2005 Year in Review

Let the Games Begin!

Dave Harrison
Resource Conservationist
Whiteside Co Soil and Water
Conservation District

In a biological sense the games have begun and we have seen the first quarter. If you have been observant this fall you may have noticed the annual migration of birds and insects has begun. Ruby throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) and Blue Winged Teal (Anas discors) have headed south being the smallest birds of their species. Soon we will see a wave of colorful warblers begin their trek to Mexico and Central America. After that during the end of November when the Alberta clippers finally show up in Illinois you’ll see the heavy weights such as Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), Canada Goose species (Branta Canadensis), and Red Heads (Aythya Americana) winging down to Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri.

Several weeks ago the Monarch Butterfly also moved through this area on the first leg of its trip to Mexico where it faces an uncertain future. Between the lack of Milkweed in the Midwest and the loss of woody winter habitat in Mexico this butterfly is in trouble. I can not imagine a September without the orange and black wings of fall.

So there you go another game of movement in nature that we humans have just begun to understand. Hopefully by now you have a ticket for this game that is greater than any you will see on television.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
October 17, 2005