CHICAGO — Expert and would-be birders alike are invited to the Labagh Woods in Sauganash for a free guided tour of some of the city's most colorful residents early Saturday morning.
The tour is part of the "bird the preserves" program being launched by the Cook County Forest Preserves to "establish the Forest Preserves as a premiere birding destination in the Chicago Wilderness region," spokeswoman Stacina Stagner said.
While migrating season has passed, the group is bound to see "the usual suspects" of Labagh, like robins, cardinals and red belly woodpeckers, according to Chicago Ornithological Society member Katy Krigbaum. They'll also hope to spot some more vocal species, like Baltimore orioles, warbling vireos and great crested fly-catchers, she added.
Saturday's event is being billed as the perfect opportunity for amateur bird-watchers to get hooked on the hobby, Krigbaum said.
"Once you start seeing birds, you'll notice them more and more, and it becomes a great way to appreciate nature," she said. "They're a little treasure in our midst, in the middle of all this concrete."
The free tour will kick off from the Irene Hernandez Family Picnic Area at Foster and Kostner avenues at 7 a.m. Saturday. Binoculars will be provided.
