Sangamon Co. Nov. 2022 Bird report
Dyer, Beckie
Birds in Sangamon County in November 2022
Red-throated Loon – from October, still present at LSpfld (Nov 8 – 15) seen on 4 days – see Oct photos.
Common Loon – HC = 51 (Nov 8), still one on Nov 30, seen on 30 days.
Pied-billed Grebe – HC = 18 (Nov 28), seen on 29 days in low #.
Horned Grebe – HC = 45 (Nov 8), seen on 27 days.
Red-necked Grebe – im at LSpfld (Nov 6 – 13) seen 5 days – photos.
Eared Grebe -im at LSpfld (Nov 3 – 13) seen 3 days – photos.
Am. White Pelican – HC = 200 (Nov 6), seen on 30 days. Birds were typically spread all over the lake and tried to rest at warm water ditch or around islands – but were harassed often by boaters. Still 57 mostly at Warm Water Ditch (Nov 30).
Double-crested Cormorant – HC = 500 (Nov 5), # drop about (Nov 16). Fishermen were chasing them off ? Low # to (Nov 30), seen on 30 days.
Great Blue Heron – HC = 14 (Nov 30), seen on 30 days. Feeding areas were fewer and more difficult to use because of riprapping the lake had made the shoreline too vertical, plus the herons below the Dam were difficult to see because of construction at Cinder Flats all fall.
Great Egret – last seen below LSpfld Dam (Nov 11).
Tundra Swan – fall arrival 2 im at LSpfld (Nov 16), plus 2 ad & 2 im there (Nov 20).
Mute Swan – present. There were 2 adults near Mall ponds (Nov 13) – one in parking lot and the other DOR in road = a pair?
Trumpeter Swan – fall arrival 24 (mostly adults – some asleep) at PlPl (Nov 29).
Greater White-fronted Goose – HC = 101 (Nov 21), seen on 30 days, but 27 days refer to a single bird that stayed all summer.
Snow Goose – fall arrival white & blue geese at LSpfld (Nov 3) /w HC = 200 at LSpfld (Nov 21), seen on 12 days.
Ross’ Goose – fall arrival im at LSpfld (Nov 24), plus adult w/swans at PlPl (Nov 29).
Cackling Goose – HC = 12 (Nov 28) seen on 5 days – some photos.
Canada Goose – HC = 320 (Nov 11), seen every day.
Wood Duck – HC = 3 (Nov 1)- and also last seen. Too many boats and WP not feeding waterfowl = low # and left early.
Green-winged Teal – HC = 50 (Nov 5), w/% last seen at LSpfld (Nov 28), seen on 20 days.
Am. Black Duck – HC = 2 (Nov 17),plus one (Nov 26) poor # on 2 days – this species disappearing.
Mallard – HC = 400 (Nov 21) - low #, but seen every day.
N. Pintail – HC = 22 (Nov 5) seen on 11 days. Last seen ♂ at LSpfld (Nov 26).
Blue-winged Teal – HC= 4 (Nov 5) and last seen at LSpfld (Nov 19), seen on 4 days.
N. Shoveler – HC = 78 (Nov 19) – mostly low # seen on 18 days and % last seen 3 at LSpfld (Nov 28).
Gadwall – HC = 350 (Nov 5), seen on 21 days. Last seen 13 at LSpfld (Nov 28).
Am. Wigeon – HC = 16 (Nov 19), low # seen on 9 days. Last seen ♂ at LSpfld (Nov 28).
Canvasback – fall arrival 3♀ at LSpfld (Nov 8) – late, w/HC = 36 (Nov 22), seen on 9 days.
Redhead – HC = 40 (Nov 17) & 33 (Nov 28), seen in small # on 12 days. Last seen 22 (Nov 30).
Ring-necked Duck – HC = 185 (Nov 28), also 150 on (Nov 17) w/ low # seen on 24 days.
Greater Scaup – fall arrival ♀ at LSpfld (Nov 6) w/ HC = 2 (Nov 28). Seen on 3 days.
