The importance of Black Americans in conservation and environmentalism is GREATLY underrepresented and it requires some digging to learn about the significant past and current Black contributors and advocates of birding, conservation, and environmental justice.
Calling all shutterbugs and bird enthusiasts! We want you to capture the vibrant avian life of Chicago through your lens and participate in the inaugural "Chicago Birds Photography Contest." Photographers of all experience levels are invited to compete with winning submissions eligible for eternal bragging rights and cash prizes!
This time of year, owls become the focus of many nature lovers. The presence of humans can be stressful for owls, so itβs important to understand more about owls and follow simple guidelines to ensure their safety.
In the interest of being more mindful and considerate in our gift buying, supporting Black and BIPOC businesses and creators, and - and well, BIRDS! - here is an alternative list of ideas to make your 2022 gifting thoughtful, fun and bird friendly!
Nature is full of awe and birds are a prime example of how fascinating the fauna on earth is. Some of this wonder, however, can come with a side of apprehension. Seeing as itβs Halloween, below are seven examples of how birds can be just a bit unsettling, whether it be the way they stare with those red eyes, their means of communication, or, in the case of the Loggerhead Shrike, their predilection for impalement.
This yearβs cicada season has come and gone, and during the spring and summertime, birders across Chicagoland eagerly observed their favorite birds feasting upon two broods of periodical cicadas. You submitted some fantastic photos, and it was great to see how birds were reacting to the abundance of cicadas! However, some fledglings started to lose their eyesight, possibly due to eating too many cicadas.
Chicagoβs dynamic urban environment, with its mix of parks, river walks, and green spaces, supports a diverse array of bird species. From the familiar Northern Cardinal to migratory species like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, these birds play crucial roles in our cityβs ecosystem. However, the presence of pets, particularly cats and dogs, poses significant challenges to these avian populations. Understanding the impact of pet ownership and adopting responsible practices can help safeguard our feathered friends.
The first-ever Urban Birding Festival, which ran from September 13th β 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.
With the deaths of the great horned owl family of Lincoln Park having been confirmed to be the result of rodenticides, itβs important to understand the devastating impact that rat poison has on birds of prey, and what solutions can be implemented to handle the brown rat population of Chicago properly.
Our recommendations:
Landscaping that supports native birds, including at least one new bird sanctuary, all with diverse plant structure (canopy, understory, shrubs and ground cover), many areas of plant density and good plant species diversity
Preservation of specific areas, i.e., Montrose Beach, Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, etc.
Creation of migratory bird habitat as a buffer between the lakefront and dangerous buildings
Creation of shorebird habitat on islands, if possible
The Attorney General of Illinois joins the opposition to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineersβ proposed new 25-foot high dump of toxic dredged wastes to be built on top of the now closed confined disposal facility (CDF).The Confined Disposal Facility is a dump that juts out into Lake Michigan between two well-used birding locations, Steelworkersβ and Calumet Parks in Chicago. Our partners Environmental Law and Policy Center are suing on behalf of Friends of the Parks and Alliance of the Southeast to ensure that the Army Corps does not build a 25-foot tall dump at the site, which is slated to be turned over the the Chicago Park District. We held a rally to support them. Hereβs a recap of the day.
Have you ever wondered what happens to a salvaged bird after itβs been collected by the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors? They are added to the Field Museumβs collection for research and preservation by their Ornithology Department! Learn more about this process and how you can contribute to this ever-growing collection!
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 Amyβs nine journals that she filled with observations. Only birds that entered her backyard airspace made it onto the pages.
The Chicago area and in particular the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) are fortunate to have several different types of natural habitats that birds need to thrive. βPartnering for Birds,β a free publication created by the Chicago Bird Alliance in collaboration with FPCC, uses data from the Bird Conservation Network and eBird. The four different habitats detailed are grasslands (highlighted here), shrublands, woodlands and savannas, and wetlands.
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