Waterfowl through Hummingbirds

A group of 25 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks reported 6 Sep at Milles Fleurs Nature Preserve, Monroe Co, IL were late to depart (Carl and Penelope Daubach), while a juvenile photographed at Jasper-Pulaski FWA, Pulaski Co, IN on the late date of 3 Nov (Suzanne Morris) was extremely tardy. An impressive 10,000 Greater White-fronted Geese were tallied at Chau 23 Nov (Illinois Natural History Survey). Good numbers of swans included 375 Mutes at Banner Marsh, Fulton Co, IL 19 Nov (Chad Creamer), 240 Trumpeters at Del Air, Pike Co, IL 4 Nov (Jim Funk), and 1000 Tundras at Thomson Causeway Recreation Area, Carroll Co, IL on 5 Nov (Ethan Brown). Breeding by Trumpeter Swans was finally confirmed on the Indiana L. Michigan lakefront on 3 Aug, when Matt Kalwasinski photographed an adult and two half-grown cygnets in a Gary, Lake Co wetland.

A gorgeous male Eurasian Wigeon was discovered at Channahon, Will Co, IL 21–30 Nov (ph. Greg DuBois, m. ob.). More than three times the average number of Northern Pintails were reported in IN, the high count consisting of 500 at the L. Gibson Borrow Pits, Gibson Co 11 Oct (Evan Speck). Notably high survey counts of dabbling ducks in IL are summarized in Table 1.

Species	Number	Date	Location
Blue-winged Teal	10,260	16 Sep	Chau
Northern Shoveler	20,550	11 Nov	Chau
Gadwall	12,200	23 Nov	Chau
American Wigeon	2440	21 Oct	Chau
Mallard	57,830	23 Nov	Chau
American Black Duck	585	23 Nov	Chau
Northern Pintail	15,500	8 Nov	Douglas L., Marshall Co
Green-winged Teal	26,500	8 Nov	Chau

Table 1. Maximum counts (in Illinois) of dabbling ducks during Fall 2020, from the Illinois Natural History Survey

Canvasback were in excellent numbers as 27,000 were tallied along the Mississippi R., Whiteside Co, IL 23 Nov (Kelly McKay). IN’s second highest fall Redhead count—1000 individuals—was recorded at Miller on 1 Nov (Kyle Wiktor et al.). Good numbers of Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup were apparent in IL as well with 25,000 Ring-necked at Jack L., Mason Co 8 Nov and 25,000 Lesser Scaup at Pool 19, Hancock Co (Illinois Natural History Survey). Surf Scoters were more common than usual with reports in 24 IL and 12 IN counties; the highest tallies were 82 at Miller 24 Oct (John Cassady et al.) and 32 at Illinois Beach SP, Lake Co, IL 25 Oct (Beau J. Schaefer). White-winged Scoters were present in above average numbers, reported from 19 IL and 12 IN counties with maximum counts of 24 at Miller 17 Nov (John Cassady), 10 at Illinois Beach SP, Lake Co, IL 4 Nov (Walter Lutz), and 10 at North Point Marina, Lake Co, IL 22 Nov (Andy O. Stewart, C.C. Birnberg, Rob Birnberg). Black Scoters were reported from 17 counties in IL and an unprecedented 10 counties in IN that included first county records in Putnam, Vigo, and Warrick. An IN record count of 245 Black Scoters was logged during a 24 Oct lakewatch at Miller (John Cassady, Ken Brock et al.), while the 42 at North Point Marina, Lake Co, IL 25 Oct (Andy O. Stewart) and 37 at Gillson, Cook Co, IL 25 Oct (Josh I. Engel) were excellent tallies as well. An impressive 27 Long-tailed Duck were counted in Cook Co, IL on a L. Michigan boating trip (Nathan R. Goldberg, Geoffrey A. Williamson, m. ob.). Inland records of Long-tailed Duck in IN included two on Geist Reservoir, Marion Co 27 Oct (Mark Rhodes), one on L. Gage, Steuben Co 7 Nov (Kiehl Smith), and one on Heritage L., Putnam Co 25 Nov (Carl Huffman). An impressive 3600 Bufflehead were estimated at Pool 19, Hancock Co, IL 3 Nov (Illinois Natural History Survey). Hooded and Common Mergansers were present in normal numbers. However, Red-breasted Mergansers appeared in greater numbers than usual. Most notable were the 7500 at Waukegan, Lake Co, IL 11 Nov (Steven J. Huggins, Nathan R. Goldberg, Glenn Giacinto). Equally impressive were the 11,500 Ruddy Ducks tallied at Pool 19, Hancock Co, IL 23 Nov (Illinois Natural History Survey).

