ILLINOIS AUDUBON BULLETIN 25 
EDs NOLES 
by VERNON M. KLEEN 
SPRING MIGRATION 
We had another excellent spring migration; timing was often unpredictable — but 
that made for interesting records. Although large migration waves were not detected, 
daily birders found that most species passed through in good to excellent numbers 
(week-end-only birders missed many species). Our Spring Bird Count, Saturday, 8 May, 
indicated that there was a heavy concentration of birds in the southern two-thirds of the 
state providing record counts of both species and individuals for many observers on that 
day while there was a low concentration of birds in comparison in the northern third of 
the state which normally does better on this Count than all other areas. 
The season was really rather disjointed, with irregular weather patterns; there was 
a very early warm spell (mid-February) that brought in many migrants — ducks, geese, 
woodcock, blackbirds, etc., followed by cold spells in March, even though it was basically 
a normal month. April temperatures averaged slightly above normal, but the weather 
could not be depended upon: warm, to very warm, some days (especially the third week) 
and cold, to freezing, later (record lows, including near-freezing temperatures the fourth 
week); it was also a dry month. The month of May was unusually cool — near freezing 
temperatures occurred the first week — and would have been dry had it not been for the 
heavy rains the last three days of the month. Because of the early warm trend, most 
trees were fully leafed out two to three weeks ahead of schedule — this led observers to 
expect an early spring migration, which for the most part did not materialize. Because of 
late cold spells, migration was often hindered with noticeable movements still evident 
the last week of May and the first week of June; in fact, hundreds of dead birds 
(especially warblers, thrushes and mimids) were found along the Lake Michigan 
shoreline Memorial Day weekend — the birds had become lost in the fog. 
The most noteworthy event of the season was the shorebird migration; everyone 
found good numbers of most species and often found one or more of the less common 
species. All of this was a benefit of the dry spring season. 
The Statewide hotline was again utilized to the benefit of many observers; however, 
in some cases, it needs to be greatly improved. All rarities should be reported immedi- 
ately (the same day) on the Statewide hotline. 
As usual, many observers contributed to this Report; they are individually ac- 
knowledged after each printed contribution. Much thanks to all of you. The following 
people, many of whom also made individual seasonal reports, are responsible for the 
majority of data used in the migration tables (each District Compiler’s name is first): 
District 1 — Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shaw, Elda Goodmiller, Margaret Lehmann, Mark 
Swan; District 2 — Elaine Burstatte, Jane Anderson, William Chambers, Darlene 
Fiske, Andrea Kane, Carol McCurdy, Barbara Turner, Eleanor Zulauf; District 3 — Jim 
Neal, Karl Bartel, Dave Brenner, Terry Carter, Charles Clark, Ed Coffin, Aura Duke, 
Doug Emkalns, Dave Johnson, Don Jones, Walter Krawiec, David Matson, Calvin 
Snyder; District 4 — Bill Bertrand, Lynn McKeown, Al Mueller, Peter Petersen; 
