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DuPage Forest Blog

Read the latest blog story from the Forest Preserve District, and connect to nature in DuPage.

Wildlife (4)

March 18, 2020

Restoring a Creek's Meander

Scott Meister

For many years, Spring Brook — as it flows through Blackwell Forest Preserve — has been channelized. That is, water flowed within a straight, narrow channel, which led to erosion...

February 3, 2020

Rare Northern Goshawk Released from Willowbrook

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

A spirited juvenile northern goshawk eagerly regained its freedom Thursday after being nursed back to health at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

December 23, 2019

Home for the Owl-idays

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Thanks to the dedicated staff at the Forest Preserve District’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn, a now-healthy short-eared owl has made its way back home in the wild in...

December 18, 2019

Birding in Blustery Winter Pays Off

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Savvy birders know that the coldest months can be some of the hottest times for backyard birding. You can attract birds to your yard by providing them with food, water and...

November 20, 2019

Be-leaf-ing

Dave Andrusyk

Autumn is a time to enjoy the crispness of the weather and the colors of the trees. The yellow, red and orange colors of the oaks, maples and hickories paint a beautiful...

November 15, 2019

Sandhill Cranes Overhead!

Keriann Dubina

What is that loud, bugling call high in the sky? It's sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) on their fall migration! (Hear samples of their distinct calls on Cornell University's ...

October 22, 2019

Pelican Reunited with Birds of the Same Feather

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

An injured American white pelican is back on track to fly south with its feathered friends after being treated at Willowbrook Wildlife Center and released near a flock of pelicans...

October 17, 2019

Scientists Search for Clues to Grassland Bird Habitats

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

More than a dozen ecologists from local conservation agencies toured the 1,800-acre Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville recently to explore and learn more about the...

October 9, 2019

Great Horned Owl Returned to its Home at Kline Creek Farm

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Duane Marski was walking the grounds of Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago recently when he noticed a large bird walking on a back road near the orchards.

September 9, 2019

Bald Eagle Reunited with its Family

Stephanie Touzalin

A female bald eagle was returned to her home and family after 21 days of TLC at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center.

September 6, 2019

Blanding's Hatchlings Raised by Shedd Aquarium Released in DuPage Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Like proud new parents, staff from the Shedd Aquarium released 23 Blanding’s turtle hatchlings in DuPage forest preserves this week.

August 21, 2019

Help Wanted: Pollen Patrol

Andres Ortega

Summer is a busy time in DuPage County, but many of the area’s busiest residents are so small they almost go unnoticed, even though they’re performing one of the most important...

August 12, 2019

Feeding Habits of Daring Dragonflies

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Dragonflies – while the origin of their name is a mystery, it is an appropriate description of these voracious predators. Both the aquatic nymphs and the flying adults are some of...

July 24, 2019

Birds of a Feather

Glenn Perricone

While out birding at Blackwell Forest Preserve the other day, a very curious pair of trail users caught up to me and inquired about all the brown ducks on the water. What species...

July 19, 2019

Help Wanted Spotting Rare Bumble Bee

Andres Ortega

In ecology, timing is everything. While some organisms can be easily found through much of the growing season, others can only be seen for a short time and have peak viewing times...

July 1, 2019

A Fish Tale to Remember

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

By David KoldoffI’m a fisherman and I’m not lying when I tell you: There’s a 42-inch northern pike lurking in Silver Lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville!

June 24, 2019

Taking Time to Remember our Wildlife

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

When you join the Willowbrook Wildlife Center family of staff and volunteers, you sign on to the commitment and service that goes with providing animal care to injured and...

June 18, 2019

If Trees Could Talk

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Think of your favorite wildlife — white-tailed deer, woodpeckers, white-footed mice, nuthatches, owls, squirrels. In one way or another they all depend on oak trees for food or...

May 29, 2019

Enlisting Crayfish to Help the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly

Tom Velat

Whenever we tell stories about nature, they can be very interesting but can get quite complex when you look at how many of the pieces are interconnected. This is what happens...

May 23, 2019

Protect Yourself from Ticks While Outdoors

Andres Ortega

We need to talk. It’s going to be awkward, it’s a subject we’d all like to avoid, but it’s best for everyone if we just put it out there: ticks are all around you.

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