Easter day at Emiquon

Liz Cheek

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Clark Road

Sunny, Wind 11 mph, 58 degrees

It was a beautiful sunny Easter Sunday at Emiquon and signs of spring are everywhere. The clouds were creating dark patches on the trees and landscape along Clark road. Redwing black birds are claiming their territories. Ducks are abundant and the Canada Geese were no liking my presence and rightfully telling me so.

A Good Friday for a Paddle

Cindy McGrew

March 29, 2013

Thompson Lake

Sunny-Partly Cloudy, Light Breeze, 57 degrees

 

The turtles and I were out enjoying a perfect day for the first paddle of 2013.

 

Bluebird Trail Monitor

Cindy McGrew

March 27, 2013

Emiquon Preserve Bluebird Trail

Partly Cloudy, Light Breeze, 45 degrees

 

The bluebirds are late this year. I usually have eggs in the nest boxes by the end of March. This year, however, I just found my first "reservations" today...and only in 2 boxes. Apparently they knew about the big snowstorm???

 

The two boxes that contain the bits of grass are located on the ridge.  The ridge is where I have seen the most bluebirds fledged since beginning the project in 2007.

 

 

Snowy Emiquon

Jane Garrison Ward

March 25, 2013

Clark Road 

Overcast, 34 degrees, Snow-covered

On Monday afternoon, after receiving eight inches of snow overnight, the snow was already melting from the landscape. 

 

Snow Geese hugged the edge of Thompson Lake at the Wetland Access Point.

--
Jane Ward
Lewistown, Illinois
http://walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com/

A ducky day at Emiquon!

Liz Bennett Cheek

25 march 2013

Rare fish propagation pond

overcast

about a dozen hooded mergansers obverved

A ducky day at emiquon!!!

Liz Bennett Cheek

March 25, 2013

Emiquon Lakeside observatory

overcast day

A Drive Through Emiquon

by Jane Garrison Ward

Observation Date: March 20, 2013
Location: Emiquon NWR, Globe Tract, Co. 9 Road
Weather: Partly cloudy, Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph, 29 degrees F

I drove through the valley this afternoon and did not see any snow geese. Several eagles were hanging around the edge of Thompson Lake, as well as a couple of hawks and two Northern Harriers. There were many different species of waterfowl, both diving and dabbling ducks, many Canada geese, a dozen or so American White Pelicans, and a more than a dozen swans, either tundra or trumpeter were grazing in the flooded fields of the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge.

Snow Geese may still be around the area, but I didn't see them yesterday or today. This is an exciting time at Emiquon.  The water in the lake is rising along with the water in the Illinois river, and with the cold up north, the Snow Geese may show up again before heading on to breeding grounds.

--

Jane Ward
Lewistown, Illinois
http://walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com/

Emiquon Transitions

by Cindy McGrew

Observation Date: March 6 and March 20, 2013

Location: Lake Observatory, viewed from the Boat Ramp

Weather: Snow and Ice cover on March 6, Sunny Sky, Open Water on March 20

Swans at Emiquon

by Jane Garrison Ward,
Observation Date: March 16, 2013
Location: Thompson Lake, Junction IL 78 & Co. 9 Road
Weather: Overcast and foggy, wind 10 mph, 34 degrees F

This morning as I headed to Dickson Mounds Museum for the monthly ECD meeting, a group of 8 swans swam in the shallow water near the edge of the lake, across from the junction of IL Route 78 and County 9 Road.

--
Jane Ward
Lewistown, Illinois
http://walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com/

Snow Geese at Emiquon

by Jane Garrison Ward,
Observation Date: March 13, 2013
Location: Thompson Lake, Junction IL 78 & Co. 9 Road
Weather: Sunshine with wind gusting up to 30 mph, 35 degrees F

Snow Geese have been frequenting the preserve during fall and spring migrations for the past few years, since Thompson Lake grew to its present size. This winter was no different.  Last Wednesday, March 13, 2013, I drove through the valley and found tens of thousands of geese in white rafts across the south end of the lake. When I arrived at the junction of IL 78 Hwy and County 9 Rd, I noticed a large number of geese up close to the edge of the lake, much closer than usual, so I pulled off onto the shoulder and got out of the car to take a few photos.