White-winged Scoters
Long-eared Owl – try to find it (click to see the larger version)
Several Long-eared Owls are attempting to overwinter at Montrose. If you look for them, please be discreet and exercise proper etiquette – give them plenty of space, be quiet, and don’t linger. These owls disturb easily and should be resting during the day. If they’re flying around, someone probably got too close and flushed them. Also remember to stay on trails and paths and out of roped or fenced off areas.
Long-eared Owl (click to see the larger version)
We’ve had a good fall and early winter for both Long-eared and Short-eared Owls at Montrose. Multiple birds have been recorded during this period, though Short-eareds were and usually are more numerous. This Long-eared Owl looked comfortable roosting in a stand of cedars. It’s hard to say if this individual is a recent migrant or an overwintering bird that’s been around for a few weeks. December 22, 2022.
Long-eared Owl (click to see the larger version)
A surprise Long-eared Owl was the highlight of an otherwise uneventful morning on December 1. Migration is largely over and bird activity has slowed down dramatically; birding at Montrose will be like this for the next three months. We could still get an unusual gull, duck, or grebe, and today’s Long-eared Owl shows that owls are possible, at least for a while. Also, Snow Buntings have been fairly regular in the Dunes and should remain so through December. Winter is the time to think about birding other, more productive places. As always, keep checking the Montrose Point eBird Hotspot for current sightings.
Long-eared Owl (click to see the larger version)
November is known for rare waterbirds but it’s also excellent for owls. Long-eared, Short-eared, and Barn Owls have been reported at Montrose this November and Northern Saw-whet is a good bet. If Snowy Owls are invading they usually start appearing around Thanksgiving. So, while you’re looking for Black-legged Kittiwakes on Lake Michigan, don’t forget to check the Dunes, woods, and shrubs for owls.
Snow Buntings at Montrose Dunes, fall 2020. (click to see the larger version)
November is one of the most exciting months of the year at Montrose. The list of rarities found there in November is long and distinguished. As examples, an Ancient Murrelet, just the fourth record for Illinois, made an appearance in 2019, and in 2020 the fourth state record Cassin’s Sparrow delighted birders. General birding can be good too. Here are a few November birding tips:
See the Montrose Glossary page for descriptions of the locations mentioned above.
The forecast for April 24 called for rain, so I planned on spending the day inside doing chores and such. When I woke up and checked the news, the forecast indicated most of the rain would occur south of Chicago, so I headed over to Montrose for some late April birding. Good choice as it turned out to be the best day of the spring so far. The trees and shrubs were dripping with Swamp and White-throated Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Hermit Thrushes, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Many of these birds were in the tops of trees feasting on swarms of small insects. I ended up with 66 species in almost four hours, and about 80 species were reported to eBird by all observers. I had multiple personal first-of-spring sightings. My highlights include
Willet – 3
White-faced Ibis – 1, first site record
Long-eared Owl – 1
Grasshopper Sparrow – 1
Northern Parula – 1
Pine Warbler – 1
The White-faced Ibis was on the protected beach early in the morning. It did not stay long. We’ve had multiple Long-eared Owls in the last week in what has been one of the best springs I can remember for them. Link to my eBird checklist for the morning below.
eBird Checklist
April 24, 2021