2 wins for breeding grassland birds (no sightings)

[M.Bernat]

Illinois has outlawed the invasive Callery pear tree, whose fast growth and spread are major threats to the nesting habitat of grassland birds, gratis the pervasive Bradford Pear that was the darling of landscapers. You’ll see it en masse in April, covered in white flowers in yards, shopping center parking lots, along roads and in fallow fields, perhaps a welcome sign of spring, but constantly on the move toward domination of the landscape. 

Eastern redbud in the woodlands and our yards is a way healthier spring sight and serviceberry is a great native alternative in our sunnier yards.

Thanks to all who advocated for callery pear’s being outlawed in Illinois, which now joins Ohio, Pennsylvania, S. Carolina and Kansas. States that offer native tree replacements to homeowners who cut down their callery/Bradford pears are Missouri and N. Carolina. Maybe we in IL can put our heads together to start such a program. 

https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/nine-new-invasive-species-regulated-illinois-expansion-exotic-weeds-act?fbclid=IwY2xjawNss1RleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0R0RrdHVVeW8wOWh0T1g3AR4rAiuBlGM-lbFevUxjYzzdpkmGSY9tWPSFHbzBU__nOLwaAnLzpJAtxoio1Q_aem_7AZ4KAEz_q45T73tyESWeA

A second win for breeding grassland birds is the removal of autumn olive, another woody invasive of grasslands, in the Important Bird Area grassland west of Burnham Avenue in Plum Creek Forest Preserve in far se Cook County. This grassland had been a favorite for birders to find breeding grassland regulars as well as yellow-breasted chat and white-eyed vireo in the nearby shrublands and Acadian flycatcher in the woodland, before autumn olive and human encroachers rode in and destroyed the grassland habitat for breeding birds. Hopefully the birds will all be back at Plum Creek for impressive checklists once again. Kudos, thanks and appreciation to the FPCC. 

Mary Bernat

Orland Grassland Volunteer

Bird Conservation Network bird monitor

South Cook County