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.