During the month of December, the University Libraries staff make lists and check them twice. What are these lists about? Anything! You can look at past years’ lists here and stay tuned for more lists!
The year 2025 was the year my husband and I got serious about birding. We downloaded Merlin and eBird (two very valuable resources for birdwatching). We secured some good binoculars and some good shoes, and we kept our eyes to the sky and the tree branches. We spotted some fun things this year. Here are some of my favorite bird finds as a novice birder + 3 other cool specimens I spotted along the way. (I must also admit none of these photos were taken by me—my camera skills are not this great.)
- Northern Yellow Warbler: This little buddy became my favorite bird this year. It is a stunning bright yellow—the best color in my opinion, measuring up to a whopping 5 inches on average. This songbird is one of 50 species of warblers that live in North America. I like it so much that I bought a pair of yellow warbler earrings this fall. Every time I wear them, I am reminded of the joy I felt seeing this beautiful creature in person.
- Coopers Hawk: The Cooper’s Hawk is a common yet very stealthy bird of prey. We spotted one of these guys at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park. Fun Fact: Male Cooper’s Hawks tend to be smaller than and submissive to female hawks.
- Bald Eagle: At the beginning of this year, I was religiously watching the live stream of Big Bear Park in California whose Nest Cam showed the laying, hatching, and growth of 2 baby bald eagles. The live stream created so many questions in my mind about these birds, and I spent so much time researching them. I fell in love with this species. I had no clue I would see one myself in person in Hobart, Indiana after going apple picking.
- Double-crested Cormorant: This pterodactyl goose has got some serious dance moves. I saw a colony of about 200 of them sitting on a structure out in Lake Michigan while standing on a pier. It was terrifyingly beautiful to see these matte black dancing birds turn a huge manmade structure into a shadow on the horizon. Look for them in the piers and along the coastline.
- Red Bellied Woodpecker: This little guy woke up the entire campsite while we were camping in Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama. It took us a minute to spot him, but his call and drumming sounds were unmistakable. However, when spotted, his barred back and bright red cap made him an unforgettable sight.
Entomology Special Guests:
- Chinese Mantis: Able to measure up to the size of a Northern Yellow Warbler (5in), this non-native species that some classify as an invasive species is a common mantis that you will find in the warmer seasons here in Chicago. I found one sitting on the door frame of my building in September.
- Marbled Orbweaver: Spider Gwen may have been trying to contact me this fall by putting this bright yellow spider with junk in its trunk on the stairs leading up to my home. Was it a warning or was it a greeting?! Ol’ Spidey Gwen here never revealed her true intentions, BUT at least I got to see this beauty in the process.
A Mammal Friend
- Groundhog: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? I probably should have asked him after he startled my husband and I before dashing away faster than I knew any marmot could. This chonky boy was very hefty in preparation for hibernation season. I hope he rests up so he can enthusiastically tell us Spring is coming early when we ask in February.
Alexis Pearson-Kern is the User Experience and Assessment Librarian on the Systems Team for Loyola University Chicago Librarians. When she is not at Cudahy or Lewis Library, she is probably baking, bird watching, reading, watching anime, crafting, or being the house servant to two very adorably demanding bunny rabbits!