High counts of grebes consisted of 189 Pied-billed in Sangamon Co, IL 28 Sep (H. David Bohlen) and 125 Horned at Carlyle 28 Nov (Keith A. McMullen). Red-necked Grebes were reported in 16 IL counties, well above average. Two birds each were present at Saganashkee Slough, Cook Co, IL 8–31 Oct (m. ob.), at West Branch FP, DuPage Co, IL 27 Oct (m. ob.), and at State Farm Corporate South, McLean Co, IL 27–28 Oct (m. ob.). A high count of five Red-necked Grebes was made at L. Gibson, Gibson Co, IN on 10 Nov (Chuck Mills). At Celery Bog, Tippecanoe Co, IN, three Eared Grebes were found 28 Oct (ph. John Skene, ph. Fritz Davis et al.) and two–three were present through 20 Nov (m. ob.). Eared Grebes were reported in eight IL counties, highlighted by a lingering bird at Rainbow Beach, Cook Co, 20 Nov (Steven J. Huggins). Western Grebes were reported in eight IL counties; one–two birds were present at Emiquon 2–27 Nov (m. ob.), and two were at Carlyle 28 Nov (Keith A. McMullen). An inland Western Grebe in IN was found at Hurshtown Res., Allen Co 18 Nov (ph. David Ward et al.) and remained through 23 Nov (m. ob.).

A Common Ground Dove was an exciting one-day wonder near Martinsville, Clark Co, IL 23 Nov (†ph. Steven Lima) as was a White-winged Dove in Cook Co, IL 9 Oct (Debra Koss, ph. Glenn Forchione). A nice count of 1246 Common Nighthawks was made in Cook Co, IL 27 Aug (Steven J. Huggins); a single bird lingered in Harrisburg, Saline Co, IL 25 Oct (Travis DeNeal).

The Chimney Swift high count consisted of 2530 at Gunnar Anderson FP, Kane Co, IL 12 Sep (Kate Caldwell, Marion Miller, Shelly Windett). The last Ruby-throated Hummingbird reported was in Winnebago Co, IL 18 Nov (Dan T. Williams). Indiana’s second Anna’s Hummingbird, and first available for viewing by the birding community, appeared 31 Oct at Janis Rubino’s feeder in Highland, Lake Co. Michael Topp learned of and confirmed the identification of the bird on 2 Nov, and it was subsequently seen by scores of birders through the end of the period. IL Rufous Hummingbird reports consisted of singles in Decatur, Macon Co 14 Nov (m. ob.) and Carterville, Williamson Co 28 Nov (m. ob.)

Rails through Shorebirds

Only three King Rails were reported in the region. A Virginia Rail was late, reported at Grainger Woods, Lake Co, IL 19 Nov (Todd Katz). An exciting find was an immature Purple Gallinule at Montrose 23 Sep (†Robert D. Hughes, †Mathew M. Cvetas, m. ob.). There were five reports of Yellow Rails in IL, including one flushed by a combine in East Cape Girardeau, Alexander Co 18 Sep (Craig A. Taylor, Andrew P. Sigler). In IN, single Yellow Rails were reported in Montgomery Co 9 Sep (Clint Murray) and at Goose Pond 17 Oct (Steve Bell). Even more exciting was a Black Rail that was also flushed by a combine in East Cape Girardeau, Alexander Co, IL 18 Sep (Craig A. Taylor). Whooping Cranes were reported from 11 IL and 8 IN counties.

Decent numbers of Black-necked Stilts were scattered across 15 IL counties, the highest tally consisting of 100 birds at Emiquon 22 Aug (Nicholas Sly, Henry Pollock). Two American Avocets at Chau 26 Nov (Jim R. Herkert) were tardy. A count of 40 Black-bellied Plovers at Sanganois State FWA, Mason Co, IL 9 Nov (Trevor Slovick, Jared Gorrell) was noteworthy. An excellent count of 175 Semipalmated Plover was made at Chau 14 Aug (Keith A. McMullen), while a singleton was last reported from Montrose 22 Nov (Kevin Curty). A tardy Piping Plover was photographed at Mich. City on 2 Oct (Jason Jablonski).

