Dickcissel Dial (815) 200-8650: Transcript February 11th, 2023

[Jarod Hitchings]

Welcome to the Dickcissel Dial the Central Illinois Birding Hotline today is Saturday, February 11th, 2023 big news at Emiquon in Fulton County. A photograph of a state record Crested Caracara was taken on February 8th, there have been sightings at the preserve since January and there was a prior sighting of this southwestern species about 15 years ago near Kanankee but this particular bird has now been seen by multiple observers and several photographs have been taken. 11:00 AM on February 10th was the last sighting. Birders from all across the state are still present over the weekend. 

Here are a few other notable Central Illinois sightings from the end of January through the beginning of February: Brown Thrasher, Snowy Owl, Whooping Crane, Harris's Sparrow, Golden Eagle, Common Yellowthroat, Brewer's Blackbird, Eared Grebe, Tundra Swan, Oregon Junco, Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter, LeConte's Sparrow, Black Vulture, Black-legged Kittiwake, Glaucous Gull, Red-necked Grebe, Northern Shrike, Blue-winged Teal.

Rhetta Jack was our winner for last month's trivia with American Goldfinch. This week's question: what bird is nicknamed the "Mexican Eagle"?

Remember the Western Meadowlark says "chuck, chuck" its scientific name neglecta comes from Lewis & Clark believing it was the same bird as the Eastern Meadowlark. 

Please leave answers & sightings and enjoy the outdoors!

The Hitchings Family

Williamsville, Illinois