603 bird species spied at Crabtree Nature Center

Citizens for Conservation in partnership with Prairie Woods Audubon Society, Crabtree Nature Center, and Leave No Child Inside recently presented the “Great Backyard Bird Count” at Crabtree Nature Center.

An annual event, connects bird watchers of all ages by counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are across the continent. As of Feb. 22, 603 species had been observed during a four-day period, and 11,994,783 individual birds were counted with the total rising each day.

Class participants watched a short video about the Great Backyard Bird Count before counting birds at a bird feeder just outside the classroom window. After preparing data forms with weather conditions, date and time, everyone ventured outdoors ready to count the birds. After hiking a trail past frozen lakes, past additional bird feeders teeming with hungry birds, and along the perimeter of a prairie winter landscape, eight bird species were recorded. A solitary red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpeckers, American crows, black-capped chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals, house sparrows, and the still mustard-colored goldfinches were tallied.

Returning to the classroom with data forms collected, participants created bird nests using soil, water, and hay. Ending the day’s activities was a welcomed hot chocolate donated by Jewel-Osco of Lake Zurich and copies of the ever-popular Audubon Adventure activity books donated by Prairie Woods Audubon.

To learn more about future Citizens for Conservation youth education classes or to register for an upcoming class visit www.citizensforconservation.org. For information regarding Leave No Child Inside, Crabtree Nature Center, or Prairie Woods Audubon, visit www.funoutside.org, fpdcc.com/nature-centers/crabtree-nature-center, or www.pwa-il.org.

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