The Buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A side-by-side comparison of a gray squirrel and a fox squirrel.
What's the difference: Eastern fox squirrel vs. eastern gray squirrel
1/11/2023Read moreThe sight of a squirrel zipping up, down and all around our trees and forests is a familiar one to most people, but the zany antics of these critters can be the work of one of two species: fox squirrels or gray squirrels. Learn the difference between them.
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A white-tailed deer in the snow.
Feeding deer in winter: You're doing more harm than good
1/9/2023Read moreThink you're doing the deer a favor by feeding them in winter? You're actually doing them much more harm than good.
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An American mink alert in a grassy field.
Five fast facts about secretive American minks
12/30/2022Read moreThat furry, brown critter scurrying along the shoreline might just be an American mink, one of our lesser known semiaquatic mammals.
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A hairless Sphinx cat standing on a rock.
Nature curiosity: Do other mammals go bald like humans?
12/22/2022Read morePlenty of humans go bald, but do other animals lose their hair as they age?
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Horseshoe crabs on the shore.
You may bleed red, but not all animals do
12/21/2022Read moreRed blood certainly isn't unique in the animal kingdom, but it's far from universal.
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A trio of whooping cranes flying over a wetland.
Why are whooping cranes still so rare?
12/16/2022Read moreThe story of the whooping crane is a troubled one that nearly ended with these majestic birds' extinction. And while small populations of these cranes still do exist today, they haven't experienced the conservation successes that we've seen with other birds, like bald eagles and great egrets.
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A side-by-side comparison of a house mouse and a Norway rat.
What's the difference?: Mouse vs. rat
12/15/2022Read moreIf you see a rodent scurrying across your floor, you may not care if it is a mouse or a rat, but there are several key differences between them. And while some mice and rats are non-native nuisances, native species of both also live in Illinois.
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A red fox.
Five fast facts about resourceful red foxes
12/9/2022Read moreThe red fox is the only fox that lives in northern Illinois, and they have earned their reputation for being clever and cunning.
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A red-bellied woodpecker on a tree branch.
Looking to get into birding? Your local forest preserves are calling
12/7/2022Read moreBirds aren't exactly a rarity in our world, populating just about every type of habitat worldwide in good numbers. But if you want to see a variety of birds or brush up on your local birding knowledge, the Will County forest preserves are a good place to start.
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golden eagle on the left and bald eagle on the right
What's the difference?: Bald eagle vs. golden eagle
11/22/2022Read moreIn their adult plumage, golden eagles and bald eagles are easy to distinguish from one another. As juveniles, however, they look much more similar.
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.