Sangamon County Bird Report November 2025

[Dyer, Beckie]

Birds in Sangamon County in November 2025

 

Red- throated Loon – fall arrival of im at LSpfld (Nov 13) -small size, small slightly upturned bill & mostly gray neck.

Common Loon – HC = 32 (Nov 18), loons were seen on 28 days.

Pied-billed Grebe – HC = 10 (Nov 4), seen on 21 days, but in low #.

Horned Grebe – HC = 12 (Nov 18), seen on 24 days. 

Am. White Pelican – HC = 280 (Nov 4), seen on 30 days. Birds were typically spread all over the lake and tried to rest at warm water ditch, Beach or around islands – but were harassed often by boaters. Still 106, mostly near Beach (Nov 30).

Double-crested Cormorant – HC = 205 (Nov 5), seen every day in Nov.  Boaters were continually chasing them off. They were seen most often at the Islands at Marine Pt, at the Dam, and some were at the south end of LSpfld and Sangchris.

Great Blue Heron – HC = 17 (Nov 29), seen on 29 days. Feeding areas were available since lake was low due to little rain.

Great Egret –HC= 3 (Nov 2) -seen on 5 days, w/ last seen 2 (in Nov) at Marine Pt (Nov 27).

Tundra Swan – one adult flying low over LSpfld on (Nov 10).

Trumpeter Swan – fall arrival 5 (4 ad & im) at LSpfld (Nov 27) + 2 ad & 2 im there (Nov28).

Mute Swan – present. There were 3 at the Mall Ponds (Nov 22 ).

Greater White-fronted Goose – Only 30 at Sangchris (Nov 20).

Snow Goose – HC = 70 at LSpfld (Nov 25) - seen only 3 days.

Ross Goose – fall arrival 2 im off Marine Pt (Nov 21).

Cackling Goose - one at LSpfld (Nov 25) was the only one seen.

Canada Goose – HC = 330 (Nov 28), seen every day. Probable increase @ (Nov 22).

Wood Duck – HC = 19 (Nov 19), seen on 6 days.

Green-winged Teal – HC = 45 (Nov 3), seen on 16 days.

Am. Black Duck – HC= 4 (Nov 20) – seen on 4 days – this species disappearing.

 

Mallard – HC = 360 (Nov 7) - seen every day - migrants have increased the local numbers.

N. Pintail – HC = 30 (Nov 5) seen on 13 days - still 2♂ at LSpfld (Nov 30) – some into Dec.

N. Shoveler – HC = 90 (Nov 3) – mostly seen in low # on 18 days – w/ some into Dec.

Gadwall – HC = 250 (Nov 3), seen on 22 days mostly in lower # – some into Dec.

Am. Wigeon – HC = 38 (Nov 3), low # seen on 10 days – very few into Dec.

Canvasback – HC = 40 (Nov 13) – late - seen on 8 days – no large flocks.

Redhead – HC = 30 (Nov 7), seen in small # on 7 days.

Ring-necked Duck – HC = 145 (Nov 4), w/ low # seen on 23 days. Some into Dec

Greater Scaup – fall arrival ♀ at LSpfld (Nov 5) – w/ HC= 2 (Nov 13) – seen 3 days

Lesser Scaup – HC = 230 (Nov 5), seen on 25 days – mostly poor #. Too many boats.

Long-tailed Duck – fall arrival ♂ off Marine Pt (Nov 11).

Black Scoter – fall arrival 3 at LSpfld (Nov 3) – photos.

Surf Scoter – one at LSpfld off Lin Gds (Nov 5) & one north of Beach (Nov 27). 

Common Goldeneye – HC = 56 (Nov 27), seen on 19 days. Had difficult time forming flock because of boaters. First ♂ at LSpfld (Nov 6).

Bufflehead –fall arrival ♀ at Beach LSpfld (Nov 2), w/ HC = 79 (Nov 27), seen on 15 days.

Hooded Merganser – HC = 46 on (Nov 19), seen on 21 days.

Red-breasted Merganser – fall arrival ♀ at LSpfld (Nov 4) w/ HC = 15 (Nov 22), seen on 11 days. Poor numbers.

Ruddy Duck – HC = 140 (Nov 5), seen on 25 days. These little guys having a lot of trouble w/ speeding boats breaking up flocks.

Turkey Vulture – HC = 65 at LSpfld (Nov 20), seen on 22 days. Numbers at main Lake dropped off (Nov 25) and roost was diffused and moved further southeast.

Bald Eagle – HC = 5 (3 adults & 2im) on (Nov 27), w/ total = 11 adults & 13 im seen on 14 days. Mostly seen at LSpfld, w/some seen at Sangchris.

N. Harrier – HC = 2♀ at Tebbe Rd (Nov 28) + ♀ at Rt 66 (Nov 21).

Sharp-shinned Hawk – 5 singles (Nov 3 - 24).

Cooper’s Hawk – HC = 3 (Nov 1), this hawk noted on 9 days.

