Sandpipers in potholes, fluddles and retention ponds

The Upper Midwest is dotted with depressions which collect water from rainfall and snowmelt. Varying in size, depth and weather conditions, some may dry up rather quickly while others may be relatively permanent. All serve as important foraging sites for waterfowl and the larger ones are major breeding sites, comprising "...one of the most important wetland regions in the world. The area is home to more than 50 percent of North American waterfowl." [Ref: Prairie Potholes US Environmental Protection Agency] 

At Nelson Lake Marsh/Dick Young Kane County Forest Preserve near our second home in NE Illinois, there is a nice example of a pothole which holds water the year around, surrounded by marshes. Ducks, geese and Sandhill Cranes have raised their broods here. Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens and Swamp Sparrows reside in the wetlands:  

 

A Double-crested Cormorant perches on a Muskrat lodge:



Before the land around our condominium was developed, one small pothole served as a permanent residence for a family of Muskrats and attracted migrating geese, ducks and sandpipers.

The view from our front porch in May, 2011:



We were delighted when a Snow Goose showed up:



Among our breeding "yard birds" were Spotted Sandpipers (May, 2012):



Potholes were produced by the weight of glacial ice some 10,000 years ago. Many of the original potholes were filled and drained as areas were developed for agricultural or commercial purposes. Yet some remnants persist even in cultivated fields as evanescent shallow flood puddles ("fluddles") which attract migrating sandpipers and plovers. Other man-made retention ponds capture urban rainwater and serve as surrigate "potholes."

This past week our local Kane County Audubon Society sponsored a "ramble" to one such retention pond, on the grounds of the James O Breen Community Park in St. Charles. 



August and September have been unusually dry, and water levels have decreased to the point of threatening the pond's fish population. Large carp are surfacing to gasp for air, to the delight of Ospreys. Mud flats along the shore have attracted large numbers of sandpipers.

Lesser Yellowlegs predominated:

 

I counted nine Stilt Sandpipers:



A small and short-legged Baird's Sandpiper foraged among the Killdeer:





Two beautiful Buff-breasted Sandpipers provided excellent views:



A Wilson's Snipe rested on the mudflat:



An immature Red-tailed Hawk oversaw the action from atop a goal post, but seemed to pose no threat:



The Community Park is part of a complex managed by the St Charles Park District which includes athletic fields, community vegetable gardens, an aquatic park, picnic areas and the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center with an adjacent natural area.

Community Gardens with idle pasture in foreground:



Autumn color at Hickory Knolls:



Nature trail:



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