32 THe A. UD U.8 ONG BUG a 
Ruddy Duck 500; Common Merganser 1; Gallinule 2; American Coot 234; 
Gulls: California 73, Ring-billed 101, Bonaparte’s 23, Western 1; Forster’s 
Tern 14; Herons: Great Blue 4, Black-crowned Night 8, Green 3; American 
Egret 9; Snowy Egret 3; Dowitcher 38; American Avocet 2; Black-bellied 
Plover 1; Godwit 1; Dunlin 1; Killdeer 6; Greater Yellow-legs 4; Willet 2; 
Stilt Sandpiper 2; Least Sandpiper 4; Western Sandpiper 1; Spotted Sand- 
piper 3; other sandpipers 50. 
907 Neptune Ave., Encinitas, California 92024 
ot a fT ft 
Winter Birding Along the Mississippi 
By Elton Fawks 
Some of the best winter birding is available along the 583 miles of 
the mighty Mississippi River that forms our western border. The Great 
River Road of Illinois is 557 miles long and touches the river in many places. 
From Galena on the north to Cairo on the south, the road is often scenic 
and everywhere exciting to the winter birder, especially where open 
water can be found. For additional road information, write: Illinois In- 
formation Service, 406 State Capitol, Springfield, Illinois. Many new access 
areas to the river have recently been completed by the U. S. Army Corps 
of Engineers. Additional data can be obtained by writing to them at 
Rock Island, Illinois. 
The major birding features of the river are the Locks and Dams, which 
create open water below and above. These locks and dams were built in 
the 1930’s and were completed in 1939. They have caused some major 
changes in bird populations, notably the winter concentrations of Bald 
Eagles. The number of eagles has increased until now Illinois has a greater 
winter population of Bald Eagles than any other state except Alaska. The 
open water also attracts many gulls and ducks, such as Common Goldeneyes 
and Common Mergansers. In the spring of the year, Lesser Scaups and 
Mallards are the predominant species. Almost all ducks and geese can be 
found in season. Perhaps the rarest ducks on the river are Oldsquaws, 
eiders and scoters. 
The advent of the mechanical corn picker, which leaves waste corn in 
the fields, has increased the numbers of wintering pond ducks. These 
ducks loaf and stay in the open water when not feeding. The Mallards and 
Black Ducks many times are bunched together so that their body heat 
will keep the water from freezing. 
Between the Savanna Ordnance Depot and Alton are 14 of the 26 
government locks. In addition, there are 16 highway bridges and 11 
railroad bridges spanning the Mississippi. Also, there are 298 islands large 
enough to have a name or number. Along the 370 miles of locks, the water 
level descends from 600 feet at East Dubuque to 395 feet at Alton. 
First one should locate the locks and dams by means of a new Official 
state map. These are obtainable from the Secretary of State’s office in 
Springfield, or from any Chamber of Commerce. However, to highlight the 
best features of the locks; a detailed route follows, giving directions from 
the nearest town or village. The official mailing address of each Lockmaster 
is also given. 
Going downstream, the first Lock and Dam is number 12. (Address: 
Lockmaster, Bellevue, Iowa.) These locks should be viewed from Iowa 
