Owling is a fun winter adventure. In Will County, you might spot great horned, barred, barn or eastern screech owls. Dress warmly, stay quiet and be patient. Go out at dusk or night, leave flashlights off, and try your own yard or neighborhood. Don’t play owl calls or get too close—February is nesting season. Watch, listen and enjoy the stars while searching for these amazing birds.

Winter is a great time to birdwatch, especially for American goldfinches, which live in Illinois year-round. Males are bright yellow in summer but turn dull in winter. They are the only finch that molts twice a year. Their roller-coaster flight and “po-ta-to-chip” call make them easy to spot. Goldfinches mainly eat seeds, preferring sunflowers, thistles and asters. They nest late in summer to feed their young with seeds.

Wolf spiders are large and hairy but harmless! They don’t spin webs to catch prey. Instead, they chase it down. They have eight eyes in three rows and fang-like mouthparts called chelicerae. Females carry eggs in silk sacs, and babies ride on their backs after hatching until they can survive on their own. Found worldwide, wolf spiders eat insects and small spiders. Though they may bite if provoked, their bite isn’t dangerous to humans.

Being one of only two weasel species to live in Illinois, the least weasel measures at only 10 inches in length making them the smallest carnivores in the state. Least weasels are fierce predators that prefer open areas like prairies and farm fields and are mostly nocturnal. The size of their home depends on rodent population where fewer pray equates to larger homes. Their slender bodies are built to hunt in underground tunnels. Weasels must stay active and keep eating.

tailed deer stay warm in winter with thick fur and hollow guard hairs that trap warm air, like a natural blanket. They also stay dry with oils that repel moisture. Other animals, like birds, otters and beavers, use similar methods. These adaptations inspire winter gear like puffy coats and new wetsuit designs. To stay safe outside in winter, wear layers and stay dry Just like the animals do!

Snakes prepare for winter by finding a hibernaculum - a cozy spot that stays above freezing. Being cold-blooded, they can’t generate body heat, so they stop eating and try to find a warm enough spot – often underground below the frost line - to survive the cold. Sometimes, many snakes share one space, creating a "mating ball" in spring. You can build a backyard hibernaculum to support snakes and other wildlife!

The white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) is common in Illinois. They can live in many different habitats but avoid grasslands and crops. It has white feet, a white undertail, and varies in fur color. Omnivorous and nocturnal, white-footed mice eat seeds, insects, and fungi. They are prey for many animals and can help spread fungal spores. These mice breed quickly and rarely enter homes. They host deer ticks but also aid Lyme disease research and indicate forest health.

You can easily tell a thirteen-lined ground squirrel apart from a chipmunk by looking at the length and number of stripes they have. Native to the United States, thirteen-lined ground squirrels have 13 stripes on their backs that alternate between dark and light brown and have a tail that is half the length of its body. They are diurnal omnivores and can hibernate for as long as eight months. They spend a lot of time underground and can be found in areas with short grass.