Field Notes: Migration Season and Field Trips

One of the Blue Grosbeaks spotted during our Perkins Road walk.

Photo by aerin tedesco.

By aerin tedesco, CCAS Field Trip Chair

Finally, there seems to be a slight chill in the air, and we can feel fall making its presence known. We’ve had some big pushes of migrating birds and are happy to see wonky fall warblers, songbirds, and others that are making their way back through after breeding up north.

CCAS hosted a Birds and Brews gathering at Jupiter’s Pizza at the Fields in Champaign. A fine crew of local birders got to gather to shoot the breeze about their birding experiences and recent sightings. The next event will be on Tuesday, October 21 at Triptych Brewing in Savoy. Watch the website for details.

Mariska and aerin led a very successful trip at Perkins Road Marsh in August. This site is not open to the public so we were happy to show this gem of a birding hotspot to some eager birders. After the walk on August 17 was rained out, we rescheduled for August 30. This may have actually worked in our favor because more migrating birds had begun to move through. They did not disappoint! We saw two Yellow-billed Cuckoos, an Olive-sided Flycatcher, and great views of both male and female Blue Grosbeaks. We counted 13 warbler species, including five Blackburnian (which is a nice high number for them!) and a quick glimpse at a Connecticut!

Despite the drizzle, a trip to Weaver Park on September 13 yielded a few warbler species and great looks at an American Kestrel.

Mariska will lead two more walks at Weaver on October 11 and 18, specifically to look for the somewhat rare and beautiful Nelson’s and LeConte’s sparrows as well as some other grassland beauties.

And mark your calendars for the annual Sandhill Crane field trip on November 15 and a waterfowl expedition to Clinton Lake on December 6. Watch the website for details.