May 1, 2024
Some years ago, it was shocking to learn that one of my favorite ornamental shrubs, burning bush (Euonymus alatus), is invasive. It took a while for this news to sink in, and after seeing it invade woodlands across southern Illinois, I finally came to terms with the bad news.
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Efforts in recent years to clean up the Chicago River system have led to increases in fish numbers and diversity in this waterway, but the environment still poses challenges to fish living in the river system. Do fish have the conditions they need to thrive?
MoreMay 1, 2024
The bobcat is a charismatic species, shrouded in mystery and a species that challenges and captivates wildlife enthusiasts. Once rare in the state, the return of the bobcat to Illinois is a testament to the intricate dance between wildlife and the environment. Learn how volunteer reports from the public helped wildlife professions expand our understanding of bobcat populations and distributions.
MoreMay 1, 2024
The April sun was just revealing itself as the strangely shaped boat crawled past the Waukegan Harbor lighthouse. The captain rocked the throttle, and the engine responded with an increased roar and the building whine of a turbocharger. Inside the belly of the vessel, IDNR Lake Michigan Program biologists settled in for a 45-minute run to the first of two bottom set gill nets set as part of the annual Lake Michigan Spring Index Assessment.
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The Illinois Pollinators website developed by University of Illinois Extension is beautifully designed and provides a wealth of information about pollinators and starting your own pollinator garden. Divided into six main sections, you will want to spend time exploring this eye-catching and thought-provoking resource. Read on for a taste of what you can expect to find.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Ticks aren’t just a nuisance but also vectors for various diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and alpha-gal syndrome. With the prevalence of tick-borne illnesses on the rise throughout areas of Illinois, monitoring tick populations is a crucial step in promoting public health and awareness. Community-engaged passive tick surveillance, and the INHS Medical Entomology Lab at the Prairie Research Institute is at the forefront of tick monitoring.
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Dr. Robbie Emmet and fellow biologists at the Illinois Natural History Survey combined data from multiple bird surveys conducted within Illinois. They created a new statistical model that combined data from The North American Breeding Bird Survey, eBird, and targeted upland game counts conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, to predict the effects of landscape composition on the occurrence of northern bobwhites and ring-necked pheasants throughout the state.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Over the last 15 years or so, much of the eastern United States has experienced declines in wild turkey populations. To get a better grasp of what is going on at multi-state and regional scales, a standardized form of data collection was developed to compare trends more accurately amongst states. In Illinois, the public is invited to join wildlife professionals to collect wild turkey brood survey data. Learn how to participate here.
MoreFeb 1, 2024
Human modification of the natural landscape has been significant in the past century, with wild landscapes transformed into landscapes better fit for people. Transitional areas between agriculture and natural landscapes often create challenges for wildlife but not all species are negatively affected. Mesopredators, such as Virginia opossums, striped skunks and northern raccoons, have learned to navigate these complex environments safely.
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Next time you’re strolling through Chicago, keep an eye out for more than just skyscrapers—coyotes and foxes are sharing our concrete wilderness. This study led by Alyson Cervantes sheds light on the secrets of the coexistence of these canids, adding a touch of wild drama to the urban scene. In the concrete jungle of the Windy City, these predators are not just surviving, they are thriving.
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A message from Chief Mike McClelland
Welcome to the May 2024 edition of the online magazine OutdoorIllinois Journal, featuring timely, seasonally based stories about the Prairie State’s wildlife resources, with an expansion of content to include a broader range of subjects—including endangered and threatened species and Illinois’ unique, high-quality habitats and the people working to preserve, protect and manage these resources.
