Wednesday, May 21st, 2025

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Wednesday, May 21st, 2025

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Diana Yates

University of Illinois expert discusses avian flu, migrating wild birds

Each spring, roughly 3.5 billion wild birds migrate from their warm winter havens to their breeding grounds across North America, eating insects and distributing plant seeds.
Some also carry diseases like avian influenza, a worry for agricultural, environmental and public health authorities. Michael Ward, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professor and an expert on wild bird migration and conservation, recently answered questions about how H5N1 – widely known these days as “avian flu” –  affects wild birds and how they contribute to its distribution across the U.S.

University of Illinois expert discusses avian flu, migrating wild birds Read More »

Birds of Champaign-Urbana in Illinois using different spaces in different ways

Researchers tracked birds in Illinois parks and backyards in the state’s twin cities.
They found that birds rely on spaces in different seasons and for different reasons. University of Illinois scientists took regular snapshots of birds in 39 public parks and 41 private yards in Urbana and Champaign.

Birds of Champaign-Urbana in Illinois using different spaces in different ways Read More »

Channel catfish had highest PFAS count in Illinois rivers

Scientists from the University of Illinois tested nine fish species from four northern Illinois rivers for contamination with per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances –  synthetic chemicals found in many industrial and commercial products.
They found fish contaminated with PFAS in every one of their 15 test sites. Elevated levels of PFOS, one type of PFAS compound, were found in nearly all fish tested. The researchers focused on fish in northern Illinois rivers because they are close to urban and industrial areas.

Channel catfish had highest PFAS count in Illinois rivers Read More »

Illinois research: Ancient katydid fossil reveals very rare structures

Hunters and fishermen in Illinois have long been serenaded by a variety of katydid species – the insect’s songs and chirps are common in some woods and fields.
Now the katydid has made the news: researchers based in the state made an interesting discovery about an ancient species.

Illinois research: Ancient katydid fossil reveals very rare structures Read More »

University of Illinois research shows cougars, coyotes have distinctly different influences as top predators

A camera-trap study of two ecosystems – one with cougars (also known as pumas or mountain lions) and one without – adds to scientists’ understanding of the many ways apex predators influence the abundance, diversity and habits of other animals, including smaller carnivores. When cougars disappear, other carnivores, like coyotes, function as the top predator. But their influence on other species is distinctly different than that of cougars.

University of Illinois research shows cougars, coyotes have distinctly different influences as top predators Read More »

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