PeaMeN Ones eA DUB ON .B UoL-Le By SIN 19 
IELD NOTES 
by VERNON M. KLEEN 
WINTER SEASON 
The WINTER SEASON is a rather difficult season to describe; theoretically, 
it begins when fall migration concludes and ends when spring migration 
begins. This would be perfect if there was only one species involved; how- 
ever, there are many species and most have evolved unique migratory pat- 
terns such that some species have completely departed from Illinois two 
to three months before others ever arrive. This allows the winter season to 
start in September for some species and December for others and to end 
in February for some and April or May for others. These overlapping 
seasons help make the report periods interesting, but difficult for record- 
keeping. 
Winter is the time for Christmas Bird Counts, beginning a new Year 
List, and looking for rarities at feeders. It is this time of year that Illinois’ 
Rare Bird Alert is most active and when all observers in the state have an 
opportunity of seeing the rare species reported throughout the state; by 
quickly spreading the word about rare species (by phone to one of four 
key persons on the day the bird is discovered), several records have been 
greatly substantiated which otherwise may have gone unreported. All 
observers are urged to report unusual species or rare birds immediately. 
We thank everyone who paticipated in the Rare Bird Alert this past winter. 
This past WINTER SEASON was best noted for its mildness, weather- 
wise and dullness, birdwise. December, January and February all averaged 
warmer and wetter than usual; however, March, though wet, was some- 
what cooler than normal. As reported earlier, this was a year for Snowy 
Owls; in addition, there were good numbers of Rough-legged Hawks and 
ducks, but poor numbers of the traditional winter finches—which were 
conspicuously absent. The winter mildness, however, did allow the half- 
hardy species and several unlikely species such as warblers to linger well 
|into the season. This mildness also helped maintain healthy populations 
of permanent residents. 
One big problem encountered this winter will probably attract na- 
tional attention again and again: the blackbirds—several roosts exist in 
southern Illinois. Communities adjacent to the roosts have learned of a 
chemical called terigitol which is known to kill blackbirds. The public was 
led to believe it was highly effective, but federal biologists have shown that 
it was less than 25% effective in the large Kentucky roosts—still, mass 
killing campaigns were initiated and are anticipated again next winter. 
The problem has not yet been solved. 
