All of the photos in this post are from a 4 May 2012 Gemini Springs outing.
![Great Crested Flycatcher](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7265470602_bb5a197806_z.jpg)
I saw my first Great Crested Flycatcher of the year on March 27th, in our neighbor’s yard. About a month later, Arthur and I had some excitement when we spotted a pair of them checking a large nestbox we had put up in our back yard. When we purchased the Screech Owl box, I learned which other birds might use it – the list included a few woodpecker species and the Great Crested. So when I saw a pair flitting about in our yard, I stopped to watch them, and silently willed them to head towards the right tree. I was so excited to watch them explore the box!
![Great Crested Flycatcher](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/7265471070_9ce9e67fd0_z.jpg)
The birds were eventually chased out by squirrels (who’s the tyrant?!), but we still see and hear these large flycatchers in our yard and neighborhood frequently.
![Great Crested Flycatcher](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7265472180_4affc59626_z.jpg)
Great Cresteds were among the 83 species I saw during my recent trip to northern Illinois. A pair of birds was exploring a few natural, woodpecker-carved cavities in trees along the Des Plaines River at Ryerson Conservation Area. Some in our group were skeptical that they nested in cavities… but I knew. 🙂 Ryerson is where I first recorded this species on my life list, back in 2009.
![Great Crested Flycatcher](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7265471904_87a199eb01_z.jpg)
My most recent sighting occurred this afternoon during my volunteer shift at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. I followed a pair as they flew among the trees behind a row of hawk mews. Wouldn’t it be great if they were nesting there?
![Great Crested getaway](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7265472532_3e3ecfa41f_z.jpg)