Good numbers of Upland Sandpipers were reported with 11 at Wheeler Sod Farms, Kendall Co, IL 2 Aug (Stan Zatarski) the largest concentration. Whimbrels were reported from four IL and one IN county, which is normal. Five Hudsonian Godwits at Rend 28 Aug (C. Leroy Harrison) were a nice find. Three other IL reports were of solo birds, while two reports from IN included an individual with an apparently injured leg at a LaGrange Co wetland on 7 Nov (Timothy Shrock) that established a new late date for IN. There were eight Marbled Godwit reports across the region. Red Knots were fairly scarce; a singleton at Chau 3 Oct (Colin Dobson, Tony Ward) was the last reported. An excellent count of 400 Stilt Sandpipers was made at Chau 12 Sep (m. ob.). A high count of 466 Sanderlings, IN’s second largest, was made at Miller 4 Sep (John Kendall). A high count of 120 Sanderling at North Point Marina, Lake Co, IL 10 Sep (Andy O. Stewart) was noteworthy. Dunlin were in decent fall numbers and lingered into Nov; three were at Carlyle 28 Nov (Kathy Mimm Dunning), and two were at Rend 28 Nov (Colin Dobson). Single Purple Sandpipers were at Mich. City 5 Nov (ph. Jason Jablonski, Becky Lomax), at North Point Marina, Lake Co, IL 22 Nov (Andy O. Stewart, ph. Jeff Bilsky, m. ob.), and at Miller 30 Nov (ph. Ryan Sanderson). Baird’s Sandpipers were more plentiful than usual, with an impressive high count of 35 at Chau 11 Sep (Josh I. Engel, Amanda Zeigler). A flock of 25 Least Sandpipers at Rend 28 Nov (Colin Dobson) was late, as was a single White-rumped Sandpiper at Del Air, Pike Co, IL 4 Nov (Jim Funk). Twelve Buff-breasted Sandpipers were seen at both M&M Turf Farm, McLean Co, IL 29 Aug (Ted Hartzler, Benjamin Guo) and at Chau 2 Sep (Linda Lutz). Pectoral Sandpipers were in good numbers, as 5000 were noted at Chau 14 Aug (Keith A. McMullen). A tardy individual was at Clinton L., DeWitt Co, IL 23 Nov (Colin Dobson). It was an above average flight for Western Sandpipers, with a count of 24 at Meredosia, Morgan Co, IL 14 Aug (Colin Dobson) providing an excellent fall total. A juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher on 26 Sep at the 129th St. Marsh, Lake Co (ph. Michael Topp) was the latest on record for the IN L. Michigan lakefront. A Spotted Sandpiper at L. Springfield, Sangamon Co, IL 21 Nov (Trevor Slovick) was late to depart as was a single Solitary Sandpiper at Spring Bluff FP, Lake Co, IL 21 Nov (Gustavo Ustariz). Other late shorebirds included a Lesser Yellowlegs at North Point Marina, Lake Co, IL 23 Nov (Adam W. Sell) and four Greater Yellowlegs at Chau 27 Nov (Andy Gilbert). The season total of 17 Willets in IN constituted the poorest flight in 17 years, the high count consisting of 11 at Mich. City 23 Aug (Richard Garrett). Phalaropes fared well with maximum counts of eight Wilson’s at Chau 12 Aug (Colin Dobson, Rob Kanter) and an incredible 44 Red-necked at Chau 9 Sep (Scott Latimer). Brent Mann found a flock of seven juvenile Red-necked Phalaropes at Fidler’s Pond, Elkhart Co on 25 Sep, furnishing IN’s second largest daily count. Inland Red Phalaropes in IN included one at the east end of L. Lemon, Brown Co on 8 Oct (ph. Kathy Ruesink, Liz Robb) and another in Parke Co 28 Oct (ph. Alan Bruner, Clint Murray); two were seen during a 1 Nov lakewatch at Miller (John Cassady, Ryan Sanderson, Tina and Eric Rosier, m. ob.). Red Phalaropes were reported from 5 IL counties.