Lesser Scaup – HC = 305 (Nov 17), seen on 28 days – mostly poor #. Too many boats.
Black Scoter – one (Nov 2), 2 (Nov 7) and one (Nov 16) – all at LSpfld – some photos.
Surf Scoter – 2♀ at LSpfld (Nov 28) w/ Ruddy Ducks.
White-winged Scoter – fall arrival 4 at LSpfld (Nov 28) – distant photo
Common Goldeneye – fall arrival 9 (5 ♂ 4♀) at Marine Pt (Nov 13) – late, w/HC = 120 (Nov 28), seen on 17 days. Had difficult time forming flock because of boaters.
Bufflehead – HC = 123 (Nov 17 ), also 109 (Nov 28) at LSpfld seen on 17 days.
Hooded Merganser –fall arrival ♂♀ at Marine Pt (Nov 7), w/ HC = 84 (Nov 18), seen on 19 days.
Common Merganser – fall arrival ♀ at LSpfld (Nov 24).
Red-breasted Merganser – fall arrival 6 at LSpfld (Nov 12),w/ HC = 89 (Nov 28), seen on 7 days- mostly low #.
Ruddy Duck – HC = 381 (Nov 21), seen on 30 days. These little guys having a lot of trouble w/ speeding boats.
Turkey Vulture – HC = 59 (Nov 8), seen on 27days. # dropped on (Nov 12). Roost is diffused and moved further south.
Bald Eagle – HC = 2 ad & im (Nov 21 & 27) & 2 adults (Nov 29), w/ total = 13 adults & 2 im seen on 12 days.
N. Harrier – HC = 2 along Tebbe Rd (Nov 4), seen on 8 days.
Sharp-shinned Hawk – 2 singles w/ last in Nov im at North Pt (Nov 30).
Cooper’s Hawk – HC = 3 (Nov 16), this hawk noted on 10 days.
Red-shouldered Hawk – HC = 2 adults (Nov 21) & 2 im (Nov 27), total = 3 adults & 5 im seen on 6 days.
Red-tailed Hawk – HC = 8 (Nov 9), the returning dark phase east of New City Road was first seen (Nov 11), all seen on 21 days.
Rough-legged Hawk – fall arrival was a light phase at Pleasant Plaines (Nov 29).
Am. Kestrel – HC = 4 (Nov 21, 23 & 29), this falcon seen on 17 days.
Merlin – one ♂ at Oak Ridge Cemetery (Nov 27) - photo.
Peregrine Falcon - one adult at the Beach (Nov 28) – bands could not be seen.
Ring-necked Pheasant – 3 singles at Sangchris & Marsh Rd (Nov 1 - 11).
Turkey – 3 at KOA Rd (Nov 14).
N. Bobwhite – one at Sangchris (Nov 1).
Am. Coot – HC = 600 (Nov 10), w/ lesser # after Nov 11. Seen on 30 days.
Killdeer – HC = 67 (Nov 4), seen on 20 days, w/ last seen one at Beach (Nov 26).
Am Avocet – last seen a flock of 12 in flight over LSpfld (Nov 2).
Dunlin – as with so many shorebirds none all fall!
Franklin’s Gull – HC = 59 (Nov 6), last seen adult at Marine Pt (Nov 17) - seen on 10 days.
Bonaparte’s Gull – HC = 400 (Nov 7), seen every day in Nov, but # dropped off by Nov 27.
Ring-billed Gull – HC = 3000 (Nov 23), lower # than usual, but seen every day – w/ much harassment and some killed by humans (?).
Herring Gull – HC = 14 (Nov 17), seen on 18 days in low #.
Lesser black-backed Gull – a first year at LSpfld (Nov 24). Also, one adult and one first year at LSpfld (Nov 28). Low # so far at LSpfld.
Rock Dove – present.
Eurasian Collared-Dove – HC = 2 (Nov 11 & 14) at New City, seen on 3 days.
Mourning Dove – HC = 29 (Nov 30), seen 28 days – definitely lower #.
