White-crowned sparrows to hummingbirds: Notes on Chicago outdoors

Notes from around Chicago outdoors.

FIELD NOTES

WILD OF THE WEEK

Another reason why Emil Baumbach is becoming one of my favorites among local wildlife photographers. He photographed this migrating “dashing” white-crowned sparrow in Oak Park and noted that they “are migrating through Chicago and deserve recognition. With their distinctive black and white stripped heads, orange bill and grey chest they look like they’re off to a formal event. Add their pleasing song and you’ve got the whole package.’’

“Formal event,” I like that touch of phrase.

WOTW, the celebration of wild scenes around Chicago outdoors, runs Sundays on the outdoors page as warranted. Send nominations by Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email (straycasts@sbcglobal.net).

MOREL OF THE WEEK

If I get some quality stories or photos for MOTW, the celebration of morels in spring around Chicago outdoors, I will run them Sundays on the outdoors page as warranted. Send nominations by Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email (straycasts@sbcglobal.net).

WILD TIMES

FISH GATHERINGS

Tuesday: Danielle Hilbrich on aquatic invasives, Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies Inc., Giuseppe’s La Cantina, Des Plaines, 7:30 p.m., (847) 256-9322 or chicagolandmuskiehunters@hotmail.com

Tuesday: Richard Holm on perch fishing, Salmon Unlimited, Elk Grove Village VFW,, 7 p.m., salmonunlimitedinc.com

Wednesday: Bill Bennett, Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies Inc., Schaumburg Golf Club, 7 p.m., frvmuskie.com

Wednesday: John Trossen, Lake Geneva Fishing Club, Cabela’s, Hoffman Estates, 6:30 p.m., lakegenevafishingclub.com

Thursday: Duane Landmeier on muskies, Riverside Fishing Club, LaGrange American Legion, 6:30 p.m., RiversideFishingClub.com

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

Saturday: Kendall County Gobblers Hunting Heritage dinner, Yorkville American Legion. Contact Tammi Schleining, (630) 385-2288 or tschleining@comcast.net

ILLINOIS SEASONS

Turkey hunting: Fifth season, north zone, ends Thursday

DALE’S MAILBAG

Email: “I just want to share a photo with your readers of one of two male hummingbirds and remind everyone who enjoys watching these birds to get those feeders up.’’ Jim McGowan

A: I put my feeder up the next day.

BIG NUMBER

15: Illinois record fish caught in May: Rock bass, striped bass, yellow bass, bluegill, common carp, bighead carp, blue catfish, black crappie, hybrid crappie, longnose gar, warmouth, coho, Atlantic salmon, grass carp, lake whitefish

LAST WORD

“Please resist the urge to help seemingly abandoned baby animals. Many baby animals will die if removed from their natural environment, and some have diseases or parasites that can be passed on to humans or pets.’’

Hannah Schauer, wildlife technician for the Michigan DNR, on the importance of leaving baby wildlife alone, even if seemly abandoned