Chicago Region Birding Calendar

Regular weekly walks emphasize the waves of bird migration that Chicago experiences throughout the spring. They’re a great way to see what birds have stopped en route to nesting grounds up north. Make your own day! See lots of warblers, tanagers, orioles and grosbeaks before work or school! Well-behaved kids who like birds and their parents (if they are well-behaved) are very welcome. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. The walks start at 7:00am and usually last 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Participants can easily depart earlier if their morning schedules require it.

Directions: North Pond is next to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum on Fullerton Drive (between Cannon and Stockton) just west of Lake Shore Drive. Parking is typically available on northbound Cannon Drive. The group meets by the Nature Museum, at the southeast end of North Pond. Look for us on the casting pier at the south end of the pond or in the museum lobby. Contact: Geoff Williamson 773-935-8439 or email to: geoffrey.williamson@Comcast.net

Results of the walks and other information are posted at http://home.comcast.net/~geoffrey.williamson/northpond.html

Several Walks This Month

Wednesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 7:00 AM

Wooded Island Wednesday Birdwalks—Jackson Park

Bring binoculars and field guides, and please dress for the weather. Many species of songbirds and water birds are seen. Meet at Clarence Darrow Bridge, just south of the Museum of Science and Industry. Contact Doug Anderson at (773) 493-7058 with questions. Everyone is welcome! Hosted by the Chicago Audubon Society

Several Walks This Month

Thursdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 8:00 AM

Birdwalks at Lincoln Park Zoo's South Pond

Meet on the Lester E. Fisher Bridge at 8 a.m. More than 300 species of birds have been observed in Lincoln Park, one of the Chicago area's best locations to see the large numbers of migrating birds that pass through Chicago every year. Join us on Thursday mornings during migration as we look for warblers and tanagers, finches and flyover hawks. The South Pond is also home to a nesting colony of black-crowned night-herons, and spring is the best time to watch them court and build nests. These walks are geared toward beginning and intermediate birders, with an emphasis on learning bird identification. All are welcome. Bring binoculars, and dress for the weather. For more information, please visit: http://www.lpzoo.org/events/south_pond/

Several Walks This Month

Saturdays, October 4, 11, 18 & 25, 8:00 AM

Wooded Island Saturday Birdwalks—Jackson Park

Wednesday, October 8, 8:30AM – 10:00AM

Field Trip for Beginners - Whalon Lake Forest Preserve, Naperville

Part 1: This is a short trip for beginners to focus on sparrow identification. Meet at the parking lot on south side of Royce Road, between Route 53 and Naperville Road and south of 75th Street. Part 2: Greene Valley Forest Preserve, 10:00am-noon. If the hawk watch is active, we will also visit nearby Greene Valley Forest Preserve to learn about hawk identification, after finishing at Whalon Lake. For the hawk watch portion please bring a hat, lawn chair, water, a sack lunch, and clothing layers to add, depending on weather. Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, 630-964-8277. E-mail vsroczynski@comcast.net for sparrow study guide/suggestions. Hosted by the DuPage Birding Club.

Wednesday, October 8, 7:00 PM
Kane County Audubon Program: Effects of Conservation on Bird Populations

Peck Farm Park, Geneva. Speakers Judy Pollock and Joe Suchecki will give a presentation on the effects on bird populations of conservation efforts in the Chicagoland region. Judy Pollock is Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon, Chicago Region, and Joe Suchecki is steward and bird monitor at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville. Also to be included: "a new initiative for Kane County grassland and shrubland birds." And, as usual, we'll have the latest bird sightings, chapter news, the raffle, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet and socialize with other birders. To reach Peck Farm Park, from Randall Road drive 1½ miles west on Fabyan Parkway (the border street between Geneva and Batavia). Turn right on Kaneville Road. After ½ mile turn right into the parking lot. If you'd like more information, please call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386. (Map) Hosted by the Kane County Audubon.

