Illinois Beach South Unit & Independence Grove Thursday 11-27-25

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People & Happy Thanksgiving,

My mysterious bad leg problem just disappeared for no reason just as
it appeared for no reason. Just one of those old people, short termed
problems I guess? So I felt well enough to make the one mile hike to
Bob Erickson's site for hawk watches at Illinois Beaches South Unit
which is along the Dead River about halfway to the river's mouth. Bob
calls it Eagle Junction.

And for Bob it was a junction for Eagles where he saw 2 Bald Eagles &
1 Golden Eagle before 9:15 am. But between 10 & 12 noon when I was
there we only saw 1 distant Harrier & no Eagles.
Once again I was a victim of bad timing. What we did see was lots of
Sandhill Cranes with about 650 going by in those 2 hours. About the
only land birds we saw were Woodpeckers, Red Headed (1), Red Bellied
(2) & Downy (1).

And I should mention the wind! The temp was only about 30 with 20 mph
winds & the wind chill was in the teens. I wore about every outerwear
item I owned & survived. At least I now know my cold weather gear
works. It's quite an experience to sit in a chair for over 2 hours
with a 20 mph wind blowing in your face!

Next I went by myself to Independence Grove where the wind was no
better & my scope blew over while I made notes in my car. It was
rescued by Ari Rice who I hadn't seen in a few years. Nice to see him
again!

Independence Grove (2-2:35 pm)

Canada Goose (8)
Mallard (1-PR)
Greater Scaup (1, probably the same one I saw law time)
Bufflehead (3-F)
Goldeneye (4)
Hooded Merganser (28)
Common Merganser (3-F, spotted by Ari)
Red Breasted Merganser (18)
And the only land bird that would put up with the wind was Junco (4).

So 17 species for the day plus 3 roadside additions for a day's total of 20.
Bird-Of-The-Day to the 100's of Cranes & Runner-Up to the Hooded Mergansers.
It was a tough day due to the wind & cold & I'm glad it's over. But at
least I am back to walking.

Al Stokie
In Lake County today fighting the wind