OktoBIRDfest Arrives at Stillman Nature Center

Spring is the time of year when birds are center stage.  Whether it’s their previous diminished presence, the busy goings on of nest building, or simply because we open our windows and hear their cheerful songs; in the spring, birds are kings…and queens.

“The birds are pretty because of breeding plumage,” surmised Mark Spreyer, Director of  “And we all have cabin fever.”

Stillman Nature Center is going to switch things up this October and has declared the mid-autumn month OktoBIRDfest.  Every weekend throughout October Stillman will be hosting a bird event that should be of interest to a variety of folks, previous bird loving experience or not. 

“Birds are migrating so why not do some things in the fall?” Spreyer said. 

On Oct. 2, the first Sunday of the month, Spreyer will demonstrate the banding of birds.  Bird banding is a technique used in the study of wild birds during which they are tagged, at the wing or leg, in order to keep track individual birds over time.

Spreyer is licensed and experienced in this field which studies such topics as migration, longevity, mortality, population studies, territoriality and feeding behavior and attendees should wear hiking shoes.

Saturday, Oct. 8 is an event for the less adventurous and energetic bird enthusiasts.  It’s called "The Big Sit" and is geared toward “lazy” birders.  Representatives from Prairie Wood Audubon will sit by the lake with attendees and point out birds as they come into view.

In the spirit of Oktoberfest, anyone wearing lederhosen on the Oct. 9 bird walk will receive a free years member ship to Stillman Nature Center. Spreyer will lead a group of oddly dressed (for a bird walk in Barrington Hills) birders who should come prepared with binoculars and field guides.  Stillman will provide those materials to those who are in need.    

Birds, Beaks and Behaviors will take place on Oct. 16 and is suitable for kids, seven and up.  According to Stillman, the afternoon activity will reveal how the shape of a bird’s beak can inform a birder of the food that he eats and where he will call home.

“We’ll have different tools set up for younger people.  You make copies of different beaks: Nutcracker; Cardinal, Tweezers; Nuthatch,” Springer said.

The program will wrap up on “Raptor Sunday” on Oct. 23 when the fiercest of bird predators will come out for a visit.  Stillman has a collection of permanently injured birds of prey, which are on display.  Attendees who arrive on this day will see the falcons, owls, and hawks outside of their enclosures.  Picture taking is encouraged.  Kids will also have a chance to dissect owl pellets.

If You Go:

What: OktoBIRDfest

When: Bird Banding: Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. until noon 

The Big Sit: Oct. 8 from 3 p.m. until sunset (ages 10 and up).

Sunday Morning Bird Walk: Oct. 9, beginning at 8 a.m. (Ages 10 and up.)

Birds, Beaks and Behavior: Oct. 16 beginning at 2 p.m. (Ages 7 and up.)

Raptor Sunday: Oct. 23, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. ($5.00 per car fee.) 

For more information, call 847-428-OWLS (6957) or email StillmanNC@wildblue.net