Illinois Audubon Society board member Michael Campbell was among the volunteers working to construct a new osprey hack tower at Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area (Fulton County) before this year’s chicks arrive the second week of July. Translocation of osprey chicks prior to fledging has been a multi-year effort of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and their partners to enhance the number of breeding pairs in Illinois. Ospreys are an Illinois-endangered species.
The original osprey hack tower at Banner Marsh burned down during a fire 6 weeks ago. The hack tower is the structure from which osprey chicks are released. The new hack tower is adjacent to where the original structure was built.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) project manager Patrick McDonald cites the work of IDNR site staff from Rice Lake and Banner Marsh and a team of great volunteers who helped make this project possible.
Volunteers:
Mike Winter (Friends of Rice Lake)
Chris Hagie (Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon) Bob Bluett (IDNR, retired) Jeremy Thornton (Friends of Rice Lake) Nate Stafford (Friends of Rice Lake) Eric Martin (Friends of Rice Lake) Angie Martin (Friends of Rice Lake) Michael Campbell (Illinois Audubon Society board member)