Great Horned Owl – one at Old Chatham Rd (Nov 20) & one at Oak Ridge Cemetery (Nov 26).
Barred Owl – one at Old Chatham Rd (Nov 9) and one DOR at Dam, where speeding is rampant (Nov 25).
Belted Kingfisher – 10 singles in Nov, mostly at LSpfld and Sangchris.
Red-headed Woodpecker – HC = 6 (Nov 28), seen on 24 days. Some birds left for winter.
Red-bellied Woodpecker – HC = 9 (Nov 8, 23 & 26), seen every day.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 4 singles (Nov 1, 12, 22 & 25), w/# low and patchy.
Downy Woodpecker – HC = 9 (Nov 25), seen every day.
Hairy Woodpecker – HC = 3 (Nov 25), seen on 9 days.
N. Flicker – HC = 9 (Nov 2), seen on 26 days.
Pileated Woodpecker – HC = 2 (Nov 14 & 25), seen on 8 days.
Horned Lark – HC = 8 (Nov 4), seen on 4 days. This species remains scarce.
Tree Swallow - HC = 350 (Nov 2), seen on 7 days, w/ last seen 150 at LSpfld (Nov 10). No stragglers.
Blue Jay – HC = 18 (Nov 1 & 26), w/ some flocks % migrants - seen every day.
Am. Crow – HC =276 - roost inside city of Spfld (Nov 14), seen every day.
Black-capped Chickadee – HC = 9 (Nov 28), seen on 27 days.
Tufted Titmouse – HC = 13 (Nov 25), seen on 29 days.
Red-breasted Nuthatch – HC = 2 (4x in Nov) seen on 5 days.
White-breasted Nuthatch – HC = 12 (Nov 25) seen on 29 days.
Brown Creeper – 4 singles (Nov 1, 22, 25 & 30) - very low #.
Carolina Wren – HC = 4 (Nov 25), seen on 22 days.
House Wren – last seen a straggler at filing station checking out firewood for sale - in the dark (Nov 21).
Winter Wren – HC = 2 at RSP (Nov 25 ), seen on 3 days - low #.
Golden-crowned Kinglet – HC = 2 (Nov 2 & 25), seen on 7 days - low #.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – HC = 3 (Nov 2), last seen KOA Rd (Nov 10), seen on 5 days.
Eastern Bluebird – HC = 22 (Nov 3), seen on 13 days.
Hermit Thrush – HC = 2 one at North Pt & Lin Gds (Nov 17), also one at LSpfld (Nov 22)
Am. Robin – HC = 48 (Nov 8), seen on 26 days – fairly scarce, except in areas w/berries.
Gray Catbird – one along KOA Rd (Nov 2).
N. Mockingbird – none.
American Pipit – fall arrival 21at Tebbe Rd (Nov 4) – photos. Also 16 SW of Spfld (Nov 9) and 5 at Tebbe Rd (Nov 13).
Cedar Waxwing – HC = 12 (Nov 5), seen on 9 days in Nov w/ modest #. Last seen one at Oak Ridge Cemetery (Nov 25).
E. Starling - present.
Yellow-rumped Warbler – HC = 3 (Nov 3), seen on 4 days, w/ last seen at Hunter Lake (Nov 23).
N. Cardinal – HC = 21 (Nov 12), seen every day in low #.
Eastern Towhee – a ♂ at RoSP (Nov 2) and a ♀ at RSP (Nov 25).
Am. Tree Sparrow – fall arrival 3 at KOA Rd & Sangchris (Nov 21) – latest ever arrival? Late & low #.
Chipping Sparrow – straggler at Center Park (Nov 23) w/ juncos.
Field Sparrow – HC = 2 (Nov 1), and last seen at Center Park (Nov 13), seen on 3 days.
Savannah Sparrow – HC = 27 at Sangchris (Nov 1), w/ last noted 7 on (Nov 14). Seen on 5 days.
Le Conte’s Sparrow – 2 seen close at Sangchris (Nov 1) – photos.
Fox Sparrow – HC = 9 (Nov 2), last seen? 4 at RSP (Nov 25)- seen on 3 days.
