Sangamon County Bird Report for May 2026

[Dyer, Beckie]

Birds in Sangamon County in May 2026

 

Pied- billed Grebe – last seen at WP (May 5) – too much warm weather, boats and few birds.

Am. White Pelican – HC = 90 at LSpfld (May 19) +last seen. Seen only 4 days % due to heavy boat traffic.

Double-cr. Cormorant – HC = 530 (May 6) seen 31 days. On May 10 found 4 nests off Marine Pt high on the East Island w/ cormorants sitting, + there were at least 10 nests there by May 29.

Am Bittern – one flew by low at Marine Pt (May 19). 

Great Blue Heron – HC = 76 – most at Cinder Flats (May 26), seen every day in May. Numbers may be dropping due to few places to feed, however, some landing on the lake to feed + some go to Sangchris and other areas

Great Egret – HC = 2 (May 4), seen on 5 days – very few this spring – last seen (May 19).

Little Blue Heron – spring arrival 2 adults at Camp Lincoln Ponds (May 16) – photos. First seen in several years in spring.

Cattle Egret – spring arrival 3 in breeding plumage at Marine Pt (May 10).

Green Heron – 4 singles seen (May3, 6, 24, & 29). Like many other water birds, boaters not giving them room to exist at LSpfld.

Greater White Fr Goose - one adult at Marine Pt (May 11) – photo.

Snow Goose –one straggler at Marine Pt (white adult) on (May 26).

Canada Goose – HC = 112 (May 26), seen every day - plus many young seen at LSpfld, Mall area, & WP and other places.

Wood Duck – HC = 4 ♂ (May 5), seen on 8 days. First young were at KOA ♀ w/ 2 (May 11).

Green-wing Teal – one ♂ at Marine Pt (May 5).

Mallard – HC = 20 (May 5 & 16), SR seen every day. Young first noted at WP (May 6).  

Blue-winged Teal – HC = 6 (May 5), w/ last seen ♂ at Beach (May 24) – seen 9 days – poor flight in May. 

N. Shoveler – HC =5 at Marine Pt (May 6) – w/ last seen ♂ at Marine Pt (May 13).

Am Wigeon - last seen ♂ at Marine Pt (May 5).

Ring-necked Duck – last seen ♂ at Marine Pt (May 13).

Lesser Scaup – last seen ♂ at Marine Pt (May 4).

Hooded Merganser – ♂♀ at CLP (May 3), and ♀ % SR there (May 20).

Red-breasted Merganser – HC = 2♀ LSpfld (May 17) – last seen ♀ at LSpfld (May 21) – photo. Seen on 8 days.

Ruddy Duck – last seen ♀ (May 15) at LSpfld.

Turkey Vulture – HC = 65 (May 20) -this species can % be seen anywhere in the county. Seen 31 days in May. # noted at Dam, SE of LSpfld, at monastery next to Lin Gds, at RSP & some other areas.

Osprey – 2 singles at Lin Gds & WP (May 4 & 14)- very few this spring.

Bald Eagle – HC = 3 (2 ad & 1 im) at Cinder Flats (May 2) + 3 im at LSpfld (May 13). Age ratio = 8 adults :12 immatures seen on 13 days.

Cooper’s Hawk –2 singles (May 14 – 17). Heavy foliage might have hidden others.

Red-shouldered Hawk –HC = 2 adults (May 20), seen at CP, KOA Rd & Sangchris, seen on 9 days.

         Broad-winged Hawk – No flights seen!

Red-tailed Hawk – HC = 3 (May 1) - mostly SR seen on 5 days.

Am. Kestrel – HC = 2 (May 30)- seen on 4 days.

Ring-neck Pheasant – HC = 3 at Marsh Rd (May 30), seen/ heard or 3 days.

Turkey – HC = 3 at CLP (May 3) & 2 CLP & one at KOA (May 20), seen on 3 days.

N. Bobwhite –first noted 5 at Luken Rd (May 29), w HC = 6 at Marsh Rd (May 30) heard on 2 days. Why did they start calling so late?

Am. Coot – last seen one at LSpfld (May 24).

     Semipalmated Plover – none!

Killdeer – HC = 10 (May 29), seen on 18 days -very low #.  Some yg seen (May 28). A nest at LSpfld failed due to harassment and finally to flooding

Greater Yellowlegs – HC = 4 (May 1) – w/last seen one at KOA Marsh (May 9). Seen on 4 days.

Lesser Yellowlegs – HC = 144 at 2 areas (May 1) & w/ last seen at KOA Marsh (May 16) – seen on 10 days.

