In the Sky and In our Parks, They're Waiting to Be Seen

Aurora resident Wendolyn Tetlow doesn’t have to go far to experience the spectacular diversity of nature.

In fact, she need only travel the equivalent of four football fields on the Waubonsie Creek Trail to see a world of wildlife, of the winged variety, swirling around her.

Tetlow recently shared with the Fox Valley Park District some amazing information she has gathered during the last four years of walking and bird-watching along this stretch of trail—from McCoy Drive to the first foot bridge—that is bordered by the Park District’s Oakhurst Wetlands and Wetlands Park.

Would you believe Tetlow has viewed 82 species of breeding and/or migrating birds, and that 25 of those species were observed nesting and/or feeding amid the willows along the creek?

Those are staggering numbers, or so it would seem. But Aurora resident Vernon LaVia will enthusiastically tell you they’re average—and that’s good.

Urban as this area has become, there are still pockets of preservation where nature thrives. It also serves as a reminder that, with 155 parks, 24 lakes and 22 miles of Fox River shoreline, the Fox Valley Park District doubles as a bird sanctuary, both for year-round feathered residents and those that are just paying a visit on their annual migrations.

“More than 1 billion birds will come through here on an annual basis,” said LaVia, a bird-watching veteran of 46 years who pointed out that humble Illinois boasts 350 resident bird species.

They are there to be seen for those who stop and take a look. And it doesn’t require a field trip – or backwoods hiking skills, for that matter.

Last spring, LaVia took a group on a short tour, starting at McCullough Park on Illinois Avenue. Walking south along the Fox River, they spotted no fewer than 32 species in less than an hour, all within the shadow of downtown Aurora.

Those types of opportunities are available throughout the Park District, with terrific birding opportunities to be had at just about every park. Among some favorite view sites are Red Oak Nature Center, Jericho Lake, North Aurora Island, Gregory Island and Blackberry Trail Park, just to mention a few.

“This is the best time of the year for viewing—late March to early May—because all the bird species are active and the trees haven’t filled in with foliage yet, so sightings are much easier,” said Red Oak naturalist Margaret Gazdacka.

It’s sometimes easy to forget that your parks provide more than playgrounds, trails and ball fields. They also host a rich diversity of wildlife habitat with their creeks, ponds, swamps, meadows and trees. These parks are bird magnets; natural convention centers where winged visitors and residents alike flock and frolic.

So when you head out to smell the flowers and enjoy the sweetness of spring, make sure to stop, look and listen, too. This stuff is for the birds.