Stop, look, listen and feel the beauty of nature that is around us every day.

Submit your nature observations here. We hope to develop a community record of the sights, smells, sounds, snow, storms, and seasons that shaped the year. Help generate an anecdotal record of the climate as we experienced it.

For Inspiration, here are some observations from our friend Mary Moring of Evanston

‍On yet another gloomy day.

I recollect January as being frigid and bright with February looking the way January has this year. In the early 70s we took our car battery inside so the cold would not have depleted the charge. Of course, that may have had to do with having a battery at the end of its life in our aging car. And our being young and inexperienced. But it was cold!

(As for) wildlife observations this winter, the most striking one for me is that the Prairie Fire crabapple tree in my front yard held most of its fruit until mid-January. In previous years the birds would have picked it clean by Thanksgiving. It is a prolific bearer and it seems to be most favored by robins and squirrels. The smaller birds - sparrows, I think - usually get the last of the fruit because the they can perch on the outer stems.The birch in the back yard has hosted a lot of small birds this year but I don't know what they are.
...I've heard crows in the back in the past few days. They seem to have nested out there in the past couple of years. Not the most favored of visitors, I must say. They are noisy and autocratic and seem to be constantly shouting warnings - whether to other crows or at predators like cats -or maybe squirrels?, I don't know. But noisy and unpleasant.

On February 1:  I predicted we're only a week or so from the sighting the first snow drops. Imagine my amazement when I walking in the sun today and noted the neighbor's Calamagrostis has green blades fully 4'' long already.  That really seems to be pushing the season!

HERE'S A CALENDAR OF NATURAL EVENTS AND REMINDERS FOR YOUR CHICAGO AREA BACKYARD

Phenology: study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life.

YEAR ROUND

• Leave your leaves, plant stalks and seedheads for wildlife.  You can rake leaves away from walkways.  They are a natural fertilizer. Insects and birds live, forage and rely on garden debris.
• Check for and remedy windows dangerous for birds.

JANUARY

• If you use a birdbath, change it regularly to keep it clean, and consider using a solar or electric heating element.

FEBRUARY

• Most trees should be pruned when trees are still in deep dormancy. To avoid the introduction of disease pathogens to oaks and elms, prune October 15-April 15.  Spring flowering trees should be pruned after flowers have dropped. Wait 2+ years after planting before pruning, and do not drastically remove many branches; allow trees to recover.  How to prune.

MARCH

• Spring bird migration starts mid-March.  However, watch for early migrants: as the climate warms, some migrants may arrive earlier. 
• Bird-Friendly Windows: Touch up DIY solutions (ceramic pen, tempera paint markings).
• @ March 4 Red Winged Blackbirds arrive, usually males first.

APRIL

• Mid-late April – hang your hummingbird feeder with a solution 4 parts water to 1 part plain cane sugar. No special sugars or dyes recommended.
• @ April 8 native sparrows and kinglets return.
• @ April 20 hummingbirds return. Shortly after, warblers start to return.
• Have the falcons returned to the Evanston Public Library?
• If the ground has thawed, you can start planting trees and shrubs until June, when it has usually warmed up.

MAY

• Prime month for spring plantings.
• Look for native plant sales: Chicago Bird Alliance, Evanston Enviornment Association (Bird Buzz), Go Green Wilmette, Highland Garden Club, Lake County Forest Preserve, Openlands.
• Early May – Baltimore Orioles are back. Hang your Baltimore Oriole feeder if you use one.  
• Is MWRD offering free baby oaks again? Plant an oak in a large container until it is big enough to move into a yard.
• Pollinators emerge as the air temperatures are 50^oF.

JUNE

• Spring bird migration ends mid-June.

JULY 

• Many summer plants are in full bloom in July.
• Pollinators should be abuzz.

AUGUST

• Fall bird migration starts mid-August.  
• Bird-Friendly Windows: Touch up DIY solutions (ceramic pen, tempera paint markings).
• Pick out your fall plants.

SEPTEMBER

• Has cooler weather arrived?  If yes, you can plant herbaceous plants.  Give them 1” deep water/week until they go dormant (die down) for the winter.
• Peak fall migration continues into mid October.

OCTOBER 

• Remember to leave leaves, plant stalks and seedheads for wildlife.  
• October and November are good months for fall plantings of trees and shrubs.  Plantings can continue until the ground freezes.  Give new plantings 1” deep water/week until the ground freezes.

NOVEMBER 

• @ Nov 8 Woodcocks depart.
• Fall bird migration ends early November.  However, watch for late migrants: as the climate changes, some migrants might leave later.
• Late blooming asters and goldenrods are going dormant.

DECEMBER

• If you use a bird bath, consider adding a heating element.
• Mid-December – consider winter sowing some seeds.  https://thereidhomestead.com/seed-starting-101-winter-sowing/ 
• @ December 21 sow seeds between snow falls to avoid critters eating your seeds.