Learn About the Illinois Swainson’s Hawk Project and How You Can Help Protect Illinois’ Remnant Swainson’s Population

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Join your fellow birders at North Park Village Nature Center to hear about Illinois’ unique population of Swainson’s Hawks and the Illinois Swainson’s Hawk Project. On Thursday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m., Vic Berardi, a local hawk expert, will discuss these magnificent birds and how you can get involved in studying and protecting them in Kane and McHenry counties where a small population of nesting pairs has been observed since 1973.

The tiny Illinois population is unique because it is out of the normal nesting range of the Swainson’s Hawk, which extends from Alaska to Mexico and from California to the Mississippi River. The Illinois Swainson’s Hawks are the only nesters of their kind east of the Mississippi River.

The Swainson’s Hawk is on the Illinois Endangered Species List B, and their breeding grounds in Kane and McHenry counties have been listed as top sites for Audubon’s Illinois Important Bird Areas (IBA) program. There is concern over the future of these Illinois Swainson’s Hawks as their nesting grounds are threatened by further development, especially in the Hampshire area. Unless the Hawks and their habitat are studied and documented, the prospect of protecting their nesting grounds can significantly diminish. More data needs to be collected to help determine their future. Of the approximately five or six nesting pairs of Swainson’s Hawks observed in this region over the years, up to about three chicks are fledged each nesting season. Many chicks are killed by owls which prey on them for food.

The Illinois Swainson's Hawk Project (ISHP) is a joint effort to study the small remnant population of breeding Swainson's Hawks in northern Illinois. This spring and summer, volunteers will help record sightings of Swainson’s Hawks in their known nesting locations in Kane and McHenry counties and the surrounding areas, including the townships of Marengo, Hampshire, Starks and Huntley. They will also drive designated routes in the region to survey for the hawks and hopefully locate new or previously unknown areas where these birds may be breeding.

The purpose of this research is to determine where, when and why Swainson’s Hawks use this very limited area for breeding, and more importantly, to determine if they use any of the surrounding regions.

During his presentation, Vic will give an overview of the Illinois Swainson's Hawk Project along with a brief history of the Swainson's Hawk in Illinois. A thorough identification session will also be presented including how to determine age differences based on molt and plumage characteristics and comparisons to similar raptor species. If you would like to become a volunteer for the ISHP, this is an excellent opportunity to find out more about the project and meet with Vic to determine how you can best get involved.

If you can’t make Vic’s talk, and are still interested in participating in the Illinois Swainson’s Hawk Project, you can contact Bob and Anita Morgan at 708/351-9404 or e-mail amorgan@sxu.edu. You can also visit the ISHP web page at www.bcnbirds.org.