All events

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Field Trip: West Ridge

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

We will look for spring warblers, other migrants, local raptors, etc.  Meet at 7:30 a.m. at West Ridge Nature Center Park main entrance (5801 N. Western Ave.) Free street parking on both sides of Western Avenue. Leader: Scott Judd

Field Trip: Montrose

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Join us for morning migration at Montrose. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at handicapped parking. Leaders: Libby Hill and Nancy Halliday.

Field Trip: Canal Shores Golf Course South Loop

Sunday, May 7, 2023

Canal Shores Golf Course South Birding Loop

Canal Shores Golf Course is a great place to see spring migrants. Meet at 7:30 a.m. on Lincoln St, Evanston, just east of the North Shore Channel. 

Free street parking. Participation limited to 15 people. Register with Matt Rooney at matthewarooney@gmail.com.

Field Trip: Techny North

Sunday, May 7, 2023

Sunday – May 7, 7:30 a.m.

Techny North

This site has a combination of water and grasslands and a birdy woods. Look for shorebirds and other migrants and whatever else we an find. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot behind the “Sheraton Hotel, facing Techny Basin.  We have seen Eastern Meadowlarks and hawks in the grasslands. Turn north at Founders Drive off of Willow Rd. Leader: Owen Woodhouse.

Illinois State Spring Bird Count

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Illinois State Spring Bird Count

Contact Information TBD

Field Trip: Waukegan Beach_TRIP FULL!

Friday, May 5, 2023

The lakeshore in Chicagoland during spring migration can be one of the more dynamic birding experiences.  When conditions are right, migrant warblers, vireos, sparrows, and more can be concentrated along precious lakeshore habitat.  In Lake County, the top location for early morning lakeshore birding must be Waukegan Beach.  We will search for migrant shorebirds and waterbirds along the beach before heading to bird the adjacent woods and park.  After finishing up at Waukegan, we will then head to Illinois Beach State Park to continue our search for migrants.  At the south unit of Illinois Beach State Park, we will look for Virginia Rail and Sora, Sandhill Crane, and we could even spot a roosting Whip-poor-will if we are lucky.  

Registration is required and space is limited to 10 participants.  Register with libbyhill@comcast.net.  Leader:  Adam Sell. Note: we will start at Waukegan Beach https://goo.gl/maps/RcupVYBNAQfZezr48 at 7:00 a.m. and then proceed to Illinois Beach State Park https://goo.gl/maps/hXFN5WV8UGtBR7tT7.  The rain date for this trip will be Monday, May 8.

Field Trip: Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Look for warblers and other migrants (and a great display of spring wildflowers). 

Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Ewing Avenue and Grant Street.  Park along Ewing Avenue.  Leader: John Bates..

Canal Shores Golf Course North Loop

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Canal Shores Golf Course is a great place to see spring migrants. Meet on Maple Avenue in Wilmette just west of the Canal and walk the golf course’s north birding loop. Free street parking. Participation limited to 15 people. Register with Matt Rooney at matthewarooney@gmail.com.

Field Trip: Big Marsh at Calumet-- TRIP FULL

Sunday, April 30, 2023
April 30 Big Marsh Park 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

 

Come experience spring migration at one of Chicago's most successful restoration projects.  The entire trail system at Big Marsh Park is now open, allowing access to the entirety of the park.  Shorebirds, songbirds, marsh birds and more!  Meet at the Ford Calumet Environmental Center in Big Marsh Park.  Walking will be on paved paths; we'll make an approximately 1.5-mile loop. This is a joint Evanston North Shore Bird Club and Chicago Ornithology Society trip. Leader: Carl Giometti.  Register at least 24 hours in advance with Pamela Feldman, madder@comcast.net.

PROGRAM: Waukegan Beach, a Local Hotspot: Adam Sell

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Waukegan Beach: Local Birding Hotspot: Adam Sell

For bird watchers in the Chicago area, Waukegan Beach is a familiar name. Waukegan beach has been a favorite birding spot for ENSBC for decades.  Both new and veteran birders know Waukegan Beach as a migration hotspot in both fall and spring for warblers, shorebirds, and waterfowl.  In winter, the harbors and open water of Lake Michigan host overwintering specialty ducks, gulls, and if luck is on your side, a Snowy Owl.  Waukegan Beach is also renowned as a location for vagrants, with some highlights over the years including Gyrfalcon, Reddish Egret, and Arctic Tern. 

