Chicago outdoors: Orioles, turkey harvest, boat/trailer registrations, Zoom bird backgrounds

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors.

WILD OF THE WEEK

In early May, Robert Walker emailed, “We don’t get many orioles here in Porter County (Indiana). Then this one shows up at Arcelor Steel. Today we have five, three males and two females. They like oranges and grape jelly.” These were “outside the chem lab!”

WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).

WILD TIMES

DUCKS UNLIMITED

The postponed West Suburban banquet will draw for a Beretta ($20 tickets) Saturday. Contact Cathie Stuart, (708) 829-7261.

U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Through Memorial Day: Flotilla 095-35-06 offers``free virtual training sessions for boaters looking to ace vessel safety checks once the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has clearance to commence in-person activities in the Chicago area.’’ Check cgauxchicago.com.

DALE’S MAILBAG

“I can’t seem to find the answer anywhere, but if registration on the boat is about to expire, will the state be giving an extension on that like they have been doing on cars? Current registration expires at the end of June.” Chris Piekos

A: The Secretary of State will extend the registration of trailer registrations “at least 90 days after Driver Services Facilities reopen.” Click here for those details. As to boat registration, renewal, click here.

BIG NUMBER

Dale Bowman

15,800: Turkeys harvested during the spring seasons by Illinois hunters, topping the 2019 harvest of 15,190, despite all IDNR sites being closed. Record harvest was 16,599 in 2006. Click here for a broader breakdown of the 2020 spring harvest.

LAST WORD

“We’re living in a whole new world in which virtual meetings and happy hours are the norm. Add a much-needed dose of nature to your next Zoom call with these 14 Audubon backdrops. #JoyOfBirds”

Audubon Great Lakes, tweeting a sign of the times, click here for those options