Chicagoland was recently graced by an ultra-rare visit from a Painted Redstart! This Central American species paid a brief visit to become the first such sighting in Illinois, but hung around long enough to delight some speedy birders.
Gershwin famously wrote “Summertime, and the living is easy.” Not so at LaBagh—it is packed with a long to-do list! So far this summer, dedicated volunteers have tackled a multitude of important tasks during thirteen workdays in June and July.
“There seem to be bird people, and plant people: the ecological gardener who appreciatively inspects the yard, and yet is unfamiliar with the birds that dwell there. Gardening for birds is one way to bridge this divide.”
This summer, Chicago Ornithological Society launched a new volunteer monitoring program to track, study, and conserve the Common Nighthawk. In a few short weeks, the COS team created a unique new monitoring protocol and cobbled together a crack team of about a dozen volunteers to pilot this new program.
Save Jackson Park is working diligently to preserve the South Shore Nature Sanctuary and block plans to absorb the space into a proposed PGA-caliber golf course. The community will have their say on June 28, but will the city listen?
The Bird Conservation Network (BCN), a local group of 21 conservation organizations, including the Chicago Ornithological Society, has released data from a 22-year study of the breeding habits of over 100 nesting species in a variety of natural habitats across northeastern Illinois.
With migration season ending, and without evidence that HPAI is infecting songbirds, the IDNR is lifting backyard restrictions. They still discourage the public from feeding waterfowl and encourage following best practices for keeping feeders and baths clean.
It is now official that the State of Illinois appreciates birds of all feathers and welcomes the legions that pass through from out of town every spring and fall. There really is no better strategy for rebranding the label of “flyover country,” and turning a negative into a positive with a bit of tropical glamor.
Chicago announces a Bally’s casino in River West. Even a bird-friendly building along the riverfront will likely see some bird mortality. Conservationists must get the message to the City and Bally’s to protect birds as much as possible. Robyn Detterline brings us the story.
It’s burn season in Chicagoland! Fire is a good thing and a sign that land managers are creating habitat that benefits birds and other wildlife. Learn more about why fire is important and COS supports this practice.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is recommending that all Illinoisians take down their bird feeders and remove bird baths until May 31, or until the current bird flu outbreak in the Midwest subsides. Currently COS trusts and recommends following state guidelines.
With the installation of a humble antenna, Chicago joins a global scientific community working to reveal the secrets of migration. This is the first such receiver in Chicago and Cook County, and one of only a handful operating in Illinois.
It's Christmas Bird Count season! With well over a dozen counts happening throughout the greater Chicagoland area, how does one get started? We've got you covered!
“After 6 days of banding between May 31 and August 8, we wrapped up our second season of MAPS banding. We captured a total of 224 birds, including 179 new birds and 38 recaptures, meaning they were already wearing an aluminum leg band from a previous banding.”
The nameless Park 566 is remarkable and stark public park featuring the most extreme examples of what urban nature can be. Despite it’s history, it proves to be a favorite of many birds, including a remarkably rare find this weekend that delighted birders!
Purple Martins are not rare, but of the 214 species of bird species that are generally accepted as confirmed from LaBagh Woods, this particular species has never been documented at LaBagh before August 4, 2021.