Thursday, October 9, 7:30PM

DuPage Birding Club Program: “Letters from Eden” with Julie Zickefoose
Come for socializing at 7:00PM. The DuPage Birding Club is pleased to welcome writer and nature artist Julie Zickefoose. Her work is well known throughout the birding community, and especially to readers of Bird Watcher's Digest. She's also a regular on NPR's “All Things Considered.” Julie's passion for the birds and other wildlife on her family's farm property in southeast Ohio will be apparent as she expands upon “Letters From Eden,” her book of essays, watercolors and sketches published in 2006. A book signing will follow the presentation, and we'll raffle off a signed and framed print that further showcases Julie's extraordinary talent. The meeting is held at Faith Lutheran church located at 41 N. Park Blvd. (just north of Roosevelt Road, on the east side of the street). Just like in the "old days," our pre-meeting dinner will take place at Beijing Restaurant, at 404 Roosevelt Road in Glen Ellyn, starting at 5:30 pm. Hosted by the DuPage Birding Club.

Friday, Oct. 10, 8 AM– 10AM

Fall Bird Walk-Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, Olympia Fields, IL

Join a Naturalist for a light hike through the colorful woods of Irons Oaks in search of resident bird species and migrating visitors. Iron Oaks is located at 20000 Western Avenue Olympia Fields, IL 60461(click address for map of location) Lead by Laura Berry. Free program but call to register 708.481.2330 http://www.ironsoaks.com.

Several Walks This Month

Saturdays, October 11, 18 & 25 8:00 AM

North Park Village Nature Center Bird Walks

Join us to learn about birds and their habitats while walking with new and seasoned birders through the beautiful woods surrounding the Nature Center. The walks are led by expert birders. If you have questions, please call the Chicago Audubon Society office at (773) 539-6793. All levels of birders are welcome! Meet at the Nature Center at 5801 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago. Hosted by the Chicago Audubon Society - www.chicagoaudubon.org

Saturday, October 11, or Sunday, October 12 (day & time to be announced)
Illinois Beach State Park, Zion Hawkwatch
Hawkwatch trip leader Roger Hotham will consult with the weather gods to select the better day for the outing. (Winds play a critical role in increasing the odds of a good hawkwatching day.) If you haven't attended Hawkwatch before, you'll be amazed at the ability of the spotters to identify the birds at ridiculously long distances. Please advise Roger of your interest in this trip. He'll choose the day and arrange carpooling. You can contact him at (847) 697-7484. (Map) Hosted by the Kane County Audubon.

Saturday, October 11, 11:00AM – 1:30PM

Greene Valley Hawk Watch

Open to all ages 10 and above. Register with Willowbrook Wildlife Center to reserve a spot, (630) 942-6200. Hosted by the DuPage Birding Club.

Saturday Oct. 18, 7:30 AM

Middlefork Savanna, Lake Forest

Search for migrating waterfowl, late shorebirds and more. From Rt. 60, take Rt. 43 north to the traffic light at Westmoreland Dr./Middlefork Dr. Turn left to the end of Middlefork and turn left into the parking lot. Leader: Denis Bohm 847-235-2738. Sponsored by Lake/Cook Chapter IAS, www.lakecookaudubon.org

Saturday, October 18, 8:00AM

Oakhurst Forest Preserve (Kane County)

Oakhurst F.P. is a 450-acre island on the east side of Aurora. Its varied habitats include a 70-acre lake-marsh complex, a mature forest, and sections of old field succession of varying ages. It is on the Kane-DuPage line, four miles south of Fermi and three miles from Big Woods Forest Preserve. Come west on New York Street, past the mall to Eola Road. Go south on Eola to McCoy Drive, then west on McCoy, which becomes 5th in Kane County, to the entrance of the Preserve on the north side of the street. A Greek Church is south of the Preserve, which you do not want to go past. Most of the driving described above is through subdivisions, so when you find trees, you are at the Preserve.
Leader: Terry Murray 630-896-3219 Tamurray@msn.com Hosted by the DuPage Birding Club.

Saturday, October 18, 8:00 AM
Birdwalk at Fermilab, Batavia
Migrating waterfowl for years have used Fermi's lakes for a stopover. We'll scan the waters for waterfowl and the edges for migrant and resident passerines. Meet in the parking lot next to the security shack on Pine Street east of Kirk Road. For more information, call Chris Madsen at (630) 377-0773. (Map) Hosted by the Kane County Audubon.

