the hoot! volume 2, issue 3 - winter 2012

THE HOOT www.illinoisyoungbirders.org

The Hoot

Volume 2, Issue 3 Winter 2012

A PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS YOUNG BIRDERS, A SPECIAL PROJECT OF THE IOS IN THIS ISSUE

To say that this winter was unusual is probably an understatement. While our landscapes lacked the familiar cozy blanket of snow and ice, it was blanketed by another white wonder of winter ‐ Snowy Owls.

The unprecedented influx of Snowy Owls alone was enough to make this winter an unusual one and you’ll read more about it in this issue. However, as I write this column in spring’s first breath, Illinois just completed a string of winter days in which the thermometer topped 80° F five days in a row! To say this winter was unusually mild weather‐wise is simply putting it mildly.

Have a look at these statistics.

The average high temperature in Chicago in January is about 31° F. The average high in January 2012 was 39° F. The historical average high for February is 36° F.; Feb 2012 averaged 41° F. March – 47° F.; March 2012 – 65° F!!!

Yet, somehow, with all this lovely mild weather, a few of our winter field trips were still downright cold! I remember the excitement our young birders displayed observing Bald Eagles fishing against the picturesque backdrop of Starved Rock and a

Great Horned Owl sitting on its nest in the middle of a meticulously manicured golf course. I know at that moment parent’s hearts were warm, but I’m sure the rest of their bodies were downright freezing! Burr!!!

So why am I spending so much time discussing the weather? Weather, plants, and animals are all intimately related. While bird migration is primarily triggered by the changing ratio of daylight and darkness, birds also wait for favorable weather conditions before embarking on their bi‐annual long distance journeys. In the spring, southerly breezes trigger north bound migration, bringing birds into a landscape awakening with blossoms and insects, the fuel they’ll need to successfully complete their journeys and breed. A seasoned birder watches the weather forecast very closely and tries to anticipate favorable birding conditions not only in spring but every season.

As the temperatures approached 80° F during the last week of winter, I saw yet another Snowy Owl along the Chicago lakefront. I couldn’t help but notice the owl laboring in the heat. It seems not everyone is enjoying this change in the weather.

Snowy Owl by Jake Bartecki

Got Snowy? ILYB Member, Jake Bartecki, shares his experiences with Snowy Owls this winter.

Page 2

Four Seasons of Birding by Lucas Haberkorn

ILYB Artwork Celebrated by COS To help Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) celebrate its 100 years as a birding club, Lucas Haberkorn and Nandu Dubey created artwork for their promotional products and informational materials.

Page 3

Change in the Weather by Matthew Cvetas, ILYB Parent and Editor of The Hoot

Red‐breasted Merganser by Nandu Dubey

THE HOOT | Issue 2.3 2

Chicago birders have been getting a real treat all winter. The weather has been in the 40s and great birds have been in the area including Oldsquaw (Long‐tailed Duck), Harlequin Ducks, and even the legend from Harry Potter, Snowy Owls.

Many know them as “Hedwig’’ from Harry Potter, but smart birders know them as Snowy Owls. While Snowy Owls tend to live all over northern Canada and Alaska, in winters they usually will be in the northwestern parts of the U.S. This year, they have decided to come to Illinois and Wisconsin. Birders from all over Illinois have come to see Snowy Owls in Chicago at places like Montrose Harbor, Gillson Park and Jarvis Bird Sanctuary.

I happen to be one of the lucky Illinois birders to have had a chance to see a Snowy. The day after Christmas, my dad (Richard Bartecki) and I decided to head on over to Gillson Park in Wilmette to try and find the Oldsquaw (which we did) because my stepmom who was in Vermont for Christmas had noticed Snowy Owl and Oldsquaw on IBET (Illinois Birders Exchanging Thoughts).