In his presentation, Adam Sell, a guide and tour manager for Chicago-based Red Hill Birding who has called Waukegan Beach his "local patch" for over 15 years, will attempt to distill this knowledge into a thoughtful and engaging presentation on how to make the most of your visit to the Waukegan Beach area. 

This talk is the second in our series about local birding hotspots, following last year’s presentation on Big Marsh in Calumet.

Field Trip: Air Station Prairie Woodcocks

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Come out to see the spectacular aerial displays of the American Woodcock at dusk!  The Air Station Prairie in Glenview is a great location for these displays, and we may even spot a woodcock on the ground. Meet on the deck of the interpretive center at 6:45 p.m.  The parking lot is across the street on Compass Road. Registration required.  Register with libbyhill@comcast.net. Leader: Tom Lally

Field Trip: Gillson Park, Wilmette

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Saturday – April 8, 7:30 a.m.  Meet by the Coast Guard Station to look for ducks and loons, as well as early warblers, sparrows and thrushes.  Enter the south entrance of Gillsson from Sheridan Road and park on Middle Drive or Michigan Ave. A scope is recommended for the first part of the trip.  Leader:  Owen Woodhouse.

Field Trip: :Looney Trip is Back!

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Dave Johnson's Looney Trip is Back.  Details TBA.  Registration will be required.

PROGRAM: All About Swifts

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Considered by many the most mysterious birds on our planet, swifts are currently one of the most threatened avian groups.  Some species have long migratory routes, including the North American Black Swift and the Chimney Swift, who winter in South America. In her presentation, Renata Biancalana, ornithologist from Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, will talk about her field work and expeditions studying these and other switt species in different parts of Brazil, including the Amazon, and the results of her research.

 

 

 

Field Trip: Woodcocks at Air Station Prairie

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Air Station Prairie Woodcocks.

Our  first opportunity this spring to look for the magical displays of woodcocks at dusk.  Meet on the deck of the interpretive center at 6:30 p.m. Leader: John Leonard. Register with jleonard5440@gmail.com.  The field trip will be over at 8 pm.

Program: John Bates: Falkland Islands to the Antarctic by Sailboat

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

John Bates, Field Museum Curator of Birds, will present on a January 2022 expedition by sailboat from the Falkland Islands to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, and back.  The trip was led by five female researchers to gather scientific samples and data on multiple penguin species, particularly Gentoos. Come learn about these captivating birds from Adeles and Chinstraps on the Antarctic Peninsula to Kings and Macronis on South Georgia, to Southern Rockhoppers and Magellanics on the Falklands as well as other south polar birds and mammals. The program will be on Zoom and will be recorded.

 

Hygge Fest Winter Bird Walk in Downtown Evanston

Saturday, February 11, 2023

 

Join Josh Engel of Red Hill Birding for a free family-friendly winter bird walk on the frozen lakefront! Even in the depths of winter, birds manage to thrive on the Evanston lakeshore. Maybe we will find winter resident ducks like mergansers and goldeneye or the familiar year-round crows and woodpeckers.

Meet at the entrance to Clark St. Beach at 11am and expect to be out for about an hour. Bring binoculars if you have them, but Josh will also have optics to share. Event is free but please register. Bundle up and see you soon!

This event is co-hosted by the Evanston North Shore Bird Club, a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the study, protection and enjoyment of wild birds and the protection of natural resources. As a member of the Bird Conservation Network, the ENSBC work to bring bird conservation issues before the public and to help resolve them. Learn more and find out about more local birding events here.

The Winter Bird Walk is part of Downtown Evanston's Hygge Fest, a series of workshops, classes and outdoor experiences to help you get cozy and feel comfort and joy during the winter months. To register: downtownevanston.org/hyggefest.

 


 

Program: Matthew Cvetas, “What’s that bird? Ask Merlin!

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

 

7:30 p.m. “What’s that bird?” Ask Merlin, the innovative bird identification app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  Just like magic, Merlin Bird ID will help  you solve the mystery.

Merlin Bird ID helps you identify the birds you see and hear.  Merlin is unlike any other bird app – it’s powered by eBird, the world’s largest database of bird sightings, sounds, and photos.

Merlin offers four fun ways to identify birds.  Answer a few questions, upload a photo, record a singing bird, or explore birds in a region.  Join Matthew Cvetas, eBirdData Reviewer and former president of both Illinois Ornithological Society and Illinois Young Birders, to learn more about how this app works, including a brief overview of its features, integration with your eBird account, and its bird ID capabilities. The program will be on Zoom and will be recorded.

Waukegan Christmas Bird Count

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Compiler:  Adam Sell.

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Monday, December 26, 2022

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