The Buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A bobcat standing in short grass.
Five facts about stealthy, solitary bobcats
3/24/2023Read moreOf the 40 wildcat species in the world, just the bobcat lives in Illinois, and even its existence here is a surprise to many people.
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A young squirrel sleeping in a tree cavity.
Check your trees for nests before trimming or pruning
3/23/2023Read moreThe trees may still be dormant at this time of year, but they could still be full of life. If you're planning to trim or prune your trees, make sure to give them a good once over to check for active squirrel and bird nests.
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A hand drips water onto a plant.
Five ways to conserve water around your home
3/22/2023Read moreWater isn't an unlimited resource. As water scarcity increasingly becomes a problem across the globe, efforts to conserve it become more crucial.
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A Canada goose standing on one leg in shallow water.
Nature curiosity: Why do birds stand on one leg?
3/10/2023Read moreBirds stand on one leg for one simple reason: to help them stay warm.
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A peregrine falcon diving in flight.
What you need to know about our fierce, high-flying falcons
3/3/2023Read moreIf you think about large, imposing birds that we see soaring above or perched on high while scanning for a meal, raptors like hawks and eagles probably come to mind. Maybe even owls. But there's another kind of raptor we see that can be just as imposing — falcons, three species of which can be seen in Illinois.
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A side-by-side comparison of a turkey vulture and black vulture
What's the difference?: turkey vulture vs. black vulture
3/2/2023Read moreWe usually only have one vulture species in town, but in places where their ranges overlap, turkey vultures and black vultures can be difficult to distinguish from one another.
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A robin standing in grass.
Five fast facts about our most familiar bird, the American robin
2/15/2023Read moreRobins are among our most common and familiar birds, known to almost all even at a young age. But there's more to them than meets the eye.
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Two clusters of zebra mussels on a rock in the water.
What's the difference?: Non-native vs. invasive species
2/7/2023Read moreNot all the plants and animals that grow and thrive in their ecosystems belong there. Some are non-native, and among those are some that are considered invasive.
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A red fox standing on a large rock in the dark.
Nature curiosity: Why are some animals nocturnal?
1/27/2023Read moreWhy do some animals prowl around under the cover of darkness? Because it helps them survive and thrive.
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A snowy owl with wings outstretched on the snowy ground.
Five fast facts about stunning snowy owls
1/20/2023Read moreHave you ever been lucky enough to spot a snowy owl? Learn what makes these owls such a prized find.
Current Headlines
Commemorate summer of the cicada with a Forest Preserve T-shirt
Prepare for the 2024 cicada emergence with Forest Preserve T-shirts designed to mark this unusual occurrence. Two shirt designs have been created and can be purchased at OutsiderThreads.com. All proceeds benefit The Nature Foundation of Will County.
Bald eagle nesting update: We have confirmed seven eaglets in four nests
The bald eagle population has been booming in Will County in recent years, and we're monitoring four active nests.