Field Notes: A Rare Townsend's Solitaire in Savoy!

Townsend's Solitaire. Photo by Yixiao Liu.

By aerin tedesco, CCAS Field Trip Chair

Northern Cardinals are beginning to sing again — a true sign that spring is on its way! After enduring days of some frigid temps, birds are getting a bit of a respite and able to find standing water and food sources not covered by snow. 

January and early February saw some good numbers of Lapland Longspurs, which were much easier to see when the fields were covered in white. Among them, birders were treated to an odd Snow Bunting here and there, a less common but expected species in these mixed flocks, along with our resident Horned Larks.  

A true rarity showed up in Savoy: a Townsend’s Solitaire, a large thrush just a little smaller than an American Robin! The bird was a one-day wonder, but gave good looks to birders who could get over there quickly when the word got out.  

Also, join CCAS to celebrate the return of American Woodcocks with walks at Meadowbrook Park on March 13 and March 18.

We look forward to March when early migrants will pop up and  will pull us out of our winter gloom.