After we took our trip to Gillson Park, we decided to head into Chicago to go to Montrose Harbor where we hoped to spot a Snowy Owl. It was about 1:30 p.m. We got out and looked around on the pier to see if the owl had maybe taken a trip to the beach, where locals say that it sits on a light post at dusk. But all we saw were some gulls, goldeneyes, and mergansers. Then, we walked across the street to the harbor where a local came up to us and said he had seen

the owl about a week ago up on a light post down near the beach. We saw a group of birders that seemed like they were happy with something they had just seen. My dad asked them, “Seeing anything over here?’’ They said, “Yeah, is there a better view of it from the other side?’’

It turned out they had spotted the Snowy Owl! It was perched asleep on a dock prominently as still as a statue with not another bird daring to come near. “Wow,” I thought, “It sure is amazing to see such a bird.”

But our fun with the owls wasn’t over yet. As a tradition, my dad and I always head to Starved Rock during my winter break. This year, on the way up going through Minooka, Illinois, I spotted something on a side road off the highway. It was perched up on a lamppost and it looked like a bag but it turned out to be a Snowy Owl!

At the nearest exit my dad and I turned around to see it. When we arrived back at the spot it was still there so we went down onto the road to see the owl. It was on the post next to an old deserted field with flocks of pigeons and starlings so the owl had about all the food it needed right around it. We later noticed that someone else had seen it and had posted it on IBET. So, the bird was getting a lot of attention.

Even though the Chicago lakefront seems to be one of the most popular places for the owls (which it is) it also has become a dangerous place for the owl. A few weeks

ago in February a Peregrine Falcon attacked a Snowy Owl. Surprisingly, the owl got away from the falcon who can fly up to 70mph. Pictures of the attack were put into the Chicago Sun‐Times newspaper.

Jake Cvetas and his dad Matthew know of other places of popularity for the birds. They said that around February 20th at North Point Marina a Snowy Owl flew in off the lake. Jake said that the owl appeared “so big and white.” Another day in winter on the way back from the Field Museum in Burnham Harbor, Jake and his dad saw another Snowy Owl, sitting on a dock hunting.

Jake Cvetas also says that many times at Montrose Harbor he has seen the owl even sitting in the dunes.

So it seems that the Snowy Owl is moving around like crazy in the Illinois area with the most sightings of the owls in the history of the state. So get out there and see some of these amazing birds.

FAST FACTS

The Snowy Owl is the largest (by weight) North American owl. It irregularly appears in winter to hunt in open fields or coastal dunes. Snowy Owls spend summers north of the Arctic Circle hunting primarily hares, lemmings, and ptarmigan. In years of lemming population booms, Snowy Owls can raise double or triple the usual number of young. This competition can drive Snowy Owls further south in search of food.

Got Snowy? by Jake Bartecki

Snowy Owl by Matthew Cvetas


In 2012, the Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) celebrates 100 years as a Chicago area birding club. ILYB members, Lucas Haberkorn and Nandu Dubey created artwork for COS to use to promote its celebration.

I asked Nancy Tikalsky, COS Treasurer, Lucas, and Nandu each a few questions about it.

Q: Why did you choose Nandu's and Lucas's artwork?

Nancy: Lucas' watercolor artwork celebrates the four seasons of birding that our membership is dedicated to in the Chicago metro area. COS members represent all types of birders, from backyard birders or spring songbird migration birders to the many who bird

all year round. Members love to share their enthusiasm and observations during the quieter, nesting summer periods to the varied migrations that occur all year: from shorebirds in late summer, to grebes in December and waterfowl such as Harlequin Ducks and gulls wintering here in January!

Nandu's colored ink on paper art piece works very well as a logo piece and to celebrate a relatively new returnee nesting bird in our area, the Yellow‐headed Blackbird. The returning of the Yellow‐headed Blackbird nesting in our area speaks to the years of hard work our members have put in to reestablishing and supporting the reestablishment of native wetlands, prairies and oak savannahs that provide the vital habitat birds need to establish summer nesting territories in the Chicago area.

Q: How do you plan to use their artwork?

