Aspiring bird watchers have another way to experience the fall migration. The free mobile game, “Find the Birds,” now features a new location that allows players to explore Illinois’ rich natural landscape and wildlife, said Brian “Fox” Ellis,” the new assistant editor of Illinois Audubon magazine.
The Illinois River sites involved are the Wetland Initiative’s Dixon Waterfowl Refuge, the Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve and the Illinois Audubon Society’s Chillicothe Bottoms Wildlife Sanctuary, said Ellis, adding that locally renown Sun Foundation is also a partner in the project.
“Can screen time lead to green time? Can a video game played on a hand-held device inspire young people to get outside and go bird watching?” Ellis thinks that the answer is yes.
The game represents a unique partnership between conservation organizations, he said. By spotlighting birds and area birding sites, the hope is that more people will want to become more aware of environmental issues, said Ellis, a writer and storyteller who’s portrayed James John Audubon numerous times.
The game is available at feedthebirds.org.
