ILLINOIS AUDUBON BULLETIN 27 
have greatly improved their searches for and identification of Eagles (Dept. of Conser- 
vation); however, without studying the entire distributional picture, it is impossible to 
know exactly why there was this sudden increase of birds found in Illinois. (Results of 
the annual Statewide Bald Eagle Census by Elton Fawks are printed on page 23. 
Observers reported that this was an excellent season for wintering Northern Harriers. 
RAILS, SHOREBIRDS and GULLS. A Virginia Rail was encountered in Mason 
County, 23 December (D. Bohlen). An American Woodcock was still present at Highland 
Park, 27 December (Mrs. R. Brown). A few Common Snipe wintered (as expected) in 
central and southern Illinois. Some of the Least Sandpipers reported from Rend Lake 
last fall lingered there into December; over 40 were still there 5 December and 15 as late 
as 13 December (B. Peterjohn). At least 25 Dunlin and 6 Western Sandpipers were still 
present at Rend Lake, 5 December (B. Peterjohn, M. Morrison). Two Iceland Gulls were 
detected: one at Lake Chautauqua, 13 December (*D. Bohlen) and the other at Fulton, 28 
February (B. Shaw, et al.). Four Glaucous Gulls were reported: one at Chicago, 31 
January (C. Clark); one at Fulton, 28 February (B. Shaw, et al.); and two at Crab 
Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, 4-7 February (*B. Peterjohn) — for the first southern 
Illinois record. Interestingly enough, there was an adult Great Black-backed Gull at 
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge — also a first for southern Illinois — 5-8 
February (*B. Peterjohn, m.ob); photographs further document this observation. A 
detailed description, approved by national experts, of an immature Thayer’s Gull at 
Lake Chautauqua, 13 December, provides the fourth state occurrence of this species (*D. 
Bohlen). An adult Franklin’s Gull in breeding plumage was discovered on the Spring- 
field Christmas Bird Count, 23 December (W. O’Brien) and remained until 6 January (D. 
Bohlen). 
OWLS and WOODPECKERS. A Barn Owl was reported from Sparta, 27 January 
(D. Thom). Snowy Owls were seen (one at each location) at Chicago, 28 December (D. 
Emkalns); Calumet, 23-24 January (L. Johnson, D. Matchett); Rend Lake, 31 De- 
cember-3 January (*B. Peterjohn, m.ob); Anchor (McLean Co.), ten days in mid-Febru- 
ary (m.ob, fide D. Birkenholz): and Red Bud (see cover photo, Spring 1976 Illinois 
Audubon Bulletin), 10-13 March (fide T. May). A single Long-Eared Owl was present at 
Rend Lake, 20 March (B. Peterjohn). The most southern records of Short-eared Owls 
included 13 birds in Marion Co. 22 & 28 January (M. Horsman) and 4 at Rend Lake 
beginning 21 February and remaining there into early April (B. Peterjohn, M. Morri- 
son). The four Saw-whet Owls reported were found at Pere Marquette State Park, 20 
December (J. Eades); Springfield (road casualty) 1 February (D. Bohlen); Danville, 5 
February (M. Campbell); and Deerfield, 7 February (C. Clark). The Union County 
Christmas Bird Count had the national high for Pileated Woodpeckers in 1974 with 51; 
the 54 found on the 1975 count was even better — but we are not yet assured that it was 
the national high. The Red-headed Woodpecker was an uncommon to very common 
winter resident this year. 
FLYCATCHERS, CHICKADEES, NUTHATCHES and WRENS. Wintering East- 
ern Phoebes were found in both Jackson and Johnson counties, 11 & 18 January, 
respectively (B. Peterjohn). The fall invasion of Black-capped Chickadees extended as 
far south as Rend Lake, possibly farther, as the species was detected on the Rend Lake 
Christmas Bird Count. Red-breasted Nuthatches were well-distributed and in good 
numbers in the south (288, or 64% out of the 452 reported on the Christmas Bird Counts 
were found on the three southern Illinois counts) and only sporadic in numbers in the 
north. Owing to the mild winter, it was not surprising to have Sedge Wrens reported, 
especially from such ideal locations as Oakwood Bottoms (Jackson Co.) where two were 
found 10 & 11 January (*B. Peterjohn). 