Jaegers through Frigatebirds

The fall migration of jaegers in IN delivered the highest total—80—since 2003. The most notable totals included 16 Parasitics at Miller 7 Sep (John Kendall) that established a new daily maximum for IN, 19 Parasitics at Miller 10 Sep (John Cassady, Ken Brock, Bill Sharkey, Matthew Beatty) that bested the IN high count from three days earlier, and three Long-tailed Jaegers (out of an IN seasonal total of five), including one adult, also at Miller 10 Sep (John Cassady, Ken Brock, Bill Sharkey, Matthew Beatty). IL reported five Parasitic Jaegers and just two Long-tailed Jaegers. Of the nine Black-legged Kittiwakes reported in IN, the most notable was a rarely seen adult that passed by Miller 26 Oct (John Kendall, John Cassady, Don Gorney). Fifteen Sabine’s Gulls were seen on the IN L. Michigan lakefront, including an adult (only the 13th on record for IN) seen at DSP Tower on 4 Sep (Jacob Drucker, Andrew Dreelin, Teresa Pegan, Eric Gulson). A Sabine’s Gull at Park No. 566, Cook Co, IL 10 Sep (Isoo O’Brien, Steven J. Huggins, Nathan R. Goldberg) was an excellent find. Inland birds included one at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis 12 Sep (Ryan Sanderson, Becky Lomax, Aidan Rominger), another at Brookville L., Union Co, IN 13–20 Sep (Alan Claybon, William Buskirk, David Russell, m. ob.), and two at L. Shelbyville, Moultrie Co, IL 30 Sep (Ron Bradley, Amy Lynch) that provided the only report of multiple birds in IL for the season. Huge numbers of Bonaparte’s Gulls amassed at Carlyle, a high of 10,000 estimated on 15 Nov (Dan M. Kassebaum). On 7 Sep, two Little Gulls were seen on L. Michigan, Cook Co, IL (m. ob.) and a juvenile was at Miller (ph. Matthew Beatty, Ryan Sanderson, m. ob.). Other Little Gulls included singles at LaSalle L., LaSalle Co, IL 12 Sep (†Steven J. Huggins, Nathan R. Goldberg, Matt Misewicz), in Moline, Rock Island Co, IL 11 Oct (†Steven M. Freed), at Miller 29 Oct (John Cassady, John Kendall, Bill Sharkey), and at Miller 1 Nov (ph. John Cassady, m. ob.). Laughing Gulls were reported from seven IL counties and an additional one in Indiana. Excellent counts of 450 Franklin Gulls 2 Oct in the Rock Island/Moline area, Rock Island Co, IL (Kelly J. McKay), and 524 at Miller on 11 Nov (John Kendall) were made. A California Gull at L. Springfield was present 4 Aug–29 Nov (H. David Bohlen, m. ob.). Two other California Gulls were reported: singles at Carlyle 1 Nov (Dan M. Kassebaum, Mark S. Seiffert) and at the Borrow Pits, Madison Co, IL 29 Nov (William C. Rowe, Tommy Goodwin). Among larger gull species, only Lesser Black-backed Gulls were reported in above average numbers, including a maximum count of six at Patoka L., Dubois Co, IN on 22 Nov (ph. Sean Verkamp).

Good numbers of terns moved through the area. A high of 233 Caspian Terns occurred at Carlyle 31 Aug (Mark S. Seiffert). The largest tally of Black Terns in another down-year for the species in IN, was of 172 at Miller 29 Aug (John Cassady, Ken Brock et al.). A season high count of 215 Forster’s Terns was made at Rend 30 Aug (Ted Wolff). Ten Forster’s Terns at Rend 28 Nov (Colin Dobson) were rather late to depart.

Three Red-throated Loons at Carlyle 28 Nov (Dan M. Kassebaum, Keith A. McMullen, Trevor Slovick) represented an excellent downstate high count. It was an excellent fall flight for Pacific Loons in IL as six individuals at five separate locations were reported. Two were at Carlyle 31 Oct (Dan M. Kassebaum, ph. Trevor Slovick, m. ob.), one was at Heidecke L., Grundy Co 17 Nov († ph. Matt Misewicz, m. ob.), another was at Oakhurst FP, Kane Co 12 Nov († ph. Brendan Lake), a singleton was at Downs Borrow Pit, McLean Co 1–19 Nov (ph. Shanin Abreu, m. ob.), and a solo bird was at Crab Orchard NWR, Williamson Co 26 Nov (Don D. Mullison).

Undoubtedly driven northward by Hurricane Laura at the end of August, an exhausted Band-rumped Storm-Petrel was found alive on 30 Aug, floating in the water at the west end of L. Lemon, Monroe Co, IN by eight-year-old Brooks Dodd. He and his grandfather, Robert Dodd, attempted to revive the bird but were unsuccessful. This was IN’s second record of the species, the first occurring on 15 Jun 1902 in Morgan Co. A Wood Stork was found at Falls of the Ohio SP, Clark Co, IN. As is usually the case with water-associated species there, the stork was actually in KY virtually the entire duration of its stay. However, on a couple of occasions, at least—13 Aug (Win Ahrens) and 22 Aug (Jamie Baker)—it was observed and photographed within IN.

