On May 2, 2026, the Village of Homewood will celebrate International World Migratory Bird Day at the Izaak Walton Preserve. At 7:00 a.m., wake up with coffee and muffins in Senior Hall and view the permanent exhibition of local bird and insect photography. At 8:00 am, join a bird-watching tour led by Thorn Creek Audubon during the Spring peak bird migratory season. During past Springs, observers have documented over 70 species at the Preserve. See our website for more specifics about birds seen at the Preserve.

The May 2 event will be Homewood’s fourth celebration of WMBD after qualifying as a Bird City Illinois (Illinois Audubon Council), based on Homewood initiatives to create and maintain native habitat to support birds and insects and educational programs for residents, such as the Green Thumb Saturday programs. For more information, go to Facebook (see Rethinking Lawns: Understanding the role of lawns, native plants, and the potential for native lawn on Facebook). To maintain its status as a Bird City Illinois, Homewood must sponsor a yearly program to celebrate WMBD.

The international theme for 2026 is “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!” Environment for the Americas sponsors community-based work to protect and persevere migratory birds across the hemisphere. Take time to explore the grounds following the bird-watching tour.