36 ILLINOIS AUDUBON BULLETIN 
30 Sept. (D. Bohlen), Winnebago County (three) from 5-27 Sept., (L. Johnson), and one in 
Jackson County 28 Sept. (B. Peterjohn). 
GROSBEAKS, FINCHES and CROSSBILLS. It was a good year for incoming winter 
finches. Evening Grosbeaks were first observed 27 Oct. in Springfield (V. Kleen); the next 
reports were 1 Nov. in Champaign (D. Friedman) and 2 Nov. in Jackson Co. (B. 
Peterjohn); by 6 Nov. they were reported from several areas and by the end of the month 
were found throughout the state; only occasionally did they stop at feeders. After the 
grosbeaks came the Common Redpolls; however, they were not so widespread or very 
numerous; the first to be reported were observed flying in off Lake Michigan, 15 Nov. (D. 
Bohlen, R. Sandburg, et al.); they were noted at Monmouth, 16 Nov. (L. McKeown) and up 
to 50 were present in Winnebago County, 27 Nov. (L. Johnson). Pine Siskins moved in 
medium to large flocks throughout the state—mostly during the last half of October and 
early November. The first Red Crossbill was found in Vermilion County | Sept. (J. Smith); 
the next (20) were not seen until 18 Oct. at Glencoe and individuals had arrived in Jackson 
County by 2 Nov. (B. Peterjohn); all flocks were small and scattered. The only report of 
White-winged Crossbills were of several seen in Jackson County, 9 Nov. (B. Peterjohn). 
SPARROWS, LONGSPURS and BUNTINGS. Few observers find more than one or 
two LeConte’s Sparrows during migration at a time; however, a group of 11 were found in 
Mason County, 8 Nov. (D. Bohlen, R. Sandburg) and 8 had been found there 28 Oct. (R. 
Sandburg). One Henslow’s Sparrow was still found at Decatur, 19 Oct. (R. Sandburg). A 
goodly number of Sharp-tailed Sparrows were reported: as many as 10 at Evanston, 20 
Sept. (L. Balch); four singles were noted at central Illinois locations between 23 Sept. and 
15 Oct. (R. Sandburg); one straggler was found at Illinois Beach State Park, 2 Nov. (C, 
Clark). /fwo Bachman’s Sparrows were still found in Jackson County, 7 Sept. (*B. 
Peterjohn). Harris’ Sparrows during fall migration are not that unusual, however, three at 
one time is unusual—Macomb, 28 Oct. and 4 Nov. (E. Franks). Two Fox Sparrows were 
caught and banded at Springfield as early as 27 Sept. (V. Kleen). Large flocks of Lapland 
Longspurs were noted; two had arrived at Evanston as early as 21 Sept. (C. Clark); others 
were at Rend Lake by 23 Nov. (B. Peterjohn). Snow Buntings were also quite common in 
the northern part of Illinois during November; the first reported was found at Lake 
Chautauqua, | Nov. (D. Bohlen); others had appeared as far south as Rend Lake (6) by 8 
Nov. (B. Peterjohn). 
All birders, regardless of affiliation, are encouraged to contribute notes to these 
SEASONAL Reports. Please note the following schedule: 
Date reports 
Pre-determined due to Field 
SEASON Season Ending Date Notes editor* 
$s SEE EE 
WINTER SEASON April 10 April 15 
SPRING MIGRATION June 10 June 15 
BREEDING SEASON August 10 August 15 
FALL MIGRATION December 10 December 15 
*For convenience of reporters, all records to be used in future seasonal 
reports, but occurring in earlier seasons (Ex., nesting Great Horned Owls 
found in March) can be reported along with the WINTER SEASON field 
notes you submit; however, these records will only be used in the BREEDING 
SEASON report. (Observers are encouraged to submit their field notes to the 
editor in advance of the deadline). 