One of the biggest surprises and highlights of the season were five Magnificent Frigatebirds, three in IL and (at least) two in IN. The first was seen over the Mississippi R. at Quincy, Adams Co, IL 31 Aug († ph. Cory Gregory, Ashley Casey). On 22 Sep at 7:00 a.m., an apparent adult male Magnificent Frigatebird was seen at L. Waveland, Montgomery Co, IN (Terry Henning). Possibly the same adult male was seen 11 hours later and 100 miles to the east-northeast in Desoto, Delaware Co, IN (Barb Stedman). An adult female at Carlyle 24 Oct (ph. Dan M. Kassebaum, m. ob.) was enjoyed by 40 or more birders during its one-day stay. Another frigatebird was near Dow, Jersey Co, IL 4 Nov († ph. Bobby Wilcox, Kaitlin Murphy); possibly this was the individual that had been at Carlyle one week earlier. Finally, an adult female was first seen in Hendricks Co, IN on 1 Nov (Dan Collins fide Larry Peavler), and in the afternoon through the evening, was seen and photographed by many to the east at Eagle Creek Reservoir, Marion Co (Michael White, m. ob.). The September and November sightings constituted the third and fourth inland records of the species for IN.

Cormorants through Falcons

There were seven reports from IL of Neotropic Cormorant, a species that is increasing within the region. The last report of an Anhinga from Grand Tower, Jackson Co, IL, where a pair likely bred, was made 26 Sep (Pete Fenner). Large numbers of American White Pelicans were evident: 10,000 at Carlyle 9 Oct (Dan M. Kassebaum) and 5000 at Emiquon 14 Aug (Keith A. McMullen) were the highest concentrations. Among the five American Bitterns reported in IN, the lowest total in 19 years, were three logged by Jed Hertz at Willow Slough FWA, Newton Co, on 29 Sep. Great Egrets lingered through the end of the season in nine regional counties. A Snowy Egret in Madison Co, IL 7 Nov (Frank R. Holmes), and Cattle Egrets at Channahon, Will Co, IL 6 Nov (Eric E. Secker) and in western Hendricks Co, IN on 7 Nov (Kathy Walker) were all rather tardy.

White Ibis were reported from five IL locations, with four at Big L., Brown Co, 4 Aug Tony Ward, ph. Colin Dobson); two in Fairfield, Wayne Co 5 Aug (†Craig A. Taylor); one at Kaskaskia Island, Randolph Co, 7 Aug (ph. Nathan R. Goldberg, Steven J. Huggins), then two there 8–11 Aug (ph. Doug Hommert, m. ob.), and finally three present from 12–16 Aug (ph. Tommy Goodwin, m. ob.); a singleton at Quincy, Adams Co 31 Aug (ph. Craig A. Taylor); and another solo bird at Grand Tower, Jackson Co 2 Sep (Rosemary Paul). A single White-faced Ibis was at Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area, Grundy Co, IL 29–30 Sep (ph. Kirk LaGory, m. ob.), another single was at Oxbow Nature Conservancy, Dearborn Co, IN 11 Oct (ph. Brian Wulker), remaining through 21 Oct (Jonathan Goolsby), two were at Bailey Wetlands, Richland Co, IL 7–18 Oct (†C. Leroy Harrison, Robert E. Shelby), and two were also at Goose Pond 31 Oct (ph. Elie Tabet). Reports of Plegadis sp. came from six IL counties. Unprecedented was the amazing occurrence of five different Roseate Spoonbills within the region. One was a one-day wonder in Hardin Co, IL 28 Aug († ph. Craig A. Taylor). A single at North Fork Refuge, Monroe Co, IN and two in Perry Co, IN continued from the summer into early Aug. Remarkably, a fourth IN spoonbill was found at Cane Ridge WMA, Gibson Co on 5 Sep (ph. Logan & Kristina Lakins et al.), remaining at least through the following day.

An unbelievable 109 Black Vultures were tallied 27 Nov at Stephen A. Forbes SP, Marion Co, IL (ph. Shane Patterson) where they have been increasing over the past several years. An Osprey lingered in Coles Co, IL 28 Nov (ph. Amy Lynch). Five separate Swallow-tailed Kites graced the region this season: one in Coles Co, IL 4–14 Aug († ph. David Logue, m. ob.), one in Montgomery Co, IL 13 Aug (ph. Nancy Redman), one at Potato Creek SP, St. Joseph Co, IN 14 Aug (Carla Gull), one in Union Co, IL 23 Aug–19 Sep (ph. m. ob.), and one on 13 Sep at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis (Don Gorney) that provided IN’s latest record. Northern Goshawks were reported from four IL and one IN location. A juvenile Swainson’s Hawk on 9 Sep in LaGrange Co (Lyndon Hostetler) provided only the third fall record for IN while one in Sangamon Co, IL 2 Oct (H. David Bohlen) was also a nice find. During a hawkwatch near Bremen, Marshall Co, 99 Red-tailed Hawks were tallied 24 Oct (Neal Miller) furnishing IN’s fourth largest fall count.

