Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation

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Chicago Tonight - Segment on Phoenix the Red-tailed Hawk injured in the Sugar Grove plane crash

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Hampel) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:20:00 +0000

Rising from the Ashes

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:29:00 +0000

In the midst of Saturday night's Sugar Grove plane crash that regretfully claimed the lives of two Florida men, stood the remnants of a large hawk. Phoenix, as she is now known, is believed to be a female Red-tailed Hawk that miraculously survived the fireball which engulfed her while she was sleeping in a tree near the crash site.

Burned beyond positive species identification, Phoenix was recovered by Kane County Animal Control and was promptly transferred to Flint Creek Wildlife for emergency care. Since that time four nights ago, she has been receiving around-the-clock care for her injuries.

She has demonstrated an inspiring spirit and resilience. Although her recovery time will be long, Phoenix stands a good chance of making a full recovery and being released back to the wild to soar once again.

Please keep her in your thoughts and visit our website at http://www.flintcreekwildlife.org/ if you are able to contribute to help offset the costs of her care.

Our sincerest appreciation to Kane County Animal Control and the sheriff's deputy who first spotted Phoenix standing in the snow near the plane wreckage.

Dawn

Ferruginous Hawk Recovered from Plow of Freight Train

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:26:00 +0000

The cover of today's Chicago Sun-Times featured a story on a Ferruginous Hawk that Flint Creek Wildlife recovered from the plow of a Canadian Pacific freight train in August. Journey, as the hawk is now known, demonstrated amazing will to live through the 1,000+ mile journey as it was wedged in a contorted position throughout his ordeal.

Thanks to the workers at the Canadian Pacific for noticing the bird's tail hanging down from the front of the train as it arrived at the Franklin Park rail yard long after dark. After realizing that the bird was still alive, the workers located Flint Creek Wildlife and called us after 11:00 pm. We arrived at the rail yard just after midnight and extricated the bird from the train's plow.

Thanks to Mitch Dudek, Tom Cruze and the Chicago Sun-Times staff for their amazing coverage of this brave bird!

Dawn Keller

Illinois Storm Warning

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:48:00 +0000

Last night brought signficant heavy, wet snow to northern Illinois. If you live in that area, please be aware that any nests might have been compromised. If you know of an active nest in your yard or area, please check to see if the nest was destroyed in last night's storm and, if so, check for any babies in distress. Particularly susceptible in Illinois right now are Grey Squirrels, Fox Squirrels and Great Horned Owls.

If you find a hypothermic (low body temperature) baby, immediately bring it inside and place it in warm bedding. Do not initially give the baby any supplemental head like a hot water bottle or heating pad as heating the baby too quickly could result in death. Do not feed or give water to the baby. Call a licensed rehabilitator in your area for further instructions. A full list of Illinois rehabilitators is on our website under the links section. (www.flintcreekwildlife.org). You may reach us at 847/842-8000.

Adults are also getting in to trouble today. Most susceptible will be migrants who aren't normally accustomed to dealing with this type of weather.

Thank you for helping us Save Lives,

Dawn

Saving the Birds

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:20:00 +0000

Felicia Dechter's Skyline News column this week featured a great article on Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation's rescue and recovery efforts. "Saving the birds" also talks about migration, reducing window collisions, how to volunteer for Flint Creek Wildlife and how to help if you find an injured bird.

Speaking of Felicia, her mom was just moved into hospice. Please keep them in your thoughts.

Dawn

"I Heard Your Message, But...."

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:35:00 +0000

"....I fed it anyway. I didn't understand why I shouldn't feed it. Why shouldn't I feed it anyway?"

So much for being able to put what used to be a perfectly healthy baby Great Horned Owl back in its nest. Thanks to the straw full of water that its rescuer put in its mouth, the owlet is now fighting for its life.

Case: 09-100
Species: Great Horned Owl
Diagnosis: aspiration pneumonia

The instructions that we and other wildlife rehabilitation centers provide are designed to keep rescuers from doing unintended harm....please follow them.

