Oak Park hummingbird: Mystery solved
Field Museum staff determined that the bird is a young female and of the rufous species, which typically lives in the West.
Bison herd coming to prairie near Chicago
“Bison are what we call charismatic megafauna, which basically means they are really cool big animals."
Mystery hummingbird in Oak Park puzzles experts
A hummingbird in suburban Chicago is drawing much excitement from casual bird watchers and experts around the country.
Backyard bird feeding: Harmful or helpful to wildlife?
As winter approaches, many residents in the Chicago region will be loading their bird feeders. But are they causing more harm than good?
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Oak Park hummingbird: Mystery solved
(POSTED: 12/26/11) For weeks local birders and experts around the country have debated the identity of a rare hummingbird discovered last month in Oak Park. Now, Chicago’s Field Museum has the answer. After extracting DNA from the base of two ta
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Bison herd coming to prairie near Chicago
(POSTED: 12/5/11) Within the next few years, a herd of bison may be roaming land that is just about an hour drive from Chicago. Officials from the National Forest Foundation and regional conservation groups recently unveiled a plan to reintroduce
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Mystery hummingbird in Oak Park puzzles experts
(POSTED: 11/28/11) A mysterious hummingbird that was spotted in Oak Park this past week is drawing much excitement from casual bird watchers and experts around the country. The bird was initially believed to be a broad-tailed hummingbird, a specie
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Backyard bird feeding: Harmful or helpful to wildlife?
(POSTED: 11/7/11) Renea Burman loves to share her Streamwood backyard with cardinals, blue jays and any other bird that wants a bite to eat. But lately her bird feeder has been attracting all sorts of critters. A raccoon and a skunk recently got i
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Mooseheart eagles building new nest
(POSTED: 10/31/11) It appears the Mooseheart bald eagles are here to stay, at least for one more year. The pair has recently built a new nest on the campus of Mooseheart Child City & School near Batavia, just a few trees away from where thei
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High-rise spiders find good homes on Chicago skyscrapers
(POSTED: 10/24/11) High-rise condos and office buildings in downtown Chicago are considered prime real estate -- especially for spiders. Countless spiders have found a home atop the city’s skyscrapers, and it’s apparently not a bad place to li
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More than 25 rabid bats reported around Chicago
(POSTED: 10/3/11) Forty-six bats have tested positive for rabies in Illinois so far this year, and more than half of them were found in the Chicago area. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, six cases have been confirmed in the c
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Skunks more visible now in Chicago area
(POSTED: 9/26/11) If your block smells stinkier than usual, it's not alone. More and more skunks have been roaming the Chicago area recently, experts say, and residents are taking notice. Local wildlife control operators have been busier than ever
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How your shampoo may be hurting wildlife
(POSTED: 9/21/11) Everyday products such as shampoo, sunscreen and pharmaceuticals are finding their way into water sources creating a “chemical soup” that is potentially harmful to local plants and wildlife, according to a pollution prevention s
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Des Plaines River Journal: The lords and ladies of the forest preserve
(POSTED: 9/19/11) In these woods cougar, panther and even black bears once roamed. These species are now, of course, long gone from here, not extinct but living in exile in other wilderness areas, especially mountains, far away. Up until several h
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Dragonfly swarms possibly headed to Chicago during migration
(POSTED: 9/12/11) Those still active along Chicago’s lakefront might want to keep an eye out for swarms of dancing dragonflies. Mid-September is peak migration time for the common green darner, one of the most visible dragonfly species in the r
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Chicago nature plan focuses on climate change, riverfront
(POSTED: 9/6/11) The City of Chicago recently unveiled a five-year plan to improve conditions for nature and wildlife in the city, squashing any concern that Mayor Emanuel would veer from his predecessor’s commitment to the environment. A commit
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Experts: Heat likely to blame for large fish kill in Arlington Heights
(POSTED: 9/2/11) Approximately 600 dead fish have been pulled from a lake in Arlington Heights, a northwest suburb, officials said. Dead gizzard shad first started turning up along the shores of Lake Arlington last Sunday. The park district i
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More sick waterfowl found around McKinley Park
(POSTED: 8/29/11) Weeks after dead and sick waterfowl were first reported near Southwest Side parks, more birds are continuing to be found in poor condition. Several birds that had been rescued, however, are showing signs of recovery. Since ear
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Local cemeteries are home for hawks, deer, other wildlife
(POSTED: 8/22/11) As a local cemetery manager, Dar Smigielski is responsible for all the day-to-day operations at the graveyard, from maintaining a nicely manicured lawn to helping families with funeral services. His job, however, also includes monit
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