Nature lovers flock to see birds in Long Grove

Nature lovers young and old took to the woods to see birds of all kinds during "For the Birds" weekend at Reed-Turner Nature Preserve in Long Grove.

Visitors had a chance to take a guided bird walk through the diverse areas of Reed-Turner, see live birds of prey from Barn Swallow Rehabilitation Center and Stillman Nature Center, and have birding questions answered by Lake County Forest Preserve specialists.

A birdhouse silent auction with handmade birdhouses was held to benefit the Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center and the Long Grove Park District.

"Long Grove Park District is one of the very few park districts not supported by taxes," said Nancy Ford, the district's recreation coordinator. "We are strictly nonprofit, so anything like this helps support park projects."

A craft area allowed children a chance to create their own paper birdhouses and color pictures of birds.

During a special reception held Sunday, long time Long Grove Park District volunteers Lee Bassett, Bob Borg and Harvey Lease were recognized for their service with special plaques.