This Week in Birding $7 / month

This Week in Birding focuses on birdwatching, conservation efforts, and environmental issues in Chicago and the Midwest. It highlights bird species records, the impact of urbanization and events on wildlife, and efforts to preserve natural habitats. The newsletter also touches on broader themes like sports and community involvement in conservation.

Birdwatching Conservation Efforts Environmental Issues Urbanization Habitat Preservation Sports and Nature

The hottest Substack posts of This Week in Birding

And their main takeaways

A look at some birds in the extreme cold

334 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24

Birds in extreme cold mimic predator calls for safety.
Birds like finches and woodpeckers adapt feeding behaviors in cold weather.
Surviving extreme cold for birds involves huddling together and conserving energy.

Cemeteries are an unlikely habitat haven

255 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24

🌞 Climate & Environment Biodiversity Conservation efforts

Cemeteries can serve as havens for biodiversity and nature preservation.
Preserving prairies within cemeteries can lead to creative solutions for conservation.
Certain cemeteries, like Loda Cemetery Prairie, contribute to protecting native plant species and attracting a variety of bird species.

Plovers get dragged into rat hole

157 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24

🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration

The post discusses plovers getting dragged into a rat hole.
There's a mention of a sidewalk feature that can't be compared to anything else.
The post is for paid subscribers only, with an illustration by Bill Fogarty.

Unlimited squirrels—and a look at muskrats

117 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24

🔬 Science Birds

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels are found in prairies and plains.
Muskrats are semiaquatic rodents with webbed feet.
Gray Squirrels have 'black morph' varieties and are common in cities like Chicago.

Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Name changes are a common sense decision

157 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24

🔬 Science Ornithology Conservation Film

The American Ornithological Society is changing bird names named after controversial figures to be more inclusive and reduce offensive associations.
The decision to change bird names may lead to confusion among birders about identifying species.
Organizations like the Kirtland's Warbler Alliance are grappling with financial and awareness impacts due to the naming decision.

The long pursuit of a squirrel and a marten short

78 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24

🔬 Science Animals Nature Conservation Biodiversity

Red Squirrel sightings surprising in suburban forest preserve
Southern Flying Squirrel mistaken for Red Squirrel
American Marten sighting in northern Ontario during canoe trip

Urban birdwatchers, conservation, and bending the biodiversity curve

137 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23

🌞 Climate & Environment Conservation Biodiversity Nature connection Environmental Activism

Biodiversity loss is a significant threat and changing our ways is crucial for restoration.
Landscaping yards with native plants can greatly support bird populations and wildlife.
Engaging urban residents in observing nature can lead to more interest in conservation and restoration efforts.

Loving it and listing it: Cook County big year records toppled in 2022

137 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23

Audrey Carl and Matthew Cvetas achieved new Cook County birding records in 2022.
Carl recorded 287 species and Cvetas recorded 293 species.
Cvetas surpassed the previous record of 288 species set in 2020 by Isoo O’Brien.

The problems with mega events

117 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23

🎭️ Culture Music Events Nature Community Environment

Mega events in Chicago parks have caused inconvenience and stress on nature
Birds in Chicago parks, like Douglass Park, are impacted by music festivals
Communities and softball players are negatively affected by mega events in parks

Nature is the best solution for Chicago's lakefront

117 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23

🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change

Chicago's lakefront needs more habitat and fewer break walls for endangered species.
Nature-based solutions can help protect the shoreline and provide rich habitats.
Investing in natural solutions can be more cost-effective and beneficial for wildlife than building preventive structures.

Eagles find inviting atmosphere in Ohio

98 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23

🎭️ Culture Nature Events Travel

Bald Eagles in Ohio have found an inviting atmosphere and the community is respectful and protective of them.
Bald Eagle population restoration in the Midwest, including Illinois, can be attributed to efforts in Ohio.
The Great Lakes Piping Plover breeding season is approaching, with sightings suggesting a successful banding effort.

'Birdwatchers and shorebirds both dream of fluddles'

98 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23

🔬 Science Ornithology Conservation Ecology Migration

Shorebirds like sandpipers and plovers are vulnerable due to their small size and need to forage constantly for survival during migration.
Stopover sites for shorebirds, like fluddles, are threatened by human activities like monoculture farming practices.
Efforts are being made to preserve and monitor wetlands like fluddles to provide vital habitats for shorebirds and support their migration journeys.

NEW: Construction expected to resume at Bell Bowl Prairie

78 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23

🌞 Climate & Environment Environment Conservation

Construction at Bell Bowl Prairie to resume after FAA ruling
Prairie advocates rally to save endangered species habitat
Ongoing efforts to enhance state laws for endangered species protection

A requiem for Bell Bowl Prairie

78 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23

🌞 Climate & Environment Conservation Ecosystems Biodiversity Activism Legislation

A group gathered at Bell Bowl Prairie to mourn its destruction by a bulldozer.
Efforts to stop the destruction were unsuccessful due to legal system failures and lack of political action.
Advocates call for updating endangered species laws and increasing funding for conservation to prevent similar devastation in the future.

What I learned from Ralph Sampson

58 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23

🎾 Sports Basketball Athlete Coverage Team Dynamics Championship

Covering minor-league sports can lead to unexpected experiences and interactions.
Lessons of grace and humility from Ralph Sampson can leave a lasting impact.
Success is not always measured by wins, but also by the character and integrity demonstrated through challenges.

Indiana’s nest box program boosts Barn Owl resilience

39 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23

🌞 Climate & Environment

Indiana's nest box program is helping boost Barn Owl resilience
Private partnerships with landowners are crucial for protecting wildlife
Regular maintenance and cleaning of nest boxes are essential for the program's success

The problem with the Blackhawks

39 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23

🎾 Sports Hockey

The Chicago Blackhawks could consider changing their mascot to a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk to address concerns about their team name.
Celebrating local nature could be a positive opportunity for the team based on the habits of Rough-legged Hawks in Illinois.
The writer has reevaluated the idea, drawing from their experience with the Cleveland Guardians as inspiration for change.

Piping Plover 2023 season preview

39 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23

🔬 Science Ornithology

Great Lakes Piping Plover population saw a significant increase last year
Wider beaches and habitat availability contribute to Piping Plover success
Optimism for new nesting sites and pairs of Piping Plovers in the upcoming season