Nancy: Our plan to use their artwork is to integrate it into as much of our centennial celebration as possible. At the moment, we have Lucas' design printed on optical cleaning clothes that we are giving away for keeping all those wonderful optic products our members own, such as binoculars, scopes and eyeglasses, to see the birds, clean. We also printed a field trip list card with Lucas' design to advertise our field trips for the first half of our centennial year. Nandu's design has been printed on a BPA free plastic water bottle that is small enough to carry in a field bag or pocket to keep our birder's hydrated while out in the field bird watching! We are also planning on ordering a new banner with the artwork, a program for our national speaker event, and showing them off more permanently on our website.

Q: How do you feel about the COS using your artwork?

Lucas: I feel proud that the COS is using my artwork and that people are enjoying my painting.

Nandu: I feel honored to be part of the 100 year celebration of COS. I would like to thank Brian Herriott, Nancy Tikalsky, and all of COS for giving me this opportunity.

Q: What does the artwork you created symbolize for you?

Lucas: This symbolizes the four seasons of birds in the Chicago area.

Nandu: This bird symbolizes all the birds we try hard to see in the Chicago Area every year. It also symbolizes the efforts put into restoration of habitat that volunteers put in every year.

Q: How long have you been birding?

Lucas: I have been birding for about 11 months since April of 2011. My first birding outing was the IOS Spring Birding weekend at the Chalet Hotel in Bloomington Illinois, April 13 through 15. That is where I met Brian Herriott and was introduced to the ILYB. But I really started to like birds when I visited my grandma’s retirement house in Jefferson City, Missouri in the summer of 2008. She has an elaborate set of bird feeders. Oriole feeders, finch, hummingbird, suet, and even mealworm feeders for the chickadees and titmice all set out on her deck just at the edge of the woods.

Nandu: I have been birding since I was

4. I have got more serious as I got older

and I started to use eBird in 2010.

ILYB Artwork Celebrated by COS by Jake Cvetas

Four Seasons of Birding by Lucas Haberkorn

Yellow‐headed Blackbird by Nandu Dubey


FIELD TRIPS

Become a Member Do you have an interest in birds and are between the ages of 9 and 18? Join the Illinois Young Birders and meet other young birders throughout Illinois, attend field trips with other young birders and expert guides, and make lasting friendships with others that share your passion for birding.

Visit our Web site, http://www.illinoisyoungbirders.org, and become a member today.

Join Us on Field Trips The Illinois Young Birders take field trips throughout the year to birding hotspots around the state of Illinois. All members are welcome to attend.

All young birders must complete a permission form at the beginning of each year before they can participate on trips.

Visit our Web site, http://www.illinoisyoungbirders.org, for more information.

UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS

April 22nd – Hennepin & Hopper Lakes

Led by Bob Fisher and Vicky Sroczynski

May 20th – Chicago’s Lincoln Park

Led by Matthew Cvetas and Josh Engel

June 2nd – Iroquois County Conservation Area Led by Geoff Williamson

A handful of young‐birders accompanied by a few parents, Josh Engel, Matthew Cvetas, guide Bob Carper, and myself found ourselves at the US Silica quarry on Sunday morning. We kicked off the day with hundreds of Canada Geese, Mergansers, Mallards, an abnormally large Herring Gull and a white morph Snow Goose as the highlights.

We carried on to the Ottawa cemetery to check out the Bald Eagles' nest there. Birds present were several Common Goldeneyes, Dark‐eyed Juncos, two Great Blue Herons, and a distant Belted Kingfisher vocalizing, but no eagles. The nest itself though, was an interesting scene.

A quick stop to a known Great Horned Owl nest would be unyielding to owls but we drove by an American Kestrel and got a great visual comparison between this nest and the eagles' from the cemetery.

But the birding really began when we made our way to the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center. Three Bald Eagles were spotted on the drive down and an additional fifteen individuals would be confirmed at the center. The eagles could be seen up close diving for

fish and various minnow species or attempting to steal others' catches. In addition Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red‐breasted Mergansers and Ruddy Ducks also were seen. On our way to the next spot we drove by another American Kestrel perched on a wire.