Sunday, October 18, 10:00 AM

Illinois Beach State Park, Camp Logan

A great spot for hawkwatching is Sailing Beach. Reservations with the leader required. Leader: David B. Johnson, djohnsoda@comcast.net or 847-459-3989Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Sailing Beach entrance shelter off Camp Logan (17th Street in Zion). If hawk migration is slow the leader will decide to bird elsewhere. Hosted by: Evanston North Shore Bird Club

Sunday, October 19, 7:30AM

Hennepin Area

This will be an all-day trip. Target birds will be shorebirds and waterfowl along with other migrants and local specialties. We will be stopping for lunch on the way, but bring plenty of water as it still can be hot at this time of the year. Please register with the leaders so arrangements can be made for carpooling. We will meet at the Bolingbrook Park & Ride on Old Chicago Drive east of IL53 about a mile south of I-55 (behind the Ramada Motel).Leaders: Bob and Karen Fisher, 630-985-2956, KFisher928@aol.com. Hosted by the DuPage Birding Club.

Sunday, October 19, 8:00AM

Fullersburg Woods

Join us along Salt Creek at Oak Brook's Fullersburg Woods as we look for waterfowl and warblers. If there's time we'll migrate over to Harvester Park in Burr Ridge afterwards to check out the small wetland there. We'll meet at the main parking lot at Fullersburg Woods on Spring Road west of York Road in Oak Brook. Please pre-register with the leader by October 16 for directions and car-pooling opportunities. Hosted by the DuPage Birding Club
Leaders Linda Padera and Lesa Hipes: waterthrush@comcast.net or (708)870-5385.

Sunday, October 19, 8:00 AM

Waterfowl in the Palos Preserves

Leader: Amar Ayyash, amarayyash@hotmail.com. This part of southwestern Cook County can be a great staging area for migrating waterfowl. Amar lives near Palos and has birded the area extensively. We should see a nice assortment of ducks, geese and cranes. Hawks may also be moving overhead, if conditions are right. Dress appropriately for weather and bring scopes and walkie-talkies if you have them. Meet at McGinnis Slough at 8:00 a.m.Directions: From I-55, exit south onto U.S. Rte. 45/LaGrange Road. Head straight south to the McGinnis Slough parking lot on the west side of LaGrange Road (at about 13600 to 13700 south). Hosted by the Chicago Ornithological Society

Monday, October 20, 7:00PM

Chicago Ornithological Society Program - Dr. Chris Whelan on 'Why do Birds Migrate?'

INHS avian ecologist Dr. Chris Whelan will talk about the “demands of the migratory annual cycle, the problems and solutions.” Using examples from his location at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Chris will explore migration from various angles: what is it; why do it; how to do it; navigation; physiology; hazards; and global climate change. By understanding what motivates birds, perhaps we birders can improve our chances of spotting them in action.

Unless otherwise indicated, COS meetings start at 7:00 p.m. at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive in Lincoln Park. You can arrive anytime after 6:30 to socialize. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is located on the northwest corner of Fullerton Avenue and Cannon Drive in Lincoln Park in Chicago. For detailed directions and public transportation info visit: http://www.chicagobirder.org/programs. Hosted by the Chicago Ornithological Society

Saturday, October 25

Sprague's Pipit Walk at Pyramid State Park

Following the success of last year's trip, Dan Kassebaum will again lead eager birders through the grasslands of Pyramid State Park in search of the elusive Sprague's Pipit. Why not take the opportunity to potentially add a new bird to your state list? For more information, please contact Travis Mahan at: calidris_1004@yahoo.com. Hosted by the Illinois Ornithological Society. Pre-registration is required. Participants’ $5 fee for IOS members, $25 fee for non-members (includes membership). Additional details can be viewed on the IOS webpage at: http://www.illinoisbirds.org/fieldtrips.html For more details and to register, please contact Tyler Funk or call:

(217) 348-5597.

