With warmer temperatures and pleasant sunshine abundant in the late springtime sky, it’s a great weekend to get outside and explore the interesting natural features the Southland has to offer.
Jessica Becker, a program specialist with the Forest Preserves of Cook County, said in a recent email promoting district events May has lots of things going for it in terms of outdoor recreation.
“The weather in nice, the mosquitoes are not out in force, migrating birds are visiting the preserves and our spring wildflowers are in full bloom. Each day in the preserve can provide a different experience as nature is growing daily,” she stated.
To help people along, organizations are presenting a plethora of activities designed to highlight places and activities available to everyone. Things kick off with a busy Saturday of nature themed events.
May 13 has been dubbed Chicago River Day this year, and volunteer activities are planned at several sites throughout the region, including Sand Ridge Nature Center in Calumet City, Kickapoo Woods in Riverdale, Little Calumet Boat Launch and SEPA Station 3 in Blue Island, Wolfe Wildlife Refuge in Oak Lawn, Lucas Berg Nature Preserve in Worth and Beaubien Woods in Chicago. More information and registration is at chicagoriver.org.
Birds take center stage Saturday for the Forest Preserve District of Will County as it celebrates migration season. The 2023 Migration Celebration is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13, at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 W. Walnut Lane, Channahon.
“Migration Celebration is an opportunity for us to celebrate the vast numbers of birds that are moving through our county, especially at Four Rivers, during their spring migration,” said Jess McQuown, program coordinator. “The birds will be showing off their brightest feathers and singing their loudest, loveliest songs, making them entertaining and easily spotted by veteran and beginner birders alike. You can come to one location and see warblers, pelicans and buntings — possibly even on the same day!”
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Some of the bird species spotted at last year’s Migration Celebration included yellow-breasted chat, common yellowthroat, yellow warbler and indigo bunting.
The event includes guided hikes, Bird Bites talks and Wisconsin based Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center will present programs featuring live birds of prey at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Each presentation will be identical and will feature a golden eagle, a peregrine falcon, screech owls, a broad-winged hawk and a speckled owl.
The day kicks off with a Photography Bird Hike from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. at the preserve. More information is at ReconnectWithNature.org.