The Evanston North Shore Bird Club

Program: “HOW BIRDS FLY: The Science and Art of Avian Flight - Peter Cavanagh

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Peter Cavanagh will give a Zoom presentation on January 27^th at 7:30pm CST entitled “How Birds Fly” illustrated by his photographs, videos, and diagrams. He will discuss the evolution of flight, aspects of avian anatomy that enable flight, and provide insights into how birds achieve the amazing aerodynamic feats that exceed the capabilities of modern aircraft. He is known for the explanation of complex topics in an understandable way, and the material will be accessible to all people interested in birds.

Peter Cavanagh is a scientist, author, and bird photographer who lives in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. He is drawn to the study of bird flight by his experiences as an instrument-rated private pilot, his professional training in anatomy and biomechanics, and his passion for nature and the outdoors. Peter’s images have been featured in the Audubon Society’s Top 100 Bird Photographs of the Year. He is the author of 100 FLYING BIRDS: Photographing the Mechanics of Flight and HOW BIRDS FLY: The Science and Art of Avian Flight — both from Firefly Books. He has traveled widely to photograph birds on every continent.

Zoom doors open at 7.

Program: “Saving Chicago’s Nighthawks” – Edward Warden

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Once a common sight devouring insects at every night game, the increasingly un-common nighthawk is now in steep decline. Despite being one of the fastest disappearing birds in North America, very little data exists on why and how to stop it. In 2021, Chicago Ornithological Society launched a volunteer monitoring program to fill the gap, one of the only such efforts in the country. This presentation will highlight what the deal is on these birds, what’s been learned so far, and how to ensure Chicago remains a haven for these mysterious creatures.

Edward Warden is a lifelong Chicago resident, birder, and urban naturalist. Over the last 20 years he has worked with organizations across the Chicago region to foster community and appreciation for the urban environment through stewardship, conservation action, social media, and interpretive programs. He currently serves as President of the Chicago Ornithological Society and works as the Stewardship Program Manager at the Chicago Park District. Nightjars are a particular passion of his and he is the founder of the Chicago Nighthawk Project, a community science project launched in 2022 to help track and observe them.

Location: This program is in person at the Ecology Center, 7:30pm.