The only two Barn Owl reports from IL consisted of a single in Wayne Co 16 Aug (C. Leroy Harrison) and two near Harrisburg, Saline Co 22 Oct (Tommy Goodwin); three reports from IN included one from Gibson Co on 22 Nov of an adult with five large nestlings (Amy Kearns). Snowy Owl numbers were below average as only four birds were reported across the region. In an irruptive year for Northern Saw-whet Owls over much of their range, several double-digit counts were made at banding stations in IN. An excellent tally of 13 also occurred 22 Nov at Sand Ridge State Forest, Mason Co, IL (Trevor Slovick). Merlins arrived early and in good numbers in IN, the earliest on 9 Aug in Anderson, Madison Co, IN (Steve Pancol) that likely represented a successful nesting attempt with multiples seen there consistently, including four on 14 Aug (Don Gorney). More than 100 were reported for the season in IN. The famous Coles Co, IL Prairie Falcon returned to its favorite perch, the “Magic Stump,” 29 Oct (Colin Dobson) and was present off and on for the remainder of the season.

Flycatchers through Old World Sparrows

A Least Flycatcher at Carlyle 11 Nov (Dan M. Kassebaum) was late to depart. A one-day wonder Say’s Phoebe was at Montrose 16 Sep († Mark Vanderpoel). Two Ash-throated Flycatchers were exciting finds: the first was at North Pond in Chicago, Cook Co, IL 26 Aug († ph. Geoffrey A. Williamson, m. ob.), and the second was at East Fork L., Richland Co, IL 30 Oct († ph. C. Leroy Harrison, m. ob.). Interesting were two Western Kingbirds at Two Rivers NWR, Calhoun Co, IL 19 Aug (Josh I. Engel, Amanda Ziegler) that likely represented first county records. At Wheeling Bottoms, Gibson Co, IN, an adult Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was found 22 Oct (Elizabeth Haig et al.), while a young male in McLean Co, IL 25–30 Oct (ph. Michael McKinley, m. ob.) delighted many.

Record-late for IN was a Yellow-throated Vireo at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Boone Co on 27 Oct (Cloyce Hedge). Of the 17 Loggerhead Shrikes reported in IN, 10 were from Orange Co and included four adults and six juveniles (Amy Kearns); Loggerhead Shrikes were reported in only 11 IL counties. Northern Shrikes were reported in 14 IL and two IN counties. A Fish Crow lingered through 27 Nov at Carlyle (Dan M. Kassebaum, Tommy Goodwin).

The 500 Northern Rough-winged Swallows tallied in Nappanee, Elkhart Co 23 Sep (Neal Miller) constituted IN’s fifth highest count. Purple Martins made a spectacular showing with more than 20,000 reported in IN. On 18 Aug, Robert Guth tallied 4375 in Elkhart Co, furnishing IN’s fifth largest count and highest since 1968. Twenty days later (7 Sep), David Svetich reported 10,000 at Greensburg Res., Decatur Co, tying the highest ever one-day total for IN. A lone Barn Swallow lingered near Dow, Jersey Co, IL 22 Nov (Drew Van Riper). The 55 Red-breasted Nuthatches counted at Sugar Ridge FWA, Pike Co on 8 Nov (Evan Speck) constituted IN’s fourth largest total. An excellent tally of 25 Winter Wrens was made at North Pond in Chicago, Cook Co, IL 20 Oct (Steven J. Huggins). Late departing wrens included single House Wrens in Warrick Co, IN 21 Nov (John Meredig) and at Pomona, Jackson Co, IL 25 Nov (Rhonda R. Rothrock), a Sedge Wren at Rainbow Beach, Cook Co, IL 8 Nov (Steven J. Huggins), and a Marsh Wren in McLean Co, IL 26 Nov (Pirmin Nietlisbach).

