Did you know that over 250 species of birds and more than 5 million individual birds pass through the Chicagoland Area each Spring and Fall migration? That’s a lot of birds!
Whether it’s our famous Piping Plovers at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Sandhill Cranes at the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area south of Chicago, or Black Crowned Night Herons at Lincoln Park Zoo and along the banks of the North Branch of the Chicago River, there are countless opportunities for viewing birds of all shapes and colors.
Niles-Maine District Library is excited to announce new Birdwatching Kits, the newest addition to our Library of Things collection. Each kit comes equipped with everything you’ll need to get started in your birding adventures:
Choose a location. For deciding where to go, consult the birding guides included in the kit. Choose somewhere that is accessible and convenient. It really doesn’t matter if you’re in your own backyard, the Cook County Forest Preserves, or at the Indiana Dunes. The point is to get out there and experience the natural beauty of the world around us.
Familiarize yourself with the equipment. Both sets of binoculars come with printed instructions, so it’s advisable to read through those and get familiar with your equipment because the last thing you’d want is to miss an opportunity to spot a rare bird because you couldn’t focus your view fast enough.
Have fun learning. Observing nature is a great way to relax and connect with the natural world, and trying to track down an elusive species can turn into a lifelong pursuit. When you’re open to new opportunities and experiences, you never know what you’ll find.
While the Birding Backpacks contain two birding guides, you can also utilize a smartphone in your new hobby. A number of smartphone apps make identifying and logging birds easier than ever before. Apps like Merlin Bird ID, Audubon Bird Guide, and eBird can help with distinguishing a crow from a raven or a Harry Woodpecker from a Downy Woodpecker.
Stop by the Library with your Niles-Maine card, borrow a Birdwatching Kit, and get birding.
Check out these Library resources for more information on bird–watching.