Great Horned Owl Caught in Soccer Net Released

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:47:00 +0000

The Great Horned Owl recovered from a soccer net Tuesday night (blog posting Owls Don't Play Soccer) was released last night. He flew strong and is hopefully now - once again - hunting to help provide food for his mate and owlets. This is the worst time of year to get in an injured Great Horned Owl since their babies have recently hatched, so we wanted to get this bird back to his home as quickly as possible.

Fortunately, he didn't sustain any injuries as a result of his run-in with a soccer net while he was catching his cottontail dinner. Others admitted to Flint Creek Wildlife have not all been so lucky. As a reminder, don't leave your soccer nets up at night!

Back to the owl, since I was releasing him at 1:00 am, I notified the police of my presence and mission. I figured that neighbors might get nervous seeing a car hanging out at that hour....

Dawn

Owls don't play soccer

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Hampel) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:13:00 +0000

Since owls don't play soccer why don't we all agree to take down our soccer nets at night. For what its worth they don't play badminton or volleyball either. The nets are a hazard to owls who hunt at night. Their amazing hearing allows them to track their prey but they don't see the nets.

Earlier this evening we got a call from Oswego where a Great Horned Owl had gotten trapped in a net in an open field. Vince and his family had spent the better part of the day trying to find someone to help. They think the owl might have been trapped since last night. He called the police, trapping services and other rehab facilities and no one could help or was willing to go to Oswego to save the owl. By the time we got the call he was running out of places to call.

Fortunately, Vince didn't give up and we were able to help. When I got there, Vince and his son took me out to an open field behind their house. At the base of the net was a Great Horned Owl completely entangled in the net. Next to owl was his dinner a big old rabbit. It looked as though the Great Horned Owl had just caught the rabbit and hit the net trying to get away with dinner. The owl was not happy to see us, even if we were there to help. I cut the owl from the net and put him a box to transport back the Barrington facility to remove the tangled netting and receive medical care.

At the Barrington Facility, Dawn removed the tangled netting, did an assessment and treated the owl for dehydration. She will evaluate the owl later today after it has time to calm down. Hopefully we will be able to return it back to the wild quickly. Its breeding season for Great Horned Owls and we don't know if this one has a mate.

So please think about the hazards that are up in yards, parks and schools. If you need to leave the nets out at least lay them down so its less likely anything will fly into them. This owl may have been lucky it was stuck but not hanging upside down and he didn't become dinner.

Thanks Vince for not giving up!!

WBBM 780 - Chicago's #1 source for local news, traffic and weather - Warmth Fun For Us, Not For Birds

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:55:00 +0000

WBBM 780 - Chicago's #1 source for local news, traffic and weather - Warmth Fun For Us, Not For Birds

Posted using ShareThis

Revelations

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:48:00 +0000

This morning, I read a post on IBET (Illinois Birders Exchanging Thoughts) from a member of Will County Audubon regarding an injured Mute Swan down by Channahon. I responded to the posting that if the bird was still there and in need of assistance, we would coordinate a recovery. In return, I received private emails from three different individuals providing helpful information regarding the swan, its location and its condition. I also received the following email:

"Hello, Dawn.

I don't mean to sound uncompassionate, but Mute Swans are a nasty invasive (species)that are killing our native wildlife. While no creature should suffer, of course, I think euthanizing it would be the best option regardless of its potential to recover. Rehabilitating the bird will only further degrade what little native wetlands we have.

Respectfully,

(Signature)"

I realize that not everyone thinks that Flint Creek Wildlife should treat non-native species. Through the years, I have come to realize that many people think we shouldn't treat certain native species - even some that are fully protected under state and/or federal laws. I have been surprised to learn just how many people have one or more species of animals that they dislike or even hate. If we listened to every one's opinion, we'd stop treating or even euthanizing all sorts of animals....but we don't. Why?

