Sauer Family Kame & Afton Forest Preserve Saturday 7-11-26

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

Traveled with Bob Erickson to Sauer Family in Kane County & Afton F.P.
in DeKalb County in search of two new Year Birds, Western Meadowlark &
Eurasian Tree Sparrow. Found both right where they always are.

Sauer Family Kame F.P. (6:50-7:20 am)

The problem here is getting a Meadowlark to sing so you know it's a
Western & not an Eastern.
Eventually we heard both & had good looks at the Western singing along
Lasher Road.
Also had Field & Song Sparrows, two Dickcissels & lots of Red Wings.

Afton F.P. (7:50-8:20 am)

The Eurasian Tree Sparrows are usually found along McGirr Road just
before you reach the 1st parking lot & that's where they were today.
Saw 4 of them plus a large group of Cliff Swallows.
Also saw many Mourning Doves & three Collared Doves, a roadside Red
Tailed Hawk & 4-6 Killdeer.

So not many species for the day (had 23) but we did well with our two
target species.
Bird-Of-The-Day will be the singing Western Meadowlark & Runners-Up to
the Eurasian Tree Sparrows & the Collared Doves.

Al Stokie
In Kane & DeKalb Co's today