News Release
Eagle Nature Foundation, Ltd.
300 East Hickory Street, Apple River, IL 61001
Phone: 815-594-2306 Fax: 815-594-2305 Web Site: eaglenature.com
e-mail: eaglenature.tni@juno.com Tax Exempt No. 36-4015400
| For Immediate Release | September 3, 2017 |
Big Bird Day Results
2017 Big Bird Day Results
Terrence N. Ingram, President of the Eagle Nature Foundation, conducted a Big Bird Day on Sept. 2, 2017. 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, especially the fungicides, which are aerial sprayed on the corn and soybean fields in the area starting in July each year.
This year he only saw 42 different species. The most members of any species he saw were a couple flocks of common grackles feeding on the Japanese Beetles in the tops of the neighboring trees. He saw another flock of about 100 Rusty Blackbirds doing the same thing in the afternoon. Other species he saw just flying over were; 2 Turkey Vultures, one Northern Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Nighthawks, 1 Yellow-shafted Flicker, dozens of Barn Swallows, 2 Tree Swallows, a few Purple Martins, and 10 Cedar Waxwings.
Other bird species he saw in low numbers include: 1 Red-Headed Woodpecker, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 2 Cardinals, 1 Song Sparrow, 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, 1 Indigo Bunting, 1 each of House and Bewickâs Wrens.
Bird species common in the area before the July sprays that were not seen on that day were: Brown Thrashers, Turkeys, Pheasants, Chimney Swifts, Field Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows, Kingbirds, Towhees, Least Flycatchers, Peewees, Meadow Larks, Dickcissels, Horned Larks, 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 Dollars for every species he saw on that day. The people who actually joined Mr. Ingram on that day donated over $400 to ENF for its work in saving habitat. Donations may be sent to: Eagle Nature Foundation, 300 East Hickory Street, Apple River, IL 61001. Any size donations are welcome.
For more information contact: Terrence N. Ingram, Exec. Director, Eagle Nature Foundation, 300 East Hickory St., Apple River, IL 61001 Phone 815-594-2306