Our next stop, the feeders at the Starved Rock Lodge, proved to live up to our previous destination. Right from the start blackbirds, Downy Woodpeckers, Red‐bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Cardinals, White‐breasted Nuthatches and House Finches were actively foraging below, around and at the feeders. Despite none of these being uncommon it was a delight for everyone to see good, long, up close views of the near‐tame feathered fauna in front of us. Over the next few minutes another Bald Eagle flew over the river and we made a quick search for any Pine Siskins in some nearby conifers. Right when we thought we were done though a stunning Red‐breasted Nuthatch decided to visit the feeders, and almost teasing us by appearing for a few seconds before darting out of view.

Bald Eagles at Starved Rock January 22, 2012

by Patrick Palmer

Bald Eagles primarily eat fish. In winter, eagles congregate near dams that prevent ice from forming on water. The dam churns the water, which stuns fish, making easy meals for eagles.

Starved Rock continued on Page 5


After a quick lunch, we headed on to an area were a Pileated Woodpecker was sighted the previous day. We did not find it though, however we spotted a nice male Northern Harrier hunting over a cornfield.

After we gave up on finding the Pileated we began calling for Barred Owl, which would prove futile. Another Northern Harrier, except this time a female, flew over head before we moved on as well.

After our unsuccessful attempt at locating a Pileated, we trekked around in search of a Barred Owl. With a little off trail hiking, Bob led us to one of his favorite Barred Owl spots. Despite our desperate attempts to draw in an owl, they were unresponsive to our calling.

Finally, to finish off the day, we took a quick detour by car to some more cornfields just outside the park in search of Wild Turkeys. Not too long after we began driving we had located a decent group of about 25 in one of the fields, we got some decent looks in our scopes and

called it a day.

I sat in my dad’s car with butterflies in my stomach. The Gull Frolic was a big deal to me; it was my opportunity to meet many of the people whose names I see on IBET or IBF, and to make an impression on the birding community.

I arrived at the Gull Frolic itself and was immediately alerted that a Snowy Owl was out on the rocks. I knew then that by the end of the day, I would be more than satisfied.

As more people funneled in, flocks of White‐winged Scoters began to fly by heading north. Not much later, a female‐type Surf Scoter flew into the harbor and gave us all some great views. I was glad to see Scoters this year, both since I had never seen them before and because the Gull diversity was slightly lower in the warmer weather.

The day went on, and the gulls continued to flush en masse every now and again. During one of these flushings, somebody spotted an adult Thayer’s Gull, and I found it quickly enough to get good look. Satisfied with my ABA area bird #199, I sifted through the gulls once more and then headed inside to enjoy some refreshments and the display of gull specimens from the Field Museum.

After that, I hitchhiked around the marina to see a Lesser Black‐backed Gull, and incidentally heard a flyover Horned Lark—my ABA area #200!

One thing that this event forced me to reflect on was the friendliness of the birding community. We were all there to share our experiences, and to learn from others. It was an invaluable learning experience for all of us, and I look forward to learning even more at the 2013 Gull Frolic, and hey, maybe by then I will be working my way up to #300.

A Perspective on the IOS Gull Frolic February 18, 2012

by Nick Minor

Starved Rock continued from Page 4

Photos by Matthew Cvetas

Snowy Owl by Nandu Dubey


On Saturday, March 3rd, the Illinois Young

Birders took a trip into DuPage County,

Illinois to try and find some owls. We started

near Naperville, Illinois, but went all over the

county on our quest. There was one special

bird that our trip leader, Jeff Smith, was

going to share with us. It blew my mind when

I found out what it was.

He had found a Barn Owl on private

property, the first known in DuPage County

in over 30 years. This is a remarkable find and

perhaps shows that they are expanding their

range northwards. For the safety of this bird,

I can only say that it was on private property

at an undisclosed location. We watched this

individual for over 30 minutes and I was able

to get a picture of its feet and half of its face.

