In 2024, Tarik Shahzad broke the Cook County Big Year record after only two years of birding experience. Tarik is a born and raised northwest side Chicagoan who currently works for The Nature Conservancy's Illinois chapter as an environmental policy advocate. Owen Woodhouse, an ENSBC member and guide and Tarik's main 'Big Year' birding mentor, was instrumental in helping him break the record. Owen is a 17 year old birder and bird photographer based in Wilmette. He is an avid fan of observing any form of visual migration, including lakewatching, hawkwatching, and morning flight counts. Owen completed a Cook County Big Year in 2022 at the age of 13.  

What’s it like to embark on a Big Year, how did they work with others to set the new record, where did they travel, what did they see, and what did they learn? Owen and Tarik will entertain us with answers to these questions and their experiences along the way to their Big Accomplishments.  Join Owen and Tarik for an exhilarating and fun evening.

In person, Ecology Center, 7:30

Note: April 28 is the ENSBC brief Annual Meeting where we vote on new members of the Board.