“Water: Sustaining Bird Life” is the official slogan of World Migratory Bird Day 2023. This international event celebrates migratory birds and encourages the protection of water resources and aquatic ecosystems that birds need to thrive.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), McHenry County Conservation District (MCCD), Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) are once again bringing a world-wide celebration of birds to the Illinois-Wisconsin stateline region!  Participants are invited to complete activities and win prizes: the more activities completed, the more prizes won at two Sunday afternoon events, on April 30 and May 7.

There will also be an opportunity to see birds up close early on the morning of Sunday, May 7 when USFWS biologists will be capturing, leg banding and releasing birds at Four Seasons Nature Preserve in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 

At 10 am on Sunday, May 7, Stephanie Schmidt, Whooping Crane Outreach Coordinator from the International Crane Foundation will be speaking at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Ringwood, Illinois. She will be talking all about Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes. In the 1940s both species reached drastically low population sizes. While their population numbers are growing, both Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes continue to face threats. This talk is free, but registration is required by calling 815-338-6223.The event schedule is:

• Activity Stations & Bird Passports Sunday, April 30  12:00 Noon – 4:00 pm at Volo Bog State Natural Area at 28478 W Brandenburg Rd, Ingleside, IL

• Bird Banding Station Sunday, May 7 8:00 - 9:30 am at Four Seasons Nature Preserve, N 1889 Co. Trunk H, Lake Geneva, WI

Cranes! A talk by Stephanie Schmidt, Whooping Crane Outreach Coordinator for the International Crane Foundation Sunday, May 7 10:00 am – 11:00 am  at Glacial Park’s Lost Valley Visitor Center at Rt. 31 & Harts Rd, Ringwood, IL. This talk is free but registration is required by calling 815-338-6223.

Activity Stations & Bird Passports Sunday, May 7 12:00 Noon – 4:00 pm at Glacial Park’s Lost Valley Visitor Center at Rt. 31 & Harts Rd, Ringwood, IL

Locally, WMBD is a cooperative event between the IDNR, MCCD, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of Volo Bog, McHenry County Audubon, Lake County Audubon and Illinois Audubon Society, along with approximately 30 volunteers.