Sangamon County Bird Report September 2025

[Dyer, Beckie]

Birds in Sangamon County in September 2025

Pied-billed Grebe – HC =32 (Sept 28), still fairly low # observed 12 days. Heavy use of lake by humans.

Eared Grebe – adult non-breeding with a slightly up-turned bill and spots on head seen north of Beach at LSpfld on (Sept 19) -distant photo.

Am. White Pelican – HC =18 (Sept 8), seen on 10 days. Sporadic sightings due to much harassment by boaters.

Double-crested Cormorant – HC = 451 (Sept 5), 450(Sept 25), & 452 (Sept 26) seen every day mostly at LSpfld Dam and Marine Pt. & south end of LSpfld + a few seen at Sangchris.

Great Blue Heron – HC = 19 (Sept 20), seen every day. High water at lake and disturbances left few places to feed, but some feed on open water.

Great Egret – HC = 38 (Sept 13), seen every day, fairly good season for this heron.

Little Blue Heron – one im straggled at the south end of LSpfld until (Sept 19) – photo. It was also seen (Sept 3 & 6).

Green Heron –HC = 3 on (Sept 6 & 16), seen on 12 days. Last seen at Hazel Dell Inlet (Sept 26).

Mute Swan – HC = 4 at Mall Ponds (Sep 16).

Snow Goose – one adult? (White) w/ Canadas at Center Park (Sept 2 -25) was the same goose from August.

Canada Goose – HC = 190 (Sept 3), seen every day. Several cripples at LSpfld.

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – fall? arrival was 14 at Marine Pt (Sept 20) – photo -they stayed @ 10 minutes!

Wood Duck – HC = 16 (Sept 21), seen on 12 days. Most seen at Sangchris & along areas of LSpfld with natural water edge.

Green-winged Teal – HC = 3 (Sept 12), seen on 9 days in very low #.

Mallard – HC = 125 (Sept 21), seen every day. Numbers dropped when fishermen started at Marine Pt in the dark and they are still at it.

N. Pintail –fall arrival one north of Sangchris (Sept 24), w/ HC = 3 (Sept 27) - seen on 2 days.

Blue-winged Teal – HC = 136 (Sept 21) seen on 15 days. Very little shallow water for these ducks.

N. Shoveler –fall arrival ♂ at Sangchris (Sept 4)- HC = 3 (Sept 5, 9 & 24), seen on 5 days.

Ruddy Duck – fall arrival 2 at LSpfld – off Lin Gds (Sept 28).

Turkey Vulture – HC = 66 (Sept 17), seen every day – mostly at LSpfld, Sangchris & CP/RSP. Many are at the Beach (when the dead fish float in).

Osprey – HC = 2 (Sept 24, 28 & 29) seen on 10 days, mostly at LSpfld.

Bald Eagle – HC = 2 (5x in Sept), Eagles noted on 14 days (10 adults & 9 im) – mostly at LSpfld, RSP & Sangchris.

Sharp-shinned Hawk – 2 single adults- both in Beach area (Sept 24 & 28).

Cooper’s Hawk – HC = 2 (Sept 14 & 20), seen on 8 days.

Red-shouldered Hawk – HC = 2 (Sept 1 & 17) seen / heard on 8 days.

Broad-winged Hawk – 3 singles im at Lin Gds (Sept 6) and CP (Sept 11 & 22) - migrants or local birds??

Red-tailed Hawk – 9 singles (6 im) in rather low # -% local birds.

Merlin – fall arrival at Marine Pt (Sept 12) – made a pass at gulls.

Am. Kestrel – 5 singles (Sept 1 – 25) – mostly SR.

Peregrine Falcon – one adult at Marine Pt (Sept 16) and one im at Lindsay Bridge (Sept 24) – photo.

Ring-neck Pheasant -one ♂at the south end of LSpfld (Sept 25).

N. Bobwhite - none.

Sora – none – due to dry fall?

Am. Coot – HC = 9 (Sept 26) – seen on 10 days in very low #. Too much going on at LSpfld – for birds to even land!

Killdeer – HC = 206 mostly at south end of LSpfld (Sept 18), seen on 30 days, mostly in low #. at Beach, UIS field and a few at Sangchris.

Am Avocet – fall arrival in non -breeding plumage one adult ♂ at Beach – photo (Sept 22).

Greater Yellowlegs – none.

Lesser Yellowlegs – HC= 3 at Beach (Sept 6) – only record- very low #!

