The buzz

If you venture out into the preserves these days, there's a good chance you'll hear chorus frogs making a racket as they call out looking for a mate.

Peregrine falcons aren't one of those birds we see every day, which makes them a prized find for many birders. Spotting one soaring overhead or swooping down to catch prey is a memorable experience. 

Now is the time to see woodcocks out in the preserves, and there's a lot to love about these birds — from the males' elaborate courtship ritual to their cute nicknames.

Find out by answering these 10 questions.

For Save a Spider Day, here are five reasons you should appreciate these creatures instead of despising them or, even worse, squishing them.

Have you spotted a common loon in a local waterway? Their time here will be brief.

Only one wild cat — the bobcat — lives in Illinois, but in other areas of its range the bobcat can be confused with its close relative the Canada lynx.

For those on you on hummingbird watch, there's good news to report: Hummingbirds have made it to the U.S. on their annual northern migration, having been spotted as far north as northern Florida, Louisiana and Texas. 

One of the most anticipated events among birders each spring and fall is the arrival of the American white pelicans, and now is the time you'll once again start seeing these birds along waterways in the area.

Test your knowledge with these 10 questions.