A bird you might miss in the Barrington area unless you know something of its habits and movements is the common nighthawk (Chordeilus minor). Late August and early September is the perfect
If there were a prize offered for the most elegant among songbirds, the cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) would be a serious contender. Sleek, crested, black-masked, suavely-toned in fawn and yellowish plumage with
A month into summer, birdsong has diminished considerably. But a few species still vocalize regularly. One of the most conspicuous songsters is the indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea), a diminutive summer resident of
One of the more stunning species that nests in the Barrington area is the scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea). Even a momentary glimpse of the bird elicits a visual – and often audible
Update: On the morning of June 9, 2015, Jim Bodkin and George Pierce of Citizens for Conservation with Robert Sliwinski, the original engineer of the rookery structure, paddled to the Baker’s Lake
Discover the wonders of Barrington’s prairie land with Citizens for Conservation’s second season of Self-Guided Prairie Walks at Flint Creek Savannah. The upcoming walk on Sunday, July 5th, will feature wildflowers on
Starting on June 7th, Citizens for Conservation will be hosting its second season of Interactive Self-Guided Prairie Walks at Flint Creek Savanna, located at CFC’s Headquarters, 459 W. Hwy 22 in Lake
A frequently overlooked bird that returns to the Barrington area each spring, sometimes as early as late March, is the eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus). I learned its name as the rufous-sided towhee
If you have been the least bit attentive to bird activity or song these days, no doubt you have noted the return of red-winged blackbirds to the Barrington area. My mother-in-law does
As I write this profile near the end of a frigid February, there is little indication that migrants will begin to return to the Barrington area anytime soon. So I’ll focus not
It’s that time of year again! A new season of eleven upcoming Spring Bird Walks & Hikes with naturalist Wendy Paulson will kick off on April 3rd. All are welcome to explore
Recently a friend emailed me about a scene he observed outside the window of his kitchen in the early morning: “There is this Downy Woodpecker that has been roosting each night in
Citizens for Conservation, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the Village of Barrington have once again collaborated to complete the ultimate recycling project! This weekend they gathered to refurbishing the
If you’ve always wanted to pitch in and help Citizens for Conservation refurbish the rookery island in Baker’s Lake with our discarded Christmas trees, here’s your chance! All are welcome to join
The migrant birds mostly departed the Barrington area a couple months ago. A few may linger – some bluebirds, robins, perhaps even a yellow-rumped warbler or two. Some may be able to