Remember when Canada geese were a fly-by-night group? Back then, before our resident goose populations took hold, it was big news when these large, majestic…
Canada Geese
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Every family has one. You know what I’m talking about – that one relative who is gifted beyond belief with agility and coordination. In our…
Northern Shrike
Citizens of Kane, beware: The butcher birds are back! That’s right folks-Lanius excubitor has returned to our fair land. But instead of running for cover,…
The Joys of a Heated Birdbath
It seemed like such a good idea at the time. For years I’ve touted the benefits of winter water sources for wildlife. And while we’ve…
Hairy Woodpeckers
Although the word “hairy” isn’t itself inherently bad, it’s often used to describe something that is less than ideal. A hairy situation typically is one…
Winter Wrens
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never really thought of the TriCities, or even the greater Chicagoland region, as a hotbed for cave dwellers.…
Hermit Thrush
Not long ago Hickory Knolls had the good fortune to host several hundred seventh graders from Thompson Middle School in St. Charles. Their objective was…
Blue Jay Calls
There’s no mistaking the distinctive call of the blue jay. Or is there? Most folks can easily associate this common bird with its characteristic “Jeer!”…
Nighthawks
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not very good at texting. Half the time I don’t realize I’ve even gotten a text. And when…
Sound of Silence
Did you hear what I heard? Every morning for the past week or so, as I’ve crawled out of bed to greet the day, a…