Illinois Wildlife Refuges & Dickson Mounds

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Illinois Wildlife Refuges & Dickson Mounds

Postby IrishIroamed » Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:45 pm

11/1/2014 UPDATE

Chautauqua * star
Emiquon **** stars

Went back to see Chautauqua on Thursday. Day was overcast and dreary. It felt like dusk even at 3 PM. I know best time to see water birds are usually early AM or dusk, but was hoping with the dreary weather might get lucky. Saw absolutely nothing at Chautauqua. Only 3 small platforms to look out from and the 'trail' was probably less than 1/4 mile (mostly a woods walk).

Then on to Emiquon again. Like this reserve much better. Very open with places to park. Two launches (1 for boats - 1 for kayaks). Can walk a long way by the shoreline or wander out to some looking platforms with telescopes. Because it was so dreary and dark, didn't really know what I was seeing until I got home & lightened up the pictures as best as I could. Saw lots of coots, a few Canada geese and one that I have no idea what it is. Checked Cornell site, WhatBird.com & Sibley Birds book. So if anyone has an guess, I'd be curious to know. Can't really tell the color, but maybe by the markings? I thought something in the teal family, but what do I know about birds. (not much :( )

Image

I did a journal post if interested.
http://irishiroamiwrite.blogspot.com/2014/10/sand-ridge-forest-chautauqua-emiquon.html


-----------------------------------------------------------
Too late for MC and too early for the campfire (and way too muggy too), but did a day trip yesterday. Thought I'd pass along for the birders and history buffs. If anyone is passing thru Illinois in October, Emiquon & Chautauqua are great for birding.

I may head back that way during my October vacation trek so if passing thru on your way south for the winter, let me know.

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/emiquon/

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Chautauqua/

http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/
Last edited by IrishIroamed on Sat Nov 01, 2014 9:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Illinois Wildlife Refuges & Dickson Mounds

Postby Liz » Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:10 pm

Thanks for those links. Will bookmark them for future reference.
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Re: Illinois Wildlife Refuges & Dickson Mounds

Postby snowball » Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:48 pm

will have to remember this for the future. My husband was from the SE Iowa and one of these years I'm going to make
it back to see family
thanks for posting these links
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Re: Illinois Wildlife Refuges & Dickson Mounds

Postby IrishIroamed » Sat Nov 01, 2014 9:53 am

Posted an update on the original

What a doofus I am sometimes :? , didn't realize posting an update didn't change the date (makes sense now that I think about it). Posted this so you didn't have to hunt around to figure out what post I changed.
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Re: Illinois Wildlife Refuges & Dickson Mounds

Postby Birdie » Sat Nov 01, 2014 5:48 pm

Cheryl, not sure when you posted the duck pic, but it appears to be a Gadwall. Black butt is usual IDer for me. But, I have been wrong many times. Check it out and see what you think.
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Re: Illinois Wildlife Refuges & Dickson Mounds

Postby IrishIroamed » Sun Nov 02, 2014 7:24 am

Thanks Birdie! The picture is recent (late October). I searched for images and it looks right.
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