Song Sparrow – HC = 15 (Nov 1), seen on 15 days - # declining.
Lincoln’s Sparrow – last seen at KOA Rd (Nov 2) in grassy/weedy field.
Swamp Sparrow – HC = 17 (Nov 1), seen on 9 days.
White-throated Sparrow – HC = 49 (Nov 2), seen 26 days, - low #.
White-crowned Sparrow – HC = 12 (Nov 1 & 3), seen on 9 days, patchy occurrence & low #.
Dark-eyed Junco – HC = 82 (Nov 1) & 81 (Nov 27), seen on 29 days, but mostly low #.
Lapland Longspur – fall arrival 40 at Tebbe Rd (Nov 13) - photos.
Red-winged Blackbird – HC = 700 (Nov 18), seen on 16 days, w/ # dropping in late Nov.
Eastern Meadowlark – last seen one at Sangchris (Nov 1), only one seen, most gone for the winter.
Rusty Blackbird – HC = 5 in Center Park (Nov 9), also one at RoSP (Nov 20).
Brewer’s Blackbird – fall arrival ♂ at PlPl (Nov 29) – only one seen.
Common Grackle – HC = 1000 (Nov 11), seen on 18 days, & last seen 30 (Nov 25).
Brown-headed Cowbird – HC = 400 (Nov 11), seen on 8 days. Last seen 150 (Nov 29).
Purple Finch -HC = 5 (Nov 3), seen on 4 days.
House Finch – HC = 20 (Nov 12), seen on 19 days.
Pine Siskin – none.
Am. Goldfinch – HC = 24 (Nov 3), seen on 20 days in low #.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow – HC = 30 (Nov 4), seen on 18 days.
House Sparrow – present.
Field Days = 30
Total hours in November 2022 = 225
Total species for November 2022 = 124
Most of November 2022 was warm to mild, especially from November 1 - 10 with the high of 78° on Nov 4. However, a cool period occurred November 11 – 20, with the lowest high of the month 28◦ on November 18, and the lowest low was 11◦ on the night November 20. Then a mild period went from November 21 – 29 (the high for November 29 was 60◦), when it turned colder again November 30 – dropping almost 30◦. The total monthly precipitation of 8 days was 2.89 inches, with the highest one day rain total 1.37 inches on November 27. The maximum wind was 15 m/hr or stronger on 20 days in November. Waterfowl numbers were low, and some of the later arriving species were very low in numbers or missing (waterfowl are birds that are supposed to be doing well). Some of this was probably due to the prolonged boating season since ducks were being chased around a lot. With the change in climate there is a great need for a boating season, and also a switch to electric motors only! Passerine populations remained low and scattered, with a few stragglers. Winter finches were represented by a few Purple Finches, and even common sparrows were present in low to moderate numbers. There was a moderate influx of Red-breasted Nuthatches; and kinglets, creepers and Winter Wren populations were low and mostly late. With the mild temperatures, human activity remained high and disruptive especially at Lake Springfield. There was much destruction to the habitat with the cutting of honeysuckle and other fruiting trees and shrubs which provide shelter and food. New trees and bushes should immediately be planted which offers replacement food and shelter in these areas. Complete destruction for longer periods could break- up woodland flocks. A few insects remained to help feed the insectivores. The leaves again stayed green later in the season.
H. David Bohlen
Illinois State Museum, IDNR
Beckie DyerMuseum TechnicianIllinois State Museum1011 East Ash StreetSpringfield, Illinois 62703-3500Phone: 217-782-7475/ 217-785-0037Fax: 217-785-2857http://illinoisstatemuseum.org/
State of Illinois - CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be attorney-client privileged or attorney work product, may constitute inside information or internal deliberative staff communication, and is intended only for the use of the addressee. Unauthorized use, disclosure or copying of this communication or any part thereof is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and destroy this communication and all copies thereof, including all attachments. Receipt by an unintended recipient does not waive attorney-client privilege, attorney work product privilege, or any other exemption from disclosure.