May 1, 2024
There really are not many animals that can conjure an almost universal fear and disgust in people like wasps do. But what if I were to tell you most wasps do not even possess a stinger and that this group of insects we call “wasps” provides some of our most necessary ecosystem services, from pest control to pollination?
MoreMay 1, 2024
In mid-February, two male ring-necked pheasants wandered through our yard on the north edge of town. As temperatures warm and days grow longer, rooster pheasants disperse across the landscape, establish crowing territories and begin behaviors to attract hens. The annual effort to maintain the species begins again.
MoreMay 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.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Blue-winged and green-winged are colorful native Illinois ducks with similar and differing behaviors
Teal are exciting ducks for bird watchers to observe, and they are among the top five duck species harvested by hunters in Illinois. Like other dabbling ducks, teals begin pair bonding in fall and winter, and their antics can be observed while they’re resting and feeding on shallow bodies of water during migration in Illinois.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Tallgrass prairie once covered 22 million acres across Illinois but just 2,000 acres of native, remnant prairie remains across the state. Illinois still has several tallgrass areas for us to explore. Take your binoculars and camera and look for a diversity of grassland wildlife within these areas.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Due to their unique abilities and nocturnal nature, bats spark our curiosity and delight. Bat conservation is of interest to public and private landowners who want to help our night-flying friends. One conservation option is the use of artificial roosts to boost bat populations.
MoreMay 1, 2024
When it comes to conserving pollinators, you can have your own diverse assemblage of wildlife on your property by building a “pollinator garden.” A bed with a small suite of colorful, flowering native plants will attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and even some colorful songbirds.
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
Yes, wild babies are cute, and if you encounter one that seems abandoned you feel the need to help it. But intervening on behalf of wildlife babies can do more harm than good—and is against the law. The care of wildlife babies should be handled by the experts, their parents.
MoreMay 1, 2024
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.
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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.
