Arriving in our area in late April, this month’s featured bird weighs as little as a dime or a nickel, can beat its wings 53 times per second, hovers effortlessly, and can even fly backwards!

From late February through March, male Red-winged Blackbirds noticeably begin to fill marshes, meadows, and field edges. The females, sporting very different plumage, are much more secretive.

As the air begins to warm and snow and ice recede, Turkey Vultures begin moving back into Champaign County.

In Champaign County, telling apart our two species of resident chickadees is very tricky!

December is probably the best month to find Great Horned Owls in Champaign County, as they hoot loudly to charm a mate! Of all the birds who breed in our area, they are the only ones who nest as early as January.

In his inaugural monthly column, CCAS Vice-President Roger Digges introduces birders to that iconic “snowbird” abundant in east-central Illinois in November and December, the Dark-eyed Junco.