Solitary Sandpiper – HC = 3 at south end LSpfld (Sept 3), seen on only 5 days.

Spotted Sandpiper – HC = 2 (Sept 6), seen on 6 days – mostly at the Beach and Marine Pt.

Sanderling – 2 im at the Beach (Sept 8, 11 -18) -photos -seen on 9 days.

Semipalmated Sandpiper – only one at Beach (Sept 3)!

Least Sandpiper – HC = 2 (Sept 22), seen on 4 days - very low #.

Pectoral Sandpiper –fall arrival one at Beach (Sept 3) w/ HC = 15 (Sept 9), seen on 5 days – miserable #!

Phalarope sp? one flying and landing on water off Marine Pt (Sept 27) – not id to species.

Long-tailed Jaeger – one adult sitting on the lake south from launch area at LSpfld in the evening on (Sept 5) – one photo. Noted thr 70 power scope: a slender jaeger with rather smooth grayish -brown upper parts with black wings, especially primaries. The neck, head, and beast were whitish + there was a distinctive black cap that extended part way down the nape. The tail was fairly long but a bit scraggly - as in molt. The bill was small and unfortunately the Jaeger turned its head when I photoed it. I looked most of the next day (Sept 6), but could not find the bird + I did not see it on Sept 7 either. However, on Sept 8 in the evening it was sitting in the middle of the lake south of the East Island. On Sept 9, I saw it in the morning from 2 different angles but as usual in the middle of the lake. On Sept 10, I again saw the Jaeger – this time north of the East Island and somewhat closer – 2 boats immediately chased it off – and that was the last time I saw it. I saw it well on 4 days but not close, but due to it being an adult and my 70 power scope it was easy to pick out.

Laughing Gull – same bird from August (?) im seen at Beach on 7 days (Sept 2 – 21) - photo.

Franklin’s Gull – HC = 3 im at LSpfld (Sept 29), seen on 3 days -see August Report.

Bonaparte’s Gull – fall arrival adult in non-breeding at LSpfld (Sept 10) w/HC= 15 (Sept 29), seen on 4 days.

Ring-billed Gull – HC = 500 (Sept 24), seen every day – low # may be due to disturbance by boaters at roosting time. Also difficult to see on steel parking riggs for boats.

Herring Gull – fall arrival one im off Marine Pt (Sept 24).

Great Black-backed Gull – fall arrival at Marine Pt (Sept 19) - photo – this is the earliest fall arrival by far for Sangamon County- they usually arrive in winter. This individual was not

aggressive and stayed until (Sept 26) -another photo. It was mostly at Marine Pt but usually only in the am. I did see it once at the south end of LSpfld later in the day.

Caspian Tern – HC = 11 (Sept 2) seen 14 days, # were low in September and departure was % 2 at Beach (Sept 24). Continuous harassment at Beach and Marine Pt may have cause early departure? Also, very hot temperatures were present in PM.

Forster’s Tern – HC = 8 (Sept 24), seen on 9 days. A few were seen into October.

Rock Dove - present

Eurasian Collared-Dove – HC = 2 at New City (Sept 24) – were only ones seen.

Mourning Dove – HC = 61 (Sept 21), seen every day, but in low #.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo – 7 singles mostly at RSP/ CP (Sept 1 - 30) – low # may indicate early migration because of heat and dry conditions!

Eastern Screech-Owl – one off Old Chatham Rd (Sept 4,8 & 9) – hope this indicates a comeback for this owl.

Great Horned Owl – 5 singles (Sept 8, 12, 22, 27 & 29), at either Old Chatham Road or LSpfld.

Barred Owl – 4 singles (Sept 2, 8, 11 & 29) at Old Chatham Rd, CP or Marine Pt.

Common Nighthawk – HC = 2 at South 6th St (Sept 1) - last seen?

Chimney Swift – HC = 6 (Sept 25), seen on 17 days.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird – HC = 6 (Sept 1, 10 & 14), seen on 26 days. Some defending jewelweed patches at Lin Gds. Others seen at feeders (Marine Pt or Shans ) & in woods -at RSP/CP.

Belted Kingfisher – HC = 2 (Sept 8 & 28), seen on 12 days - better #.

Red-headed Woodpecker – HC = 8 (Sept 8 & 22), seen 29 days. Some are leaving for winter. Average acorn crop this fall. Some woodpecker trees being cut down -especially in Center Park.

