Lots of birds visit our backyards every day, but how do you learn about a bird you can’t identify?
Carol Smith, a Sun City resident, posted on the Wildflower Facebook page: “Buffleheads, robin, ringbills, cardinal, and loon… today in Sun City!”
The photographs and post generated many comments and interest from residents.
Bill Dollear said, “We need a bird watching group.”
Amy Sanecki responded and said, “That is a wonderful idea! Please count me in. Kane County Forest Preserve District offers several programs, but it would be so nice to have a Sun City group.”
Dollear read the enthusiasm in the group and said, “Let’s just pick a time and place and meet.”
Bird watching is a fun hobby you can do anywhere, anytime, without spending much cash up front.
Kari Freeman, another resident, has reached a goal that is strived by most bird Midwest birders: identifying 300+ species. Freeman said, “Starting in the summer of ’95, I took courses at the College of DuPage and the Morton Arboretum that led me to certification in ornithology. I took many academic classes, including avian anatomy, and went on many birding trips. After that, I moved on to studying for my bachelor’s degree and had less time for weekend birding. Birding, though, is the one thing that’s stuck with me. I started birding and keeping checklists before cell phones. Nowadays, the identification of birds and their song is made easy by phone apps like Merlin Bird ID.”
Karen Makowski agrees, “You just snap a photo of a bird and Merlin will offer a shortlist of possible matches.”
Merlin works offline and offers quick identification help for all levels of bird watchers to help you learn about the birds across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
What piqued the interest in bird watching?
Sharon Cleveland said, “My grandmother started my birdwatching. My husband and I both enjoyed and continued the tradition. You have to go out to see the birds.”
People begin watching birds for lots of reasons. Some, like Cleveland, have a lifelong interest in nature, while others become interested later in life. The pandemic slowed activities down a bit and some started noticing the birds. Some love the challenge of identifying birds and learning their songs and behavior.
What tools are used for identifying species of birds?
Makowski said, “Good binoculars are nice to have, the phone app or a field guide to birds.”
What are some recommended places to spot birds?
Eleanor Quela-Banasek said, “Pleasant Valley Conservation Area in Woodstock, is great. Also, Three Oaks, and Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin. I have seen great songbirds from the second floor of the Elgin library.”
Freeman added, “Mother’s Day marks the migration here in Illinois for songbirds.”
Where are some great spots in Sun City?
Sanecki said, “At the end of Wildflower Lake, by the Community Garden Plots, and in your backyard.”
You can also see some great photos of local birds exhibited by Sun City Photography Group. Jeff Stipes, a member of the Sun City Group, said, I have approximately 100 bird photos from members that I could set up to run as a slideshow on our 40″ wall-mounted TV in the computer lab for May. Interestingly, our June photoshoot is ‘Backyard Birds’ which we will most likely print for display in August. The success of the June shoot will depend upon the governor lifting the moratorium on backyard bird feeders and baths; bird flu!”
Quela-Banasek warns, “Illinois residents who have bird feeders or birdbaths at their homes are being asked to remove them through the end of May due to the spread of the avian flu that has affected the state’s wild bird population.”
Any interest in birds and birding is sure to bring unexpected joy, knowledge, and experiences to your life.
If you are interested in joining the Sun City group, you can contact Amy Sanecki at redsled150@aol.com.
