Artwork: World Migratory Bird Day 2025 Artist Annamaria Savarino Drago
Event Type: Bird Walk, Presentations, and Kids Activities
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time: 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve
Address: 1100 Ridge Road, Homewood, IL (map)
The Village of Homewood is again celebrating World Migratory Bird Day at the Izaak Walton Preserve. Join us for a bird walk, presentations that celebrate our urban area birds, and kids’ games & crafts. Please come by and enjoy your pick of these free activities! You are welcome to bring a picnic and explore the preserve grounds. Map of the preserve trails and activity areas
This event is sponsored by the Homewood Public Works Tree Committee in partnership with Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve and Thorn Creek Audubon.
Event Overview
8:00 am – 9:15 am… Bird Walk, Thorn Creek Audubon
9:30 am – 10:00 am… WMBD Shared Spaces, Carolyn Bury, Homewood Public Works Tree Committee
10:00 am – 11:00 am… Close Encounters of the Bird Kind, Liz Schissler, EJ Shiss Photography
Free drawing for bird photo at end of the programs
9:30 am - 11:00 am… Kids Games & Crafts, Thorn Creek Audubon and Homewood Tree Committee
Ongoing… Local Bird Photography Exhibit
Program Details
Bird Walk… 8:00 am - 9:15 am
Lakes, woodlands, ancient sand dunes, native prairie, and wetlands make up the 193 acres of this preserve. We’ll explore several habitat areas looking for spring migrants, incoming summer nesters, and year-round residents.
Meet in the parking lot next to the main meeting cabin. The walk is on natural surfaces (dirt trails and wood chip and gravel paths). Leader: Judy Johnson
New birders are welcome!
WBMD Shared Spaces… 9:30 am - 10:00 am
More than half of the world’s population currently lives in cities, a figure projected to double in the next 25 years. As communities expand, migratory birds face growing challenges. Native habitats shrink, noise and light pollution escalate, and domestic pets disturb and prey on a variety of species.
We can all take steps to protect migratory birds that visit our communities—whether they are nesting, overwintering, or stopping to rest and refuel along their incredible journeys. Carolyn Bury will share the simple and inexpensive actions we can all take to create bird-friendly spaces where we live.
Close Encounters of the Bird Kind… 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Join us for a look at the birds that share our local spaces. Liz Schissler, manager and photographer for Wild Birds Unlimited in Palos Park, will discuss her beautiful and intimate bird portraits.
Photographic locations range from her backyard to the local woods, lakes, and grasslands. She will also provide tips on wildlife photography and technical advice.
The presentations are in the main cabin by the parking lot.
Kids Games & Crafts… 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Kids will have several activities to chose from. A very popular art project at previous events - . selecting an egg-shaped rock to paint and then place in a crocheted nest to take home. Look for the crafts & games team at the picnic tables near the lodge.
This event supports the Village of Homewood’s Bird City Illinois certification status.
Learn what actions sustain this honor for Homewood >
Shared Spaces: Creating Bird Friendly Communities
Check out these flyers to learn about seven simple actions you can take to create bird-friendly spaces where we live.
+ 7 Ways to Create a Bird-Friendly Community > Download
+ Why Create a Bird-Friendly Community > Download
For kids:
+ World Migratory Bird Day poster to color > Download
+ Bird Bingo - Take a walk and see how many birds or bird-friendly features you can spot > Download
