THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF “OWL MANIA” (published 4-17-24) In my last column I mentioned a just-for-fun goal of seeing or hearing 25 bird species in my yard in 2024, before the first day of sp...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-highs-and-lows-of-owl-mania.html
BIRDING BY NUMBERS Keeping lists is what many watchers do, and some take it to extremes. (published 3-20-24) Bonus bird: Black-throated Gray Warbler (photo by Jackie Bowman) In Febru...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2024/03/birding-by-numbers-keeping-lists-is.html
RECAPPING THE 2023 BIRDING YEAR Local watchers experienced some mind-bending sightings (published 1-17-24) A Limpkin at Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook was a first for DuPage County. Phot...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2024/01/recapping-2023-birding-year-local.html
MORE THAN CUTE: PICTURE BOOKS THAT LEAVE A MARK (published 11-29-23) Goodreads.com is tracking me. The Amazon creation knows what book I’m reading and every book I’ve read in the last fou...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2023/11/more-than-cute-picture-books-that-leave.html
SUMMER NOTEBOOK Limpkins, spoonbills, flamingos, and a really big chicken (published 9-21-23) Limpkin by Nat Carmichael You never forget your first limpkin. Mine was at a lakeside trail...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2023/09/summer-notebook-limpkins-spoonbills.html
COLORADO CALLING Summer birding tour of the Centennial State delivered unforgettable sightings (published 7-26-23) Chestnut-collared Longspur by Tony Dvorak, Macaulay Library/Cornell Lab...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2023/07/colorado-calling-summer-birding-tour-of.html
STATELY SYMBOLS The nation’s roster of state birds is colorful but not so diverse (published 6-7-23) I drive with a cardinal on my license plate. It costs a little more but not as much as ...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2023/06/stately-symbols-nations-roster-of-state.html
Chasing a rarity (or not) (published 4-20-23) What’s my birding style? What’s my favorite way to enjoy birds? These are questions we might ask ourselves as our engagement with the hobby g...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2023/04/chasing-rarity-or-not-published-4-20-23.html
Red-winged Blackbird by Christian Goers BLACK BEAUTIES OF THE MARSH Red-winged blackbirds are back, on territory, and sounding off (published 3-2-23) Sometimes I like to nerd out on a s...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2023/03/red-winged-blackbird-by-christian-goers.html
Sax-Zim Bog Birding Festival, February 2016 FROM MY KITCHEN TABLE TO YOURS 20th Anniversary Column! (published 2-15-23) Earlier this month I presented to the DuPage Birding Club, filli...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2023/02/sax-zim-bog-birding-festival-february.html
Painted Redstart by Hemant Krishan EXTRAORDINARY BIRDS OF 2022 Rare sightings and other surprises captivated local watchers throughout the year (published 12-15-22) The younger, hot-sho...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2022/12/painted-redstart-by-hemant-krishan.html
Prairie Falcon by Mike Dunn STUMPING FOR BIRDS Bob Dolgan’s documentaries capture the magic and mystery of Illinois birds (published 11-16-22) Chicago resident Bob Dolgan is a bi...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2022/11/prairie-falcon-by-mike-dunn-stumping.html
Northeastern Illinois is a stronghold for Henslow's Sparrow, a grassland species in decline nationally. Photo by Jackie Bowman. BIRDS SAVOR OUR AMPLE GREEN SPACE Study: Chicago region’s ...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2022/09/northeastern-illinois-is-stronghold-for.html
Cornell's Merlin Bird ID app is a very good listener. IT’S NOT MAGIC, IT’S MERLIN The app’s Sound ID feature is changing how we go birding—and likely growing the hobby (published 8...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2022/08/cornells-merlin-bird-id-app-is-very.html
By nesting in colonies, usually in bare trees above marshy areas, herons gain protection from predators. Photo by Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. ROOKERY REBOUND (published 7-...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2022/06/by-nesting-in-colonies-usually-in-bare.html
From tip to tip, the Common Loon, or "Great Northern Diver," is perfectly equipped for underwater fishing. Photo by Steve Huggins LOONEY TIMES IN LAKE COUNTY (published 4-28-22) This co...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2022/04/from-tip-to-tip-common-loon-or-great.html
Great-tailed Grackle by Jake Cvetas CHASING THE BIG GRACKLE A shiny blackbird with a very long tail gave area birders a thrill this winter (published 3-11-22) Winter is a slower tim...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2022/03/great-tailed-grackle-by-jake-cvetas.html
Red-breasted Sapsucker by Lee Jaffe A SIP OF NAPA VALLEY'S BIRDLIFE (published 2-24-22) Most visitors to Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in Napa thirst for a fine cabernet. Me? I went for the bi...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2022/02/red-breasted-sapsucker-by-lee-jaffe-sip.html
Mexican Violetear by Matt Misewicz A GOOD YEAR FOR BIRDS AND BIRDERS (published 1-13-22) Area birdwatchers will remember 2021 for at least a dozen remarkable sightings, including two wayw...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2022/01/mexican-violetear-by-matt-misewicz-good.html
Red-eyed vireos can't resist a fruiting magnolia tree in the fall. They pluck the berries from the cone-like seed pods and swallow them whole. (photo by jt893x) THE MAGIC MAGNOLIA (publi...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2021/11/red-eyed-vireos-cant-resist-fruiting.html
Birders gathered on top of Butterfly Hill for Cantigny's inaugural "Big Sit" in 2019. The group tallied 43 species without leaving their perch, the highest point on the property. BIRDERS ...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2021/09/birders-gathered-on-top-of-butterfly.html
John James Audubon painted every known bird in America during the early 1800s, a feat that earned him international acclaim. This 1826 portrait by Scottish artist John Syme hangs in the Whit...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2021/07/john-james-audubon-painted-every-known.html
Summer Tanager by Maranda Mink A "BEE BIRD" MADE MY DAY (published 6-30-21) One of my favorite spring rituals is the Birdwatching Open at Cantigny Golf, held every year on World Migrator...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2021/06/summer-tanager-by-maranda-mink-bee-bird.html
The author's late parents, Rollin and Dori Reiter, pictured in in 2015 at The Wilderness Center, in Wilmot, Ohio. TWO MORE REASONS I’M A BIRDER (published 4-29-21) Birdwatchers often re...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-authors-late-parents-rollin-and.html
Al Stokie recorded his 400th Illinois bird last December in Channahon, where a Great Kiskadee made a first-time appearance in the state. He’s shown here at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in D...
http://wordsonbirds.blogspot.com/2021/03/alstokie-recorded-his-400-th-illinois.html