Red-shouldered Hawk – HC = 4 on (Nov 15), w/ total = 11 adults & 1 im, found on 6 days.

Red-tailed Hawk – HC = 8 (Nov 1) – seen on 18 days. Dark phase east of New City did not return!

Rough-legged Hawk – fall arrival was a light phase at Pleasant Plaines (Nov 22).

Golden Eagle – one adult at Marine Pt (Nov 27). More buffy looking w/ band on end of tail still visible.

Am. Kestrel – HC = 6 (Nov 20), this falcon seen on 15 days.

Merlin – one at south 6th (Nov 9), one at Marine Pt (Nov 20), one at Center Park (Nov 23) and one at UIS (Nov 25).

Ring-neck Pheasant – 2 at Nipper Prairie (Nov 16).

Am. Coot – HC = 200 (Nov 5) – poor #, w/ lesser # after Nov 15. Seen on 23 days.

Killdeer – HC = 45 (Nov 1), seen on 19 days, w/ last seen in Nov at Beach (Nov 30).

Greater Yellowlegs – last seen 2 at Beach & Sangchris (Nov 4).

Least Sandpiper – last seen at south end LSpfld (Nov13). 

         Dunlin - none.

Wilson’s Snipe – HC = 6 & last seen at Sangchris (Nov 20). There were also 5 there (Nov 4).

Franklin’s Gull – HC = 2 & last seen LSpfld (Nov 8), seen on 8 days.

Bonaparte’s Gull – HC = 275 (Nov 6), seen 28 days in Nov, but # dropped off after Nov 25. Some into Dec.

Ring-billed Gull – HC = 22000 (Nov 22), seen every day – w/ much harassment at Marine Pt.

Lesser Black backed Gull – 15 seen at LSpfld (Nov 6 – 26) seen on 11 days. All im except one ad on (Nov 26). Some with photos.

Herring Gull – HC = 12 (Nov 23) seen on 24 days in low # .

Rock Dove – present.

Eurasian Collared-Dove – HC = 5 west of Spfld (Nov 1) - only day seen.

Mourning Dove – HC = 140 (Nov 16), seen 27 days.

Great Horned Owl – only 1 on Old Chatham Rd (Nov 8). This owl was a nesting species in this area, but teenagers have been racing up & down the road nearly every night killing off the wildlife and making horrendous noise. Owl species are particularly effected.

Barred Owl – one near Marine Pt (Nov 22).

Short-eared Owl – two at Nipper Prairie (Nov 16).

Belted Kingfisher – HC= 2 (Nov 26), seen on 10 days mostly at LSpfld and Sangchris.

Red-headed Woodpecker – HC = 4 (Nov 4, 24 & 27), seen on 25 days. Some birds % left for winter.

Red-bellied Woodpecker – HC = 9 (Nov 14), seen every day.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – HC= 2 (Nov 8), w/ low numbers seen on 5 days.

Downy Woodpecker – HC = 10 (Nov 23), seen on 29 days.

Hairy Woodpecker – HC = 2 (Nov 8) and ♂ (Nov 23), low # seen on 2 days. Is this species in trouble?

N. Flicker – HC = 4 (4x in Nov ). Seen on 23 days.

Pileated Woodpecker – HC = 2 (Nov 14 & 16), seen on 7 days.

Horned Lark – HC = 11 along Tebbe Rd (Nov 10), seen on only 7 days. This species remains scarce, although some apparently coming down from the north as migrants.

Tree Swallow - HC = 2000 (Nov 2), seen on 7 days, w/ last seen 140 at LSpfld (Nov 7). No stragglers.

Barn Swallow – one straggler (w/ the tree swallows?) was under Lindsay Bridge (Nov 2).

Blue Jay – HC = 23 (Nov 23), w/ some flocks of % migrants. Seen every day.

Am. Crow – HC =162 (Nov 9) seen every day. Many seemingly still in family groups.

Black-capped Chickadee – HC = 5 (Nov 4 & 14), seen on 24 days.

Tufted Titmouse – HC = 10 (Nov 6), seen on 30 days.

Red-breasted Nuthatch – 2 at Oak Ridge Cem (Nov 8) and one at Hazel Dell (Nov 23).

White-breasted Nuthatch – HC = 9 (Nov 24) seen on 30 days.

Brown Creeper – HC = 2 (Nov 8 & 17) seen on 6 days in low #.

Carolina Wren – HC = 4 (Nov 19), seen/ heard on 21 days.

Winter Wren – only one at Lin Gds (Nov 21).

Golden-crowned Kinglet – HC = 3 (Nov 6), seen on 8 days - low #.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet – HC = 3 (Nov 4), w/last in Nov, one at North Pt (Nov 24) seen on 7 days.

Eastern Bluebird – HC = 10 (Nov 4), seen on 20 days w/ consistent # up to Nov 21.

Hermit Thrush – HC = 3 (Nov 13), last one seen in Nov at North Pt (Nov 14).

Am. Robin – HC = 78 (Nov 18), seen on 30 days – fairly scarce, except in areas w/berries + many birds seen going to roost.

