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OK, so compared to the last few winters, this one has been pretty mild. Blame it on el Nino, I say. Now, if you had a chance to go to the 15th Annual IOS Gull Frolic, you might disagree with that statement. The weather last Saturday was bitterly cold. Well, that didn't stop several young birders from braving the frigid temps to scan Lake Michigan for uncommon gulls. In fact, we found seven species of gulls - Ring-billed, Herring, Glaucous, Iceland, Thayer's, Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed!
On top of that, our young birders had a chance to meet and visit with Kenn Kaufman - author, naturalist, and guest speaker for the event. Pretty cool, huh?
In this edition of the ILYB eNewsletter, our own young authors and naturalists share stories with you about adventure and nature as well as their artwork and photography. We think you'll be impressed.
As always, thanks for reading and we hope to see you in the field!
Matthew Cvetas, Adult Coordinator - ILYB
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How My Love of Birds Started by Natalie Torres
 This is the story of how my love of birds started.
It really all began with two Northern Cardinals, a male and a female. We saw them in our back yard two summers ago and I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. I saw them kiss (later I knew this was the feeding ritual). Fast forward to January 2014: it was a cold winter and we had been hoping to see birds, especially those Cardinals, for a long time. So, my mom decided to go out and get a bird feeder. Of course, the birds didn’t come for the first day, but the next day there were like 20 sparrows! And a bit later… there they were: two Cardinals, just a couple of feet from our window!
Read the full article here...
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Camp Colorado 2015 by Jake Cvetas
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For those of you already looking at summer camps, this article comes at the perfect time. ILYBer, Jake Cvetas, recounts his adventures in the Rockies at 2015 ABA Camp Colorado.
Read the full article here...
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Pigeons – Smarter Than You Think by Jackie Kuroda
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Many people consider pigeons “rats with wings” or see them as urban pests, but pigeons are among the most intelligent bird species. Most people are familiar with seeing pigeons in the park or surrounding notable landmarks in major cities, such as Notre Dame in Paris, France.
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However, pigeons have been used by the Coast Guard, Project Sea Hunt, to locate bodies in the water and as research subjects in psychology labs. Some surprising facts about pigeons include the ability to recognize all 26 letters of the English language and the difference between a Van Gogh and a Chagall painting. They can also be taught complex actions and response sequences. And almost everyone is familiar with their unique ability to find their way back home.
Read the full article here...
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Cornell Lab of Ornithology Young Birders Event 2016
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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's annual Young Birders Event will be held July 7 – 10, 2016 in Ithaca, New York. This Young Birders Event aims to bring together teenagers (students who will be sophomores, juniors and seniors) with a passion for birds who are interested in pursuing a career with birds.
The application deadline to apply is March 15, 2016. Be sure to get your applications in soon.
Visit the eBird Web site to find out more. |
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The Importance of Mentors by Isoo O'Brien
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My grandparents came to watch my sister and I when my parents left to spend five nights in Miami. It was Friday, my first full day with my grandparents. We were sitting on the back porch when a female cowbird flew into the yard. My grandma pointed it out and we watched birds for a bit before it was time for school.
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That's when I took my first interest in birds: May 11, 2013, approximately 8:00 AM. North Park Village was the first birding spot I visited, which was with my grandparents the very next day. I remember walking the loop from the entrance and back, and my grandparents told me about the birding experiences they had the day before while I was at school.
Read the full article here...
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Two Wisconsin Young Birders and CGORS by The Marn Family
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In 1950, two Wisconsin teenagers, Dan Berger and Helmut Meuller, discovered an abandoned research station near Cedar Grove, Wisconsin on the coast of Lake Michigan. The station was opened by the Milwaukee Public Museum and used for raptor banding in the 1930’s. The location of the Cedar Grove Ornithological Research Station (CGORS) along the lake, especially with northwest winds, was/is ideal for observing raptors during fall migration. Use of the station was discontinued during World War II and then used only sporadically until Dan and Helmut arrived. With the approval of the museum, they assumed the duties of trapping and banding birds of prey. They, and many other volunteers, have continued to observe and band raptors and collect data every year for the past 65 years. In fact, CGORS is the longest continuously run raptor banding station in North America. Over 43,000 birds, to include 24 species, have been banded at the station and more than 70 scientific papers have been published with data collected at CGORS.
Ben Marn and his parents had the opportunity to visit and volunteer at CGORS this fall.
Remember young birders all, your passion for birds and birding may lead to a lifelong vocation, or avocation, or both!
For much more detailed information about CGORS and to view many more wonderful photos from the 1950’s to present day, please visit the CGORS Facebook page. CGORS is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization dedicated to raptor research. |
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Cook County 2016 Big Year Competition
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From March 1 to December 31, 2016, the Forest Preserves of Cook County is hosting a Big Year birding competition with a twist!
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During the #BirdthePreserves Big Year competition, the preserves compete instead of the people. Teams in the Big Year competition will have two main objectives:
- See which preserve has the most birds.
- See which preserve team can engage the most new birders in their Big Year efforts.
Visit the CCFPD Web site to get involved.
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(Top Left) Great Spotted Woodpecker by Ethan Ellis
(Top Right) Blue Jay by Ethan Ellis
(Bottom Left) Northern Parula by Oliver Burrus
(Bottom Right) Ovenbird by Violet Berg
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2016 Field Trips
The Illinois Young Birders take field trips throughout the year to birding hotspots all around the state. All young birders are welcome to attend. Don't miss these upcoming events.
Confluence of Rivers
Wide Waters of the Des Plaines River
Channahon, IL
Mar 6th 7:30 AM
Woodcock Aerial Displays
AirStation Prairie
Glenview, IL
Apr 23rd 6:00 PM
Young Birder Days at Trailside Museum w/ Henry Griffin
Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve
River Forest, IL
April 17th, 23rd 9:00 AM and May 1st 8:00 AM
Warblers of Elsen's Hill
West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve
Winfield, IL
May 15th 7:00 AM
The Hunt for Bewick's Wren
Weekend Trip with Overnight
Siloam Springs State Park
Clayton Township, IL
June Dates TBD
Behind the Scenes at Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago, IL
July Date TBD
1st Midwest Young Birder Conference
Ryerson Conservation Area
Deerfield, IL
Aug Date TBD
Montrose Migrants
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Chicago, IL
Sep Date TBD
Greene Valley Hawkwatch
Greene Valley Forest Preserve
Naperville, IL
Oct Date TBD
Hawkwatch/Lakewatch at IBSP
Illinois Beach State Park
Nov Date TBD
To get all the details, visit our Web site.
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