The Transformation Begins!

Lizanne Gray was at Emiquon during the recent tree planting. She took these photographs that show the very beginning of the transformation that will take place over the next few years. Currently you have to look hard to find the wildlife at Emiquon. Horned Larks blend in with the brown corn stubbles that still exist in most of the vast expanse of the Emiquon Valley. But if you look hard, you will find it. And as the landscape changes, the animals will return!

 

The landscape at Emiquon is going to dramatically change over the next few decades as these trees turn into a bottom land forest.

 

 

 

 

Trees, not corn, make up this planting.

 

 

 

 

The Nature Conservancy is planting trees in the former corn fields of Emiquon.

 

 

 

South Peoria Loop: Spring Lake, Chautauqua, and Emiquon

My friend Ed and I drove down to Emiquon on Saturday. We went down on the east side of the river, stopping by Spring Lake Bottoms to check out the waterfowl and Eurasian Tree Sparrows, then drove down to Chautauqua in hopes of seeing the Cattle Egret, which was not present. We had lunch at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant in Havana, crossed the Illinois River and then stopped at Path 2 at Emiquon, the path that leads to the pumphouse. We photographed the dead Carp (The Nature Conservancy recently drained the newly forming lakes to kill off Eurasion Carp), but the Pelicans I found last week were gone.

 

 

 

The Nature Conservancy drained the lakes that were forming to kill off the Asian Carp, which they don't want in the Emiquon waters. Dead Carp were all over the place when we visited Saturday, April 21.

 

 

 

Panorama form the Ridge overlooking the Emiquon valley. These photos were taken and stitched together by my friend who accompanied me on a visit to Emiquon.

 

Along the Northwest Ridge at Emiquon

Last week I explored the ridge that runs along the northwest edge of the Emiquon Preserve. From there I had a wonderful view of the entire property, including the Field Office. I found many birds on my walk along the ridge. Bluebirds and Tree Swallows were squabling for the nest boxes along the main path. A Northern Harrier skirted along the fields in the valley and then road the air currents up over the bluff. A Red-tailed Hawk took off from his perch in a tall tree high up on the bluff and soared down over the back edge of the bluff. Field Sparrows were marking their territory every 20 feet or so, singing their beautiful song. I have heard that song all my life and thought it was a Cardinal until I saw one singing 20 feet in front of me in a Black Locust seedling, newly planted along the bluff. I encountered wonderful panoramic views of the Emiquon valley from several vantage points. And on my way back I heard a song I had never been able to place with its singer and found the Brown Thrasher singing away at the top of the tallest tree on the high bluff.

 

Bluebirds and Song Sparrows were abundant along the ridge that runs along the northwestern edge of the property.

 

 

Rocky Raccoon at Emiquon. I heard something rustle in the wooded area next to the path and spotted this little critter climbing around on this tree, looking in a big hole on the branch before continuing down the trunk and off to some other place.

 

Brown Thrasher singing away at the top of one of the tallest trees on the high river bluff ridge.

 

 

Tree Swallows were squabling with the Bluebirds over the nest boxes along the ridge.

 

 

 

Pelican over Emiquon.

 

American White Pelicans. They drained the lakes at Emiquon to rid it of Asian Carp. Pelicans settled along the remaining water for about a week. There were 150-200 pelicans, mostly just sitting, a few flying in and out.

 

 

 

 

Ducks over Emiquon.

 

Red-winged Blackbird Congregation in the field north of Path #2.