NCIOS - North Central Illinois Ornithological Society

Barbara and I drove over to Bloom School during a lull in the rain this morning (9/13)around 11:30 a.m. The juvenile kite was flying around the school in a fairly wide pattern, then perched in a honey locust tree in front of the school on Brendenwood. Not long afterward, the female adult showed up and perched nearby on top of a spruce. Shortly, the adult male flew in with a cicada in his beak and fed the juvenile. He returned with another cicada before we left just before noon.

There is a report on the IL Birder's Forum concerning a sighting of a Western Kingbird on Stateline Road in the area of Orangeville, Stephenson Co., IL. Apparently the sighting was posted on the Wisconsin listserve (Wisbirdn) and picked up off of the Jack Siler Birdingonthe.net site.

There are no specific directions about the location of the sighting, except that Stateline Road is on the state line, and the bird was near Orangeville. If anyone goes up there and relocates the bird, please post specific directions. Thanks.

I know that DuPage County is about an hour or more away, but a rare bird was discovered there today that merits an announcement. A Curlew Sandpiper, mostly molted into basic plumage, but with some brick red patches on the upper breast, a downcurved bill, some barring still on the undertail coverts, and black legs, is at a fluddle at the Green Valley Forest Preserve. The preserve is located at the intersection of IL 53 and 83rd Street in Woodridge, IL.

If you plan to go, here is a parking tip. Going S on IL 53, turn left on 83rd Street. Go up the hill past several apartment complex parking areas and turn left on to the first public street in the neighborhood. Park there and walk back down the hill (about 500 feet) and cross back over IL 53 (there is a pedestrian crosswalk push button on the pole) to the forest preserve. The fluddle is just ahead on the left. The bird was feeding in the water along the north edge of the fluddle (nearest to the gravel path). You will need to leave the gravel path a short distance into the grasses to get a spot where you can scope the fluddle without having grass in your way.

Also there (and the reason I went in the first place) is a Red-necked Phalarope and a Wilson's Phalarope which flew in while we were watching the other phalarope!

A few birders (and quite a few curious others) gathered near Bloom School by a playground to observe two Mississippi Kites flying around the area. We were lucky enough to get a great look at this bird and to snap a couple of photos.

Dakota also got some good shots of the bird. The Mississipi Kite was a life bird for Dakota, my two nieces Sammie and Allison, and also for me.

Althought I am stuck at work, a Mississippi Kite is being seen by Bloom School (Brendonwood Road) in Rockford. More details to follow but I wanted to get the word out. I think there are two. Pictures hopefully to follow.

-Eddie

Sounds like some sort of exotic drink but in reality, a Green-breasted Mango has been sighted just outside of Beloit, Wisconsin.

Directions: (from the Wisconsin Birding Network and verbal communication with Ken Frey)

3709 W Sandale Dr
Beloit, WI 53511

Take highway 213 out of Beloit to the northwest. The road is a dead-end road on the left and it is the first house on the right. Park on the road and walk up the driveway. There is a hummingbird feeder between the garage and garden shed. Please do not show up before 8 o'clock and be respectful of the gracious people that are allowing birders to come on their property.

Look for other birders if you are having trouble!!

Identification of the hummingbird should be somewhat easy. The Green-breasted Mango is a full 1 inch larger than a Ruby-throated and has distinctive blackish markings on its breast plus a reddish color on the throat. Check the Kaufman field guide for a great picture.

I have not seen it yet but will be going up Thursday evening and attempt a photograph.

There are excellent photos of this bird already online, and you can view some of them at Birder's World's Field of View Blog .