First, let me say that Flint Creek Wildlife's mission is to treat injured and orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning fully rehabilitated wildlife back to its natural habitat. There are three major species that we don't treat - skunks, bats and raccoons. We don't treat skunks or bats because it is prohibited by Illinois law. We don't treat raccoons because we don't have the space or funding to devote caging to this species and, due to a parasite of which raccoons are asymptomatic carriers, caging used for raccoons should not subsequently be used for other species. We do treat all other species of wild animal, native and non-native, even species that aren't my personal favorite. We strive to provide the best possible care to each and every animal that enters our facilities. We are in the business of Saving Lives.

Second, I believe that conservation begins in small ways. Sometimes a person develops a life-long love of birding and an awareness of conservation after finding their first bird. This can begin regardless of whether the first bird was a pigeon, house sparrow or starling. The act of helping another living thing, whether native or non-native, also instills a fundamental respect of wildlife to which we should all ascribe and which we should all promote.

Third, as a not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation center, we not only serve animals through saving their lives, we also serve residents of the communities in which we operate. We cannot effectively service our communities when we refuse to accept animals found in those communities.

Fourth, compassion for living things should be fostered in all of us. Compassion cannot be selective based on meeting certain species criteria.

Last, let me ask, have you ever held in your hands a living thing and determined whether it lives or dies? I have and I do, but when I euthanize an animal it's an act of compassion due to that animal's inability to survive. And it's never a decision to be taken lightly.

I guess we just see things differently.

Respectfully,

Dawn Keller
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi

Bad Luck Comes in Threes

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:05:00 +0000

Admittedly, I don't really believe in bad luck - or good luck for that matter. I believe that "luck" is generally made through hard work, perseverance and sound decision making. Did I say believe? Perhaps I meant believed?

So now I can only hope that bad luck comes in threes - not fours, fives, sixes or more. And if you didn't jump ahead reading this posting, then I'll give you a hint and re title this posting "We Need an Ark, Revisited, Revisited".

Those of you that follow our blog know that our Itasca location flooded in September and we were forced to evacuate over 40 animals from outdoor caging - thankfully without animal casualties. Cages were flooded over 2-1/2 feet deep with some cages up to my mid-chest. Our dedicated volunteers toiled over 250 hours scrubbing and sanitizing caging before the animals could be returned outside. We are planning to repair physical damage to cages this spring.

Enter December 27th with the polar melt and Itasca flooded again. This time the deepest cages were flooded to my knees. Still, we evacuated many animals to the safety of the building and there were no animal casualties. This flood was complicated by cold weather that will prevent us from returning many animals to outdoor caging until after the spring thaw so that we can appropriately scrub and sanitize cages.

Moving on to January 17th at Northerly Island in days following bitter cold during which the city of Chicago was apparently emulating the North Pole................. On the day that we're supposed to participate in the Chicago Park District's Polar Adventure Days at Northerly Island one of our volunteers arrives at our downtown facility to find that the Polar ice cap has melted - or perhaps it's just a burst (formerly frozen) pipe in the Men's Room.

Our facility at Northerly Island that we've worked on for so many hours and put any spare money and resources into fixing up for the last three years, is under 1-1/2 inches of water. Our beautiful wood laminate floor is ruined. The flooring guy says that all of the boards will buckle over the next few days and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Our cabinets are wicking up water. Just when the facility is almost done, we feel that we're back to square one.

Water may be essential to life, but I'm not feeling the love.

Know anyone that will donate flooring and installation?

Dawn

Letter to Animal Planet - Follow up to Quizno's Coyote

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:59:00 +0000

As promised, below is the primary content sent to Animal Planet. I am still networking in order to identify a contact at Animal Planet high enough to effectuate, or at least champion, the requisite change....please advise if you know anyone at the network.