Red- bellied Woodpecker – HC = 9 (Sept 8), seen on 29 days.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – fall arrival 2 at CP (Sept 27) – seen on 4 days.

Downy Woodpecker – HC = 6 (Sept 3 & 20), seen on 29 days.

Hairy Woodpecker – HC = 2 (Sept 17) seen on 10 days. Lower #.

N. Flicker – HC = 7 (Sept 25), migrants started @ Sept 21, seen on 28 days.

Pileated Woodpecker – HC = 5 ( Sept 10, 20 & 23), seen on 21 days – more widespread now.

Olive-sided Flycatcher – fall arrival at CP (Sept 7).

E. Wood-Pewee – HC = 9 (Sept 2 &7), seen on 25 days. Some hy seen.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher –4 singles (Sept 1, 3, & 5) w/ % last seen at RSP (Sept 17) - all empids very low #.

Acadian Flycatcher – last seen at CP along woodland creek (Sept 8).

Alder/Willow Flycatcher – one at CP in open brushy area (Sept 8).Not id to species.

Willow Flycatcher – one at RSP in the weedy field on (Sept 1).

Least Flycatcher – HC = 2 (Sept 24) w/ possible last seen at RSP (Sept 30). Seen on 12 days.

E. Phoebe – HC = 4 (Sept 22 & 23), seen on 15 days.

Great Crested Flycatcher – HC= 2 at CP (Sept 3) w/ last seen at Lin Gds (Sept 15).Seen on 4 days.

E. Kingbird – HC = 7 (Sept 4), with last seen at LSpfld (Sept 8). Most flycatchers low # & left early.

Prairie Horned Lark – none.

Purple Martin – last seen 60 sitting in trees at the dam at Sangchris (Sept 4) – must have been a migrating flock.

Tree Swallow – HC = 63 (Sept 4), w/ last seen 15 (Sept 9) - seen on 4 days in sporadic #. See Oct.

Cliff Swallow – last seen 2 at Sangchris (Sept 4). Left early.

Barn Swallow – HC = 80 (Sept 5) w/ last seen one at LSpfld (Sept 21)- seen on 5 days -left early.

Blue Jay - HC = 14 (Sept 29), - some migrants % arrived in low # on (Sept 21), seen every day.

Am. Crow – HC = 14 (Sept 21), seen every day. Some seen in small flocks.

Fish Crow – HC = 17 at RSP (Sept 23) seen/heard on 15 days mainly at Beach, RSP and Sangchris.

Black-capped Chickadee – HC = 9 (Sept 23), seen on 19 days. Numbers low – but thick vegetation (leaves staying green and on the trees longer) may hide these small birds.

Tufted Titmouse – HC = 14 (Sept 8), seen on 30 days.

Red- breasted Nuthatch – seen/ heard on 4 days (Sept 5, 7, 28, & 29).

White-breasted Nuthatch – HC = 10 (Sept 8), seen on 30 days.

Brown Creeper – none – late?

Carolina Wren – HC = 7 (Sept 29), seen/ heard on 29 days.

House Wren – HC = 6 (Sept 23), seen on 12 days in low #.

Winter Wren – none – late?

Sedge Wren – none!

Marsh Wren – none.

Golden-cr Kinglet – none!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet – fall arrival at Marine Pt (Sept 26) – late & only one seen!

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – HC = 5 (Sept 7), seen on 7 days, w/ last seen at Golf Course (Sept 12).

E. Bluebird – HC = 13 (Sept 23), seen on 22 days - fairly low #.

Veery – only one at CP (Sept 17) % departure date?

Gray-cheeked Thrush – fall arrival at Sangchris (Sept 24) – very late, w/ HC = 3 at CP (Sept 27) and % departure at CP (Sept 30). Very poor # - may have bypassed this dry area?

Swainson’s Thrush – fall arrival at CP (Sept 3) w/ HC = 8 (Sept 8) seen on 15 days – low # & sporadic occurrence for most brown-thrushes.

Hermit Thrush – none

Wood Thrush – 6 singles mostly at CP - % summer residents (Sept 2 – 20).

Am. Robin – HC = 32 (Sept 19), very low fall # so far on 28 days. Not seeing them roost in the sterile cornfields or at Cinder Flats. Missed on 2 days! When I have to scrounge around to find Robins – I know something is wrong with the birds! The drought has taken its toll.

