Support local bird habitat conservation by shopping for clothing with bird images!
Chicago Bird Report - August: South Shore Cultural Center
River Park Planting Day October 2022
MWRD Bird Habitat
Chicago Audubon’s 2022 Annual Birdseed Sale
Chicago Environmental Awards brunch - recipient photos
2022 Chicago Audubon Society Environmental Awards Banquet
Join the Search for Secret Migratory Bird Hotspots!
Somme Preserve Stewards Create High Quality Nature Experience
When it comes to questions like these in a place as expansive and richly biodiverse as the Somme Prairie, site steward Laurel Ross and Bird Conservation Network (BCN) monitor Amanda Tichacek have and continue to find the answers. Working exclusively on the collective Somme Nature Preserves in Northbrook, IL, their restoration and surveying allow them to keep these Preserves healthy, happy and hopeful while evaluating whether or not these action items have impacted bird activity.
South Shore Nature Sanctuary Bird Walk & Stewardship Event: Feminist Bird Club, South Shore Nature Sanctuary and Purple Martins
Earlier this summer, several different groups converged at South Shore Nature Sanctuary for a bird walk and habitat restoration day. Led by Chicago’s Feminist Bird Club and the South Shore Sanctuary stewards, the event brought out a sizeable group to remove grapevine from encroaching on the dune habitat, and assist field museum employees collect egg count and nest progress data on Purple Martins. Recently, I caught up with my close friend (and FBC Chicago leader) Bridget, who filled me in on all the highlights of the event.
Gratitude for LGBTQIA+ Members of the CAS Family
Chicago Audubon Society : Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
CAS Native Plant Sale a Success
On May 22, CAS volunteers and partners held their second native plant sale at North Park Village Nature Center - bigger and better than the first!
Nancy Bradt led the planning team of Alisa Baum, Nicolette Caldwell, Monica Sargent (CAS staff) and Judy Pollock
North Park Village Nature Center Director, Amaris Alanis Ribiero, staff Bob Porter, volunteers and visitors pitched in to help on the unloading day and the sale day
Laury Lewis was on hand to give plant advice.
Elizabeth Plonka, Jenelle Davis, Colleen McVeigh, M C Mylander, Pam Karlson, Marilyn Ferri, Irene & Dan Weinman, Alexandra Davila, Nicholas Machev, Mary Taylor, Robin Jennings, Christine Johnson, Jack Swenson, Susan Kauffman, Sandra Shields, Robin Wilson, and CAS board members Ann Hetzel Gunkel and John Elliott showed upon unloading and sale days and gave the event its great spirit.
Results of this fun day:
Almost $7000 for CAS’ engagement and conservation efforts
Over 2000 new native plants out there feeding the birds and the bees and the butterflies
Two community gardens and this little girl’s backyard sanctuary received the unsold plants
Congratulations everyone!
New Bird Population Trends report on Chicago Region from the Bird Conservation Network
The Bird Conservation Network (CAS is a member) has today released a comprehensive study of the population trends of the breeding birds of the Chicago Region. It contains some conclusions which may surprise you. Our region is very important for quite a few birds of conservation concern. Many are doing very well here (thanks in part to efforts of the regions public land managers), but others are declining. See all the trends and read the report at bcnbirds.org/trends21.
IDNR advises use of Backyard Feeders and Bird Baths may resume
Restoring a Shrub Prairie at Camp Pine Woods
Urban Ornithology: New Study on Avian Nesting & Climate Change from Chicago Ornithologists
In Spring 2022, the Journal of Animal Ecology published an extensive study about avian nesting behavior and climate change conducted by a group of Chicago-based ornithologists. Researchers from University of Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Field Museum utilized field observations and the museum’s historical records to track nesting dates for 72 species of birds spanning 143 years. This article not only serves as an interesting contribution to the scientific community, but also as a testament to the prominence of Chicago’s institutions and its urban ornithologists. In hopes of getting this information to as many birders as possible, past the inaccessibility of statistical jargon and academic pay-walls, we offer a short summary.