Saturday, October 25, 7:30 AM
Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Walk beautiful Thatcher Woods with expert birder and former Chicago Audubon Society board member, Jill Anderson. Meet at the Trailside Museum parking lot west of the intersection of Thatcher Road and Chicago Avenue (south side of parking lot) in River Forest. Bring binoculars. If you have questions, please call the Chicago Audubon Society office at (773) 539-6793. All levels of birders are welcome! Hosted by the Chicago Audubon Society - www.chicagoaudubon.org

Saturday, October 25, 8:00 AM
Burnidge Forest Preserve, Elgin
This 590-acre preserve offers a variety of bird habitats that can be accessed over miles of mowed grass paths. KCA VP Jerry Hope is the walk leader. Meet in the parking lot next to the main pond off Coombs Road. To reach Burnidge FP, take Highland Avenue west from Randall Road for 2 miles. Turn right on Coombs and travel .7 mile to the preserve entrance. If you'd like more information, please call Jerry at (630) 377-1444. (Map) Hosted by the Kane County Audubon.

Saturday, October 25, 8:00 AM

Paul Douglas Forest Preserve - Grassy Ridge Meadow

This preserve is composed of a vast grassland with a nice marsh and some adjacent shrubland areas. This should be a good time for migrant ducks and sparrows. We'll also keep an eye out for fall hawks, snipe and shrike. Directions: To get to Grassy Ridge Meadow take I-90 west. Exit Roselle Rd. north (about 3 miles west of Route 53/I-290). Grassy Ridge is only about 1.5 to 2 miles from here. Turn left at the first light on Central Rd., cross Ela, turn right into Grassy Ridge Meadow. We will meet at 8 a.m. at the farthest end of the parking lot, by the marsh. Leader: Jenny Vogt jmvogt2003@yahoo.com or 847-408-0444. Hosted by the Chicago Ornithological Society.

Saturday, October 25, 11:30AM – 2:00PM

Field Trip for Beginners - Greene Valley Forest Preserve

Hawk identification for Families and Beginning Birders. Meet at the parking lot, top of the landfill, to learn how to identify raptors in flight and assist with a national raptor population count. Bring water, a sack lunch, hat, and a lawn chair for each participant. Bring clothing to layer depending on wind and temperature conditions on the hill. We will have a scope, binoculars, and field guides. Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, 630-964-8277 vsroczynski@comcast.net. Hosted by the DuPage Birding Club.

Sunday, October 26, 8:00AM

Nelson Lake Marsh, Batavia

We will be looking for late migrants and waterfowl. In Batavia, from Rt. 31, take Main Street (about halfway between Butterfield and Roosevelt Road) west to Nelson Road, turn south about 1/2 mile to the parking lot on the west side. From the south, take I-88 west to Orchard Road north, immediately turn west (left at the stop sign to Deerpath Road north (right), take Deerpath Road north to Nelson Lake Road (go straight, Deerpath veers right at this point) to parking lot on west side. Look for old silo. Leader: Scott Cohrs, 630-377-6814, cell 847-651-9891. Hosted by the DuPage Birding Club.

Monday, Oct. 27, 7:30 PM

Lake/Cook of IAS Program - The Amphibian Ark: Saving Our Frogs

Frogs are disappearing. So are toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians. At least 1/3 of known amphibian species may be threatened with extinction. Dr. Kevin Zippel, program director for The Amphibian Ark, is working to stem this crisis. Join him as he shares his efforts to ensure the global survival of amphibians. Ryerson Woods Welcome Center, 21950 Riverwoods Rd., Riverwoods. Co-sponsored by Lake/Cook Chapter IAS www.lakecookaudubon.org with the Lake County Chapter of National Audubon Society.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 7:30 PM

ENSBC Program: “Wings of the Imagination: Why We Need Birds”: Kenn Kaufman

Kenn Kaufman is one of the country’s premier birders and has done as much as anyone alive to popularize this glorious endeavor through his writings, lectures, and field trips. We are truly privileged to have Kenn speak to our group on some of the more philosophical aspects of birds and birding, ruminations that reflect the contents of his latest book, Flights Against the Sunset. (Books will be available for purchase and signing.) Hosted by: Evanston North Shore Bird Club. The Evanston North Shore Bird Club has monthly membership meetings every fourth Tuesday of the month, September through April (no December meeting) at 7:30 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., corner of Bridge St., in Evanston. For directions to program meetings on meeting nights, call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256. For information on this program, contact Joel Greenberg, 630-725-9416.

