Join Forest Preserve’s Migration Celebration; View Birds on the Move

The annual spring trek north by birds that wintered in the south will be celebrated by the Forest Preserve District of Will County during its Migration Celebration. The event will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 W. Walnut Lane, Channahon.

“Migration Celebration is an opportunity to celebrate the vast numbers of birds moving through our county, especially at Four Rivers, during their spring migration,” said Jess McQuown, a Forest Preserve 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. Participants can come to one location and see warblers, pelicans, and buntings – possibly even on the same day!”

Some of the bird species spotted at last year’s Migration Celebration included yellow-breasted chat, common yellowthroat, yellow warbler, and indigo bunting.

“I always love seeing the warbling vireo,” McQuown said. “It is an understated looking bird, with a very lovely song.”

Attendees will be treated to bird presentations, guided hikes, and short Bird Bites talks stuffed with avian information, and include the following…

• Birds of Prey: Milton, 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 features a golden eagle, a peregrine falcon, screech owls, a broad-winged hawk, and a speckled owl.
• Guided Hikes: One-hour guided hikes with different themes will be offered. A Warblers in the Woods hike is set for 10 a.m., and a Wings on the Water Hike is offered at 12:30 p.m.
• Bird Bites: The 10-minute Bird Bites sessions feature Magic Migration at 10:50 a.m., Birding for Beginners at 12:20 p.m. and Bird Banding Explained at 1:50 p.m.
• Photography Hike: If you want to be an early bird and take a hike prior to the start of Migration Celebration, join the Photography Bird Hike held from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.

The celebration also includes other bird-themed activities. “Families will have a chance to risk it all on their own migration journey game, color and create fantastic feathers, and enjoy a photo op at the human-sized bird-banding station,” McQuown noted.

Migration Celebration is supported by funding from Alliance Pipeline, a joint venture of Enbridge and Pembina, and through the assistance of The Nature Foundation of Will County. For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Will County, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.