On 24 Oct, Michael Topp photographed a Townsend’s Solitaire just east of the Lake St. lot of Miller Beach in Gary. This represented the first record of the species at the IN L. Michigan lakefront in four years and was a first for Lake Co. Two others were reported: at Saganashkee Slough, Cook Co, IL 16 Oct (ph. Michael McNamee, Diane Hicks) and at Chicago’s Centennial Park, Cook Co, IL 20 Nov (ph. Krzysztof Kurylowicz, ph. Peter Weber). A Veery on 6 Nov at Indiana University Kokomo, Howard Co (Savannah Pigman) was the latest ever recorded in IN. Swainson’s Thrushes were in good numbers as evidenced by 850 seen in Cook Co, IL 14 Sep (Doug F. Stotz); one in Kinderhook, Pike Co, IL 13 Nov (Jim Funk) was late to depart. Also tardy was a solo Wood Thrush in Washington Park, Cook Co, IL 21 Nov (Jacob Drucker). At a roost site in Bonneyville Mill County Park, Elkhart Co, Neal Miller counted 5500 American Robins on 27 Sep, IN’s third largest count. The most exciting thrush species of the season was Varied Thrush, with four separate reports across the region. Sightings included one at Montrose 30 Sep (ph. Audrey Carl); a male in Anderson, Madison Co, IN 6 Oct (ph. Jeff Timmons, m. ob.) that remained through 22 Oct; one at Chicago’s Horner Park 10 Oct (Greg Holden); and one at Eagle Slough Natural Area, Vanderburgh Co, IN 24 Nov+ (ph. Elizabeth Hanson, m. ob.).

A Eurasian Tree Sparrow was photographed 24 Oct in Bainbridge, Putnam Co (Amanda Beals), providing IN’s fifth record.

Finches through Grosbeaks

It was a huge irruption year for winter finches. Approximately 1200 Evening Grosbeaks were reported in IN, spanning 40 of 92 counties (43%); they were also reported from 23 IL counties. The earliest reports consisted of singles in Marshall Co, IN 24 Sep (Lynn Vernon) and in Monticello, White Co, IN 28 Sep (Richard Read), while in IL, the first report was of a single bird at Greene Valley FP, DuPage Co, 25 Oct (Jeff A. Smith). The largest count occurred 5 Nov at DSP Tower, where 246 were tallied (John Kendall), IN’s second largest daily count. IL high counts consisted of 25 in St. Joseph, Champaign Co 31 Oct (Madeline Kangas) and 15 in Saline Co 25 Nov (ph. Cathy DeNeal) that remained through the end of the period. An amazing count of 54 Purple Finches at Potato Creek SP, St. Joseph Co on 24 Oct (Kyle Miller) provided IN’s second highest count, while 45 at Sanganois State FWA, Mason Co 27 Nov (Colin Dobson, Tony Ward) provided IL’s highest tally. Some 335 Common Redpolls were reported in IN, the largest fall total ever. The first was reported at DSP Tower 31 Oct (Brendan Grube). The highest counts consisted of 65 at the Chicago Botanical Garden, Cook Co, IL 22 Nov (Henry Griffin), and 60 at Striebel Pond, LaPorte Co, IN on 28 Nov (Penny Starin). At least one Hoary Redpoll was detected at the Chicago Botanical Garden, Cook Co, IL 12–26 Nov (ph. Isoo O’Brien, ph. Tamima Imani, m. ob.), and another was at Kennekuk Cove County Park, Vermilion Co, IL 18 Nov († ph. Colin Dobson). Good numbers of crossbills were reported, with Red Crossbill high counts of 50 at Van Patten Woods FP, Lake Co, IL 30 Oct (Glenn Giacinto) and 34 at DSP Tower 10 Nov (John Kendall et al.). Of note were three Red Crossbills in Shawnee National Forest, Jackson Co, in southern IL on 16 Nov (Christopher Gilbert, Sarah Plunkett). An excellent tally of 31 White-winged Crossbills was made at Lyons Woods FP, Lake Co, IL 8 Nov (Rob Birnberg). In IN, White-winged Crossbills were seen in four counties, the first report in Carroll Co 3 Nov (John Atkinson), and a high count of five at DSP Tower 28 Nov (Jeff McCoy). Huge numbers of Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches were reported, including 1872 Pine Siskins at Fort Sheridan, Lake Co, IL 3 Oct (m. ob.) and 2065 American Goldfinches at Waukegan, Lake Co, IL 7 Nov (Steven J. Huggins, Nathan R. Goldberg).

