Kane County Audubon

06/01/2026

This young man made me smile. Perhaps, you will, too.

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05/21/2026

Kane County Avian Ale Society will meet today, May 21, at 7 pm at Plank Road Tap Room, 39W149 Plank Road, Elgin, Illinois 60124. There are Picnic tables, but they don't want them moved, so if you think of it, pack a lawn chair or 2 so we can sit together if more room is needed.

Join us for a beer and bird talk. All are welcome.

05/19/2026

KCA Big Sit Tallies 63 Species

Some 20 birders turned out for Kane County Audubon’s 2nd annual “big sit” on Saturday, May 16, from the Andrini Bench at Hickory Knolls Natural Area in St. Charles.

The goal of a big sit is to document as many species as possible, within a specified time frame, without leaving a 17-foot circle. Any bird that can be seen or heard from within that circle (even if the bird itself is not inside the circle) counts.

The event was originally organized in 2025 by KCA's late president, Bob Andrini. We held it again this year to honor the memory of Bob and his late wife, Kathy.

Our big sit was held from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. I’m pleased to say that all but two hours were covered. In that time, we collectively saw or heard 63 species—12 more than in 2025! Highlights included Sandhill Crane, Lincoln’s Sparrow and Orchard Oriole.

Interestingly, the time span from 5 to 6 p.m. saw the highest number of species, 38, followed by the span from 7 to 8 p.m. with 30. Tree Swallow led all species with 16 total individuals. American Robin was a close second with 14.

Because this was a stationary count at a single place, the total number of individuals of any species is the highest number that appeared on anyone’s list. In other words, if one Mourning Dove was reported from 7-8 a.m., three were reported from 8-9 a.m., and two were reported from 9-10 a.m., the total for the day is three (not six).

Many thanks to all who participated and for keeping Bob and Kathy’s memory alive.

05/19/2026

Going to be another big night for migration. Please dim your lights, and get out and bird tomorrow!

Forecast Maps Bird migration forecasts show predicted nocturnal migration approximately three hours after local sunset and are updated every 6 hours. Note, the models predict the migration intensity for birds in active flight; these are not predictions of the numbers of birds on the ground. For addi...

05/17/2026

What a perfect day to honor our friend Bob Andrini. Thanks to everyone who participated in the Big Sit today at Bob's bench!

05/14/2026

Lots of time slots still available.
Come remember our friend Bob Andrini with a turn on the Andrini Bench and see what birds you can add to the Big Sit list. Big Sits are conducted entirely within a 17-foot circle. We are hoping to have coverage at the bench for a full 14 hours. Bring a chair, drinks and snacks and make yourself comfortable while seeing how many birds you can identify from your chair!
Please sign up for a time slot through this link: https://tinyurl.com/5wy6ntc6 (you can sign up for more than one). We need a minimum of two birders for each slot.
If you have any questions, contact event organizer Regina McNulty at 630-715-0428.

05/08/2026

The timing of our annual spring bird count could not be more perfect! Birdcast is forecasting a big wave of migration tonight!

I expect many will land in our county. Get out and bird, folks!

Forecast Maps Bird migration forecasts show predicted nocturnal migration approximately three hours after local sunset and are updated every 6 hours. Note, the models predict the migration intensity for birds in active flight; these are not predictions of the numbers of birds on the ground. For addi...

05/07/2026

With the Spring Bird Count coming up on Saturday, I thought I'd share a quick word about the Merlin app. It's a great tool! However, it can be fooled, just like people can.

This morning, as I walked the dog in my neighborhood in suburban Geneva, I thought I heard a Nashville Warbler. It's a musical trill: "seeta seeta seeta seeta pli pli pli pli." It's that flourish at the end that typically clues me in. I turned on Merlin, just to confirm my suspicion, and I was correct! Yay!

However, Merlin also said it "heard" an Osprey and a Yellowthroat, when clearly, it had not. Moreover, a Baltimore Oriole was doing its whistles, and Merlin didn't pick that up at all.

Merlin works best when trying to ID a single bird calling. It's less good in the morning when lots of birds are singing at once. Don't take everything Merlin reports as gospel. Try to learn the songs for yourself, or at least the most common ones, so you know when you're hearing something different.

If Merlin detects a particular species, try to get visual confirmation. I know, it's not always easy, especially with those canopy-dwelling warblers. But, do your best.

Know what's expected in your area. Ospreys are not patrolling Geneva High School, of course, but you might see them on the Fox River.

Have fun Saturday!

05/05/2026

🐦 Love birds? Then join the Geneva Natural Resources Committee for the Big Sit bird-watching event May 17 at the Fabyan Forest East Preserve (off Route 25).

🐦‍⬛ Geneva also was recently named a Bird City Illinois community by the Audubon Council of Illinois: https://genevail.city/4te7n7y

04/23/2026

Birdcast is forecasting a big night for migration tonight. Please dim your lights.

And get out there tomorrow morning. Could be some tired and hungry birds around!

Forecast Maps Bird migration forecasts show predicted nocturnal migration approximately three hours after local sunset and are updated every 6 hours. Note, the models predict the migration intensity for birds in active flight; these are not predictions of the numbers of birds on the ground. For addi...