Over half of the bird was concealed, but this

was probably because it was 30º outside, and

very windy.

At this location, we also had my FOY White‐

crowned Sparrows.

Jeff then took us out to see a Great‐

horned Owl sitting on a nest, which

according to him, was created by a

Red‐tailed Hawk.

After this, we went to try and find some

Long‐eared Owls, but they were at their

usual location. From here, the group split up,

and the remaining 8 of us traveled to the

Morton Arboretum to go look for a Barred

Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, and White‐

winged Crossbills. These birds are known to

be in the Arboretum, but did take some time

to find.

We arrived at the Barred Owl location in the

Arboretum and called for the owl to see if we

could usher a response. After about five

minutes, we heard a Pileated Woodpecker

respond. We gave up after another five

minutes, and walked back to the cars to call

from another location near Jeff's car. From

here, we got a response from the resident

Barred Owl. Unfortunately, these birds were

heard only, so no pictures were possible.

From this location in the Arboretum, we

traveled over to Hemlock Hill to try and find

the Crossbills. I had read that they had been

feeding on some cones that had fallen to the

ground, supposedly offering great looks. We

were not disappointed and as soon as we got

to the right location, we found 14 feeding on

the ground, about 10‐15 feet away from us.

Standing behind a tree, I was able to get

some amazing pictures of them, and some

came within 3‐5 feet of me.

At one point, while observing the crossbills,

my mom called to the group that she had

found an American Mink. I was unable to

hear her and after it dove back into the

water, she came and got me. I rushed over to

see if I could re‐find it. Sure enough, it did

resurface and climbed back onto a little

island, but as soon as it came out of the

water, it ran to the other side, only to dive

back in.

Overall, this was a great trip, and I really

enjoyed myself. Jeff is an amazing trip

leader, and I hope to go birding with him

more often. I would like to thank the Illinois

Young Birders for setting this trip up, and to

Brian Herriott for originally creating the

group.

Owling in DuPage County March 3, 2012

by Nathan Goldberg

Great Horned Owl by Jake Cvetas

Barn Owl by Nathan Goldberg

White‐winged Crossbill by Nathan Goldberg

Field Trips continued on Page 10


Q: How or when did you first get interested in birds? Was there an experience you had that sparked your interest?

A: I grew up going to my grandparents’ farm, which was really an apple orchard. At the end of each year, they’d dump the spoiling apples in a spot in the woods adjacent to the farm. One day I went into the woods and came across a bunch of birds eating the apples. I think they may have been a bit tipsy from eating the spoiled apples because they were tamer than usual and did not fly away when I approached. There were Scarlet Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles, Cedar Waxwings, just beautiful birds. I was hooked. I think I was seven‐years‐old.

After that, I took the Burgess Bird Book for Children out of my elementary school library probably 30 times. I re‐read it recently and I am amazed at its scientific accuracy. Except for misclassifying the House Sparrow, it is really accurate, and it was written in 1917. A great book. Bubbling Bob the Bobolink is my favorite character in the book.

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a great place for people to bird; there’s an arboretum associated with the university, several cemeteries, and five different lakes. It was also a time in which a kid could just hop on his bike and go bird. You did not have to be driven around.

Q: What kinds of birds did you see growing up in Madison?

A: I saw a lot of the same birds I see now in Chicago—warblers and other

migrants. I did see some things then that are not so common nowadays, like the Evening Grosbeak.

Q: How did you take your hobby of birding and make a career out of it?

A: I bird‐watched a lot. In college, I majored in biology and did side projects on birds, and, in graduate school, I studied ecology and evolution with a focus on birds.

Q: What do you recommend to young birders who are interested in becoming ornithologists?

A: I think you should study biology as your main focus. As you get older and go to college, choose a school with very strong biology program.

Q: Can you tell me about your work at the Field Museum?

A: I came here in 1978 as the Collections Manager of the Bird Collection. I keep the collections in order, and, with half a million specimens, this is not always easy. I also have to make sure researchers have access to the specimens. I have also participated in ornithological research and exploration of some remote places in the world like South America and Africa.

