The Buzz

All Buzz Articles

  • A red-bellied woodpecker on a tree branch.

    Looking to get into birding? Your local forest preserves are calling

    12/7/2022

    Birds 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

    11/22/2022

    In their adult plumage, golden eagles and bald eagles are easy to distinguish from one another. As juveniles, however, they look much more similar.

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  • A pair of sandhill cranes in shallow water.

    Five fast facts about loud but lovely sandhill cranes

    11/18/2022

    Sandhill cranes are the supermodels of the bird world, tall, elegant and eye-catching with their gray plumage and crimson eye patches. 

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  • Monee Reservoir at sunrise.

    Nature curiosity: Why do lakes turn over each spring and fall?

    11/10/2022

    Each spring and fall, our lakes undergo a quiet but essential change that keeps them healthy for aquatic species.

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  • A male and female ring-necked pheasant in grass.

    Ring-necked pheasants not native to U.S. but have thrived as a game bird

    11/4/2022

    Ring-necked pheasants aren't native to Illinois or even the United States, but these birds have been common since the 1800s after being introduced as a game bird.

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  • A bison grazing in grass.

    What's the difference?: Bison vs. buffalo

    11/3/2022

    Buffalo and bison are not synonyms, although the term buffalo has been in widespread use in reference to bison for centuries.

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  • A deer hiding in tall prairie grasses.

    What's the difference: Prairie vs. savanna

    10/20/2022

    When does a grassland become a prairie or a savanna? It has a lot to do with the trees, or lack thereof.

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  • A white-breasted nuthatch eating seed from a bird feeder.

    Love feeding the birds? Keep them healthy with regular feeder cleanings

    10/15/2022

    Keeping your bird feeders full is only half the equation when it comes to keeping the birds happy and healthy. In addition to keeping the food coming, you need to clean your feeders regularly too. 

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  • A black-and-white warbler on a tree trunk.

    Want to know if birds are on the move? Check the weather forecast

    10/11/2022

    Birds make the same migratory journeys year after year, but weather can play a big role on how many birds are traveling at any given time.

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  • Ants moving from leaf to leaf.

    Five fast facts about hard-working ants

    10/7/2022

    Ants are powerhouses in the animal kingdom, always busy and able to carry many times their body weight. There's plenty about them that makes them interesting.

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Current Headlines

Take It Outside challenge draws participants from as far away as Florida and Ireland

5/17/2024

While the bulk of Take It Outside challenge participants are from Will County, many are crossing county lines to take part in this popular program. 

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Rock Run Greenway Trail closed at Olympic Boulevard

5/14/2024

The Rock Run Greenway Trail section at Olympic Boulevard is closed for a City of Joliet project. The trail section is expected to reopen in the fall.

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