Gray Catbird – two stragglers -one at Tebbe Rd (Nov 7) and one at Lin Gds (Nov 13).

Brown Thrasher – last seen at PlPl (Nov 1).

American Pipit – fall arrival 40 west of Spfld Tebbe Rd w/ grassy waterways (Nov 7). Also seen one there (Nov 10) + 8 west of Sangchris (Nov12) & 3 on the steps at the Dam at LSpfld (Nov 30).

Cedar Waxwing – HC = 95 (Nov 24), seen on 11 days. Fairly good #.

E. Starling – present in # - eating all the food!

Yellow-rumped Warbler –HC= 3 (Nov 2 & 3 ) w/ last seen at Oak Ridge Cem eating poison-ivy berries (Nov 23). Seen on 8 days.

N. Cardinal – HC = 32 (Nov 29), seen every day mostly in low #.

Dickcissel – one % ♀ at Sangchris with a mixed flock of sparrows on (Nov 4).

       Eastern Towhee – none

Am. Tree Sparrow –fall arrival 2 at Cinder Flats (Nov 11) w/ HC = 16 (Nov 16) – very low # on 3 days +late.

Chipping Sparrow – last seen at Sangchris (Nov 12) – seen on 3 days. There were 2 (Nov 1 & 5).

      Field Sparrow – none.

Savannah Sparrow – last noted 6 along Tebbe Rd (Nov 7). Also had 3 at PlPl (Nov 1).

     Le Conte’s Sparrow – none

Fox Sparrow – 3 singles (Nov 10 - 12), also last seen in November -scarce. See early December.

Song Sparrow – HC = 7 (Nov 1), seen on 9 days - # declining.

Swamp Sparrow – HC = 5 (Nov 16), seen on 2 days. Very dry fall – they may have past on quickly?

White-throated Sparrow – HC = 27 (Nov 3), seen 26 days in low #.

White-crowned Sparrow – HC = 14 (Nov 1), seen on 10 days, patchy occurrence & low #.

Dark-eyed Junco – HC = 35 (Nov 11, 14, 15 & 30) seen on 30 days, but in low #. An Oregon Junco was at North Pt feeder (Nov 30).

Lapland Longspur – HC = 51 (Nov 10) & 40 (Nov 22) + one (Nov 7) all at Tebbe Rd.

Smith’s Longspur - one % ♀ longspur alone, was grayish buff, with white shoulder patch and eyer-ring and much white on outer tail feathers sitting in field at close range along Luken Rd (Nov 10).

Snow Bunting – one at Marine Pt (Nov 7) calling, landed in rocks and flew when another car approached. First one there for a long time.

Red-winged Blackbird – HC = 40 (Nov 19), seen on 16 days, w/ # diminishing in late Nov.   A few were at feeders ( I did not check roost at Cinder Flats).

Eastern Meadowlark – 2 at PlPl on (Nov 1) and 3 at Nipper Prairie (Nov 16).

Rusty Blackbird – one ♀ at the Beach (Nov 2) there were 7 feeding w/ robins along the lake edge (Nov 21) one at North Pt feeder (Nov 22) and HC= 14 were at 3 different feeders (Nov 30).

        Brewer’s Blackbird – none found.

Common Grackle – HC = 900 at Airport (Nov 8), seen only 7 days.

Brown-headed Cowbird – HC = 50 (Nov 15), seen on 8 days.

Purple Finch – two at Tebbe Rd (Nov 7) and one at Luken Rd (Nov 22).

House Finch – HC = 48 (Nov 11), seen on 21 days.

Am. Goldfinch – HC = 50 in one flock at PlPl (Nov 1), seen on 21 days mostly in low #.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow – HC = 55 on Luken Rd (Nov 1), seen on 11 days.

House Sparrow – present.

 

Field Days = 30

Total hours in November = 227

Total species for November = 120

 

 November 2025 was fairly mild from November 1 – 8 with highs from 48⁰ - 70⁰ and was mild again  from November 11- 26 with highs 41⁰ -77⁰.  There were 2 rather short cold periods in the thirty degree range (Nov  9 &10) and even cooler (Nov 27 – 30). There were eleven nights with lows below freezing, with the lowest low 17⁰ Nov 28. The total monthly precipitation was 2.12 inches which accumulated on 9 days including an early 10 inch snow on November 29 & 30. However, most water areas remained at low levels. The maximum wind of 15 m/hr or stronger occurred on 17 days in November. Waterfowl numbers were low and late. 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 few stragglers, although some species arrived late to very late. Winter finches were low, and even common sparrows were present in low to moderate numbers. 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 trees and scrubs. New trees and bushes should immediately be planted to help replace food and shelter in many areas and to help absorb the carbon. Complete destruction for longer periods will weaken and eventually could break- up woodland flocks. The leaves again stayed green later in the season. The dog -craze is worst than ever and some of the parks need to be protected for natural occurring animals, which was the original intention of parks.

 

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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