Birds of the Grand Calumet River basin

Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, Wntr-Fall, 1999 by Kenneth J. Brock

Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors).--Anis discors is an uncommon visitor during the summer. The peak summer count was four at Roxanna Pond on 26 July 1986, and a mean of one bird per year has been recorded at that location during the past 12 years. Though probable, breeding in the Grand Calumet River Basin has not been confirmed.

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis).--Though several nesting records are known for this species in the Calumet region, the only summer observation within the Grand Calumet River Basin was a breeding, plumed male sighted at Roxanna Pond on 24 June 1983 (seen by author). Recent nesting has occurred on the Little Calumet River floodplain (Brock 1986).

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).--During the summer period, this species is regularly seen flying above the floodplain. No nests have been found.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius).-- This diminutive falcon is seen regularly in the Calumet region during the summer. Breeding on the floodplain has not been confirmed, but a few birds might nest there.

Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus coichicus).--This introduced species has been recorded regularly throughout the summer at Roxanna Pond (seen by author) and was also noted on the DuPont property in June 1991.

Virginia Rail (Rallus Iimicola).--Though rarely seen, R. limicola, an Indiana "species of special concern," is a fairly common breeder in the cattail marshes on the floodplain. Summer period birds were observed at Roxanna Pond on 20 July 1982 (seen by author) and in the DuPont wetlands in 1991. Specific records at the latter site included a pair seen on 15 June, and a family group (two adults and two young) observed on 11 July 1991.

Sora (Porzana carolina).--The distribution of the Sora is similar to that of the Virginia Rail. June and July records include an adult with three young in the DuPont Marsh on 11 July, an adult at Ivanhoe on 11 June, and a single bird in a Clark and Pine swale on 8 June 1991. In addition, fully-feathered juveniles have been recorded at Roxanna Pond on four occasions during the fall; the largest count was five on 16 September 1995 (seen by author).

Common Moorhen (Gallinula chioropus).--An abundant nesting species at Roxanna Pond during the 1980's, G. chioropus has declined markedly in numbers during the past six years. The mean summer count between 1980 and 1989 was 17.5 per year; in contrast, the average for annual June-July counts between 1990 and 1995 was only 1.3. Peak counts of young during the halcyon 1980's included 50 on 28 June 1984 and 13 on 26 July 1986.

American Coot (Fulica americana).--Nesting coot populations on the floodplain, like those of Sora and Common Moorhen, have declined in recent years. During the 1980's, numerous nestings were recorded at Roxanna Pond; the peak downy young count was 15 on 16 July 1983 (seen by author). Breeding has not been confirmed at Roxanna Pond since 1990. The most recent confirmed nesting on the floodplain was in the DuPont marshes, where two young were found on 15 June 1991.