Barb Dougan

Christmas Bird Count Results for Fermilab Circle

On December 19, 2020, birders counted every bird they could see and hear within the 15-mile circle during the 45th FermiBatavia CBC. Eighty-one species were observed in the count, below our 10-year average of nearly 84 species. We had high counts of Hooded Merganser (44), Winter Wren (18), Carolina Wren (12) and Pine Siskin (327), while tying the high count for Pileated Woodpecker (2). Thank you to all the area captains and counters in making this year another successful count! 2020 CBC Results for Fermilab Circle    

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Mini-Tutorial: Two Scaup and the Ring-necked Duck

  The DBC Board is pleased to present Mini-Tutorials on the DBC YouTube Channel. Mini-tutorial featuring three ducks, the Ring-necked Duck, the Lesser Scaup, and the rarer Greater Scaup. Here during migration and sometimes over winter, these birds are of the same genus and have similar appearances, but their bills, plumage, and other features distinguish them. One tip: don’t look for the ringed neck of the Ring-necked Duck. Another tip: note where the peak of the crown of their head lies, further back or close to the bill. A good challenge for your birding skill. Presented by Denis Kania. For

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Mini-Tutorial: The Odd Goose

  The DBC Board is pleased to present Mini-Tutorials on the DBC YouTube Channel. Mini-tutorial covering the five goose species that can show up in DuPage County. The ubiquitous, all-year round Canada Goose and smaller Cackling Goose resemble each other, as do the white (and sometimes blue-gray) Snow Goose and smaller Ross’s Goose. And then there’s the Greater White-fronted Goose. Learn what to look for beyond comparative size. Next time you see a flock of geese feeding at a pond or passing overhead, be sure to stop and take a closer look! Presented by Denis Kania. For more on birds

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Mini-Tutorial: The Christmas Bird Count

  The DBC Board is pleased to present Mini-Tutorials on the DBC YouTube Channel. Mini-tutorial describing the history and current state of the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), an international annual daylong count of birds going back to 1900. Here we focus on the Fermilab-Batavia count circle, which started in 1976. Since that time, DuPage and Kane habitat has altered, and environmental regulations have kicked in, so what birds are we seeing more or less of now? How are, say, the various woodpeckers doing? Is the American Crow coming back? What birds have been seen only once? What may the future

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The Time is Now: Renew Your Membership Today!

It’s time to renew your club membership so we can begin building our new Member Directory for early 2021 publication. As you might recall, the DBC Board moved annual dues renewals from the July renewal date to a calendar year renewal beginning January 1. This gave all current members an extra 6 months of free membership, which seemed appropriate for a pandemic year in which some club activities had to be curtailed. Please note: if you renewed or joined July 1 or later this year, your dues are considered paid through 2021. Annual dues of $20 ($30 family, $10 student)

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Mini-Tutorial: Crane Migration Over DuPage County

  The DBC Board is pleased to present Mini-Tutorials on the DBC YouTube Channel. Sandhill Cranes were once a rare sight in DuPage, but now they’re breeding across the county and can be seen at many times of the year. In spring and fall, look (and listen) for them flying in large groups overhead. And, now, there’s always a chance an endangered Whooping Crane might be among them! Learn the comeback stories of both of these crane species, how they migrate on thermals, and a migration staging area in Indiana that is well worth a visit. Presented by Denis Kania.For

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Mini-Tutorial: On the Prowl for Owls

  The DBC Board is pleased to present Mini-Tutorials on the DBC YouTube Channel. Get to know the owl species of DuPage County, what times of day you might see them, their nesting habits and diets, identification characteristics, and more. Breeding species covered: Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Barred Owl. Winter visitors: Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Snowy Owl, and the adorable Northern Saw-whet Owl. You’ll also learn how fascinating owl pellets can be, and an important note on the ethics of owling. Presented by Denis Kania. For more on birds and birding in DuPage County, visit https://www.dupagebirding.org. As meetings and

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DuPage Forest Preserve Features DBC Members

The DuPage Forest Preserve recently featured three DBC members and shared their perspectives in the Catching Nature blog. President Denis Kania shares how he found his true calling in the 90s after he accepted a role in natural resource management for the St. Charles Park District.  He shares his perspective on being proactive stewards of nature, letting nature inspire us, and the interrelatedness of the natural world. https://www.dupageforest.org/catching-nature/denis-kania   DBC member Anna Testone was always a nature lover but caught the birding bug when her daughter introduced her to Facebook birding groups and she discovered all the lovely preserves nearby

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DuPage Forest Preserve Features DBC Members

The DuPage Forest Preserve recently featured three DBC members and shared their perspectives in the Catching Nature blog. President Denis Kania shares how he found his true calling in the 90s after he accepted a role in natural resource management for the St. Charles Park District.  He shares his perspective on being proactive stewards of nature, letting nature inspire us, and the interrelatedness of the natural world. https://www.dupageforest.org/catching-nature/denis-kania DBC member Anna Testone was always a nature lover but caught the birding bug when her daughter introduced her to Facebook birding groups and she discovered all the lovely preserves nearby where

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