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We have two trips to offer to this
prime migration destination. In May the central Midwest offers the
unique experience of a kaleidoscope of over 30 species of warbler in
full breeding dress. In April, Smith’s Longspurs stage on their way
north and Greater Prairie-Chickens gather on their ritual lekking
grounds.
 APRIL:
Smith’s Longspurs and
Greater Prairie-Chickens
Day 1:
Arrival in Bloomington-Normal. After being greeted at the airport, you are invited to relax at our hotel.
Day 2: McLean and Mason Counties.
Today we will key in on finding one of the most elusive birds in North
America, Smith’s Longspur. Thousands stage in central Illinois on
their way north, taking time to refuel and gain more colorful plumage.
This afternoon, we’ll have opportunities to study some waterfowl.
Even Ross’s Goose is possible as we scour over show-stoppers like
Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, and Wood Duck. A nearby location for
Eurasian Tree Sparrow also plays host to Bald Eagle and American White
Pelican.
Day 3: Prairie Ridge.
As dawn breaks this morning, we will listen to the hollow booming of
male Greater Prairie-Chickens and enjoy the strange sight of them
inflating their golden air sacs and leaping in excitement. The
high-quality grassland in this area also supports populations of
Short-eared Owl, Northern Harrier, and Loggerhead Shrike. Again,
we’ll spend the afternoon looking for waterfowl, and also hope to
see American Golden-Plover, as the first few hundred arctic-bound
flocks appear at this time of year. The first few warblers should also
be trickling in, making birds like Yellow-throated Warbler and Northern
Parula possible.
Day 4: Bloomington-Normal. The tour ends after breakfast with a morning transfer to the airport.
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 MAY:
Warbler Bonanza
Day 1: Arrival in Chicago. The tour begins at hotel with a welcome dinner.
Day 2: The Chicago
Lakefront. We start this morning bright and early, hitting all the
famous lakefront migrant traps like Jackson Park, the Bird Sanctuary,
and Montrose’s “Magic Hedge”. We’ll scour waves
of American Redstarts, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Magnolia,
Blackpoll, Tennessee, and Bay-breasted Warblers for less common birds
like Cerulean and Mourning Warblers. Here will be our best chance at
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Gray-cheeked Thrush, and Connecticut
Warbler. We’ll head downstate for the night.
Day 3:
McLean and Mason Counties. Our more southerly location will make birds
like Louisiana Waterthrush, Worm-eating, Blue-winged, and Kentucky
Warblers much more likely. We’ll also visit grassland sites in
search of Henslow’s Sparrow, Sedge Wren, and Bobolink. With some
luck, we’ll see flocks of gorgeous American Golden-Plovers
numbering into the thousands. A trip to the Illinois River lowlands
should yield Eurasian Tree Sparrow as well as American White Pelican,
Mute Swan, Summer Tanager, and Dickcissel.
Day 4:
Departure from Chicago. After a couple of dozen species of warbler in
the morning, we’ll head for the airport in the late morning.
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