Lake project endangers rare birds in Marion

MARION, Ill. -- A pair of northern harrier hawks -- an endangered species in Illinois -- has been found nesting where Marion officials want to build a lake.

But the raptors' presence likely will not disrupt the project to build Sugar Creek Lake near Creal Springs, Marion Mayor Bob Butler said.

"I don't feel that this is of any great significance," he said. "It won't be as difficult to overcome as the least brook lamprey."

The least brook lamprey is another endangered species that delayed the permit process required for building the recreational lake.

Butler said the city doesn't want to harm the hawks and that their nest can be moved to another grassy area.

"Certainly we have great respect for endangered species," he said.

City water commissioner Robert "Dog" Connell said the hawks' nesting season is from March until mid-July.

"We wouldn't expect that this would have any impact at the time of construction," Connell said.

But opponents of the project are glad to see another stumbling block in the 13-year attempt to build the city lake.

"The city of Marion just has a way of being absolutely, totally uncaring about anything that has to do with the natural world," said Ed Cook, a member of the Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club. The birds don't usually nest in southern Illinois. The last known pair of the northern harrier hawks to nest successfully in the region did so in the Eldorado area 12 years ago.

The bird is described as a medium-sized, brownish-gray hawk with dark wing tips and a white patch on its rump.