November 2008
Chicago Region Birding Calendar

Several Walks This Month

Saturdays, November 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 8:00 AM

Wooded Island Saturday Birdwalks—Jackson Park

Saturday, November 1, 6:30 AM

Northwest Indiana (Miller Beach, Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area, and other sites)

Join this all-day trip to see a variety of fall migrants. Trip ends at JPFWA at dusk at the elevated viewing platform to see thousands of sandhill cranes. Participants can meet at the home of Joel Greenberg at 6:30 a.m. or in Miller, IN at 7:30 a.m. Contact the leader for more details. Leader: Joel Greenberg, ckerchmar@earthlink.net or 630-725-9416. Hosted by Evanston North Shore Bird Club.

Saturday, November 1, 8:00 AM
Scope Day/Birdwalk at Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve, Batavia.
Twice each year KCA celebrates "Scope Day" at Nelson Lake, where members bring their spotting scopes to share views of the migrating birds with the general public. The scopes, with magnifications of 20 to 60 power, afford closeup views that can't be gotten with binoculars. After all the waterfowl on the lake have been identified, participants will undertake a leisurely 3-mile stroll around the lake. Meet in the parking lot by the silo. Dick Young Forest Preserve is located on Nelson Lake Road about ¾ mile south of Main Street, and about 1½ mile west of Randall Road in Batavia. For more information, please contact Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1384. (Map) Hosted by the Kane County Audubon.

Several Walks This Month

Wednesdays, November 5 & 12, 7:00AM

North Pond Bird Walks

Results of the walks and other information are posted at http://home.comcast.net/~geoffrey.williamson/northpond.html

Several Walks This Month

Wednesdays, November 5, 12, 19 & 26, 7:00 AM

Wooded Island Wednesday Birdwalks—Jackson Park

Wednesday, November 5, 7:00 PM

Lake/Cook of IAS Program: Illinois Audubon Society - Past, Present, Future

The Illinois Audubon Society oversees 10 wildlife sanctuaries and has acquired thousands of acres of land in an ongoing effort to preserve future habitat and biodiversity. Tom Clay, Executive Director, will talk about IAS’ 111-year history from its founding in an effort to curtail the feather trade to its present major role in Illinois land acquisition and restoration. Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd., Highland Park (directions on website). Hosted by Lake/Cook Chapter IAS, www.lakecookaudubon.org

Thursday, November 6, 7:00 PM Social / 7:30 PM Program

Chicago Audubon Society Program – Grassland Bird Communities and Their Responses to Habitat Management and Restoration

Joe Suchecki will give a presentation on the grassland birds of Springbrook Prairie, including a discussion on how we can reverse the national trend of declining grassland bird populations. Over 215 species have been documented at Springbrook, including some recent nesting records for short-eared owls and northern harriers. Mr. Suchecki is a long-time birder in the Chicago area and is currently the Volunteer Bird Monitor and Site Steward at Springbrook, where he has conducted quantitative counts of the breeding birds for 15 years. This program is free and open to the public, but please call the Chicago Audubon Society office to register at (773) 539-6793. The meeting will be held at the North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago. Hosted by the Chicago Audubon Society - www.chicagoaudubon.org

Sunday, November 9, 7:30 AM

Ducks on Lake Michigan, Evanston – Bird Walk

Follow the lakefront starting at Northwestern University and heading north to Gillson Park, Park Avenue Beach, Rosewood, Fort Sheridan and beyond as time permits. Bring spotting scopes and dress warm. From Sheridan Rd in Evanston., go east on Lincoln, turn south past the Fitness Center, turn east (left) and drive almost to end. Leader: Jeff Sanders 847-657-6431. Sponsored by Lake/Cook Chapter IAS, www.lakecookaudubon.org

