Kane County Audubon

One of our members has a Swarovski ATS 80 Scope for sale. Includes case. 20-60x. $1,200. If interested, please message KCA and we'll put you in touch.

Due to the threat of severe weather, the June 10 walk at Oakhurst Forest Preserve has been cancelled.

Interesting article in today's NYT.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/world/australia/kakariki-karaka-bird-parakeet-new-zealand-endangered.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

This young man made me smile. Perhaps, you will, too.

https://www.threads.com//post/DY2oLqpDr7I?xmt=AQG0JU8b1jZAd1dupeHegBboUGplvOg3qIJl2PjW34VtCVqvhlRM3Hyu0vPtOgOWEs2inyWx&slof=1

Jennifer Hearell Williams (@jhearell) on Threads • My bird loving friends have got to watch this. This young man is so impressive!! 👏👏

Kane County Avian Ale Society will meet today, May 21, at 7 pm at Plank Road Tap Room, 39W149 Plank Road, Elgin, Illinois 60124. There are Picnic tables, but they don't want them moved, so if you think of it, pack a lawn chair or 2 so we can sit together if more room is needed.

Join us for a beer and bird talk. All are welcome.

KCA Big Sit Tallies 63 Species

Some 20 birders turned out for Kane County Audubon’s 2nd annual “big sit” on Saturday, May 16, from the Andrini Bench at Hickory Knolls Natural Area in St. Charles.

The goal of a big sit is to document as many species as possible, within a specified time frame, without leaving a 17-foot circle. Any bird that can be seen or heard from within that circle (even if the bird itself is not inside the circle) counts.

The event was originally organized in 2025 by KCA's late president, Bob Andrini. We held it again this year to honor the memory of Bob and his late wife, Kathy.

Our big sit was held from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. I’m pleased to say that all but two hours were covered. In that time, we collectively saw or heard 63 species—12 more than in 2025! Highlights included Sandhill Crane, Lincoln’s Sparrow and Orchard Oriole.

Interestingly, the time span from 5 to 6 p.m. saw the highest number of species, 38, followed by the span from 7 to 8 p.m. with 30. Tree Swallow led all species with 16 total individuals. American Robin was a close second with 14.

Because this was a stationary count at a single place, the total number of individuals of any species is the highest number that appeared on anyone’s list. In other words, if one Mourning Dove was reported from 7-8 a.m., three were reported from 8-9 a.m., and two were reported from 9-10 a.m., the total for the day is three (not six).

Many thanks to all who participated and for keeping Bob and Kathy’s memory alive.

Going to be another big night for migration. Please dim your lights, and get out and bird tomorrow!

Forecast Maps – BirdCast Forecast Maps Bird migration forecasts show predicted nocturnal migration approximately three hours after local sunset and are updated every 6 hours. Note, the models predict the migration intensity for birds in active flight; these are not predictions of the numbers of birds on the ground. For addi...

What a perfect day to honor our friend Bob Andrini. Thanks to everyone who participated in the Big Sit today at Bob's bench!

Lots of time slots still available.
Come remember our friend Bob Andrini with a turn on the Andrini Bench and see what birds you can add to the Big Sit list. Big Sits are conducted entirely within a 17-foot circle. We are hoping to have coverage at the bench for a full 14 hours. Bring a chair, drinks and snacks and make yourself comfortable while seeing how many birds you can identify from your chair!
Please sign up for a time slot through this link: https://tinyurl.com/5wy6ntc6 (you can sign up for more than one). We need a minimum of two birders for each slot.
If you have any questions, contact event organizer Regina McNulty at 630-715-0428.