Gray Catbird – HC = 12 (Sept 23), seen mostly in low # on 26 days.

N. Mockingbird – none

Brown Thrasher – 7 singles (Sept 3 - 25).

Cedar Waxwing – HC = 24 (Sept 1), birds seen on 18 days mostly along the Sangamon River at RSP and at Marine Pt.

European Starling – present.

White-eyed Vireo – migrant at RSP (Sept 20), w/ HC = 3 at CP (Sept 22) – not as widespread as other years. Seen 4 days.

Bell’s Vireo- none, birds quit singing at Sangchris early.

Blue-headed Vireo – fall arrival 2 at CP (Sept 7) - also HC. Seen on 5 days.

Yellow-throated Vireo – HC = 4 (Sept 10). Seen on 7 days – most singing.

Warbling Vireo – HC = 7 (Sept 4) w/ departure at RSP (Sept 20), low # seen/heard on 8 days.

Philadelphia Vireo – 5 singles (Sept 3 - 25) w/ % departure date.

Red-eyed Vireo – HC = 8 (Sept 7), seen on 16 days.

Blue-winged Warbler – HC= 2 (Sept 20) - last date (Sept 22) at CP, low #, TC = 7/6.

Golden-winged Warbler – HC = 3 (♂ ) on (Sept 7 &17). Sex ratio = 13 ♂♂: 6 ♀♀. Last seen ♂at Lin Gds (Sept 29), TC = 19/13.

Tennessee Warbler – HC = 16 (Sept 7), seen in flocks feeding at all heights, TC = 111/23.

Orange-crowned Warbler – fall arrival im at RSP (Sept 30), TC = 1/1.

Nashville Warbler – HC = 8 (Sept 29), TC = 45/17.

N. Parula – HC = 2 (4x in Sept ), TC = 13/9.

Yellow Warbler – 5 singles (Sept 12 - 27) & last seen-(Sept 27) at Marine Pt, TC = 5/5.

Chestnut-sided Warbler – HC = 15 (Sept 7), TC = 68/22.

Magnolia Warbler – HC = 10 (Sept 7), TC = 81/22.

Cape May Warbler -only 2 (♀ & im ♂) at Marine Pt (Sept 26) – very low #, TC = 2/1.

Black-thr. Blue Warbler – fall arrival ♂ at CP (Sept 10), TC = 1/1.

Yellow-rumped Warbler –fall arrival one at CP (Sept 20), w/HC = 12 (Sept 29) – no large influx so far, TC = 26/8.

Black-throated Green Warbler – HC = 9 (Sept 29), most earlier birds ♀♀/ im ♂, TC = 43/17.

Blackburnian Warbler – HC = 2 (Sept 5, 29 & 30), big gap Sept 6-28 with no birds! TC = 8/5.

Yellow-throated Warbler - 1 single at Launch area in Bluebird flock (Sept 29) - photo, TC = 1/1.

Palm Warbler –fall arrival one at Marine Pt (Sept 26), HC =2 (Sept 29) late & low #, TC = 5/4.

Bay-breasted Warbler –HC = 7 (Sept 22), mostly seen in oaks at CP/RSP & Lin Gds, TC = 46/19

Black & white Warbler – HC = 8 (Sept 7), TC = 42/15.

Am. Redstart – HC = 7 (Sept 7 & 23), very few adult ♂, TC = 65/20.

Prothonotary Warbler – one ♂ seen very well at Sangchris in the willows (Sept 4), TC = 1//1.

Ovenbird – HC = 5 (Sept 8), low # - any bird that lives on the ground is in trouble, TC = 16/9.

Northern Waterthrush –fall arrival at RSP (Sept 13). This species has become rare in fall + dry conditions, % last seen at Sangchris (Sept 24), TC = 2/2.

Common Yellowthroat – HC = 5 (Sept 17), no good influx noted after molt, TC = 21/10.

Wilson’s Warbler – HC = 2 (4x in Sept), low #, most early birds were ♀, TC = 15/11.

Canada Warbler - departure at RSP (Sept 13), very low #, TC = 3/3.

Yellow-breasted Chat – none.

Summer Tanager – 3 singles, 2 at CP (Sept 10 & 20), + one at Sangchris (Sept 24). (see Oct)

Scarlet Tanager – 8 singles w/ last seen ♂ at CP (Sept 24) - (see Oct) -low # of both tanagers this fall is discouraging for production of young.