Solitary Sandpiper – HC = 12 (May 10), seen on 13 days, w/ last seen one at KOA (May 20).

Willet – last seen 5 at Marine Pt (May 5) – photos.

Spotted Sandpiper – HC = 8 (May 20), seen 26 days. Two birds % nesting at the Cinder Flats with no shallow water (May 26).

Ruddy Turnstone – spring arrival one at Marine Pt (May 11) – photo + another there (May 14) -photo.

Semipalmated Sandpiper – spring arrival 2 at KOA Marsh (May 10), w/HC = 16 at Beach (May 18), seen on 5 days, and last seen in June.

Least Sandpiper – HC = 19 (May 12), seen on 10 days, w/ last seen 4 at LSpfld (May 16).

White-rumped Sandpiper – spring arrival 2 at Beach (May 18) + one (May 22) and 2 (May 24) all at the Beach.

Pectoral Sandpiper – HC = 40 KOA (May 3) - last seen  at KOA (May 20)– low # on 9 days.

Dunlin – 2 at KOA (May 1), 2 at Beach (May 7), one at Marine Pt (May 14) and last seen at Beach on (May 28).

Short-billed Dowitcher – spring arrival at KOA (May 1) w/6 at there (May 11) & one at Beach (May 19) –photo. All % hendersonii.

Long-billed Dowitcher – spring arrival flock of 10 south of Curran (May 1). Noted on adults  were dark backs, dark rufus necks with black spotting, dark spotting on sides, dark rust all ventral and long bills.

Laughing Gull – adult at Beach (May 16 &18) – photos.

Franklin’s Gull –HC = 10 at LSpfld (May 19) – these gulls present (May 6 – 20) – seen on 13 days.

Bonaparte’s Gull – HC =12 im. LSpfld (May 4) + last seen 10 im at LSpfld (May 5).

Ring-billed Gull – HC = 80 (May 8), seen every day, # dropped thr May (especially after May 15) to second year non-breeding gulls at end of May – some will % stay all summer..

Herring Gull – HC = 4 im (May 2), seen on 8 days- w/ last seen im at LSpfld (May 24).

Caspian Tern – HC = 5 (May 5) – seen on 16 days. Low # due to harassment or no place to sit- as the beach area & Marine Pt are full of people & roaring loud vehicles! The last 10 years in May show a considerable drop in #.

Common Tern – spring arrival & HC = 8 (May 5) with last seen 3 (May 19)- just seen 2 days.

Forster’s Tern – HC = 26 (May 16), seen on 9 days, w/ last seen 2 at LSpfld (May 22). See June.

Least Tern – spring arrival adult flew by Marine Pt (May 7).

Black Tern – spring arrival 13 adults off Marine Pt (May 19) only record.

Rock Dove – present.

Eurasian Collared-Dove – HC = 2 near PlPl (May 10) + one south of Curran (May 1).

Mourning Dove – HC = 15 (May 31), seen every day – mostly in pairs.  

Yellow-billed Cuckoo – spring arrival at Lin Gds (May 19), w/ HC = 2 (May 27) – seen only 2 days!

 

Barred Owl –HC = 2 at CP (May 24) seen/ heard on 6 days.

Common Nighthawk – spring arrival at Marine Pt (May 6) -w/ HC = 4 (May 16) – seen on 9 days.

Chimney Swift – HC = 40 (May 5), seen on 20 days mostly in small #.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird – HC = 2 (May 17 & 19), seen on 10 days. Some missing from certain areas.

Belted Kingfisher – only one bird on Old Chatham Rd (May 19) – very low #.

Red-headed Woodpecker – HC = 7 (3x in May ) – seen on 31 days.

Red-bellied Woodpecker – HC = 9 (3x in May ) – seen every day.

Downy Woodpecker – HC = 7 (May 24) – seen on 30 days.

Hairy Woodpecker – HC = 2 (May 27) seen on 10 days.

N. Flicker – HC = 3 (May 4, 8, & 16), seen on 22 days.

Pileated Woodpecker – HC = 5 (May13) seen on 21 days. Mostly at CP/RSP, but also KOA, LSpfld, Lin Gds & Sangchris.

Olive-sided Flycatcher – spring arrival at Lin Gds (May 19) seen + very vocal – only record.

E. Wood Pewee – spring arrival at Lin Gds (May 5), w/HC = 2 (5x in May), seen on 18 days. Late arrival & very low # - some missing in known areas. ♂♂ maybe having difficult time attracting ♀♀ ?