Q: What are some of the places around the world that your work as an ornithologist with the Field Museum has taken you?

A: Let’s see, in South America I’ve mostly birded in Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, and the Galapagos Islands. In Africa, I’ve spent the most time in Uganda, Malawi, the Central African Republic, and Madagascar. I’ve also been to Costa Rica and the West Indies. In Asia, I have birded in Bhutan and the Philippines. In Europe, I spent some time birding in Belgium. I have also birded in Antarctica, Australia, and New Zealand.

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO KNOW?

Dave Willard Dave Willard grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and has been an avid birder since the age of seven. Now, he works at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois, and has been working there for over thirty years! He has been around the world birding, and he is a wonderful person to know. I feel honored to know him and have an interview with him.

Bird Collection The Field Museum the Division of Birds houses the third largest scientific bird collection in the United States. The main collection contains over 480,000 specimens.

Behind the Scenes Kalman and Dave take a break from the interview to check out some specimens.

An Interview with Dave Willard by Kalman E.S. Strauss

Dave Willard continued on Page 8


Q: Wow! So you’ve birded on all seven continents?

A: Yes. It’s funny, when I first went to South America I thought that there were so many birds, why would you ever need to go anywhere else? Then I went to Africa and I thought that there were so many birds there, why would you ever need to go anywhere else? So, there are great birds to see everywhere.

Q: Where would you like to bird that you haven’t yet been?

A: I’d like to go to New Guinea to see the birds of paradise. Also, I’d like to go back to Australia because there was a lot of the continent that I did not see.

Q: I know you also have participated in bird rescuing. Could you tell us about that?

A: Well, it started over 30 years ago after someone told me that birds were hitting the windows of McCormick Place. Since then, every morning during fall and spring migration season, one of my colleagues or I go to collect dead or injured birds at McCormick Place. Between the dead specimens and the rescued birds, we have gathered an immense amount of information we can use to learn more about bird migration. Also, because of this project, we now have definitive data to show that when buildings turn out the lights, fewer birds get killed there. It is critical to have this data and have it not just be a story about what we think happens. (In large part because of this data, more buildings in Chicago are now turning off their lights at night and bird collisions have been reduced.)

Q: I have heard that you actually have a bird named after you. Could you tell me about that bird and the story associated with it?

A: I was doing work with some other researchers at the Field. We were working in the mountains of the Albertine Rift on the eastern edge of the Congo Forest. There’s a shrike there called the Mountain Sooty Boubou and we collected some specimens for study. One of my colleagues, Tom Gnoske, was struck by the fact that some of the specimens had blue‐grey eyes and some

brown. Still, no one paid much attention for years, but Tom finally found someone who specialized in genetics to examine some tissue from the two different birds. The birds with the different eye color turned out to be quite genetically different. The grey‐eyed Boubou is more closely related to a bird in Cameroon than it is to the brown‐eyed Mountain Sooty Boubou. We had a new species. Tom Gnoske and colleagues decided to name it Laniarius willardi after me. Its common name is the Willard’s Sooty Boubou. It occupies a narrow elevation range in Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, and the Mountain Sooty Boubou occupies a higher elevation.

I have also been involved in describing and naming six other species. With some of them it is obvious right away that you have found a different species. When we mist‐netted the wren and the hummingbird in South America, we knew right away because of their bars and coloring that we had new species. I also was involved in the discovery of a new screech owl species, the Cinnamon Screech‐Owl. Its Latin name is Otus petersoni, in honor of Roger Tory Peterson.

Q: What are some of your favorite birds and why?

A: The Winter Wren is one of my favorite birds because of a very memorable experience I had. I was sitting on a log in Maine and a Winter Wren hopped under my legs and stopped and sang there. I have been fond of Winter Wrens ever since. I also like Snow Buntings because of a memorable experience; when I was doing field work in graduate school and watching herons, a Snow Bunting landed on my car and started singing. I also love Bobolinks just because I think fields of wildflowers with Bobolinks hovering about is such a wonderful scene.

