Finally, a Monarch!

Observed by: Jane Ward
Date: August 17, 2013
Location: Emiquon Wetland Observatory
Weather: 77 degrees, 50% humidity, winds 6.9 mph, clear sky

On a brief walk around the loop at the end of the path around the Wetland Observatory, on Saturday, August 17, I found a lone Monarch butterfly, as well as a Dickcissel perched on a dried bloom. From the observation deck I could see the cormorant nests across the lake.

Jane Ward
www.walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com

Sunday Morning in July

Observed by: Jane Ward
Date: July 28, 2013
Location: Clark Road, Prairie Road, and County 9
Weather: 60 degrees, sunny, winds 8 mph

On Sunday, July 28, 2013, I took a drive through Emiquon and shot several landscapes with gorgeous billowing clouds in the background. I started out on Clark Road, then drove to Prairie Road, where I took some photos of the scrolling flowers growing up the bluff. I ended the trip by driving back on County 9 and took a photo of the field that is still full of water after the spring floods.

Jane Ward
www.walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com

Thompson Lake Oservations

by Liz Cheek

Observation Date: June 15, 2013
Location: Thompson Lake
Weather: Rain

 

The cormorant, the red wing blackbird, and the indigo bunting were observed on a rainy day at Thompson lake on June 15, 2013. 

Nature Trek Observation

by Michelle Quinones
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Switchback Trail and Ridge

Temperature:  75ish degrees

Weather: Beautiful evening! 

Several ECD members showed up with their sack suppers to relax, picnic and chat before the May Nature Trek. Tharran Hobson first talked about endangered and threatened birds of Emiquon and then led the group on a hike up the switchback trail and across a portion of the ridge. It was a spectacular evening. 20-30 folks participated and at least a dozen were ECD members. The weather was outstanding for an evening on the ridge, watching and listening for birds, and just enjoying each others' company. What I particularly noticed were the ongoing pockets of conversations. People twined in and out of conversation groups along the trail, listening here, interjecting there, sharing information and experiences along the way.

 

Xperience Emiquon: 2013 IAS Spring Gathering

by Jane Garrison Ward

Observation Date: April 27, 2013
Location: Lakeland Park, Canton, Illinois
Weather: Partly cloudy, 45 degrees F

This past weekend I attended the annual Illinois Audubon Society Spring Gathering, hosted here in the Illinois valley by the Emiquon Audubon Society. This event was supposed to include access to The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Nature Preserve. However, historic flooding caused the water from the Illinois and Spoon Rivers to overtop Thompson Levee, which surrounds the Emiquon Preserve. Our Saturday morning activities were moved to drier locations. My group, Group C, explored Lakeland Park in Canton, Illinois. Photos below are from the walk we took in the morning. I didn't complete the walk through Big Creek Park, a heavily wooded area, which I understand was outstanding in the number of bird species they encountered, but here are the photos from the early morning walk at Lakeland.

Saturday, April 20, 2013 Observation

by Michelle Quinones
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013

Time: 10:00 am

Location:  Coal Creek

Temperature: 42 degrees

Weather: Cool but sunny, without wind

Following our April meeting, we ventured down to Coal Creek. It was immediately apparent that the creek had overflowed its banks during the recent flooding. Grass laid down several feet around the top of the creek walls. But today, the day is bright and glorious. Our spring in Fulton County is late this year, but the green has come, and with it, bits and pieces of promise. The first year we hiked Coal Creek, it was in full bloom. The second time, the spring was earlier and we were a little late for the show. This year, a bit early. The lesson? Applaud whatever appears at the moment you're looking.

 

                

Trail Monitor 4-3-2013

Cindy McGrew

4-3-2013

Emiquon Preserve Ridge and Thompson Lake

Mostly sunny, wind 10mph, 48 degrees

 

Spring must truly be here!  The Blues are finally building.  Of the 12 boxes I monitor at Emiquon, 2 had completed nests and 4 had incomplete nests. 

They are about 2 weeks behind their average building dates.

In addition, I spotted some Northern Shovelers on the lake.