Whose Coming to Town? Thousands of Love Sick Birds

March 11th marked the beginning of early spring migration for the birds (it goes through April 20, followed by late spring in migration).

Yellow rumped warbler

That's my favorite time of year. It's also the best time to bird watch because the trees don't have leaves yet to block your view, and the birds are all excited, singing, looking for mates, chasing each other out of territories, and mating. Lots of activity which is helpful in finding them.

During this time millions of birds will fly through Chicagoland as we are lucky enough to be in the middle of a major migratory route. This includes over 300 different species. Some will stop and nest, filling the air with love-sick songs and causing great delight for many birders young and wise.

There are many places around Chicago where you can see birds - just look and listen, they are almost that easy to find. If you want to make a special trip, you can visit the Chicago Audubon Society for detailed information.

A few of my favorite places (in Chicago) are the spillway at Argyle and Troy by North Park University, The Magic Hedge at Montrose and the Lake, Jackson Park south of downtown, and the North Park Nature Center. You don't need anything to enjoy the birds, but you may want to take binoculars, a field guide book, and a notepad. My 6 year old son, who has birded with me in the past, identified many birds without the binoculars - sometimes much easier for kids to just use their eyes.

If you find any injured birds please contact the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors - as they are a birds best chance to survive an unhappy collision with a building.

Finally, when you are out birding, remember the birds are nesting and it is best to keep a respectful distance and you don't want to distress the birds and have them abandon their nests.

I will be taking many trips around the city this spring. Let me know if you want to come!

Alexandra Gnoske is a nature lover, writer, author and blogger.

2012: Days to Remember

We are almost in our 3rd month of 2012! I can't believe it's almost March. Earlier today I was thinking about what "Peace" means and realized I should mark my calendar for the International Day of Peace.

On that note I thought I should make a list of all important dates for the year to make sure I remember them. So I hope this helps you too!

World Read Aloud Day: Wednesday, March 7th, 2012
World Water Day: Thursday, March 22nd, 2012
Earth Hour: Saturday, March 31st, 2012 8:30pm
Earth Day: Sunday, April 22nd, 2012
World Turtle Day: Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
International Day of Peace: Friday, September 21st, 2012
Green Halloween: Varies - Include National Costume Swap.
Food Day: Sunday, October 14th, 2012
America Recycles Day: Thursday, November 15th, 2012
End of the World: Friday, December 21st, 2012 (THAT IS JUST A JOKE!)

This should keep you on your toes. Now you can look for an event to join or share in the celebration, or plan your own event. Have a great year! I look forward to sharing with you and hearing about yours.

Alexandra Gnoske is a writer, blogger, author and nature lover. You can email her at agnoske@gmail.com

We helped 404 on our first day - OneSight in India

We helped 404 on our first day - North America

Click the link to read the blog post from OneSight - on their first day in India :)

What is OneSight?

I posted earlier this month about the amazing opportunity I received to go on a 2 week global clinic to The Gambia this May with OneSight.

What is OneSight anyway? They are a charitable organization (through the Luxxotica Foundation) that travels all over the world and the continental United States helping people see. They do this through their well trained volunteers and the regional and global clinics they have been hosting for several years. Since 1988, these charitable efforts have provided free vision care and eyewear to more than eight million people and have granted millions of dollars towards optical research and education.

OneSight provides several temporary global and regional clinics a year, as well as helping patients through local community outreach programs. You can help by donating money, new frames or gently used glasses.

Unfortunately what is considered used and then thrown away in the United States is often in quite good shape for other people around the world. I always try to find a way to extend the life of the things we buy. Last year I found Soles for Jesus, a great organization up in Milwuakee, WI., and was able to collect about 500 pairs of shoes for them to take to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They are there now and you can see many wonderful pictures on their facebook page.

You can also find out more about what people are doing at the OneSight clinics by visiting the OneSight blog.

I will be posting as much as I can about the experience. I hope you follow.

Alexandra Gnoske is a writer, author, blogger and nature lover.

The Great Outdoors 2012

I know there's a blizzard outside - at least in Chicago there is.

Female American Kestrel, our smallest falcon

But I can't help thinking about the great outdoors today. Because of the unusual weather this winter the bulbs are already popping through the soil and the birds are singing (well they were singing a couple of days ago). I even saw a female Kestrel setting up her nest by the church on Thursday. So I'm all worked up about getting ready for Spring - from planting seeds in the window box, to fixing up the strawberry patch, getting the outdoor compost going again, and planning my birding excursions for Spring Migration. Spring is on my mind...and getting outdoors!

(I had my hands in the worm compost the other day too - there's nothing like fresh soil to get your head into the mindset of Spring.)

I just finished this great book - "To See Every Bird on Earth" by Dan Koppel about his father's birding obsession. He was a big lister and saw over 7,000 different species of birds. Then I watched "The Big Year" with Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson all competing to see the most birds in one calendar year...I am so excited for Spring! If you you love birds and are all bundled up this weekend, pick up the book or movie, for some great entertainment and inspiration.

Me, I could never be a big lister - or competitive about birding. I love being outside so much but it puts me in a peaceful mood and I slow down for the moment. I can't imagine racing around and turning away from a bird once identified to chase another...although I do like seeing as many birds as I can. I enjoy a stillness, a oneness with nature.

Whether you can feel it or not, Spring is around the corner. So clean those trowels and get those starter seeds ready. The birds are already preparing! Get ready for the Great Outdoors.