The tiny critters are almost impossible to spot, but you can’t miss their bubbles.
Stories by Patty Wetli
More Piping Plovers Have Arrived at Montrose, as the Mating Plot Thickens
Chicago’s own Imani has been joined by at least two other plovers, one believed to be a female. Let the mating games begin.
It’s World Turtle Day, Let’s Shellebrate Illinois’ Homegrown Species
May 23 is World Turtle Day. Sure, it’s a fake holiday, but it’s a good reason to take a closer look at the many species that make their home in northern Illinois.
WTTW News Explains: Why Will There Be So Many Cicadas in Illinois This Year?
In case you haven’t heard, the cicadas are coming, and things are about to get loud. WTTW News explains.
Cicadas Have a Clever Way of Counting Years, But Climate Change is Throwing a Wrench in the System
Periodical cicadas use trees’ lifecycles to “count” years. But when trees get duped by climate change, so do the insects. Could it lead to new broods?
Illinois Wants … Your Cicada-Themed Art for a State Fair Exhibit
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced its plan to host a cicada-themed art show during the Illinois State Fair and is seeking entries from the public, looking for interpretations of cicadas or broods.
The Cicadas Are Here, Now What?
The massive emergence of 17-year cicadas has started in Chicago and the surrounding region. Here's what to look for next.
Your Guide to All Things Cicada: How Loud Will It Get? How Bad Will It Smell? And Everything You Didn’t Know to Ask
In 2024, Illinois can’t be beat for periodical cicadas. Here’s everything you need to know about these fascinating creatures, and what to expect between now and July.
‘We Were Not Dropping Acid’: The Story Behind the Making of DuPage Forest Preserve’s Viral Cicada Video
“Nature education is a big part of what we do here, but you gotta find a way to make it interesting so that people actually watch it,” said Jonathan Mullen, part of the team behind the viral video.
This Forest Preserve May Look Like a Disaster Zone, but What You’re Seeing Is the Most Ambitious Restoration Project Cook County’s Ever Tackled
A 1,000-acre, $10 million restoration project is now underway at Red Gate Woods, part of the vast Palos Preserve system in southwestern Cook County.
Chicago is Still Waiting on Its Cicadas, But Southern States Are Buzzing. Here’s What the Emergence Looks and Sounds Like Across the Country
Cicada Watch 2024 is reaching fever pitch in the Chicago region, where Brood XIII periodical cicadas are expected to burst from the ground by the millions, any day now. Here’s what’s in store.
The Annual Chicago River Day Cleanup is Saturday, But Tackling Litter in the Waterway is Never-Ending
“One of the biggest things about litter is it makes people think that the river is more polluted than it is,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River.
The Chicago Archaeopteryx, the Field Museum’s Newest Dinosaur, Meets the Public
The Field Museum ushered in a new era of scientific exploration with Monday’s unveiling of the Chicago Archaeopteryx.
Where in the World is Archaeopteryx?
Only 13 specimens of Archaeopteryx — and one special feather — are known to exist since the first Archaeopteryx fossils were discovered in 1860. Most come from the same deposit of Solnhofen Limestone in Bavaria, Germany.
The Field Museum Now Has an Incredibly Rare Fossil Proving Birds Are Dinosaurs. Here’s a Behind-the-Scenes Look at How They Got It
The Field formally announced to the world what had become a not-so-well-kept secret: The museum had acquired just the 13th specimen known to exist of Archaeopteryx, a fossil often described as the “missing link” between dinosaurs and birds.
Meet Jingmai O’Connor, the Punk Rock Paleontologist Who Leads the Field Museum’s Archaeopteryx Team
WTTW News sat down with paleornithologist Jingmai O’Connor and talked about dinosaurs, birds, the Chicago Archaeopteryx, evolution and why studying fossil birds is more important now than ever.
Chicago On Migration High Alert as Hundreds of Millions of Birds on the Move Nightly Across the US
BirdCast, a project of Cornell Bird Lab and Colorado State University, has issued a high alert for Chicago, recommending lights out to reduce collision risks for birds.
Early Cicada Sightings Are a False Alarm, Mass Emergence Not Here Yet, Researchers Say
It’s not uncommon for some cicadas to jump the gun, experts said. Recent sightings, especially after last weekend’s rains, aren’t a sign that the mass emergence has started.
Who’s Ready for a Wild Weekend? The Annual City Nature Challenge is Here
Hundreds of cities around the world will take part in the friendly City Nature Challenge competition — Friday through Monday — to see who can identify the most biodiversity.
Imani Is Back at Montrose Beach. Will This Be the Year Chicago’s Piping Plover Bachelor Finds a Mate?
Imani is the son of Chicago's beloved late piping plover lovebirds, Monty and Rose.
Get Ready to Clean Out the Garage. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site Coming to South Suburbs
For the second year in a row, the Cook County government has celebrated Earth Day by announcing a new south suburban recycling facility aimed at taking some of the nastiest garbage out of the waste stream.
The Bluebells Are Here. Catch These Short-Lived Beauties Before They’re Gone
These gorgeous spring ephemerals love woodland habitats near creeks, and they’ll spread like a carpet on the forest floor. But only for a couple of weeks, and then they’re gone.
Sour Cherries: Weird Weather Stunts Blossoms in Jackson Park for Second Year in a Row
The Cherry Blossom trees in Jackson Park won’t reach peak bloom this year, the Chicago Park District said.
Look Who’s Coming to the DNC: Stephen Colbert Bringing Live ‘Late Show’ Broadcasts to Chicago
Stephen Colbert, host of CBS’s “Late Show,” announced Wednesday night he’ll be broadcasting live from Chicago during the convention, Aug. 19-22.
Advocates Say Chicago’s New Sustainable Development Guidelines Fail to Protect Birds: ‘That’s Shameful’
Spring migration is still weeks away from reaching its peak in Chicago and already the tiny body bags are piling up, filled with birds killed in collisions with the city’s glass buildings.
G’Day, Chicago! Koalas Coming to Brookfield Zoo, Debuting Memorial Day Weekend
For the first time in its 90-year history, Brookfield Zoo Chicago will welcome koalas.
