HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!

On June 18, Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education received a phone call from an absolutely wonderful lady named Lesley about an Eagle nest falling out of a tree in South Beloit behind Axium Foods. This active nest had 2 young Eaglets in it. We also met another fantastic person named Patsy who with her husband had been monitoring the nest since February (see Patsy's video of the nest going down). If it was not for these people along with many others monitoring this nest, things could have turned out tragically. We cannot thank all the people involved enough for being there for this Eagle family!

After much searching on June 18, we recovered 1 Eaglet who was severely dehydrated. We just could not find the other Eaglet and were extremely worried that the bird was injured or dehydrated like its sibling and because of the extreme heat it would perish if we did not locate it and help it. We spent many hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday looking for the 2nd baby. We were absolutely thrilled when we received word from concerned citizens that the 2nd Eaglet had been spotted and looked healthy and uninjured.

The female Eaglet we have had in our care has recovered completely. She is ready to be released back to her family so she can learn how to hunt and learn the ways of the Eagle.

We will be releasing this bird near the nest site behind Axium Foods in South Beloit, Illinois at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday morning, July 7. Please join us in returning this young Eagle back to her family. We can't think of a better way to celebrate 4th of July and our freedom than to release our national symbol and all it represents back to the wild!!!

Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education will have a "live" bird display station at National Wildlife Federation's Hike & Seek event on Saturday, September 24, 2011, from 9 a.m. to noon. Hope to see you there!!

Experience a fantastic Fall adventure with your friends and family! National Wildlife Federation’s Hike & Seek is an exciting Saturday morning event. A cross between a short nature hike and a scavenger hunt, Hike & Seek brings families and friends together for fresh air and fun. It doesn’t matter if you’ve hiked for years or have no experience at all – adventurers of all ages are welcome, especially toddlers to age 12.

The Chicago event will be held on Saturday, September 24, at 9 am at Bemis Woods South (Ogden Avenue at Wolf Road) in Western Springs. It is filled with diverse tree species plus rare shrubs survive on the creek bluffs where rustic multi-use trails run next to the Salt Creek for a beautiful outdoor hiking experience.

Step off from base camp after loads of activities for all ages and hiking tips for participants. Using your map and mission guidebook, we invite you to create your own interactive nature experience. Along the one-mile hike, kids will learn about trees, amphibians, insects, mammals, and birds at the fact-filled, interesting, interactive lessons on the great outdoors at Stop & Study stations staffed by volunteer naturalists. When you return from your hike, be prepared to be wowed by live wildlife! Ranger Rick will also provide the children with a specially created badge after their adventure declaring them “Junior Naturalists.”

Hike & Seek is just weeks away! Please help us spread the word by registering or forwarding this info to your friends and families to join the fun in Chicago! For more information or to register, please visit www.hikeandseek.org.

Hello everyone.

Please join us at Rock Valley Gardens and Nursery February 19, 2011. We will be doing 2 presentations with "live" birds of prey at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Hope to see you there.

Candy and Steve

Please join us in celebrating Nachusa Grasslands "Autumn on the Prairie" September 18, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will have almost all our raptor ambassadors there, and 2 falconers will have their birds there as well. Hope to see you there!! Candy and Steve

The preserve is located 3 miles northwest of Franklin Grove, on Lowden Road. Extra directional signs will be posted. Franklin Grove is two hours west of Chicago, and is celebrating that same day with three historical attractions nearby. To contact the preserve call 815-456-2340 or visit the TNC web site at www.nature.org/illinois or nachusagrasslands.org

The Nature Conservancy – Nachusa Grasslands,
8772 S. Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, Illinois 61031

Come on out to Bird Fest at Colored Sands Bird Banding Station this weekend! We will be there all day Saturday with most of our "live" education raptor ambassadors, taxidermy specimens, as well as some other cool stuff. Fun day for the entire family.

We have 3 new education ambassadors - a Barn Owl, a Merlin Falcon, and a tiny little owl called a Northern Saw-whet Owl!! Keep watching our website for pictures, etc., about our newest arrivals.

"Marshall" Featured in Guide Book!!

CHECK THIS OUT!! Our education ambassador, Marshall, a male Northern Harrier, is featured in a book by Stan Tekiela. Stan is a naturalist, wildlife photographer, and author of numerous field guides. He photographed Marshall last summer, with the purpose of featuring him in his 'just released' field guide, titled "Birds of Prey of the Midwest." The guide can be purchased from Stan's website, stantekiela.com.