2007 Fermilab Bird Report

Winter

Eastern Screech-Owl. (Photo by Peter Kasper)

The 2006 Christmas Bird Count produced a higher than average species count (53) and individual counts (6593) that included a record high count for robins (299) that was more than twice the previous record. Also of note was our first count record for Ring-necked Duck; a female that spent the entire winter on the main ring moat. American Crow numbers were still low (only 3 seen on site) and for the third winter in a row a Pied-billed Grebe was present on the main ring moat.

Wintering waterfowl characterized the early part of the season with Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Mergansers, Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, Cackling Geese, and Greater White-fronted Geese being seen regularly until early February when a cold spell forced most of them to abandon the site. The latter part of the season was more typical of early years with regular sightings of winter specialtiies such as Rough-legged Hawks, Short-eared Owls (seen late in the season hunting over the dog-training area), Long-eared Owls (in the village pines), and Northern Shrikes. Eastern Screech-Owls were also recorded several times this winter and one individual managed to find his way into one of the site 38 wharehouses where he remained for several days before he was eventually caught and released.

Spring

The male Peregrine (Photo by Marek Proga)	The female Peregrine (Photo by Harry Cheung)

Late in March 20, a pair of Peregrine Falcons showed up at Wilson Hall. They continued to frequent the building till mid June during which time they went through all the motions of establishing a breeding territory. They were observed sharing food and engaging in cooperative hunting, and the female was often seen scatching at the ledges as though trying to prepare a nest. However, no nest was found nor was there any other indication of successful nesting. Both birds carried leg bands that enabled them to be positively identified through the Midwest Peregrine Project. The male was a two year old called "Joe" was was hatched om May 13, 2005, in Irving Park, Chicago. The female was a first year bird called "Neomi Jo" who was hatched on April 16, 2006, in Bedford, Kentucky. The lack of breeding success is perhaps not surprising since Peregrines do not typically reach breeding age until their second year when they obtain their adult plumage.

It was a fairly average year as far as the Spring migration was concerned. The major highlight was a Red-necked Grebe that was seen on April 22, on Lake Law. This is only the second time this species has been seen on site. Other unusual records included two White-rumped Sandpipers on Nepese Pond and a White-eyed Vireo near the Education Center.

Summer

Willet (Photo by Tom Bentley)

A Willet was seen by A.E.Sea late in June. This was remarkable not only because it was only the fourth site record for this species, but also because it is an unusual time of year to be seeing migrants.

The scrubby habitat of ELM-14 was particularly productive for breeding birds this year with good numbers of Bell's Vireos and record high numbers of Yellow-breasted Chats. Other noteworthy breeding records this year were Pied-billed Grebes and possibly Hooded Mergansers on Lake Logo, Yellow-throated Vireos in the Big Woods, Dickcissels and Henslow's Sparrows in numerous locations, and Grasshoppeer Sparrows inside the main injector ring.

Fall

Merlin (Photo by Jed Hertz)

After being absent for over a month the Peregrine Falcons unexpectedly showed up again for about a week in mid September. They were seen on the 12th and 17th and were positively as the same pair that were present in the Spring. In fact it was a good season for raptors with several records for Ospreys, Bald Eagles and .Merlins, all of which are fairly rare on site. However, the most unusual record for the season was without question, the White-winged Scoter that was found on Lake Law on October 11. This was only the second site record for this sea-going duck, the other one occuring on November 5, 1997.