Q: What bird have you not seen that you would like to see the most?

A: The first one that comes to mind is the Grandala. It is a brilliant blue thrush and can be found high in the Himalayas. In North America, I’d like to see the Lucy’s Warbler because I haven’t yet seen it. I haven’t been to the Southwest at the right season.

Q: What is your favorite birding place in Chicago?

A: I don’t know if it is my favorite, but I bird the museum campus the most. Montrose or Jackson Park are probably better birding places.

Q: What about your favorite birding place in the world?

A: My favorite birding place in the world would have to be Manu National Park in Peru. There, within 1 square kilometer, we identified 500 species of birds. The park extends from the lowlands to way above the treeline, so when all the species have been documented, it may contain a tenth of the world’s bird species.

Q: Do you keep a life list?

A: I do keep a life list, but it is not my focus. I have over 3,000 birds worldwide.

Q: Do you have any other advice for young birders?

A: Get started on eBird! When I was younger, I kept a life list, and then I also started keeping track of more details about the birds, collecting data. Now I am going back over all that data and putting it into eBird. eBird allows you to collect data for everyone to use. It also allows you to be part of a broader community of birders and scientists. It is a really great tool!

Q: Thank you so much Dave!

A: You’re welcome, Kalman!

Dave Willard continued from Page 7


As you already know, Brian Herriott, who was instrumental in the establishment of ILYB has moved with his family to Ohio. We would like to thank Brian for his leadership and dedication to ILYB. We would not be where we are today without you. YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!

In Brian’s absence, we have established a committee of volunteers, each who bring a wealth of experience to ILYB. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce them to you.

Scott Cohrs ‐ Chairman

I am 36 years old and live in St. Charles with my wife and 2 kids. I have been birding since I was about 5 years old. I can vividly remember my Great‐grandmother giving me her old Golden Filed Guide with about 60 birds illustrated within. Safe to say I was hooked immediately. For many years, I thought I was the only kid in the world who liked birds. There were no clubs catering to young birders, and I was always the youngest attendee at the local bird walks (by at least 30 years!!). If it hadn’t been for my mom and a couple local birders, I might have given up this great passion. For that reason, I think the ILYB program is one of the most important things that IOS can support. Giving these kids a setting where they can share and interact with other young enthusiasts is fantastic. In this day and age, getting our youth outside and exploring the outdoors is more important than ever. I am happy to be a part of this initiative and am hopeful that my kids will join me on field trips in the coming years.

Vicky Sroczynski – Membership

My name is Vicky Sroczynski and I have been birding for about eleven years, six of which I have spent as a hawk watcher at Greene Valley Forest Preserve. My favorite birds are the raptors, and I have enjoyed the past six years completing winter raptor surveys with my fellow hawk enthusiasts, and great birding mentors, Bob and Karen Fisher, in Lasalle/Grundy and Kankakee/Grundy counties. I also volunteered two summers with the Swainson’s Hawk Project in Dekalb County. I’ve been a bird monitor for the DuPage Forest Preserve District for five years and am currently President of the DuPage Birding Club. Formerly a director of drug treatment programs for adult and adolescent women in Chicago, I am an at‐home mom and part‐time student now. I have a great husband John who supports my birding activities, two wonderful children, Lauren(16) and Josh(14), and three adopted dogs. I wanted to help the Illinois Young Birders in a small way by taking on membership records, and firmly support the club’s mission to introduce young birders to each other and enjoy birding together with like‐minded souls. I love the enthusiasm and mutual support of the club members, including the parents and the adult supporting members and field trip leaders.

Jeff Reiter ‐ Publicity

Jeff Reiter, a Glen Ellyn resident, is an active

member of the DuPage Birding Club. He

served as club president in 2009. Jeff's

monthly newspaper column, "Words on

Birds," began in 2004 and has appeared in

the Daily Herald since 2008. He contributes

the column for free as a way to promote

birding and nature appreciation. Jeff's full‐

time job is at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, part

of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation,

where he is senior communications manager.

