Illinois Raptor Center Bird Banding Station

Illinois Raptor Center Bird Banding Station All banding is conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S.G.S

We had an extremely strange occurrence today. Upon checking nets for the first time today, we found an American Toad in ...
05/29/2026

We had an extremely strange occurrence today.

Upon checking nets for the first time today, we found an American Toad in the net.

Now, the bottom of the nets sometimes touch the ground, so you could imagine a toad getting caught there.

This toad was 5 feet off the ground in the net.

Toads can’t jump.

So…..how?

We suspect that a raptor, such as a Barred Owl or Red-shouldered Hawk, grabbed the toad and, in an attempt to avoid the net, or upon bouncing out of the net, dropped the toad and it landed there.

And that’s a wrap on the Spring 2026 banding season. Today’s banding report We operated 18 nets from 600-1030We captured...
05/29/2026

And that’s a wrap on the Spring 2026 banding season.

Today’s banding report

We operated 18 nets from 600-1030

We captured 26 birds from 9 species

8 Indigo Bunting
6 White-breasted Nuthatch
4 Northern Cardinal
2 Common Yellowthroat
2 Tufted Titmouse
1 Prothonotary Warbler
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 Mourning Dove
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker

Today’s banding report We had forgotten what a really slow day felt like. We remember now. We operated 18 nets from 600-...
05/27/2026

Today’s banding report

We had forgotten what a really slow day felt like. We remember now.

We operated 18 nets from 600-1030

We captured 29 birds from 11 species

9 Red-winged Blackbird
5 Brown-headed Cowbird
3 Indigo Bunting
2 White-breasted Nuthatch
2 Downy Woodpecker
2 Tufted Titmouse
2 Northern Cardinal
1 Song Sparrow
1 Gray Catbird
1 Least Flycatcher
1 Swainson’s Thrush

The two nuthatches were our first hatch-year birds of 2026.

Today’s banding reportWe operated 17 nets from 600-1030We captured 44 birds of 16 species14 Indigo Bunting 8 Downy Wood...
05/26/2026

Today’s banding report

We operated 17 nets from 600-1030

We captured 44 birds of 16 species

14 Indigo Bunting
8 Downy Woodpecker
4 Brown-headed Cowbird
3 White-breasted Nuthatch
2 Northern Cardinal
2 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Orchard Oriole
1 Yellow-breasted Chat
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 Swainson’s Thrush
1 Gray-cheeked Thrush
1 Eastern Bluebird
1 Least Flycatcher
1 Traill’s Flycatcher
1 Tufted Titmouse
1 House Sparrow

The Orchard Oriole was a first for the station, and is the 113th species we have banded here.

Today’s banding reportWe operated 17 nets from 600-1030We captured 55 birds from 21 species 13 Indigo Bunting10 Swainson...
05/21/2026

Today’s banding report

We operated 17 nets from 600-1030

We captured 55 birds from 21 species

13 Indigo Bunting
10 Swainson’s Thrush
3 Downy Woodpecker
3 Northern Cardinal
3 American Goldfinch
3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
2 Blackpoll Warbler
2 Veery
2 Least Flycatcher
2 Gray Catbird
2 Gray-cheeked Thrush
1 Connecticut Warbler
1 Mourning Warbler
1 Ovenbird
1 Tennessee Warbler
1 Scarlet Tanager
1 Great-crested Flycatcher
1 Acadian Flycatcher
1 Traill’s Flycatcher
1 Blue Jay
1 Northern House Wren

Today’s banding report. We operated 14 nets from 600-1100We captured 57 birds from 25 species 9 Swainson’s Thrush7 Indig...
05/19/2026

Today’s banding report.

We operated 14 nets from 600-1100

We captured 57 birds from 25 species

9 Swainson’s Thrush
7 Indigo Bunting
5 Gray Catbird
5 Downy Woodpecker
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker
3 Traill’s Flycatcher
2 Nashville Warbler
2 Red-eyed Vireo
2 White-breasted Nuthatch
2 Northern Cardinal
2 Brown-headed Cowbird
2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Summer Tanager
1 Black-and-white Warbler
1 Canada Warbler
1 Wilson’s Warbler
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 Tennessee Warbler
1 Ovenbird
1 Gray-cheeked Thrush
1 American Robin
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Tufted Titmouse
1 American Goldfinch

***CANCELLATION***Due to forecasted thunderstorms and certain strong wind during our normal banding hours, banding is ca...
05/18/2026

***CANCELLATION***

Due to forecasted thunderstorms and certain strong wind during our normal banding hours, banding is cancelled for Monday, May 18.

Here is our planned schedule for the last two weeks of Spring banding. Any changes will be posted to this page.Visitors...
05/16/2026

Here is our planned schedule for the last two weeks of Spring banding.
Any changes will be posted to this page.

Visitors are welcome during these hours, and if you plan to visit, please let us know so we can contact you directly if there are cancellations or changes. You can contact us at [email protected] or by sending a message through Messenger.

Thursday, May 21. 630-1100
Tuesday, May 26. 615-1030
Wednesday, May 27. 615-1030
Friday, May 29. 615-1030

Today’s banding report We managed to get some banding in between rounds of storms for the Decatur Area Audubon Breakfast...
05/16/2026

Today’s banding report

We managed to get some banding in between rounds of storms for the Decatur Area Audubon Breakfast Meeting

We operated 14 nets from 630 - 1030

We captured 44 birds from 24 species

4 Gray Catbird
4 Swainson’s Thrush
4 Northern Cardinal
4 American Goldfinch
3 Common Yellowthroat
3 Gray-cheeked Thrush
2 Nashville Warbler
2 Ovenbird
2 Indigo Bunting
2 Downy Woodpecker
1 Blackpoll Warbler
1 Connecticut Warbler
1 Mourning Warbler
1 Tennessee Warbler
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 American Redstart
1 Olive-sided Flycatcher
1 Acadian Flycatcher
1 Least Flycatcher
1 Red-eyed Vireo
1 Veery
1 Wood Thrush
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The Blackpoll Warbler was a first for the station, our 112th species at the station

05/15/2026

From Decatur Audubon President Connie Requarth:

Decatur Audubon is meeting at 8 AM, Saturday, May 16 at the IRC for installation of officers and for a program on Bird Banding with Dr. Travis Wilcoxen. Bring Your Own Breakfast, and join us either at the Pavilion or in the lower level of the IRC building if the weather does not cooperate!!

Address

Decatur, IL
62522

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