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Terrence N. Ingram, President of the Eagle Nature Foundation, conducted a Big Bird Day on Sept. 3, 2016. On that day he tried to identify as many species of birds as he could see and hear at his Apple Creek property, south of Apple River, IL. This day was chosen to document the killing of birds by the chemicals which are aerial sprayed on the corn and soybean fields in the area each year.

This year he only saw 230 birds of 39 different species. The most members of any species he saw were 56 starlings as they were flying over. He did not see a single one of them sitting in any trees. Other species he saw just flying over were; 3 Canadian Geese, 1 Turkey Vulture, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 9 Nighthawks, 1 Yellow-shafted Flicker, 3 Tree Swallows, 1 Cliff Swallow, 4 Purple Martins, 25 Red-winged Blackbirds, 1 Cedar Waxwing, and 1 Northern Oriole.

Other bird species he saw in low numbers include: 1 kestrel, 1 Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Bluebird, 1 Swainson's Thrush, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Cardinal, 2 Song Sparrows, 7 Goldfinches, 4 Catbirds, 2 Redstarts, 4 Robins, and 2 House Wrens.

Bird species common in the area before the sprays that were not seen on that day were: Brown Thrashers, Turkeys, Pheasants, Chimney Swifts, Field Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows, Indigo Buntings, Kingbirds, Towhees, Least Flycatchers, Peewees, Phoebes, Meadow Larks, Dickcissels, Horned Larks, Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. Mr. Ingram wanted this day to be a fund raising day for the Eagle Nature Foundation and asked for people to donate $ for every species he saw on that day. Donations can be sent to: Eagle Nature Foundation, 300 East Hickory Street, Apple River, IL 61001. Any size donations are welcome.

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For more information contact: Terrence N. Ingram, Exec. Director, Eagle Nature Foundation, 300 East Hickory St., Apple River, IL 61001 Phone 815-594-2306

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