N. Cardinal – HC = 9 (Sept 7 & 8), seen on 30 days in low #!

Rose-breasted Grosbeak – HC = 4 (Sept 23) seen on 11 days. Most seen in giant ragweed at RSP – very few at LSpfld – this species is declining.

Blue Grosbeak – last seen ♀ at RSP (Sept 5) – left early – due to heat and no water?

Indigo Bunting – HC = 8 (Sept 17), seen on 13 days – mostly at RSP/CP.

Dickcissel – none.

E. Towhee – 1 single at Lin Gds (Sept 14), - very low #.

Chipping Sparrow – HC = 4 (Sept 22, 23 & 29), seen on 10 days – rather scarce & usually with bluebird flocks.

Field Sparrow – none

Vesper Sparrow – a small flock of 3 birds north of Sangchris (Sept 24) possibly nested there.

Savannah Sparrow – none.

Song Sparrow – only one east of LSpfld (Sept 4). Did the heat & molt make them inconspicuous?

Lincoln’s Sparrow – fall arrival at RSP (Sept 17) watched for long time, + another there (Sept 27).

Swamp Sparrow –none

White-throated Sparrow –none.

White- crowned Sparrow –none.

Dark- eyed Junco –none.

Red-winged Blackbird – HC = 4 (Sept 4), seen on 2 days - low # - % due to use of neonicotinoid insecticides- USA needs to outlaw this pesticide like Europe has already done.

Eastern Meadowlark – none.

Common Grackle – small migrant flocks started w/ 10 (Sept 1) & HC= 100 (Sept 23), but very low #, seen on 14 days.

Brown-headed Cowbird – HC = 40 near Sangchris (Sept 4), seen on 6 days.

Baltimore Oriole – last seen adult ♂ at CP (Sept 7), seen on 2 days – left early.

House Finch – HC = 15 (Sept 20 & 30), seen on 19 days.

Am. Goldfinch – HC = 4 (Sept 15), seen on 16 days in low #.

House Sparrow – present.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow – HC = 5 at south end of LSpfld (Sept 6), seen on 4 days

Total field days = 30

Total hours = 242

Total species = 154 (2 not to species)

September 2025, days 1 - 9 were mildly warm with most high temperatures in the 70s and 80s, except it was 69◦ on Sept 5. Then a hot period occurred from Sept 10 – 19 with highs from 86◦ - 97◦- (September 13 & 14 were monthly highs). Then from September 20 -23 the highs were warm in the low 80s and dropped to the high 70s on September 24 & 25. The rest of the month was hot with 2 days at 90◦ (September 28 & 29). Most of the 40 degree night lows ended after September 9, with the lowest low 40◦ September 7. The rest of the lows were in the 50s and 60s, except it was 48◦ September 26. Along with the hot temperatures It remained very dry, with 4 days of precipitation totaling 0.56 inches of rain. Again, lack of habitat made shorebird, puddle ducks and rail numbers very low and was probably one of the worst ever shorebirds months for Sangamon County. Even out doing last year. Therefore, I concentrated on passerines, which were also affected by lack of moisture – many thrushes, flycatchers, swallows, vireos and sparrows passed over (I hope!) and other breeding birds left early – cuckoos, flycatchers, swallows, wrens, thrushes, orioles, and tanagers. Some stopped singing early. I encouraged people to provide water for the birds. The acorn crop was lower in most areas this fall, but there were wild grapes and poison-ivy berries available for food. Other trees and scrubs produced berries such as Wild Cherry, Hackberry, and Cedar. Midge numbers were lower than last year, but spraying continued especially at Center Park. At the end of September, I noted the trees and other vegetation were still green and few leaves had fallen and bird migration in general was late with low numbers for many species. Warblers were particularly difficult to see. Other problems noted were people with pets taking over the habitat, and people with noisy illegal vehicles (at Lake Springfield) racing by chasing the birds away. Also, there was a continuous boating use of Lake Springfield because of warm weather, and I believe some of these, especially jet skis, were purposely chasing the birds off the lake, when the birds were trying to roost at dusk.

H. David Bohlen,

Illinois State Museum, IDNR

hdavid...@illinois.gov

Beckie Dyer
Museum Technician
Illinois State Museum
1011 East Ash Street
Springfield, Illinois 62703-3500
Phone: 217-782-7475/ 217-785-0037
Fax:   217-785-2857
http://illinoisstatemuseum.org/

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