56 species of wood warblers are found in the United States and Canada with 19 breeding in Illinois. Each spring, the Mississippi flyway funnels millions of these birds toward their breeding grounds in the boreal forests of the Great North.

The Chicago area is a major stop-over, where warblers rest and refuel. During migration their numbers are great and yet many people have never seen a warbler!

This course will explore the world of wood warblers. You will be introduced to long distance migrants which leave the jungles of the Amazon then fly over the Atlantic to arrive in Canada. You learn how they survive on their wintering grounds.

We will focus on 12 warblers. We will examine their migration routes, their unusual habitats and how to spot and identify these colorful birds in your own backyard.