What started as a quick check with low expectations, ended up being a very pleasant birding experience. At the Randolph Industrial Park, we were treated to long looks at a low-flying male N. Harrier, our FOY, as it skimmed several times around and over the pond by St. Mark's Church and continued north, parallel to hwy 56. Near the west end of the park a Kestrel was hunting on the farm land across from the industrial buildings, landing to perch a couple of times in the single small tree there. We had spotted it while checking out some Trumpeter Swans that had flown onto the adjacent field, Driving around the circle, we met friend Laura Coble, searching for Meadowlarks. Several of the birds were singing and rose up to show themselves. Laura alerted us to a Red-tailed Hawk perched near the church, and after viewing that, we spotted a Rough-legged Hawk on the wing over the south field. It disappeared to the SW, but as we were watching it, we heard the call of Sandhill Cranes by L. Byllesby. There were several voices, but we saw only the one that was feeding right along the south shore of the lake. As we were enjoying a look at it from the east end of the cemetery through Laura's scope, a Brown Creeper began calling and soon flew off in front of us. On the drive there and back, there were several pairs of Red-tail Hawks, three more Kestrels, and many Horned Larks and Red-winged Blackbirds. The biggest raptor gathering was just east of New Trier. WE stopped to admire another male Harrier, and saw a Red-tail and 7 or 8 Bald Eagles at a large carcass in the field. There were no Turkey Vultures there at the time, but it seems likely there will be, soon enough. Linda Whyte
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