written by Yvonne Malone
Step outside into your neighborhood, the park or forest preserve… Now, stop and listen. Really listen… What bird sounds do you hear?
Birding expert and DuPage Birding Club Member, John Cebula, spoke about the fascinating world of birding, including how to identify birds, at Greener Grove’s May meeting.
Why Birds Matter
Birds are an important part of our ecosystem, helping with pollination, seed dispersal and even pest control.
They act as a biodiversity indicator: if a habitat is changing due to climate change, loss of habitat, or other factors, birds will respond early to these changes.
As birding gains in popularity, some communities are benefiting economically from an increase in tourism. Birding is also leading to increased attention to conservation efforts that preserve habitats and protect local bird populations.
Where to See Birds in the DuPage Area
John shared several of his favorite birding spots, including local DuPage County forest preserves like Green Valley, Hidden Lake, and Maple Grove, as well as Morton Arboretum and Cantigny.
One of the best times of day to observe birds is early in the morning. During Spring and Fall migrations you can catch a glimpse of birds not typically found in the area as they pass through on their way to their final destination.
How to get Started in Birding
The beauty of birding is that we can enjoy it in our own backyards and neighborhoods or venture to new places both near and far. It can be a solo activity or something we share with others.
Learning to identify birds by listening to their calls or songs, as well as observing their profile and field marks - for example, overall color, distinctive markings, and beak color - is key to understanding what we are seeing. John added, “Before you decide what the bird is, decide what it is not.”
To get started in birding and begin to decipher what you are seeing, John had these recommendations:
Invest in a field guide like Peterson Field Guide to Birds or the Sibley Guide to Birds (includes more detail) and learn about the birds in our area.
Purchase a pair of binoculars. The most common sizes are 7x35 and 8x42. (The first number refers to the magnification and the second refers to the diameter of the objective lens.)
Download a birding app like Merlin Bird ID, eBird, or Audubon Bird Guide. These are all free apps and each has different features.
In addition to resources linked above, here are several others to tap into to learn more and connect with others:
Local forest preserve districts
Facebook groups - Connect with John Cebula on his John’s Nature for All Facebook page
Take Action
John highlighted during his presentations that since the 1970s, the United States has lost 2.9 billion birds, which is approximately 25% of its bird population. Contributing factors to this loss include habitat loss, climate change, cats, and light pollution, especially during migration periods.
Actions we can take close to home include:
Use native plants in landscaping to attract native insects and native bees. Check out the Audubon Society’s bird-friendly native plant finder.
Replace lawns with native plants.
Clear out invasive species like buckthorn and garlic mustard.
Turn off or minimize outdoor lights at night. Learn more here.
A Postscript: Birding Field Trip
We enjoyed a hands-on learning experience several days later with a field trip to Lyman Woods, where we practiced identifying the birds we were hearing and seeing.
