Birds of the Greater Chicago Area: A Seasonal Checklist

CHICAGO - April 20, 2022 - PRLog -- The Chicago Audubon Society is delighted to share "Birds of The Greater Chicago Area: A Seasonal Checklist." This Checklist contains 328 species of birds that have been reported in the Greater Chicago area since 1970. An additional 82 species, listed on the back page, have also been known to occur since 1970, but are not normally expected to be seen.

The Checklist is divided into six seasons to denote the differences between early and late migration periods including Winter, Early Spring, Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall, and Late Fall. Seasonal abundance is included as well notations for nesting.

The First Edition of the Checklist in 1982 had only 288 species. Over the years, many more bird species are detected. This shows how many birds move around and migrate through the Chicago area in its important position on Lake Michigan. For the purpose of this Checklist, the "Greater Chicago" area includes: (Illinois Counties) Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, and Will and (Indiana County) Lake. The names and order used are those of the Seventh Edition of the A.O.U. Checklist and supplements.

The Fifth Edition of this fantastic seasonally specific guide has now been updated. It was compiled by Alan Anderson, Richard Biss, David B. Johnson, Joe Lill, Walter Marcisz, Jeffrey Sanders, Alan Stokie, Douglas F. Stotz and David Willard. (In memoriam: William DeBaets and Homer Eshbaugh).

Alan Anderson, CAS Research Committee member and one of the original compilers of the 1982 edition notes that "With the pandemic, there are many new birders, or those with at least more interest in birds of our area, and so we feel this Checklist will help them to realize what birds they might see or be seeing in the Chicago area." His thought is that some might use the Checklist to keep a yearly list, a seasonal list, a life list, or just use it for one day's sightings.

Downloadable PDF copies of the Checklist are available at: https://3yaw.short.gy/y6Eo5o.  Print copies may be obtained by contacting: Chicago Audubon Society, 5801-C N. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60646. The Checklist will be distributed at future CAS Bird Walks.

About the Chicago Audubon Society

The Chicago Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society that covers the City of Chicago and suburbs in Cook County. Chicago Audubon Society believes in connecting all people with birds and nature through direct engagement, communication, and advocacy. We are proud to be an organization that values an approach that is problem-solving, collaborative, science-based, welcoming, inclusive, and enthusiastic about learning and teaching about birds and nature. Chicago Audubon Society celebrated 50 years in 2021.