Sunday, November 9, 8:00 AM

Miller Beach, Indiana

We will be looking for Loons, Grebes, Scoters, & hopefully, Jaegers! This trip is co-sponsored with DuPage Birding Club. Directions: Take I-94 east through Gary, Indiana to I-65 north. Take I-65 north to Hwy 12. Go east on Hwy 12 about 2 miles to Lake St. Turn left and follow Lake St north to the beach parking lot. There is a McDonald’s on the corner of Lake St. and Hwy 12 with a bathroom. There are no facilities at the beach. Some COS & DBC members will meet at the McDonald's and depart from there at 7:45 am. Scopes are very useful here. Also, dress much warmer than expected as the wind can be very chilling. Leaders: Karen and Bob Fisher, 630-985-2956, Kfisher928@aol.com

Wednesday, November 12, 7:00 PM
Kane County Audubon Program: "Amphibians and Reptiles of Kane County."
Meeting Night at "The Barn" at Peck Farm park, Geneva. Pam Otto, Manager of Nature Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District, and a KCA member, will give a presentation on "Amphibians and Reptiles of Kane County." Did you know there are 13 species of frogs in Kane County? She'll help us identify them. And, as usual, we'll have the latest bird sightings, chapter news, the raffle, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet and socialize with other birders. To reach Peck Farm Park, from Randall Road drive 1½ miles west on Fabyan Parkway (the border street between Geneva and Batavia). Turn right on Kaneville Road. After ½ mile turn right into the parking lot. If you'd like more information, please call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386. (Map) . Hosted by the Kane County Audubon.

Saturday, November 15, 7:00 A.M
Gillson Park, Wilmette- Lake County
Join COS for a lake-watch at Gillson Park, where migrating waterfowl and many resting ducks and other water birds are reasonably close to shore. Expected species include diving ducks, loons and grebes, possibly including Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe and Long-tailed Duck. We will also keep an eye out for any unusual gulls and any late-migrating passerines. The field trip will visit other nearby lake front spots to search the lake for water birds, and depending on conditions, we might add other north shore lake front stops to the itinerary. Dress for extreme cold weather, as the wind off the lake can be brutal. Bring a thermos of a hot beverage and plan to drink it to keep your body temperature up. A spotting scope is very helpful for this trip. Directions: Gillson Park is located at Lake Michigan at the end of Lake Avenue in Wilmette. Meet at the lake house in the park. From the Edens Expressway north bound, exit at Lake Avenue and go east to Gillson Park. From the Edens Expressway south bound, exit at Skokie Road, go south to Lake Avenue, turn left and go east to Gillson Park. Coming from DuPage, from I-294, exit at Dempster eastbound. After about 1.5 miles, turn left (north) at Greenwood Ave. After another 2 miles, turn right (east) on East Lake Ave and take it to its end at Gillson Park. Leader: Geoff Williamson 773-935-8439 or geoffrey.williamson@Comcast.net Hosted by the Chicago Ornithological Society

Saturday, November 15, 8:00 AM
Birdwalk at SEBA Park, South Elgin
Jane McMillan leads this stroll along the paved bikepath from South Elgin to Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, a roundtrip of about 3 miles. The path parallels, and gives great views of, the Fox River, a natural attractor of birds and other wildlife. Meet in the parking lot of SEBA Park, one block east of Route 31 and two blocks south of State Street (the river crossing in South Elgin). If you have questions about this walk, please call Jane at (847) 622-3216. (Map) Hosted by the Kane County Audubon.

Saturday, November 22, 10:00 AM
Field Trip to Jasper Pulaski State Park, Medaryville, IN
KCA President Bob Andrini heads up this car pooling trip to Indiana to view one of the most dramatic avian sights in the Midwest: the huge flocks of migrating Sandhill Cranes that stop over at Jasper Pulaski. Imagine thousands of 4-foot-tall birds, with an almost 7-foot wingspan congregating in one area. It's spectacular. Participants should meet in the parking lot of Peck Farm Park. To reach the park, from Randall Road drive 1½ miles west on Fabyan Parkway (the border street between Geneva and Batavia). Turn right on Kaneville Road. After ½ mile turn right into the parking lot. If you'd like more information, please call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386. (Map) Hosted by the

Kane County Audubon

Sunday, November 23, 8:00 AM

39^th Annual Jeff Sanders’ Fall Specialty Trip

North Shore lakefront – Northwestern, Gillson Park, Maple Park, Tower Road Park, Park Ave., Rose Beach in Highland Park, and other areas as time permits. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Northwestern University beach. Go east on Lincoln St. from Sheridan Rd., turn south past the giant Fitness Center, then turn east (left) and go almost to the end. Bring scopes and dress for cold lake wind. Leader: Jeff Sanders, yellowstart5@yahoo.com. Hosted by: Evanston North Shore Bird Club.

