Afton Forest Preserve in DeKalb County Saturday 11-22-25

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

I needed an Eurasian Tree Sparrow for my year list & Afton is the
closest place I know to look for one. So I went there today with Bob
Erickson with directions from Karen L & Kevin H who are both familiar
with the area. Went slowly along McGirr Road & at almost the
intersection of McGirr & Crego we saw a flock of small birds & in them
were 2-3 EURASIAN TREE SPARROWS. Farther east on McGirr we also saw 3
Eurasian Collared Doves so it was a good day for birds with Eurasian
in their names.

Afton F.P. (8:15-10:45 am)

Canada Goose (~200)
Mallard (4)
Green Winged Teal (12)
Killdeer (9)
Cooper's Hawk (1)
Red Tailed Hawk (1)
Ring Necked Pheasant (1, seen by Bob but only heard by me)
Collared Dove (3)
Kingfisher (H-1)
Red Bellied Woodpecker (2)
Downy Woodpecker (1-PR)
Blue Jay (4)
Chickadee (H-2)
Robin (5)
Starling (~10)
Cardinal (2)
Tree Sparrow (2)
White Crowned Sparrow (2)
White Throated Sparrow (also 2)
Junco (12)
Goldfinch (4)
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (2-3)
House Sparrow (2)

So 23 species at Afton plus 2 roadside additions for a day's total of 25.
Bird-Of-The-Day to the Eurasian Tree Sparrows & Runner-Up to the 9
late Killdeer &
the Collared Doves.

Al Stokie
In far away DeKalb County today