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – spring arrival at KOA Rd (May 6) - very early + 2 more singles - the last at Lin Gds (May 23) – low #.

Acadian Flycatcher – spring arrival at CP (May 13). Seen/heard on 3 days.

Alder Flycatcher – spring arrival two calling at Lin Gds (May 17), w/ several HC = 2, w/-last birds at Center Park (May 24). Seen/heard on 6 days.

Willow Flycatcher – spring arrival one at RSP (May 10) -may nest  there, plus 2 (May 20) - low #.

Least Flycatcher – spring arrival at North Pt (May 5) w/ HC= 3 (May 8) and last seen at RSP (May 20) - seen on 6 days.

E. Phoebe – HC= 2 (May 8), very few seen on 10 days.

Gr. crested Flycatcher – HC = 8 (May 24), seen 29 days in May. Fairly good # due to loud calls & nesting in holes.

E. Kingbird – HC = 49 west of Spfld (May 10) seen on 31 days.

Prairie Horned Lark – one west of Spfld (May 1) and 6 fledged yg at PlPl (May 29).

Purple Martin – HC = 28 (May 5 & 18), seen 26 days.

Tree Swallow – HC = 70 (May 1), seen on 25 days, w/ # dropping to SR after (May 8), a few staying to nest.

N. Rough-wing Swallow – HC = 10 (May 26), seen on 15 days w/ SR to end of May.

Bank Swallow – HC = 4 (May 26), low # seen on 8 days, birds at Cinder Flats not seen nesting yet.          

Cliff Swallow – HC = 55 (May 8) – seen on 26 days. Birds having problems due to more people in boats, as population is noticeably lower at Lindsay Bridge. Also, some at Sangchris & Nipper Pr.

Barn Swallow – HC = 23 (May 5), seen 28 days – lower #.

Blue Jay – HC = 13 (May 24), seen every day, w/ no migrant flocks recognized.

Am. Crow – HC = 7 (May 22), seen every day and most nesting.

Fish Crow – HC = 11 (May 29), seen on 30 days. Birds were more widespread. These birds arrive in spring in flocks or individuals in many places, usually near water, but after some time they concentrate into certain areas, maybe due to pressure from Am Crows. They are still mainly at Sangchris, CP/RSP, and south of the airport, but seen at Beach (all month) and even in residential areas.

Black-cap Chickadee – HC = 3 (May 7, 22 & 26), – seen on 18 days. More difficult to find when nesting, but # keep sliding down!

Tufted Titmouse – HC = 9 (May 23) – seen every day and very vocal.

White-breasted Nuthatch – HC = 8 (May 24) – seen on 31 days.

Carolina Wren – HC = 9 (May 9) – seen/heard on 30 days.

House Wren – HC = 8 (May 11) – seen on 30 days. 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet – last seen at CP (May 6).

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – HC = 2 (May 2 & 21) seen in low # on 9 days.

Eastern Bluebird – HC = 4 (May 10 & 28) – some yg observed – seen only 17 days.

Veery – last seen at CP (May 6) –low # & left early.

Gray-cheek Thrush – spring arrival 4 (May 5)- also HC. Last seen at KOA (May 15) – low # seen on 8 days.

Swainson’s Thrush – HC = 18 (May 13), seen on 21 days and last seen at CP (May 24). Low # & left early.

      Hermit Thrush – none in May.

Wood Thrush – HC = 6 (May 9), seen on 26 days.

Am. Robin – HC = 20 (May 1), no large flocks, seen every day. Some yg observed.

Gray Catbird – HC = 16 (May 5), seen on 29 days.

Brown Thrasher – HC = 3 (May 14), seen on 16 days – low #.

American Pipit – 2 at KOA Marsh (May 1 & 2).

Cedar Waxwing – spring arrival of second group was 8 at Beach – in tulip tree (May 16) - seen on 5 days w/ last seen 3 (May 28).

European Starling – present.

White-eye Vireo – only one ♂ at North Pt (May 2) – then none!!

Bell’s Vireo – spring arrival ♂ at Ramsey Rd. (May 10), seen on 3 days.

Blue-headed Vireo – spring arrival ♂ at RSP (May 10) + one at CP (May 13).

Yellow-throated Vireo –spring arrival 2♂ at Center Park & Lin Gds (May 2). HC = 3 (May 10) - last seen (May 24).

Warbling Vireo – HC = 7 (May 29) - SR. Seen on 29 days.

Philadelphia Vireo – spring arrival ♂ at Lin Gds (May 23) – only one!

