Bird watchers learn which ones stay through winter at St. Charles program

While most birds head south over winter, about 12 bird watchers and a novelist learned which hearty birds stay and brave northern Illinois winters, including northern cardinals, hawks, owls and other birds during a nature program Saturday in St. Charles.

Kane County Forest Preserve District naturalist Ben Katzen led about 12 visitors on a hike in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve near Creek Bend Nature Center. The 90-minute Winter Birds program included a brief introduction indoors, followed by a walk in the woods to spot winter birds.

While walking in a couple of inches of snow, Katzen explained how the birds have adapted to the harsh conditions. The group spotted several birds, including three downy woodpeckers, using binoculars provided by the center.

For information on future programs, call (630) 444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com or to view a full roster of nature programs, visit kaneforest.com.