McDowell Grove

We surveyed McDowell Grove  in 2023

Amphibians

• • none observed

Reptiles:

• • Visually encountered 16 individuals
    • Spiny Softshell (7), Northern Watersnakes (6), Slider Turtles (2), Painted Turtle (1)
  • Captured one Common Snapping Turtle using baited hoop traps
  • We returned in 2024 to trap turtles in additional locations and had 69 captures of 5 species:  the Spiny Softshell Turtle, Common Snapping Turtle, Painted Turtle, Northern Map Turtle, and Red-eared Slider

Bats:

• • Detected the federally threatened Northern Long-eared Bat
  • Detected 7 other species –
    • Big Brown, Eastern Red, Hoary, Silver-haired, Little Brown, Evening, and Tricolored.

Bumblebees:

• • No listed species
  • 334 bumblebees of 7 species

Birds:

• • 66 species of birds including 9 SGCN
  • 10 individual state endangered Common Tern

Butterflies:

• • 173 butterflies of 18 species –
  • No state or federally listed species
  • detected SGCN Monarch Butterfly

Dragonflies:

• • 53 individuals of 8 species
    • Amberwing (34), Widow Skimmer (7),  Prince Baskettail (4), Eastern Pondhawk (3), Black Saddlebag (2), Green Darner (1), Whitetail (1), Twelve-spotted (1)

Fish

• • 247 individuals of 8 species
  • no E&T species
  • Most abundant were Smallmouth Bass (133) and Blackstripe Topminnow (81)
  • Water quality was poor
    • Average conductivity (1228 μS), TDS (917.5 ppm), and salinity (0.63 ppt) were all high,
    • pH was very basic (10.3) (Table 4)

Mollusks

• • 14 individuals of 4 species.
    • No E&T
    • Plain Pocketbook (6), Giant Floater (5), White Heelsplitter (2), Fatmucket (1)
  • Relict Ellipse (SGCN) and Slippershell
  • Invasive Corbicula and Chinese Mystery Snail

Moths

• • Aster Borer, Burdock Borer (2), Grundy County Papaipema (2), Irownweed Borer (1)
  • Late season mowing may have decreased diversity

Report Citations

Mui, Jennifer M., Janet L. Jarvis, Anastasia A. Rahlin, and Michael J. Dreslik. 2023. Initial Assessment of Biotic Resources along the I-94 and I-88 Corridors. Illinois Natural History Survey Technical Report 2023(2):1–42.

Rahlin, Anastasia A., K.C. Carter, Katrina A. Cotten, Sarah A. Douglass, Hugo Y. Ruellen, Jennifer M. Mui, Janet L. Jarvis, Ethan J. Kessler, and Michael J. Dreslik. 2023. Biological Monitoring of DuPage, Kane, and Lake County Sites in 2023. Illinois Natural History Survey Technical Report 2023(49):1–119.