Thanks,

Dawn

I was extremely disturbed to see the show “Weird, True and Freaky” last night, which featured the story of the coyote that wandered into a Quizno’s in downtown Chicago. Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation was directly involved in this incident. In fact, I personally examined this coyote when it returned to our Barrington facility. The depiction in the show might have been weird and freaky, but it was almost completely untrue. The show sensationalized the incident and presented an unfair depiction of the individual coyote and the species in general. Coyotes are already the subject of irrational fear and persecution – this show’s misrepresentations could only promulgate further irrational phobias.

If “Weird, True and Freaky” had any intention of accurately representing this incident, then it should have contacted those that were directly involved rather than utilizing alleged “Wildlife Experts” whose suppositions regarding this incident conveniently dramatized the show’s fictionalized account.

Until last night, I have always viewed Animal Planet to be an educational source that accurately represents wildlife and conservation issues. The experience we had taping Backyard Habitat reinforced my positive impressions of the network. Sadly, “Weird, True and Freaky” refuted prior positive beliefs. Animal Planet should be ashamed to run this type programming.

Quizno's Coyote on Animal Planet Postscript

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:36:00 +0000

My apologies to everyone we told about the Animal Planet show "Weird, True and Freaky" which is running a segment on the Quizno's coyote Adrian (see our blog archives for his original and accurate story). Please also note that we have deleted our original blog posting regarding the show so as not to refer further people to watch this show.

In my opinion, not only did the show fail to accurately depict Adrian, his physical state and the likely reasons why he entered the Quizno's, but in the spirit of sensational "reporting", the show also did a grave disservice to the species. Adrian was a perfectly healthy coyote who became extremely frightened and typically reticent after mistakenly wandering into Chicago's downtown loop. Further, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health website, there has not been a confirmed case of rabies in a coyote in Illinois in the last 18 years - to imply that this animal had rabies is simply irresponsible.

I will be writing to Animal Planet to voice my extreme displeasure over these inaccuracies. I will post a copy of this letter on the blog.

Dawn

.

Anyone See the Ark?? Revisited

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:53:00 +0000

For the second time since September we evacuated animals from outside caging at our newest location in Itasca. This flooding isn't nearly as bad as September in terms of depth; however, it presents some real issues in terms of reoccupancy.

September's waters were mid-chest deep in some locations and a good 2-1/2 plus feet deep everywhere else...today's deepest waters (thus far) are knee deep. The challenge with today's flooding is related to the cold. With frozen grounds and temperatures plunging into the 20's tonight, how long will it take the water to recede and will we be surrounded by a skating rink?

We've moved animals from outside caging to temporary caging inside the building. Accessing the building via waders with possible ice tomorrow will be interesting - to say the least.

Tomorrow some animals will be relocated to our Barrington location (critical care has already been moved to Barrington). For now, all other animal care will continue in Itasca. We'll decide if additional animals need to be relocated from Itasca once we see what happens with the water / ice.

I'm sure we'll incur additional structural damage over and above what we incurred in September. We will also need another lengthy clean-up and sanitation, which may not be able to occur until Spring since winter weather isn't conducive to using power washers and hoses!

Sorry - no photos today. Perhaps we'll take some tomorrow.

As in September, all animals are safe.

Dawn

Happy Holidays to All!!

noreply@blogger.com (Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:33:00 +0000

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Chickens and ducks, too

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:30:00 +0000

Yesterday's Chicago Journal article "Chickens and ducks, too" featured Red Door Animal Shelter, located on Chicago's north side. Red Door Animal Shelter is an important domestic animal rescue in the Chicago area as it helps species that aren't accepted by many other area rescue groups. Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation frequently refers callers to Red Door Animal Shelter for chickens, domestic ducks and domestic rabbits. We've even brought a domestic rabbit to Red Door, which they graciously accepted.

Red Door Animal Shelter is currently selling wreaths and cookbooks to raise money for veterinary and other animal care. If you're decorating for the holidays or buying a gift for that person who loves to cook, please consider contacting Red Door at 773/764-2242.