He started a birding program at the park in

2008 and has led monthly walks ever since in

partnership with the DuPage Birding Club.

The Cantigny walks have been highly

popular, sometimes attracting more than 70

birders! Jeff looks forward to putting his

communications and media relations skills to

work for ILYB to raise the public profile of the

club and generate new memberships.

Josh Engel – Field Trips

Back when I was a young birder, as far as I

knew I was the only one in the Chicago area.

Maybe the only one in the world. But I didn't

think about it much, at least until I was

introduced to another birder my age from

central Illinois. Then the Internet exploded,

and with it came TeenBirdChat, a listserv for

young birders, and the opening of my eyes to

a world that I hadn't known existed. A cohort

of young birders quickly took to this new

medium, discussing sightings, identification,

and planning road trips which, if I had been a

parent, I wouldn't have let my kids embark

upon. But away we went, criss‐crossing the

west in search of that next lifer, and starting

me on a path that would have me searching

for, showing others, and studying birds in the

far corners of the globe. It is in that vein that I

look to carry on promoting birding with the

ILYB, showing the world of possibilities that

are available to those who, like me,

discovered the joys of birding at a young age.

New ILYB Leadership


Eric Gyllenhaal – Outreach/Publicity

Eric grew up catching reptiles and bugs and volunteering at a small nature museum in Ohio. He finally developed an interest in birds during his late teens, inspired in part by a Cooper’s Hawk visit to his backyard feeder. Eric got degrees in natural resources and geology and eventually a Ph.D. in paleontology, but he mostly worked in museums, including the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis and the Field Museum in Chicago. For the past 16 years he has “stayed home” with his two sons, Ethan and Aaron, helping them pursue their passionate

interests in nature, science, and technology. He also works part‐time as an exhibit and program evaluator for museums, parks, and similar places. One of Eric’s major personal goals is to help other families support their children's deep interests in nature and science through his website (http://SaltTheSandbox.org), social media sites (including http://neighborhoodnature.wordpress.com , http://twitter.com/dinoparent , http://pinterest.com/saltthesandbox/ ), programming at local museums, and more—including ILYB.

Matthew Cvetas – Outreach/Field Trips

I’m a native Nebraskan who resides in

Evanston, IL with my wife and three children.

I am currently a member of IOS and a

regional eBird reviewer, and I have served on

the Executive Committee of the Bird

Conservation Network (BCN). My son, Jake,

is a charter member of ILYB. Having worked

in computer networking for 15 years as a

training professional, I have developed a

keen interest in blending teaching methods

with innovative technology. I try to infuse

those same interests into birding whenever I

can. Each spring I volunteer to lead field trips

for my children’s grade school and I have

given talks on birding and technology to the

Chicago Ornithological Society and Evanston

Northshore Bird Club. Birding is by far the

most intellectually challenging and

stimulating hobby I have ever come across

and I look forward to sharing my experiences

with ILYB.

Seven young birders spent a beautiful and warm March morning birding wetland sites in DuPage County. Song Sparrows, Red‐winged Blackbirds, and Eastern Meadowlarks were singing their hearts out. At various spots we found Lesser Scaup, Green‐winged Teal, and Ring‐necked Duck. Tree Swallows had returned and we had fun chasing down a Winter Wren. And butterflies were even out! Thanks to Eric Secker for leading and Nick Minor for eBirding.

ILYB Welcomes new members: Nick Minor, Nick Mistele, and Patrick Palmer.

Special thanks to our parent organization, the Illinois Ornithological Society!

The Hoot is published four times per year by IOS. This copyrighted publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without

the specific written permission of the Illinois Ornithological Society.

Early Migrants in the Fox River Area March 17, 2012

by Josh Engel

Photo by Eric Gyllenhaal

Field Trips continued from Page 6

the hoot! volume 2, issue 3 - winter 2012

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