Tuesday, November 25, 7:30 PM

ENSBC Program: “Birding Southeast Arizona, the Camp Chiracauha Way”: Sulli Gibson and Ari Rice. Evanston North Shore Bird Club members Sulli Gibson and Ari Rice spent eleven days this past summer at Camp Chiracauha, a unique program run by the American Birding Association that draws many of the country’s best and most avid young birders. (The prevalence of “nature deficit disorder” notwithstanding.) Ari and Sulli were the only representatives from Illinois and both were recipients of ABA scholarships. Southeast Arizona was new to both of them, and they share their experiences in this avian hotspot. Hosted by: Evanston North Shore Bird Club. The Evanston North Shore Bird Club has monthly membership meetings every fourth Tuesday of the month, September through April (no December meeting) at 7:30 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., corner of Bridge St., in Evanston. For directions to program meetings on meeting nights, call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256. For information on this program, contact Joel Greenberg, 630-725-9416.

December 2008
Chicago Region Birding Calendar

Tuesday, December 2, 7:30 PM

Lake/Cook of IAS Program: Behind the Scenes of Raptor Rehabilitation

Barnswallow is a raptor rehabilitation program and public education facility run by Linda Breuer. We will view the birds on her property in Wauconda through closed-circuit cameras and learn about her work with threatened raptors in Lake County. Bring donations of paper towels and bleach. Call Rena Cohen 847-831-0331 for directions. Those wishing to carpool from the Highland Park area should meet at 7:00 pm at Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd., Highland Park (directions on website). Hosted by Lake/Cook Chapter IAS, www.lakecookaudubon.org

Several Walks This Month

Wednesdays, December 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, 7:00 AM

Wooded Island Wednesday Birdwalks—Jackson Park

Several Walks This Month

Saturdays, December 6, 13, 20 & 27, 8:00 AM

Wooded Island Saturday Birdwalks—Jackson Park

Saturday, December 6, 8:00 AM
Birdwalk at Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve, Batavia
On the first Saturday of every month, KCA sponsors this bird/nature hike around Nelson Lake. This is an easy 3-mile walk at a leisurely (3-hour) pace. Meet in the parking lot by the silo. Dick Young Forest Preserve is located on Nelson Lake Road about ¾ mile south of Main Street, and about 1½ mile west of Randall Road in Batavia. For more information about this walk, please contact Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1384. (Map) Hosted by the Kane County Audubon

Wednesday, December 10, 7:00 PM
Kane County AudubonProgram: "Birds of the Northwest and Beyond,"

Meeting Night at "The Barn" at Peck Farm Park, Geneva. Paul Mayer, a KCA member, will speak on "Birds of the Northwest and Beyond," sharing stories and pictures of his recent birding trip to Alaska. And, as usual, we'll have the latest bird sightings, chapter news, the raffle, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet and socialize with other birders. To reach Peck Farm Park, from Randall Road drive 1½ miles west on Fabyan Parkway (the border street between Geneva and Batavia). Turn right on Kaneville Road. After ½ mile turn right into the parking lot. If you'd like more information, please call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386. (Map) Hosted by the Kane County Audubon

Saturday, December 13, 8:00 AM
Birdwalk at SEBA Park, South Elgin

Jane McMillan loves this walk and you will too if you join her on this easy 3-mile stroll along the west bank of the Fox River. Given the proper weather (cold), Bald Eagles may have returned to this stretch of the river for this walk. Meet in the parking lot of SEBA Park, one block east of Route 31 and two blocks south of State Street (the river crossing in South Elgin). For additional information about this walk, please call Jane at (847) 622-3216. (Map) Hosted by the Kane County Audubon

Wednesday, December 15, 7:00 AM

North Pond Bird Walks (only one walk this month)

Directions: North Pond is next to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum on Fullerton Drive (between Cannon and Stockton) just west of La