The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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Beaver chewing wood
Creature feature: Nature's lumberjack, the beaver
12/7/2018Read moreBeavers' ability to build structures is one of the most significant in the animal kingdom and these animals are second only to humans in their ability to change the environment they live in.
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A wild turkey's head
Creature feature: The big, colorful wild turkey
11/16/2018Read moreMost of us think of turkey as the star of the Thanksgiving table, but these birds live among us too, right in our own forests and prairies.
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Great horned owl perched on a tree branch
Creature feature: The predatory great horned owl
11/15/2018Read moreThe great horned owl is most well known from storybooks and folklore, because it is the owl that makes the famous hooting call.
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Coyote with a squirrel in its mouth
Creature feature: Coyotes, the opportunistic eaters
11/7/2018Read moreCoyotes try to remain unseen, hunting under the cover of darkness to protect themselves from being hunted.
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Canada goose flying upside down
Why is this Canada goose at Lake Renwick flying upside down?
10/25/2018Read moreIt's not your common, everyday occurrence.
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Sandhill cranes in the river
Creature feature: The tall, bulky and elegant sandhill crane
10/23/2018Read moreSandhill cranes are a magnificent sight, whether flying overhead or congregating in prairies and fields, but we often realize the birds are nearby because we hear them before we see them.
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Merlin perched on a branch
Creature feature: The elusive, fast flying merlin
10/12/2018Read moreThese birds are smaller than most falcons, known for their powerful flying and astute hunting abilities.
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Close up of a praying mantis' face
Creature feature: Praying mantis is perfectly designed for hunting prey
10/3/2018Read moreSeptember and October are the most common times to see these intriguing insects.
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Black squirrel on the ground
Have you seen any black squirrels in the preserves?
10/2/2018Read moreWhile no hard data exists, anecdotal evidence indicates this black squirrel at McKinley Woods is indeed a rare find locally.
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Two skunks on a log
The stink on skunks
8/2/2018Read moreIf you — or more likely, your dog — find yourself on the receiving end of a skunk’s stinky spray, you can’t say you weren’t warned.
Current Headlines
Start your autumn with family-friendly fun at Fall on the Farm event on Sept. 14
Fall on the Farm is set for Saturday, Sept. 14, at Riverview Farmstead Preserve. Attendees can explore the 19th-century buildings, visit a petting zoo, try their hand at farm chores, view antique tractors and enjoy live bluegrass music.
Visitor centers to close on Labor Day, bait shops will be open
Forest Preserve visitor centers will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, for the Labor Day holiday, but concession stands will be open at Monee Reservoir in Monee Township and Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve in Bolingbrook.