Got up early this morning to drive 500 miles round-trip to Buffalo, Illinois to chase a female Tufted Duck that has been on a small pond for the last few days. After four hours of driving in on-and-off drizzle, I arrived at the pond, and there she was. Got a good look at her through my scope.
The Tufted Duck was not a lifer for me--I saw a male about nine years ago in California. However, Tufted Duck is extremely rare in the Midwest, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to add this European visitor to my Illinois list.
One of my birding-related goals this year is to make it to at least 300 on my Illinois list. The Tufted Duck was number 299, so it looks like I'll probably make it. In about three weeks I'll be going on a search for Yellow Rail in Clinton, Illinois. Odds are against actually getting to see the rail, but if successful, I'll get to 300, and will get a lifer to boot.
Also, this evening just at dusk, I heard calling American Woodcocks in the field behind my house. In the poor light, I did manage to see one doing its aerial display.
Tufted Duck (Illinois State Bird Number 299, Year Bird Number 99)
American Woodcock (Year Bird Number 100)