There are many, many great things about birdwatching. One of the best is that you can do it anytime, anywhere. Even here in downtown Chicago, one of the most bustling, densely developed cities in the country, birds find their ways to the parks, open spaces, and nature preserves. Most of these places are easily accessible, even by public transportation, and they can be alive with migrating birds during the spring and fall. You need virtually nothing to get started, although a pair of binoculars and a field guide are helpful. All over the country there are bird clubs and Audubon societies that offer free field trips that are suitable for beginners and experts alike. On these pages we will talk about birding right around the Field Museum in the wonderful open spaces along the shore of Lake Michigan, as well as other aspects of seeking birds locally and further afield.
Go Birding