Take action now to prevent the deaths of birds at Chicago’s buildings
Lights Out After 11 p.m. During Migration
Lights Out! Chicago asks buildings to turn off or dim bright antenna, rooftop and display lights from 11 pm to sunrise every spring and fall migration season. This act saves the lives of thousands of birds who would otherwise be attracted from their nightly travels towards the confusing city lights.
Some hopeful news about McCormick Place
Is Migration Happening Earlier?
It may be feeling like spring some days but it’s still winter! Sightings of typical spring migrants have already been reported in February. Should this be cause for concern? Perhaps not in some specific cases, but mild winters are affecting migratory patterns for numerous birds, such as the Swainson’s Thrush and Black-throated Blue Warbler. Check out this article for some good news, some not so good news… and what we can do to help birds during migration time!
Photo Credit: Gregory Ball/Audubon Photography Awards
Rodney Stotts, Black Master Falconer
CBA native plant sale
Chicago Audubon Society Online Native Plant Sale is held every spring, offering a wide variety of perennials. Order form is posted here - order before April 26. Pick up will be at North Park Village Nature Center on the afternoon of May 26, 2024.
The Monty and Rose Wildlife Habitat
On Valentine’s Day, the board of the Chicago Park District voted to approve the petition submitted by Chicago Piping Plovers on behalf of our organizations, requesting that the 2021 expansion of 3.1 acres to the Montrose Dunes Natural Area be named The Monty and Rose Wildlife Habitat, honoring one of Chicago’s most famous couples, Monty and Rose, the Great Lakes Piping Plovers.
Presidential Birds
Update - Bird-Friendly Buildings Progress Stalled
Despite developing an ordinance and guide that two other municipalities have already implemented - despite promising that regulations would be enacted a year ago - despite the international attention that the October debacle at McCormick Place where over 1000 birds died at one Chicago building in one morning - the Chicago Department of Planning and Development is dragging its feet. Your help is needed to end unnecessary bird deaths in Chicago.
2024 Chicago Bird Photography Contest
Calling all shutterbugs and bird enthusiasts! We want you to capture the vibrant avian life of Chicago through your lens and participate in the inaugural "Chicago Birds Photography Contest." Photographers of all experience levels are invited to compete with winning submissions eligible for eternal bragging rights and cash prizes!
Connecting with Local Indigenous Tribes
About a year and a half ago, Chicago Bird Alliance formed a committee to develop a land acknowledgment, an important part of our DEIJ plan. We didn’t want to do a performative document of words only, which meant we needed to make some relationships with local indigenous groups.
Luckily, we had a calling card. An anonymous donor gave us three painted lithographs from the book, History of the Indian Tribes of North America by Thomas Hall and James McKenney, James. Read about what we learned and join us on some interesting programs.
Chicago Bird Alliance Membership Drive Raffle!
Fishing Line: A Continuing Danger to Birds in Our Forests and Parks
Black History Month Conservation Resources
Your Help Needed to Prevent Bird Collisions in Chicago
Volunteers Needed
Looking Back and Ahead
Respecting Owls: Ethical Owl Viewing and Photography
Your Petitions Delivered to McCormick Place. They are Researching Options.
Bird Friendly Chicago leaders including CBA President Judy Pollock spoke at the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board on October 30, which oversees McCormick Place. Board members and CEO Larita Clark thanked us and expressed a desire to address the issue of treating the windows in some way in order to greatly reduce collisions.
Report on Meeting with McCormick Place and Next Steps
On October 18, the Bird Friendly Chicago coalition met with leadership from Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) and McCormick Place. These leaders expressed a commitment to solve the problem of bird collisions at their facility and indicated that this directive is coming from the highest levels of their organization. Read more about how to get involved.