Board thanks all past and present board members and officers for their service, including Bob Fisher, immediate past president who served for seven years as IOS’s leader. Watch this space for a farewell message from Bob and a greeting from new president, Matthew Cvetas.

Stay tuned to our web site and Facebook page for more information on our plans for 2016.

 

IORC Update – 5-Dec-2015

Records Accepted

  • Magnificent Frigatebird, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Cook County, 8 Jul 2015 [Josh Engel]
  • Black Vulture, Woodford County, 10 Jun 2013 [Ted Hartzler]
  • Swallow-tailed Kite, Champaign, Champaign County, 24 Aug – 7 Sep 2015 [Wendi Lindsay; Matthew Cvetas, Conner England, David B. Johnson, Dan Williams]
  • Purple Gallinule, Dixon Waterfowl Refuge, Hennepin-Hopper Lakes, Putnam County, 5-6 Sep 2014 [Doug Stotz]
  • Long-tailed Jaeger, Horseshoe Lake State Park, Madison County, 15-19 Jul 2015 [Keith McMullen, Dan Williams]
  • Slaty-backed Gull, Lake County Fairgrounds and Winthrop Harbor’s North Point Marina, Lake County, 14-23 Feb 2014 [Amar Ayyash; Nolan Lameka, Geoff Williamson]
  • Royal Tern, Waukegan Beach, Lake County, 19-20 Aug 2015 [Annette McClellan]
  • White-winged Dove, Chicago, Cook County, 12 May 2015 [Chicago Bird Collision Monitors; Josh Engel]
  • Barn Owl, Havana, Mason County, 9 Aug 2014 [Kristen Walter]

Records Not Accepted

  • Barnacle Goose, Lake Bloomington, McLean County, 29 Jan – 11 Feb 2013 (not accepted on basis of origin)
  • Mottled Duck, Sangchris Lake State Park, Sangamon County, 29 Oct and 16 Nov 2013
  • Common Eider, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Cook County, 22 Feb 2014
  • Neotropic Cormorant (2), Anderson Lake, Fulton County, 13 Jul 2015
  • Anhinga, Morton Arboretum, DuPage County, 21 Sep 2013
  • Anhinga, Oswego, Kendall County, 22 Apr 2014
  • Anhinga, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, DuPage County, 6 Sep 2014
  • Broad-winged Hawk, McClaughery Springs Woods Forest Preserve, Cook County, 10 Mar 2012
  • Curlew Sandpiper, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, 1 Sep 2014
  • Little Stint, near Havana, Fulton County, 9 Aug 2015
  • Black-headed Gull, Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, 4 Sep 2015
  • Arctic Tern, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Mason County, 14 Jun 2014
  • Royal Tern, Oak Brook, DuPage County, 22 Aug 2015
  • Great-tailed Grackle (2), Montgomery County, 10 May 2015

Breeding Records Not Accepted

  • Le Conte’s Sparrow, Kankakee County, 29 Aug – 11 Sep 2013

2015 IOS Grants Awards

One of IOS’s objectives is “To promote scientific research and education in order to improve knowledge and awareness of birds in Illinois”. The IOS Grants Program was initiated several years ago to support this objective with funding.

The 2015 IOS Grant Program received 10 grant requests. As a result of the generosity of several groups and individuals, 10 grants were awarded. In addition to IOS provided funds, thanks to the following groups and individuals for their generous support:

  • The DuPage Birding Club
  • The Lake-Cook Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society
  • The Kane County Audubon Society
  • The Chicago Ornithological Society
  • Valyn P. Dall
  • Joan Norek
  • Marj Lundy and Jamie Godshalk
  • Marsha Steffen
  • Glenn Gabanski
  • Donald Dann
  • John C. and Carolyn Baker
  • Carl and Pen DauBach
  • Karen and Bob Fisher
  • Vickie Sroczynski and John Burke
  • Jeffrey Smith
  • John Heneghan
  • Jill Anderson
  • Urs Geiser
  • Steve Fluett
  • Marcia and Bob Shelby
  • Charles Wescott
  • Ted Wolff

Thanks to Jeff Walk and Steve Bailey for reviewing and rating all the requests.

Congratulations to the winners and watch for their project articles in future issues of The Meadowlark.

The following grants were awarded:

# Amount Name/Organization Description
1. $1,000 Alexander Winter
Eastern Illinois University
Study the ecological and behavioral implications of Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism on Northern Cardinals. Sponsored by Illinois Ornithological Society.
2. $980 Bryan Reiley
U of I – Champaign
Study the benefits of restored habitats for declining shrubland birds – Specifically Bell’s Vireo and Willow Flycatcher. Sponsored by Karen and Bob Fisher, Vicky Sroczynski and John Burke.
3. $1,000 Ben O’Neal and Heath Hagy
Franklin College. Illinois Natural History Survey
Determine nest success, nest density, and nesting characteristics of marsh birds and other waterbirds at Emiquon Preserve to determine if reconnection to the Illinois River affects these parameters in the future. Sponsored by the Lake-Cook Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society.
4. $1,000 Phred Benham
U of I – Champaign
Study local adaptation to spatially varying environments in widespread species to improve our understanding of how populations might respond to future climate change. Study will use Savannah Sparrow populations. Sponsored by the DuPage Birding Club.
5. $1,000 Brett Dorak
U of I – Champaign / Illinois Natural History Survey
Study Canada Geese wintering in the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area. Describe their home ranges, time budgets, roost selection, response to harassment, and movements that may pose a threat to human health and safety.
6. $1,000 Todd M. Jones
U of I – Champaign
Evaluate possible associations between fledgling traits and survival in the Dickcissel with an automated telemetry system. Sponsored by the DuPage Birding Club.
7. $1,000 Josh Engel A bird monitoring pilot project will be undertaken during the 2015 growing season with the goal of developing an effective bird monitoring protocol for the Montrose Beach Dunes (MBD) site. Sponsored by Illinois Ornithological Society
8. $1,000 Tim Lyons
U of I – Champaign
Genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation on ring-necked pheasants at the Sibley Pheasant Habitat Area.
9. $1,000 John R. O’Connell
Southern Illinois University – Center for Ecology – Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab
A remote sensing approach to identifying wetland availability for waterfowl, shorebirds and secretive marsh birds in Illinois using satellite radar imaging. Sponsored by the DuPage Birding Club.
10. $480 Emilie A. Ospina
U of I – Champaign
Investigate the effects of predation on nest attentiveness as well as the effects of incubation temperature on immune system response and stress response in American Robin nestlings.
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