Mayor Unveils First Chicago Region Birding Trail Guide

By Marci Buettgen

With the sun shining, birds singing, and a group of about seventy-five birders applauding, Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the publication of the first Chicago Region Birding Trail Guide, June 4th, during an outdoor press conference at Wooded Island in Jackson Park, on the south side of Chicago.

The Guide consists of 27 pages of four-color maps, photographs, and detailed information on more than seventy premier birding sites in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. It is now available, free of charge, at park district field houses, airports, museums and visitor information centers.

“This Guide highlights the incredible natural gifts of our region and offers an opportunity to Chicagoans and visitors alike to enjoy birding in beautiful natural areas,” said Mayor Daley. “The city can’t be made up of just concrete and steel,” he continued. “It must include and celebrate nature.”

To the delight of all Chicago Audubon Society (CAS) members attending the press conference, after the formal announcements were over, the Mayor took general questions from reporters while sporting a Chicago Audubon Society cap given to him by CAS President Joe Lill’s son, Jake.

“The Mayor was grateful for the hat and not only thanked Jake but put it on right away. When we watched the news later in the day Jake just kept pointing to the screen saying, ‘That’s my hat!’” according to Joe Lill.

The Chicago Department of Environment published the Chicago Region Birding Trail Guide in cooperation with the Bird Conservation Network (BCN), a coalition of 19 birding and environmental organizations, including the Chicago Audubon Society. Additional funding came from Chicago Wilderness, the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.

Jerry Kumery, a Chicago-based nature and bird photographer, supplied over eighty bird images, which brighten each page of the Guide, starting with a stunning Scarlet Tanager photo on the cover.

Inside, the Guide provides a wealth of information for each birding location. Details listed are: general description and history, address, directions, hours, telephone, best months for viewing, organized bird walks, handicapped accessibility and a website. Look for the helpful inserts with notes on where to find illusive species, such as Henslow’s Sparrow (Rollins Savanna), the Cerulean Warbler (Waterfall Glenn), and Upland Sandpipers (Midewin national Tallgrass Prairie).

The Chicago Region Birding Trail Guide is expected to increase ecotourism by attracting flocks of birders and other tourists from around the country. According to BCN President, Donnie Dan, “Now Chicago will no longer take a back seat to other birding areas, such as Texas, Florida and California. This Guide will help us reach out to the over 30 million tourists who come to Chicago each year and the 18 million birders who travel to pursue their hobby.”

Publication of the Guide is the latest in a series of steps the city has taken to make Chicago a bird-friendly, and a birder-friendly, city. Recent efforts include:

URBAN CONSERVATION TREATY FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS: Commits the city to protect the millions of birds that migrate through Chicago each year.

LIGHTS OUT CHICAGO PROGRAM: protecting birds from building collisions during migration seasons.

CHICAGO NATURE AND WILDLIFE PLAN: comprehensive plan for creating and protecting bird habitat.

BIRDS’ EYE VIEW: interactive and bilingual website with sections on bird migration and a Chicago bird gallery.

IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS (IBA’s): the Calumet region on Chicago’s south side recently designated as an IBA, with Chicago’s lakefront next in line.

Here are four easy ways to obtain the Chicago Region Birding Trail Guide:

1) Download a PDF version through the CAS website.

2) Pick up a copy at your local park district, forest preserve, the Morton Arboretum or the Chicago Botanic Garden

3) Pick up a copy at the Chicago Audubon Society office (Check office hours). Email the office for more info.

4) Order a copy by calling the Chicago Department of Environment’s hotline and leaving your name and address at 312-743-9283