by Judy Pollock

Why did West Nile Virus spread so quickly in 2002? What will happen in future years? You are invited to join the University of Illinois, Audubon Chicago Region and the Bird Conservation Network in a three-year study of West Nile Virus to answer these questions. Experienced birders are needed to work with U of I researchers for the segment of the study which will determine whether there are differences in bird species composition between WNV hot spots and other areas. The larger study will pull together layers of data on mosquitoes, demographics and landscape features as well as birds, in order to model the spread of the disease.

Birders are needed during the nesting season to count birds along pre-set routes in and around key neighborhoods in Cook County, including a number of routes in Chicago. This avian population census is key to understanding the role of birds in disease transmission and to better protect both birds and people from West Nile Virus.

A training workshop will be held at Northerly Island on Saturday, April 9 from 2 – 4 pm with Jeff Brawn and other researchers from the U of I. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Judy Pollock: jpollock@audubon.org. (847) 965-1150