Barb Dougan

DBC’s Summer 2024 photo contest winners have been finalized! The entries were judged by Andie Duffy, Steve Constantelos, Natalie McFaul, Thelma Hulka and Mike Warner. Because of the variety and quality of the submissions, the committee had a very tough time deciding on which pictures to recognize; the committee would like to thank all the photographers for their entries. Go to Members Photo Gallery to see the winning photos.

Presented by Mary Hennen, Director, Chicago Peregrine Program, Bird Division, The Field Museum We heard the fascinating story of the recovery of Peregrine Falcons in the Chicago area. Once on the Endangered Species List and extirpated in Illinois from 1951 until 1986, the Peregrine Falcon population is now past historic levels. Listen to the full presentation and learn how this now urban bird has adapted to living among us: https://youtu.be/euHcxwbq_yI For more information on Illinois Peregrines, be sure to check out the Illinois Peregrine Website and follow them on Facebook!

The DBC is looking for pictures of birds taken between September 1, 2024, and November 30, 2024. All photos are welcome: amateur, funny, imperfect, high-quality. The “story behind the shot” is taken into account when judging. The judges want this to be a fun contest; no categories have been predefined for award winners so every entry has a chance to win! Note: the judges ask that you limit the number of photos entered to five or less. They usually do not give out more than one award to the same author if they submit multiple images. The contest is open

Speaking of volunteers, as fall weather arrives, we turn to the future and planning for 2025. Do you have a few extra hours a month to give back to the DBC? Our continued success depends on volunteers who are willing to serve. Holding a Board position or chairing a committee is fun, stimulating and social. Why not give it a try? We have openings for the following volunteer positions: Vice President: Arranges for presenters for member meetings. Becomes President the following year. This is a most critical role to ensure the club’s continuity as an organization. Treasurer: Oversees the club’s

A good time was had by all at DBC’s annual Birding and Breakfast event on Saturday, August 3, at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve. We enjoyed beautiful, bug-free weather, caught up with friends old and new, enjoyed Starbucks brew and lots of breakfast goodies, and saw a few birds. Almost 50 people attended the event, showing that folks are eager to reconnect again.

Chicagoland birders will be out in force the weekend of September 14-15 as the first Urban Birding Festival gets under way. The agenda includes presentations Saturday and Sunday at the Peggy Noteabart Museum, a host of field trips and big sits around the city on both days, and a brewpub dinner Saturday night. This festive weekend is a collaboration of Chicago Ornithological Society, Chicago Bird Alliance, Feminist Bird Club Chicago, BIPOC Birders, and Red Hill Birding. DBC will be represented as a member of the Bird Conservation Network, a sponsor of the event. For tickets and information, visit www.theurbanbirdingfestival.org

The DuPage Forest Preserve was lauded in an article on May 16, 2024, in The Daily Herald for its commitment to sustainable practices. Titled DuPage Forest Preserve Takes in More Carbon than it Emits, the article cited the electric golf cart solar recharging building, geothermal at the new Willowbrook Wildlife Center, and other solar projects. Upcoming efforts include installing solar for the District headquarters and landfill gas to be harnessed into natural gas for clean electric energy. Clean air, water, and land are essential for the District mission to protect the natural environment for healthy habitats in DuPage County.

DBC members can help in the restoration and management of habitat for birds in our DuPage County Forest Preserves while having fun at the same time. The Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, the 501 (C) (3) charitable organization that raises private donations to support District programs, is holding two fundraising and fun events in September. All monies raised will be used to restore and manage wildlife habitat in the County. The first event is a rubber Duck Race on September 5 at St. James Farm Forest Preserve. You can purchase a duck to enter the race

It’s exciting to report some progress on bird-friendly building design here in the Chicago region. Birds rely on the moon and stars to navigate, and bright lights from reflective glass structures attract and confuse them. Often, they can’t perceive the glass and think they can fly straight through. The big news, of course, is that McCormick Place has begun a $1.2 million project to retrofit its glass façade with a bird-safe film that will deter migratory birds from flying into the building’s windows. After a tragic night in October of 2023 in which almost a thousand migratory birds perished as

The 2024-2025 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Duck Stamp, is now on sale. This year’s stamp features a Northern Pintail by Montana artist Chuck Black. The $25 stamp is an excellent way to support conservation of wetland and grassland habitats. The Duck Stamp is required as part of the annual license fee duck hunters pay, and it has also become highly collectible among stamp collectors, birders, and other nature enthusiasts. Since its inception in 1934, proceeds have contributed more than $1.2 billion to the conservation of more than six million acres of habitat in