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Jackson Park and Lakefront – Wooded Isle.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

We will be looking for migrating passerines at this popular hotspot.  Meet at 7:00 a.m.  Park south of the Museum of Science and Industry after driving around the east side of the building.  Leader:  Dick Young  708 955 8258

Northwestern University Campus

Saturday, May 16, 2015

May 16, 2015 - Saturday
Saturday Mornings at Northwestern University Campus.  Northwestern's campus is a stopover for migrants of all kinds heading north.  Park on the lake side of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Leaders:  Libby Hill and John Bates. 847-475-2096

Skokie Lagoons

Friday, May 15, 2015

These Friday trips pack a great list of warbler species during spring migration.  Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Forest Preserve parking lot north of Willow Rd. just east of the Edens Expressway.  Leader:  Wayne Svoboda. 847-675-3622

The Grove, Glenview

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Expect warblers and other passerines.  Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the second parking lot, which leads to the Interpretive Center.  The entrance to the Grove is on east side of Milwaukee Ave., just south of Lake Ave.  Leader:  Nancy Halliday.

Northwestern University Campus

Saturday, May 9, 2015

This area is a stopover for migrants of all kinds heading north.  Park on the lake side of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m.  Leaders:  Libby Hill and Nancy Halliday. 847-475-2096

Illinois State Spring Bird Count

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Illinois State Spring Bird Count.  Contact Joel Greenberg for Lake County assignments (630-725-6660).  Contact Alan Anderson for Cook County assignments (casresearch@comcast.net or 847-390-7437).

Illinois State Spring Bird Count

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Contact Joel Greenberg for Lake County assignments (630-725-6660).  Contact Alan Anderson for Cook County assignments (casresearch@comcast.net or 847-390-7437).

Skokie Lagoons

Friday, May 8, 2015

These Friday trips pack a great list of warbler species during spring migration.  Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Forest Preserve parking lot north of Willow Rd. just east of the Edens Expressway.  Leader: Lynne Carpenter.     

Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Look for warblers and other migrants.  Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Ewing Avenue and Grant Streets in Evanston.  Park along Ewing Avenue.  Leader:  Wayne Svoboda. 847-675-3622

Ryerson Woods

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Check out the spring migrants and returning breeders at this beautiful Lake County forest preserve.  Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Brushwood Center parking lot.  The entrance to the Ryerson Conservation Area is on Riverwoods Rd., north of Deerfield Rd.  Leader:  Gary Hantsbarger. 224-628-6108

Spring Saturday Mornings at Northwestern

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Northwestern has long been a stopover for migrating birds of all kinds.  Park on  the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St. at 8:30 am. Leaders:  Libby Hill and Josh Engel.  847-475-2096.

Skokie Lagoons

Friday, May 1, 2015
These Friday trips pack a great list of warbler species during spring migration.  Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Forest Preserve parking lot north of Willow Rd. just east of the Edens Expressway.  Leader: Lynne Carpenter. 

 

PROGRAM: "DNA Sequencing: What species is that Bird Anyway?"

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

DNA sequencing is on par with Roger Tory Peterson's first field guide, advances in the quality of optics, and the proliferation of digital technology in changing the way we approach birding. Yet for all the attention that "splits" and "lumps" garner--most of them the result of genetic studies--we still don't have a perfect explanation for the fundamental question "What is a species?" Josh Engel, who studies bird genetics at the Field Museum, will explain how DNA sequencing works and why it has led to such dramatic rearrangements of our field guides. He will discuss some of the most surprising results of DNA studies, along with how we know that Yellow-breasted Chat is not a warbler and why there could soon be three species of White-breasted Nuthatches.

Getaway Weekend: American Golden Plovers and Smith's Longspurs

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Sunday – Getaway Weekend
Champaign will be our base in central Illinois.
Target species include American golden-plover,
Carolina chickadee, Smith's longspur, and early migrants.
 Optional overnight stay in Champaign Saturday night. 
Meeting place & time to be announced.
Reservations and $25 deposit required.
Limit 12 participants.
RSVP to leader: David B. Johnson at
djohnsoda@comcast.net or 224-567-9650.

Northwestern University Campus

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Northwestern's campus is a stopover for migrants of all kinds heading north.  Park on the lake side of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m.  Leaders:  Libby Hill and Nancy Halliday. 847-475-2096

North Glenview.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Tour the better birding areas that North Glenview has to offer.  We will most likely bird Techny Basin Conservation Area, Lake Glenview, and Air Station Prairie for early migrants and lingering waterfowl.  Techny Basin is located west of Waukegan Rd., south of Willow Rd., and east of Ravine Way in Glenview.  Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the gravel parking lot on Claire Ct. off of Ravine Way.  The trip will last approximately 3 hours but you are welcome to leave at any time.  Leader:  John Leonard. 847-845-5563

Looney Trip, Lake County

Saturday, April 4, 2015

A Dave Johnson specialty!  Loads of loons and lots of lakes.  Expect other birds as well.  Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Diamond Lake Rd. at Diamond Lake across from Mundelein boat launch at Gale Street Inn Restaurant parking lot. RSVP to Dave at djohnsoda@comcast.net or 224-567-9650.  Bring Family Radio Service walkie-talkies or radios with the second security channel if you have one.  Lunch out at local lakeside eatery.  Record numbers of migrating loons are often seen on this trip as well as pelicans.  Leader: David B. Johnson.

Air Station Prairie Woodcocks

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Come out to see the spectacular aerial displays of the American woodcock at dusk!  Air Station Prairie in Glenview is a great location for these displays.  We may even spot a woodcock on the ground.  Meet on the deck of the interpretive center at 6:45 p.m.  Leader:  John Leonard. 847-845-5563

PROGRAM: "Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge"

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge was established in November 2012. Hack ma tack is an Algonquin Indian word for the tamarack tree. The Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge boundary employs a Cores and Corridors concept for wildlife preservation with a focus on migratory and grassland birds.  Our speaker, from Friends of Hackmatack NWR, will bring us up-to-date on this exciting new and only National Wildlife Refuge in our area.

6th Annual Memorial Ralph Herbst Duck Trip CANCELLED DUE TO FROZEN PONDS

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Bird the lakes and ponds of the Palos region for a variety of spring waterfowl.  Meet at 7:30 a.m.  From I-55, exit south onto US Rte. 45/LaGrange Rd.  Head straight south to the McGinnis Slough parking lot on the west side of La Grange Rd.  Leader:  Jeff Sanders. (Note:  If ponds are frozen, trip may be rescheduled or cancelled.  Check the website for update.) yellowstart5@yahoo.com or 847-657-6431, the night before the field  trip.

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