T.S. Eliot may have said that April is the cruelest month, but if you were a bird, you would surely say that February ranked first on that list.

February is "Bird Feeding Month," promoted by the National Bird-Feeding Society (birdfeeding.org). February was selected because it is the hardest month for most wild birds, particularly in northern climates like ours. The weather is typically harsh, and food is scarce.

Project FeederWatch has nearly 16,000 participants across North America monitoring the activity at their backyard bird feeders. The data collected by these “citizen scientists” is used by ornithologists (bird specialists) and wildlife ecologists to monitor trends in bird populations. For instance, their data helps scientists spot when a species might be in trouble.

About 250 Illinois residents participate in Project FeederWatch, and the data they have collected over the past two decades revealed some interesting trends.

For example, the number of crows seen at feeders dropped dramatically between 2002 and 2003, and numbers have remained near 2003 levels since that time. The drop coincides with the arrival of West Nile virus in the region. Crows are particularly susceptible to this infection which is spread by mosquito bites (yep, birds are bitten by those pests too).

Another trend has been a steady increase in sightings of Cooper’s hawks at birdfeeders. As residential development expanded into previously rural areas throughout the 1990s and the 2000’s, the hawks found themselves having to adapt to suburban surroundings. The backyard birdfeeders proved a very attractive addition to the landscape for these hunters even though they do not eat the seed. Rather, the hawks eat small seed-eating birds that are found in large numbers at bird feeders. (Think: hawk buffet table.)

Anyone who feeds the birds can participate in Project FeederWatch which is run through the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University in New York. For more information on the program, and to find out how to sign-up, please visit: www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/. Participants are sent a kit with instructions on how to collect and submit data. New participants are accepted through the month of February.

Join TLC on February 6th at Hennen Conservation area at 1pm to learn how to make your own pinecone birdfeeder. There is no charge for the event, and materials will be provided. Please call the TLC office at 815-337-9502 to register.

Celebrate with TLC on January 31st!

Ninety one years ago this month, January 6, 1919, Teddy Roosevelt died in his simple house on the outskirts of Oyster Bay New York. His passing affected many, for he was recognized by Americans in his day as a friend of the people and a man of courage.

TLC is pleased that the former President will come to life on January 31st at our Annual Meeting, giving those present a chance to meet the man responsible for preserving millions of acres of land through the creation of National Parks, the designation of National Monuments, and the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge system.

We are still taking reservations, but with nearly 150 people signed up for the event, we will run out of room soon! Please visit our website to make your reservation today. Member tickets are just $35, and non-member tickets $45 (which includes a year membership - what a deal!!)

Among the items that will be included in the "Local, Green, Natural & Handmade" Silent Auction is a salesman's copy of the 1919 book 'The Life of Theodore Roosevelt" written by S. Draper Lewis. The book is in fair condition, but the many photos included in the book are all in good shape.

The brunch starts at 11am, TLC's awards program will begin at 12:30, and the President will speak starting at 1pm!

Bully!

Land of Oz article link

Did you see the article in the Monday, January 11th NW Herald about TLC's purchase of a 60 acres we are calling the Land of Oz?

This is only the third time TLC has purchased land -- we only buy land when it is on the county natural areas inventory, and either too small or isolated to be purchased by the Conservation District. Otherwise, we leave the land-buying to them, and focus on work with private landowners.

Let's face it, land is expensive, the District has the money, and they are really good at acquisition. On the other hand, because of Linda Balek, TLC excels at working with private landowners to help them leave their legacies of land for future generations.

But, that brings us back to the Land of Oz. We purchased 60 acres of (mostly) wetland for $270,000, and will undertake restoration in the coming years. There is a lot of reed canary grass growing out there, BUT, there are also these amazing pockets of natural sedge meadow that have no reed canary. The pockets are dominated by blue joint grass, sedges, wetland forbs, and all the things one would expect to find in a natural sedge meadow.

The goal of TLC's restoration will be to connect the dots -- to expand the extent of the high quality pockets to the point where they dominate the site.

We decided to name the site the Land of Oz after the long-time owner, Nat Ozmon. But, the name fits for other reasons as well. Like Baum's Land of Oz, this place would only be found by accident, as when the Wizard's balloon blew off course and in to the Emerald City. It is otherwise inaccessible, and hidden from view due to topography. The Land of Oz lies at the bottom of a basin, and does not have direct frontage on any road.

Our local Land of Oz is also a place of wonder - a place where surprises lie around each bend.

We haven't seen any munchkins yet! Or cowardly lions. But I bet there are plenty of frogs & salamanders! We'll find out in the Spring - I hope you'll join us.

Another Amazing Year

By the numbers, 2009 was an amazing year for TLC. Another 263 acres of precious McHenry County land will never be developed.

- ten conservation easements preserving a total of 200 acres of land.
- one land donation preserving 3 acres.
- one land purchase of 60 acres.

A huge THANK YOU to the landowners who chose to place permanent conservation restrictions on their land, ensuring that future generations will enjoy the beauty and abundance that these lands provide.

As in other years, the numbers are only part of the story. The places preserved include:
- twelve acres of critical recharge for the Boone Creek Fen
- 26 acres adjacent to MCCD's Glacial Park
- 60 acres of sedge meadow that provides a critical stepping stone of habitat
- nine acres of oak woods that are a remnant in the oldest glaciated area of the county
- 75 acres of sustainably managed tree & shrub nursery land
- four acres of buffer for the Parker Fen
- nine acres along the Nippersink Creek
- an ancient grove of hickories
- 16 acres of high quality wetland adjacent to MCCD's High Point Preserve
- three acres adjoining the 150 acre Finch Farm that TLC preserved in 2007
- three acres along Pistakee Lake, presrving a family legacy that has been passed down for most of a Century.

There are many more stories like these waiting to be told! Stories of people, land, and people with the land! I'll take the time to tell some of these stories in the weeks ahead.

If you can attend our annual meeting on January 31st, you'll have the chance to meet some of the people behind the stories! Hope to see you there.