Lisle Arboretum bird watchers have eyes to the skies

For Vicki Vetter, the joy of bird watching is in the challenge of getting to know her feathered friends by sight or song — and the relaxation she finds along the way.

Over the last eight years, the Wilmette woman has explored the region and country for new habitats and species. On Saturday, that quest took her to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, where she and about a dozen other enthusiasts went for a morning bird walk.

“It’s one of those stress-free hobbies, and you can do it just about wherever you are,” Vetter said, taking a quick break from her binoculars. “It’s almost like hunting — but you don’t have to kill anything. And there’s always something new I haven’t seen before.”

Saturday’s walk marked the end of the arboretum’s winter bird-watching series and the start of its spring bird walks, planned for April 16, May 7, May 21 and June 4.

It’s the time of year when watchers usually see a flurry of activity, as birds return from warmer areas to the Midwest, said volunteer group leader Wendolyn Tetlow.

“You’ll see all the little songbirds coming back from South America and Mexico” in late April and early May, she said. “They’ll come through here in waves.”

Arboretum bird walks include a short lesson on the basics of bird watching before participants head quietly into the natural landscape. From there, watchers observe habitats such as woodlands, prairies and ponds, looking to identify birds by their shape, song, colors, and behavior.

Among those spotted by participants Saturday were robins, red-bellied woodpeckers, juncos, red-winged blackbirds and morning doves. The group also was abuzz over recent sightings of a pileated woodpecker at the arboretum, which is along Route 53.

Kevin Maloney of West Chicago was on his third bird walk since taking up the hobby. He said he works in the arbor culture industry and “climbs a lot of trees,” so it seemed like a fitting pastime to pursue.

“It gets me outside and it’s relaxing,” said Maloney, who was keeping a lookout for aquatic migrants.

Participation fees for Morton bird walks are $8 for arboretum members and $10 for the general public. Binoculars are available for loan at no charge.

For more information or to register for an upcoming walk, visit mortonarb.com or call (630) 719-2468.