Fall 2000

Here's what's debuting this season
on nature's stage in Chicago Wilderness

by Jack MacRae

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

No Flight Delays
The marshes in the region are as bustling as a suburban Metra station at rush hour. Thousands of water birds are arriving and departing daily. Some of the departees, such as the blue winged teal, have been here all summer raising their families. Other ducks, such as the northern shovelers and pintails, are merely here for a short layover on their flight south. Get out to your local wetland in the early morning or at dusk to watch the air traffic. Do it soon, most birds will have left by mid-November. Last year at Springbrook Prairie in DuPage County, one of the fine birders in the area told me how to recognize far-off, fast-moving flocks of blue winged teal by their tight, compact flocks. Thanks Joe! And to any politicians who might be reading this publication, I vote and I’m pro-wetland!

Note of Caution
Note: Watch for wasp nests, especially in the fall. Last year a large group of 4th grade students trampled a nest of yellow jackets while collecting Joe Pye seeds. Over a dozen children were stung and it was an unhappy situation for everyone involved, although the sight of well-groomed newscasters bumbling though the woods in search of The Big Story was enjoyable. The students were part of a field trip that examined the value of biodiversity. The good news is that their teacher has signed up for the same program this year. Bless her!

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER

Smashingly Handsome Pumpkins
People have been growing pumpkins in the gardens of Chicago Wilderness for thousands of years. Called ogwissimaun in the Algonquin language, pumpkins were baked, made into soup, or dried for long-term storage. Originally a wild perennial of the squash family and native to climates slightly warmer than ours, pumpkins and other gourds have been cultivated into hundreds of varieties over the centuries.

Rodent Insulation
Our aquatic mammals are bulking up for the winter. Beaver, muskrats, and otter are eating more than ever to create a nice, warm layer of fat to help keep them warm. They’re also adding a few million new hairs to their oily coats as further protection against their ice-water winter homes. The French traders of the 17th century said the early winter pelts had the most value due to the density of the fur.

Two Toads
There are only two species of toads in our area, both getting ready to dig in for the winter. The uncommon Fowler’s toad will go underground first; the ultra-common American toad will be out a while longer, seemingly able to tolerate cooler temperatures. Superficially similar, their distribution shows they’re not. American toads are habitat generalists and found throughout the region. Fowler’s are specialists, limited to areas with the proper soil type and temperature. They are found in the Indiana Dunes and the sandy areas adjacent to the Kankakee River.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER

Hearing Aids
I knew a kid in junior high who had one ear lower than the other. Did you know that asymmetrical ear openings are actually the rule in owls? Scientists believe this adaptation permits these birds to simultaneously locate sounds on the vertical plane (up and down) as well as the horizontal plane (right and left). This would be important for nocturnal hunters who rely heavily on sound to locate their prey.

November is a great time for owl aficionados. Our resident screech owls and great horned owls are house hunting and making a general commotion, while northern species such as snowy, long-eared, and short-eared owls are entering our area as well.

One northern forest species of owl making the trip south is the diminutive saw-whet owl. This bird may be more common in our area than Christmas Bird Counts indicate. Thousands of northern saw-whets use the long western shore of Lake Michigan as a navigational aid. But once they find a place to roost for the winter, they are highly inconspicuous. They don’t call or flush easily from their secretive hideouts amongst the dense conifer branches. They just sit there, un-noticed and un-counted.

Invasion of the Cone Eaters
Every year, around the time of the winter solstice, a few white-winged crossbills enter our area. With their specialized beaks, they’re able to manipulate their tongues in a way to extract the high calorie seeds from between the scales of pine cones. They need to eat a lot to keep their bodies warm. Crossbills are one of a group of northern finches who make the upper Midwest their winter home. Pine grosbeaks, pine siskins, and redpolls will all be hanging out in various parks and neighborhoods. Finch fest.