Owls swallow prey whole and later cough up indigestible parts like bones and fur in a compact pellet. This process is called casting. Owl pellets are often dissected in science class because they contain complete bones and are larger than those from other birds. Many birds cast pellets, but owls are the most well-known. Wild pellets should not be handled due to germs. Pellets show how different animals digest food and offer clues about what they eat.

Some birds live in Illinois year-round, but many migrate to warmer places for food. In spring, eastern phoebes, barn swallows and great blue herons return. Phoebes and swallows eat insects, so they leave in winter. Herons migrate because their prey hides or slows down in cold water. Watch for these birds nesting in local parks and preserves. You might spot a returning migrator or even hear its unique call.

American and European robins share orange breasts, similar diets, and habitats, but they aren’t closely related. American robins are larger, darker, and belong to the thrush family, while European robins are smaller flycatchers. Both species eat insects, fruits, and worms and are common in parks and yards across their ranges. Despite bird declines overall, robin populations are growing, and both have migratory and non-migratory groups based on climate.

Spring brings a short but stunning wildflower show in Illinois forests. Ephemeral blooms like skunk cabbage, bloodroot, spring beauty, and Virginia bluebells take advantage of early sunlight before trees leaf out. Each visit offers something new as different flowers bloom in waves from February to May. Look for colorful petals, unique shapes, and even hidden blooms like wild ginger’s or mayapple’s. Don’t miss nature’s brief but beautiful spring display.

2024 is a leap year which means we get an extra day on February 29 to keep our calendar in sync with Earth’s orbit which takes about 365.24 days. Every four years we add a day to make up for the extra time. Century years are only leap years if divisible by 400. Leap day is in February due to the ancient Roman calendar. Without leap years the seasons would slowly shift. Take time to enjoy the extra day with a walk or bike ride in the forest preserves.

Contrails are manmade clouds formed when hot, humid jet exhaust mixes with cold, dry air, creating ice crystals. Seen high in the sky, they resemble clouds and can last from seconds to hours depending on humidity. Contrails can spread wide, affect cloud cover, and even impact climate by reflecting sunlight and altering atmospheric chemistry. They’re most common in areas with heavy air traffic like the U.S. and Europe.

Most native bees in Illinois spend winter right here, resting in the ground, hollow stems, or under logs. Bumblebee queens hibernate alone after their colony dies, while solitary bees like mason bees develop inside nests and pause their growth until spring. You can help by growing native plants, leaving gardens “messy” for shelter, and sharing this info to support these vital pollinators.

Myths blend facts with exaggerations and misunderstandings. For example, the full moon doesn’t affect behavior; lightning can strike the same place twice; “heat lightning” is distant storm lightning; mother birds usually don’t abandon babies touched by humans; bats aren’t blind; daddy long legs aren’t venomous spiders; not all bees die after stinging; it’s never too cold to snow; and fawns have faint scents to avoid predators. These myths are widely believed but often untrue.