The first-ever Urban Birding Festival, which ran from September 13th – September 15th, was an immense success! The festival offered a thrilling mixture of expert presentations, guided birding trips, educational workshops, and social gatherings. It was a fantastic opportunity for experienced and novice birders to learn more about avian wildlife and connect with others passionate about birds.

It’s important to stay hydrated in this heat, and birds are no exception to this tenet. By installing a birdbath, you can help those looking to cool off or have a drink.

Amy Tan has come out with a new book that she wrote and illustrated called The Backyard Bird Chronicles. This engaging read with beautifully drawn illustrations contains excerpts from Amy’s nine journals that she filled with observations. Only birds that entered her backyard airspace made it onto the pages.

Green-up phenology, or the period when winter ends and new vegetation starts sprouting, is now happening sooner due to climate change. The unfortunate reality is that many birds are not adjusting fast enough, particularly birds that migrate long distances.

The Spring Bird Count (SBC) is Saturday, May 4th! This upcoming count is a census for Illinois birds and has been running for 50+ years. By keeping a tally of birds seen, we can better understand population trends and work towards more effective methods of conservation.