A Video Message from our Founder

noreply@blogger.com (Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:49:00 +0000

To make a donation online you can use either the PayPal or Firstgiving links on the right or you can mail in a donation to:

Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation
117 S Cook St #145
Barrington, Illinois 60010

Thanks for your support.

Happy Holidays!!!

Help Flint Creek Wildlife Save Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Hampel) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:12:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that Flint Creek Wildlife has been operating for almost 5 years. In that time, we accomplished much - yet there is so much more work ahead and so many more animals that need our help!

We are the largest privately funded wildlife rehabilitation center in the Chicago area with locations in Barrington, Chicago and Itasca. By 2008 year-end, we will have treated over 8,600 animals and expect to treat more than 3,000 animals next year alone. Our dedicated volunteers allow us to operate on an extremely lean budget; nonetheless, the costs of medical care, food and housing are high. We need to raise $125,000 annually to support our current level of operations.

In addition to treating injured and orphaned wildlife, we have a group of committed volunteers that go out each morning during migration to rescue birds that have collided with windows. Those birds are transported to our downtown Northerly Island bird hospital for treatment. Being able to efficiently and adeptly triage birds for these time-sensitive injuries resulted in an astounding 90% survival rate in 2007

We also have an amazing group of 19 non-releasable birds of prey that help us teach about the perils faced by wildlife while instilling respect for these magnificent creatures. We intend to expand our educational outreach in 2009.

In the end, the animals that depend on us are the best expression of the importance of our work. Take Old Red, for example, a non-releasable Red-tailed Hawk who almost lost her home of 16 years due to budget cuts, but was able to remain home because Flint Creek Wildlife privatized the program by partnering with the Village of Itasca. Or look at our blog story Love of a Lifetime about a Red-tailed Hawk that almost died from blood loss, but whose will to live ultimately resulted not only in his survival but also in being reunited with his mate.

Our work is dependent on your support. No amount you give is too small.

We thank you, our volunteers thank you, and the animals thank you.

To help please visit our Annual Fundraising Campaign Page at: www.firstgiving.com/flintcreekwildlife

You can visit my personal page at: www.firstgiving.com/philhampel
or Dawn's personal page at www.firstgiving.com/flintcreekdawn

or use the links on the right side of this page to make a donation via pay pal.

Thanks for spending time with us on this blog.

We wish you and your families and all the animals a very Happy and Joyous Holiday!

Phil

Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation is a state and federally licensed facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning fully rehabilitated wildlife to its natural habitat. Flint Creek promotes respect for wildlife and wildlife habitats through public education programs. Flint Creek also supports efforts to repopulate endangered and threatened wildlife species.

Flint Creek Wildlife currently operates its main facility from a property along Flint Creek in the greater Barrington, Illinois area. Flint Creek is seeking a larger property that will support its longer term growth.
Flint Creek Wildlife has satellite facilities in downtown Chicago at Northerly Island (formerly Meigs Field) and in Itasca at the Spring Brook Nature Center.

Flint Creek Wildlife maintains educational birds of prey on public display at its Itasca location.

Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation. Flint Creek Wildlife does not receive government funding and is entirely dependent on public donations. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed under law.

Come see us at Polar Adventure Days - Dec 13

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Hampel) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:29:00 +0000

Come visit with us this coming Saturday at Northerly Island from Noon to 4 pm. We will be participating in the Chicago Park Districts Polar Adventure Days. You will be able to meet some of our Educational Birds of Prey.

The program is admission free.

Polar Adventure Days offer families the opportunity to explore Northerly Island and come face-to-face with live animals, engage in winter activities, watch ice sculpture carvings, and create nature-inspired crafts.

The following features and activities will be available at Polar Adventure Days:
•The first 500 visitors receive a complimentary Polar Adventure Day mug filled with hot chocolate. Limit one per person.
•Nadeau’s Ice Sculpture carves magical creations on site.
• Various live animals will be on site to discover including our birds of prey.
•An arctic camping demo by Northwest Passage.
•Siberian huskies will be present and adventurers will talk about their Iditarod dog sled race experiences.
•Live entertainment including winter storytelling.
•Arts and craft tables for making nature-inspired creations.
•Free snowshoe rental for exploration of the island (if there is snow).
•REI will discuss winter activities.

