Before I ever geocached, I was a bird
watcher. I went on trips to different parts of the country to meet
up with folks at Hawk watches and to enjoy the spring and fall
warbler migrations. I planned trips based on the tides to optimize
my opportunities for seeing wading birds when the tide was low.
After discovering geocaching I took to it with a similar passion
and soon I started merging the two interests together combing two
things I love to do into one outing.
-- Greenback
Wings & Waypoints is an event
which brings together two activities which work together in nearly
perfect harmony. As you're walking down the trail to find your next
cache you spot a flicker of orange and black ahead... what could it
be? If you're prepared you grab your binoculars for a closer look
at an American Redstart Warbler as he flits from branch to branch
in search of a meal or resting briefly as he works his way north in
the spring. The Forest Preserve District of Dupage will be
providing us with waypoints in areas of Fullersburg Woods which
have a high probability of spotting this warbler along with many
others at this particular time of year.
Event Activities:
Christopher Gutmann (Naturalist) will conduct an introductory talk
in the visitor center near the "Now Showing" board. He'll provide
participants with a good idea of what to keep an eye out for while
geocaching in order to spot birds which previously remained hidden
in the background of our daily treks. Folks can then migrate to the
observation deck where various feeding stations can be viewed and
Chris will provide pointers for proper techiques for using
binoculars before heading out on the trails in search of wings and
waypoints.
You probably have have an interesting experience with birds while
geocaching. This event will be your opportunity to share your story
with fellow geocachers. And if you have photographs please share
those as well at the event and in your log on the event page.
There will be waypoints distributed the day of the event so that
geocachers can head out in small groups and visit areas of
Fullersburg where specific species of birds are known to frequent.
Participants will be given instructions of what sorts of birds to
expect and where to look for them. Needless to say there will be
caches to be found along the way.
When:
Sunday May 3, 2009 at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve.
The event will kick off at 7:30AM and you're welcome to join us
as late as 9:30AM but be warned, the earlier you head out the
better your chances are for seeing more birds like the Black and
White Warbler (pictured above) or the Yellow Rumped Warbler
(picture to right). Birds tend to lay low as the day gets warmer.
At 7:30AM we'll have introductions and then folks can either hang
out for some good old conversation and story telling, or head out
on the trail to look for birds and caches, or join Christopher
Gutmann (Naturalist) for an introductory bird watching talk.
Bird Lists:
Avid bird watchers tend to be into lists, much like some
geocachers are into their statistics. Here's a list of the top ten
wood warblers most likely to be seen at Fullersburg Woods:
- Yellow-rumped warbler
- Tennessee warbler
- American redstart
- Black-and-white warbler
- Magnolia warbler
- Common yellowthroat
- Northern waterthrush
- Blackburnian warbler
- Nashville warbler
- Chestnut-sided warbler
If you're looking for an uncommon bird sighting, we can make no
promises but here's a list of uncommon wood warbler sitings at
Fullersburg Woods:
- Swainson's warbler (only seen once at FBW)
- Kentucky warbler
- cerulean warbler
- prothonotary warbler
- golden-winged warbler
- black-throated blue warbler
- Connecticut warbler
- yellow-throated warbler
- hooded warbler
Visit GoGeocaching.com for event and
Forest Preserve District Contact Information
Pictured on this page:
Upper
right - American Redstart
Center left - Black and White Warbler
Middle/right - Yellow Rumped Warbler
Bottom right - Blackburnian Warbler
Background - Chestnut Sided Warbler
GoGeocaching.com's logo v1.2 design stage