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.

A solar eclipse will occur on April 8, and Will County is in its path. The next one visible here won’t be until 2044, so don’t miss it! Never look directly at the sun. Use a DIY eclipse viewer made from a cereal box, paper, foil, and a pencil. Light passes through a small hole in the foil and projects the eclipse onto white paper inside the box. Stand with your back to the sun and look through the open hole to view the projection safely.

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.

Robins eat more than just worms. In spring and summer, they eat worms, insects, and snails. In fall and winter, they switch to fruits and sometimes eat small animals like shrews or snakes. Worms are a favorite despite being hard to find. Robins have excellent vision and can spot worms as they move or surface in the soil.

Red-winged blackbirds are known for their bold behavior and striking males with red and yellow shoulder patches. Found near wetlands, they defend nests aggressively, even from humans. Males arrive early in the year, followed by females who build nests and raise young. Though widespread, their population has declined by 28 percent since 1966.

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.

Red-tailed hawks are large, powerful birds found year-round in Illinois. They have broad wings, a red tail, and a piercing screech often mistaken for eagles in movies. Look for them perched on poles or soaring overhead. They hunt rodents, snakes and birds, diving at speeds up to 120 mph. With eyesight eight times stronger than ours and clear eyelids for protection, they’re built for the hunt. Winter is a great time to spot these raptors in action.