FOREST PRESERVES DISTRICT INVITES BIRDERS TO SPRINGTIME WARBLER WATCHING

Join Forest Preserve District of DuPage County naturalists for “Birding at Willowbrook” and “FullersBird Fridays,” and meet some of spring’s most eagerly anticipated migratory birds: the warblers.
      “Birding at Willowbrook” is for ages 10 and older and takes place Tuesdays April 16 – May 21
from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. Registration isn’t required for these free walks, but adults must accompany children. Call 630-942-6200 for details. “FullersBird Fridays,” which is for adults only, takes place at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook Fridays April 12 – June 14 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Hikes are $6 per person per hike, and registration is required at 630-850-8110. Neither program is strictly warbler-focused, but both introduce participants to some of the 30 warbler species that pass through DuPage County on their way to summer breeding grounds.
      With striking markings and evocative names like yellow-rumped, cerulean and prothonotary, it’s no wonder that warblers are many birders’ favorites. They can be difficult to identify, but as Willowbrook Wildlife Center naturalist Ron Skleney explains, spring is a good time to start. 
      “Warblers’ colors are more intense in the spring, and their melodic songs help with identification,” he explains, songs like the yellow warbler’s “sweet, sweet, sweet, I am so sweet.”

      Skleney, author of “Forest Jewels” from the spring 2013 issue of the District’s publication The Conservationist, adds that beginners should practice their bird-watching skills before the height of warbler migration, which is usually between late April and mid-May. (To read Skleney’s article, visit dupageforest.org and click on “Forest Preserve News” and “The Conservationist.”)
      Many warblers are woodland dwellers, which makes forest preserves such as Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, West DuPage Woods in West Chicago and Waterfall Glen in Darien good birding destinations. But species such as blue-winged, chestnut-sided and palm warblers prefer more open shrublands, such as those at Herrick Lake and Danada forest preserves in Wheaton.
      Established in 1915, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County manages over 25,000 acres of prairies, woodlands and wetlands. Each year, over 4.3 million visitors enjoy the District’s 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers, and scores of scheduled programs and events. To learn more, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.