Hi, I'm resident in UK and been interested in birds since the 1970s. I lived in Illinois briefly in the late 1980s while studying art and was fascinated by the birds on my travels St Louis up to St. Paul and across to Seattle. The similarities and some profound differences to our European birds give a real perspective. The wide distribution of raptors was impressive... Anyway I thought I might get some insights here and I look forward to taking part in the forum