Forest Preserve Hosts Migration Celebration at Four Rivers

Learn the secrets of migrating birds during the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Migration Celebration set for Saturday, May 14, at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it will feature live raptor presentations by Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center, wildlife photography from local artists, bird seed samples, birdhouses and sculptures for sale from PK’s Wood Things and food truck fare for sale from Lil’ Deb’s Mobile Eats.

Keynote speaker Joel Greenberg will present “On Contested Ground: The Changing Nature of the Prairie Forest Ecotone” at 9 a.m. Attendees will learn how the statuses of plants, birds and other wildlife have changed since Europeans first arrived in 1673.

MIGRATION CELEBRATION SCHEDULE
Here is the schedule of events for Migration Celebration:
9-9:45 a.m.: Presentation by keynote speaker Joel Greenberg
9-9:45 a.m.: Guided family bird hike
10-10:30 a.m.: Hoo’s Woods live raptor presentation
10:30-11 a.m.: Mini guided bird hike
10:30-11:45 a.m.: Extended guided bird hike
11-11:30 a.m.: Hoo’s Woods live raptor presentation
Noon-12:30 p.m.: Hoo’s Woods live raptor presentation
12:30-1 p.m.: Mini guided bird hike
Ongoing activities will include crafts and family activities and information booths for the Will County Audubon Society and The Nature Foundation of Will County.
Registration is not required for this free, all-ages event.

TINY TRAVELERS

“Migration Celebration is a time to celebrate spring and all the birds that are making long journeys to their summer breeding grounds,” said Erin Ward, a Forest Preserve District program coordinator. “The forest preserves offer resting grounds for migratory birds and give us a unique opportunity to celebrate and appreciate these magnificent creatures.”

Songbirds migrating from South America pass through the Will County area on their way to breeding grounds in the forests of Canada. These tiny travelers use forest preserves as stopover spots to rest and refuel, and that journey is what is being celebrated at the May 14 event.

“We aim to bring awareness to our guests,” Ward said. “To inform them of the incredible journey each bird takes, share information on why forest preserves are so important to birds, and give them an amazing opportunity to see some migratory songbirds.”

The event also will focus on larger migratory birds, including waterfowl and raptors, and Wisconsin-based Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center will be bringing a few migratory raptors for visitors to see up close during the presentations. Scheduled to appear are a broad-winged hawk, peregrine falcon and barred owl.

And this year's keynote presentation by Greenberg will give the Migration Celebration a broader perspective, Ward said.

“Joel Greenberg is a local published author who focuses on Chicagoland’s natural history,” she explained. “We are excited for him to share his lifelong love of birds as well as expertise on how our area’s flora and fauna has changed from pioneer days until today. He offers unique insight into the past while providing lessons on how we can improve in the future.”

Greenberg will be selling copies of his four books.

For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Will County, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.