
The Forest Preserve District of Will County brings people and nature together. Also us: @TodaysBird | @WildlifeofDay | @TodaysBaldEagle | @TodayInNature.
Will County, Illinois
Joined October 2009
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Spiders, snakes and scurrying mice! Which creepy-crawly gives you the biggest fright? 🎃
📸: Shutterstock
#Spiders #Halloween #CreeoyCrawly #Snakes #Mice #WillCoForests
With their long legs and elegant necks, cranes are hard to miss! Meet the white-naped crane, a wetland bird native to parts of Asia. These cranes are known for their elaborate dances and calls, but habitat loss and other threats have left them vulnerable.
📸:Shutterstock
Get text, phone or email alerts about prescribed burns near you! Sign up through Will County Smart911 and opt in to “Will County Forest Preserve Controlled Burn Alerts.”
📸: Anthony Schalk
#WillCoForests #PrescribedBurns #Notifications
Winter can be tough on wildlife, but your yard can help! Give local wildlife a helping hand this winter by keeping bird feeders stocked, providing fresh water and planting trees and shrubs for shelter. Small changes can make a big difference in helping wildlife!
📸: Shutterstock
Fake spiderwebs may look spooky, but they can be dangerous for wildlife! Insects and animals can become tangled in the strands and struggle to escape. This Halloween, skip the fake spiderwebs on your porch and bushes. Let real spiders do the decorating instead!
📸:Adobe Stock
Fall colors are rolling in right about now! Shorter days can trigger color change. However, it really depends on the weather. Sunny days, cool nights and adequate rainfall help create brilliant fall hues, while heat, drought and storms can shorten the show.
📸:Michael Fagan
Puffballs range from marble-sized to larger than a soccer ball! These fungi recycle nutrients and release millions of spores. Did you also know the giant puffball is Illinois’ official state mushroom?
📸: Glenn P. Knoblock
#WillCoForests #Puffballs #Fungi
Love them or find them a little too crafty, raccoons are common in Illinois. Their nimble paws and varied diet help them thrive in habitats from woodlands to neighborhoods!
📸: Joe Viola
#WillCoForests #Raccoons #Wildlife
Venomous mammals? Believe it or not! The short-tailed shrew is the only venomous mammal in the U.S. Its saliva contains a toxin that can paralyze or kill prey.
📸: Laurie Lasseter
#WillCoForests #ShortTailedShrew #Wildlife
Seeing a coyote in Illinois is not unusual. Give them space, never feed them and keep pets supervised. If one approaches, stand tall, wave your arms and make noise.
📸: Laurie Lasseter
#WillCoForests #Coyotes #Wildlife
Stink bugs are seeking shelter as temperatures drop. They don’t bite or sting, but they do stink! Seal cracks around your home and gently remove any you find indoors.
📸: Shutterstock
#StinkBug #Fall #WillCoForests
Hopefully this video isn’t too boring! Sorry we can’t control the slugs' speed.
#Slugs #WillCoForests #SlowAndSteadyWinsTheRace
Keep an eye out for Cooper's hawks! These expert hunters use their short wings and long tails to maneuver through trees. You may even spot one near a bird feeder, watching for birds instead of seed!
📸: Laurie Lasseter
#CoopersHawk #WillCoForests #BirdWatch
Ever wonder how spiders make their webs? Their silk starts as a liquid, then hardens into strong, flexible fibers through tiny structures called spinnerets. Spiders use silk for webs, nests, egg sacs and safety lines!
📸: Irene DeTella
#Spiders #SpiderWebs #WillCoForests
Think pelicans use their giant bill pouches like lunch boxes? Think again! They scoop up fish and other aquatic prey, then swallow their catch right away. Their pouches can hold up to 3 gallons of water!
📸: Joe Viola
#Pelicans #BirdWatch #WillCoForests
Nature can be tough to witness. In great egrets and other birds, stronger nestlings may kill weaker siblings while competing for food. This behavior is more common when food is scarce.
📸: Dave Cheli
#WillCoForests #Egrets #BirdWatching
Red-winged blackbirds have opposite styles! Males are glossy black with bright red and yellow shoulder patches, while females are streaky brown, helping them blend into their surroundings.
📸: Anthony Schalk
#RedWingedBlackbirds #BirdWatching #WillCoForests
Do you need a spooky shirt for Halloween? We’ve got you with many different styles for the whole fam! As always, all orders include free shipping. Buy yours today before Halloween gets here!
#HalloweenShirts #Wildlife #OutsiderThreads #WillCoForests
Fall is the perfect time to blaze a trail! Take on GPS missions, photo challenges and trivia across Will County Forest Preserves. Join 2026 Be a Trailblazer in the GooseChase app by searching for 2026 Be a Trailblazer or enter code JYBKK4.
#WillCoForests #BeATrailblazer

