Red-eyed Vireo – HC = 16 (May 23) seen /heard on 27 days – SR.

        Blue-wing Warbler – none in May!

Golden-wing Warbler – spring arrival ♂ at CP (May13) – only record.

Tennessee Warbler – HC = 14 (May 12) and last seen at Lin Gds (May 23), very low # some due to hearing and not able to see in thick foliage, Seen on 14 days.

Orange-crowned Warbler – HC = 2 at Lin Gds (May 9) w/ last seen at Lin Gds (May 12). Seen on 3 days.

Nashville Warbler –HC = 4 (May 6), w/ last seen at Lin Gds (May 17). Seen 9 days.

N. Parula – 2 singles (May 8 & 27) w/ low # due to hearing ?, SR,

Yellow Warbler –spring arrival ♂ at Cinder Flats (May 2) w/ HC = 5(May 11), very low # & very few at LSpfld. Two % SR at Cinder Flats (May 26). 

Chestnut-sided Warbler -Spring arrival ♂ at WP (May 6)- HC = 4 (May 15) and departure at WP (May 19), Seen on 5 days.

Magnolia Warbler – spring arrival 2 ♂ at CP (May 13), w/HC = 3 (May 15) - low # seen on 6 days

Cape May Warbler – spring arrival ♂ at Lin Gds (May 12) – w/ ♀ at Center Park (May 21) the only ones seen.

Yellow-rump Warbler – HC = 27 (May 5), and last seen at Center Park (May 24) – seen on 18 days.

Black-throated Green Warbler –spring arrival ♂ at WP (May 5) w/HC = 2 (May 6) & last seen  at Center Park (May 15). Seen only 4 days.

Blackburnian Warbler –spring arrival ♂ at CP (May 6), w/HC = 3 (May 15) and last seen at Lin Gds (May 22) – poor # on 5 days

         Yellow-throated Warbler – none checked bottomland at CP 5 times!

Pine Warbler – spring arrival ♂ at WP in oaks (May 5). Only record.

Palm Warbler –HC = 14 (May 10) and last seen at North Pt (May 14) – seen on 13 days.

Bay-breasted Warbler – spring arrival 3♂ at Lin Gds & Center Park (May 15) -also HC. Last seen 2 ♂ at Center Park (May 23), very low #.

Blackpoll –spring arrival ♂ at Lin Gds (May 9) with HC = 4 (May 19) and last seen 3 at Center Pt (May 23) -seen on 6 days.

Black & white Warbler – spring arrival ♂ at Lin Gds (May 4) w/ last seen ♂ at CP (May 16) - left early & low # -seen only 4 singles.

Am. Redstart – spring arrival ♂ at Lin Gds (May 4) w/HC = 2 (May 13) and last seen at CP (May 24) – low # & left early.

Prothonotary Warbler – spring arrival ♀ at North Pt (May 11) -only record. 

Ovenbird - spring arrival 2 at Lin Gds (May 5) w HC = 3 (May 13) and last seen at North Pt (May 21) -arrived late, low # & left early – seen on 6 days.

N. Waterthrush – HC = 2 (May 5 & 8), w/ last seen CP (May 13)- seen on 8 days.

Kentucky Warbler – HC = 2 at CP (May 16 & 24)- SR – seen on 6 days.

Connecticut Warbler – spring arrival ♂ at Lin Gds (May 18) and last seen ♀ window kill at RCC (B. Dyer) on (May 26) specimen  at ISM.           

Mourning Warbler – Spring arrival ♂ at Lin Gds (May 19) – only record.   

Common Yellowthroat – HC = 4 (May 5 & 8), low #, SR -seen /heard on 24 days.

         Hooded Warbler – none.

Wilson’s Warbler – spring arrival ♂ at S. View (May 18), last seen at Center Park (May 21).

Canada Warbler – spring arrival ♂ at KOA Rd (May 13) -last seen at Lin Gds (May 15) -very low #.

Yellow-breasted Chat – 9 singles (May 13 – 31) - SR.

Summer Tanager – HC = 3 (May 2), seen on 11 days.

Scarlet Tanager - HC = 3 (May 15), little singing, seen on 13 days.

N. Cardinal – HC = 16 (May 22), seen every day.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak – HC = 6 (May 10), w/ # dropping off May 15 – some SR. Seen on 22 days.

Blue Grosbeak – HC = 2 (May 10 - 29), seen on 6 days. Some seem to be missing in some areas.