Quite cooperative was IL’s third Cassin’s Sparrow, seen by many at Montrose 13 Nov († ph. Robert D. Hughes, † ph. Geoffrey A. Williamson, m. ob.). A Grasshopper Sparrow at Montrose 12 Nov (Mark Kolasa) was late to depart. An immature Lark Bunting at Rainbow Beach, Cook Co, IL 6 Oct (ph. Michael McNamee) was unfortunately a one-day wonder despite much searching. Another of the season’s exciting finds was a Golden-crowned Sparrow in Winnebago Co, IL 18–30 Nov († ph. Dan T. Williams, Barbara C. Williams, m. ob.). Harris’s Sparrows were reported in above average numbers, with records in seven IL counties and one IN county. A Vesper Sparrow at Greene Valley FP, DuPage Co, IL 29 Nov (Jeff A. Smith) was late. Wabashiki FWA was the hotspot for LeConte’s Sparrows in IN with three there 6 Nov (ph. Steven Lima), five present on 7 Nov (ph. Logan & Kristina Lakins), and the maximum count of six on 8 Nov (ph. Heath Harlan). An excellent count of 15 Nelson’s Sparrows occurred at Rainbow Beach, Cook Co, IL 7 Oct (m. ob.). A Lincoln’s Sparrow was photographed at Eagle Marsh in Ft. Wayne on 4 Aug (Jon Jenkins), IN’s earliest ever. There were five Spotted Towhees reported from the region.

There were two to three Yellow-headed Blackbirds at the southwest Borrow Pits of L. Gibson, Gibson Co, IN 6–7 Sep (Evan Speck, Heath Harlan et al.), and four Yellow-headed Blackbirds were reported in Noble Co, IN 14 Sep (Brendon Bontrager). A tardy individual was noted near Lacon, Marshall Co, IL 18 Nov (Dustin Holschuh). Also late to depart was a Baltimore Oriole at Rock Run Rookery, Will Co, IL 6 Nov (ph. Jim Lukancic). A Great-tailed Grackle was seen for one day at the Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Cook Co, IL 15 Nov († ph. Negin Almassi, Alex Florian).

Warbler species late to depart included a Louisiana Waterthrush at Browning Marsh, Boone Co 2 Oct (Roger Hedge) that furnished IN’s third latest record, a Northern Waterthrush at Chicago’s Douglass Park 11 Nov (Eric D. Gyllenhaal), a Black-and-white Warbler at Horseshoe L., Madison Co, IL 22 Nov (Frank R. Holmes), and a Tennessee Warbler at Chicago’s North Pond 26 Nov (ph. Russ Smith). An Orange-crowned Warbler at Steward Park, Kendall Co, IL 30 Aug (Ryan Jones, Jude Vickery) was an early fall migrant. Additional late-departing warblers included a Nashville Warbler in Adams Co, IL 30 Nov (ph. Cory Gregory), an American Redstart at Jon J. Duerr FP, Kane Co, IL 4 Nov (Barb Rask), a Northern Parula at Waukegan, Lake Co, IL 23 Nov (ph. Michael Warren), and single Bay-breasted Warblers at Dunes SP, Porter Co, IN 5 Nov (Nick Kiehl, Aidan Rominger) and at Lyons Woods FP, Lake Co, IL 10 Nov (ph. Annette McClellan, William McClellan, m. ob.). A tardy Yellow Warbler that was photographed east of South Bend, St. Joseph Co on 23 Nov (Chandler Sonafrank) provided IN’s latest fall record. A Chestnut-sided Warbler in Shanklin Park, Elkhart Co, 27 Oct (Robert Guth) was two days later than IN’s previous latest record. A Black-throated Blue Warbler at Knoch Knolls Park, Will Co, IL 14 Nov (ph. Chris George) was also late. A Yellow-rumped Warbler at Illinois Beach SP, Lake Co, IL 16 Aug (Adam O. Sell) was rather early. Black-throated Green Warblers at the Chicago Botanical Garden, Cook Co, IL 8 Nov (Robert D. Hughes) and at Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve, Hamilton Co, IN on 10 Nov (ph. Don Gorney) were late.

A molting male Summer Tanager in Goshen, Elkhart Co, IN was found 28 Nov and stayed through the end of the period (Gary Keister, Annie Aguirre). A Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Springfield, Sangamon Co, IL 5 Nov (Christopher Santucci) was late to depart while one at a feeder in South Bend, St. Joseph Co 15 Nov (Nora Besansky) was the latest of an amazing seven reported in Nov from Indiana. A cooperative Black-headed Grosbeak visited a backyard feeder in McHenry Co, IL 16–24 Oct (ph. Jean Graf Teterycz, m. ob.) providing IL its fifth state record. An Indigo Bunting lingered in Champaign Co, IL 30 Nov (Michael P. Ward) as did a Dickcissel at L. Petersburg, Menard Co, IL 25 Nov (Jim R. Herkert).

Report processed by Andrew Keaveney, 12 Sep 2024.