Notes come from around Chicago outdoors.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Paul Vriend photographed a young red-tailed hawk “play hunting” at Rosehill Cemetery, noting, “After take a couple of passes at a goose feeding on the grass, the hawk started attacking a stick that was near the goose. The attacks mimicked just about every attack, pounce, swoop, seize, I have ever seen a hawk perform in the field.”
WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Sunday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).
DALE’S MAILBAG
“Because of the bird problems of the past year I have discontinued feeding them. I live in the co-ops in Park Forest and we have a lively population. And I love them.There have been no deceased creatures in my neighborhood. Am wondering if I can begin feeding them again. Is the pandemic still?” Bonnie
A: Good question. I am planning on putting my feeders back up. Cornell Lab of Ornithology tackled the question and came up this, “There has been widespread transmission of avian flu to wild bird species including waterfowl and raptors. However, there have been relatively few documented cases of HPAI in songbirds and other typical feeder visitors to date, although this may change with increased testing or changes to the virus. That means there is currently a low risk of an outbreak among wild songbirds, and no official recommendation to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry, according to the National Wildlife Disease Program. We do always recommend that you clean bird feeders and birdbaths regularly as a way to keep many kinds of diseases at bay.”
WILD TIMES
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Friday, March 28: Lemont dinner, Crystal Grand Banquet Hall, https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Lockport-Dinner-99277
SHOWTIME
Through Sunday, March 23: Illinois Deer Classic, Peoria Civic Center
Today, March 22: Riverside Fishing Club swap meet, 8 a.m.-noon, Berwyn Moose Lodge
The master list of outdoors shows, classes, swap meets and major ice fishing events are https://chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2024/11/28/outdoors-shows-master-list-for-2025-around-chicago-and-beyond
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Next weekend, March 29-30: First youth spring turkey season
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
March 29: Boat America, Chicago, Deborah Leja, d.leja.uscgaux@gmail.com
March 29: Introduction to Basic Boating Safety, Country Club Hills, Katie Libera, katie@waterwerks.com
HUNTER SAFETY
April 5-6: Beecher, bschunted@gmail.com
April 25 & 27: Peotone, 708-258-3343 or peotoneparkdistrict.com
The full state listing is at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
SCI Banquet
April 12: SCI Illinois & Chicago chapter’s banquet, Medinah Banquets, Addison