Indigo Bunting – HC = 8 (May 11). Seen on 25 days. Numbers very low compared to past.

Dickcissel – spring arrival 16 near PlPl (May 10), seen on 5 days. Though still fairly numerous the habitat is not.

E. Towhee – HC = 2 (5x in May), seen on 10 days. Numbers starting to decline.

Chipping Sparrow – HC = 4 (3x in May), seen in small # on 20 days.

Field Sparrow – HC = 5 (May 1) – low # & little singing seen on 5 days. Fewer every year!

       Vesper Sparrow – none!

Lark Sparrow – one at CWLP Rd (May 3), and one along Revere Rd (May 21).

Savannah Sparrow – HC = 12 (May 10), seen 3 days but found only in particular places.

Grasshopper Sparrow –spring arrival ♂ at PlPl (May 10) w/ 3 there (May 29). Not found in other grassy areas.

       Henslow’s Sparrow –none - checked several places.

Song Sparrow – HC = 4 (May 26), seen in low # on 14 days -a shadow of this once abundant sparrow. Nesting areas being disturbed by humans & % dogs.

Lincoln’s Sparrow – HC = 2 (May 10) -w/ last seen at Riverside Park (May 25) - seen on 6 days.

Swamp Sparrow - last seen at Riverside Park (May 10).

White-throated Sparrow –HC = 5 (May 8), seen on 6 days, and last seen 2 at WP (May 14).

White-crowned Sparrow – HC = 6 (May 1), seen on 10 days, and last seen at Beckies feeder in S. View (May 14).

          Bobolink – none.

Red-wing Blackbird – HC = 30 (May 30), seen every day in small #.

Eastern Meadowlark – HC = 6 (May 30), seen on 5 days – critically low # in most areas- should be on Endangered List!

Common Grackle – HC = 19 (May 19), no big flocks & mostly SR - seen every day.

Brown-headed Cowbird – HC = 19 (May 1), seen on 30 days. Many at wooded areas and on lawns – no big flocks.

Orchard Oriole – HC = 2 (May1), seen on 12 days in very low #. Not much singing.

Baltimore Oriole – HC = 8 (May 23), seen every day despite the heavy load of leaves on the trees.

        Purple Finch – none.

House Finch – HC = 14 (May 3), seen on 23 days.

Am. Goldfinch – HC = 4 (May 30), seen on 15 days in low #, % numerous at RSP -but flooded.

House Sparrow – present.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow – HC = 3 (May 22), seen on 8 days.

 

Total species = 174

Total fields days = 31

Total hours for May 2026 = 263

 

By May 2026 the habitat that I have used in past springs to find migrating songbirds looked like mid-summer. I do not think that I have seen thicker vegetation! It turned out to be the worst spring migration (even worse than the past two last springs) in 57 years of my data. No more going to a woodland and spotting 20 species of warblers. These methods produced few birds. The problems were thick vegetation and dry fields (mostly already planted and many have been drained). Most of May was warm – hot, with the highest high 89◦ May 28. Early May was cool with the lowest highs being 59⁰ (May 1, 2 & 5) but the low highs ended on May 9th with most of the rest of May warm to hot.  All of May was well above freezing with night- time temperatures in the 50s & 60s (22 days) - the lowest low was 40◦ on May 7 and the highest low was 67◦ on May 17, but there were 9 lows in the 40s - the last being 42⁰ May 14. The total amount of rainfall was 1.51 inches with the highest one-day total 0.75 inches on May 19.  My best try for passerines was to scan the tops of trees for warblers and listen for Vireos (sometimes warbler flocks were with the vireos). But the lower foraging warblers were not singing and therefore were not found very often, and I missed most of them. There were some migrant shorebirds (some uncommon -some even rare), terns and gulls found in May, mostly at Lake Springfield – which I checked three times a day. Many migrants apparently by- passed this county or stayed only briefly. I fear there must be fewer birds. Many seemed to be having trouble coming North again this spring, and when the migrants did occur, they seemed to be in a jumbled mixed flock, out of sync of their usual order - many preferring more open areas or the edges of the now dense forest. Sparrows and prairie birds seemed difficult to find and very low in numbers – some so much so that they are on the verge of extirpation.  

 

 

H. David Bohlen, Illinois State Museum, hdavid...@illinois.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beckie Dyer
Museum Technician
Illinois State Museum
1011 East Ash Street
Springfield, Illinois 62703-3500
Phone: 217-782-7475/ cell: 217-670-9871/ 217-785-0037
Fax:   217-785-2857
http://illinoisstatemuseum.org/

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