Lake Co. volunteers keep tabs on migrating raptors
Eagle eyes. That's what these folks have.
How many of us could spot a red-tailed hawk a quarter-mile away? Do you think you could identify a merlin or an osprey cruising above the tree tops?
It's second nature for the people who hang out at the Illinois State Beach Park Hawk Watch near Zion. About 25 volunteers, binoculars in hand, spot, identify and count a variety of raptors as the birds fly to warmer climates. Migration season starts the last week of August and goes until the end of November.
"These birds are beautiful," Janice Sweet said. "They are amazing creatures."
Sweet should know. The 61-year-old Zion woman spends at least eight hours-a-day, six days a week, sitting in a reclining folding chair slowly scanning the sky in search of these birds of prey. "I take Thursdays off to do laundry and housework," she said with a smile.
It's a relaxing hobby, but these spotters are gazing for a reason. The group was started to monitor the raptor population in hopes of seeing trends. A drop in the number of birds could indicate a problem with the species.
"The earlier we can identify a change in population, the better," said Paul Sweet, 31, of Zion. He's Janice Sweet's son and teaches environmental biology at College of Lake County.
The Hawk Watch in Zion, was organized in 2000 by Vic Berardi of Gurnee, and is one of more than 200 across the nation. There is a watch at Green Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville. Data is shared and recorded at hawkcount.org.
Paul Sweet said Illinois Beach State Park is ideal because westerly winds force the birds toward Lake Michigan. And, since they won't take a long flight over the lake, flocks tend to accumulate near shore before turning south.
Janice Sweet said they are always looking for more volunteers. And unlike some other hobbies, it's not expensive. She said a $50 pair of 10x power binoculars is all that's needed.
Monday's warm temperatures made it pleasant for the birders, but actually reduced the number of sightings. A few red-tailed hawks and a turkey vulture were spotted before noon. But Sweet said that's OK. She's had some days this year when she's seen huge flocks. "I've seen a thousand or more in one day," Sweet said. "They just kept coming and coming and coming. It's an amazing sight you just want to see again."