Lisle Arboretum bird watchers have eyes to the skies

For Vicki Vetter, the joy of bird watching is in the challenge of getting to know her feathered friends by sight or song — and the relaxation she finds along the way.

Over the last eight years, the Wilmette woman has explored the region and country for new habitats and species. On Saturday, that quest took her to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, where she and about a dozen other enthusiasts went for a morning bird walk.

“It’s one of those stress-free hobbies, and you can do it just about wherever you are,” Vetter said, taking a quick break from her binoculars. “It’s almost like hunting — but you don’t have to kill anything. And there’s always something new I haven’t seen before.”

Saturday’s walk marked the end of the arboretum’s winter bird-watching series and the start of its spring bird walks, planned for April 16, May 7, May 21 and June 4.