This the first of 3 dates for Polar Adventure Days, Saturdays, Dec. 13, Jan. 17 and Feb. 21, at Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Dr., on the Museum Campus.

Northerly Island Bird Hospital on WTTW's "Chicago's Lakefront" Documentary

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Hampel) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:26:00 +0000

Channel 11 WTTW in Chicago is airing a documenatry tonight at 7:30pm called Chicago's Lakefront. Covering the history of Chicago's magnificent 50 miles of shoreline. As part of the documentary they filmed at the Northerly Island Bird Hospital and it is our understanding that we are mentioned in this documentary.

If you miss the premier, it will be rebroadcast tonight at 9:30, Tuesday December 9th at 7:30, and Sunday December 14 at 12:30pm and 7:00 pm. WTTW-DT will be running it contuinously from 5:00am until 5:00pm on Thursday December 4th.

A Toxic Field

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:55:00 +0000

The hunters shot over a corn field. They'd been using that field for years. Some of their best memories were shooting in that field. The hunters were careful not to bother or shoot protected birds that rested and fed in the fields. They were only there to hunt geese and duck that passed over the field during hunting season.

So when the Sandhill Cranes rested in the fields during migration, the hunters stayed away. No sense taking a chance.

The Sandhill Crane fed happily on grain in the field unaware that the field was normally used for shooting. Stomach full, the Crane continued his migration south.

The hunters would never know that the lead shards, full lead pellets and parts of the shell (the wad) would all be ingested along with corn and grain by the unassuming Sandhill Crane. Enough lead, in fact, to kill a bird.

And so it was....

Another tragedy of environmental poisoning.

On Thanksgiving

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:05:00 +0000

I am grateful to know my life's work and to pursue it. I am grateful for our patients' wills to live. I am grateful for our dedicated volunteers who help us Save Lives.

Dawn

Horned Grebe, Cold Waters

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:10:00 +0000

This Horned Grebe, a small migratory water bird, hit a window in our great city and descended to the walkway below. Like Loons, Grebes are meant for diving not for walking on or taking off from dry land. Grounded, he sat waiting for help. A passerby picked him up and phoned our Northerly Island bird hospital.

We treated the Grebe for minor head trauma and returned him back to water once he recovered. Unaffected by the cold waters of Lake Michigan, he flapped happily. We imagine that he was on his way from his summer home in northwestern Canada headed towards his winter home in the southeastern United States.

Thank you, Bob Vogelzang, for taking photos of this release and for giving us permission to use them on our blog!

Bye Bye Birdie - Flying South for the Winter

dawn@flintcreekwildlife.org (Dawn Keller) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:07:00 +0000

Well, migration is coming to an end for the fall. Birds of prey, which migrate during the day, are still coming through...so are Sandhill Cranes. For the most part, however, the small migratory birds have already passed through our area.

Some birds migrated to southern Illinois while others went to places like the southern United States, West Indies or Central America. Migration is a very dangerous time for these birds. Not only does migration require significant stores of energy, but birds sometimes get caught in storms, get pushed out over vast bodies of water or cannot find food because of frozen ground and snow cover. They also face dangers such as window collisions, errant hunters, oil spills, and lead contamination over feeding grounds.

Birds will be resuming migration in the spring. Generally, the latest small migrants to come through Chicago in the fall are the earliest migrants to pass through in the spring. We basically see the species arrive in the reverse order that they left in the fall. Look for American Woodcocks in the spring as they will signal the beginning of migration.

We'll still see birds during the winter. Some of these have migrated from north of here and Chicago is part of their winter grounds. Others are year-round residents.

Bye bye birdies and safe travels.