McKinley Woods - Frederick's Grove/Kerry Sheridan Grove

11/08/2026

Is that a gull or a tern? Although they may look alike, these birds have a few key differences. Gulls have rounded wings, while terns have sharper, more angular wings and tails. Look closely at a ring-billed gull, one of Illinois’ most common gulls, and you’ll spot the black ring around its yellow bill!

(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)

Can you tell a gull from a tern? Here's a few quick pointers to tell them apart. 

10/31/2026

Deer are on the move! As white-tailed deer enter their peak mating season from late October to mid-November, collisions with vehicles become more common. Stay alert, especially at dawn and dusk, scan the sides of the road, slow down when you spot a deer and watch for others nearby. Remember, deer often travel in groups, so one may not be alone!

(Photo courtesy of Amy Miller)

During mating season, deer tend to move about more freely, causing an uptick in collisions with vehicles.

10/29/2026

It's a beautiful day for a stroll at McKinley Woods, and here's the interactive 360-degree photo to prove it.

(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)

10/24/2026

Seeing a coyote in Illinois is not unusual. Coyotes live in rural, suburban and urban areas and play an important role in the ecosystem by helping keep rodent populations in check.

If you encounter one, give it plenty of space and never approach or feed it. Keep pets indoors or closely supervised, especially at night, and secure pet food, garbage and compost outdoors.

If a coyote approaches you, stand tall, wave your arms and make loud noises to encourage it to move away.

Remember, seeing a coyote doesn’t mean there’s cause for alarm. Respect their space and enjoy knowing you’re sharing the landscape with a fascinating native predator.

(Photo courtesy of Jen Carusi)

Seeing coyotes in your neighborhood is not cause for alarm because these animals are common throughout all of Illinois. You can keep yourself and your pets safe from them by following some simple, common-sense precautions.

10/10/2026

Mini creature feature: Sandhill crane

Sandhill cranes are among the oldest birds on Earth, with fossils dating back millions of years. The cranes have changed very little over time.

These elegant birds stand 3 feet to 4 feet tall and can have wingspans greater than 5 feet. Their plumage is mostly gray with some tan feathers. They have a bright crimson patch on their heads.

Sandhill cranes are mostly a migratory species in northern Illinois, although a small number of birds may spend the summer here to breed. It’s most common to see them in the spring and fall when they stop over in open areas near water where they can easily rest and feed. They are omnivores and eat insects, birds, rodents, reptiles and amphibians as well as aquatic plants, berries, seeds and grains.

Fun fact: Sandhill cranes have a loud, bugling call that can be heard from as far as 2½ miles away.

10/03/2026

Recgonize this insect? Tell us what you think it is.

09/23/2026

Recognize this squirrel? It's a red squirrel. Red squirrels are less common than gray squirrels and fox squirrels, but we do see them locally, including in a few of the Will County forest preserves.

You probably know about gray squirrels and fox squirrels, but they aren't the only tree squirrels scurrying around Will County. The red squirrel is their less-common cousin, and it's found in a few Will County preserves.

09/19/2026

Chipmunks have pouches in their cheeks that can extend to be about three times as large as their heads. Being able to stuff their cheeks with food allows them to be more efficient as they forage.

Learn more about chipmunks >>> https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/headlines/news/five-incredible-things-know-about-chipmunks

09/11/2026

Walked into any spiderwebs lately? You're definitely not alone.

Around this time, spiders seem to pop up everywhere, and so do their webs, including some impressive orb webs created by garden spiders.

09/05/2026

Not all bird lovers want blue jays hanging around their feeders because they can be bullies and drive other birds away. But if you’d like to see them hanging around your yard, one good way to do it is by keeping your feeders stocked with peanuts. Peanuts are a particular favorite, but they will also eat suet and sunflower seeds.

They are a little selective about the feeders they will eat from, preferring tray and hopper feeders to hanging feeders. If you’ve got oak trees nearby, don’t be surprised to see blue jays munching on acorns. Those are another food they are fond of. (Photos via Adobe Stock)