Bird Sanctuary Program
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2007- 2008 Lake-Cook Audubon Programs

Programs are held at  Heller Nature Center at 2821 Ridge Road in Highland Park, Illinois 60035 (directions) unless otherwise noted.

You may download a printable (PDF)  version of this schedule formatted in letter size

Tuesday, September 4  7:00 PM
“Ghost Bird”-The Ivory Billed Woodpecker

Doug Stotz, Environmental Conservationist with the Field Museum of Natural History, who participated in the search team after this bird was spotted in Arkansas in 2004 when it was thought to be extinct, will discuss the discovery, the efforts to confirm the sighting, the status of the search, and important conservation issues.

If you have sufficient internet bandwidth you can listen to Doug Stotz' presentation. You may download the audio portion of Doug Stotz' presentation by RIGHT clicking this link and saving the audio file ("save link as") OR simply click the link to listen to the presentation now. Enjoy.

Tuesday, October 2  7:00 PM
Just Passing Through - Raptor Migration in Northern Illinois

Vic Berardi, founder of the Illinois Beach State Park Hawk Watch, will be discussing the fall hawk migration in northern Illinois. Migration strategies, routes, and weather for a good migration day will be illustrated along with a look at the most common species.

This program will provide excellent background for the Sunday, October 7 field trip to Illinois Beach State Park.

Tuesday, November 6  7:00 PM
How Are the Birds Doing?-Chicago Region Bird Population Trends

Donnie Dann, past president of the Bird Conservation Network, will present a look at the results of 20 years of data on our local bird populations. The data was gathered through thousands of volunteer hours by birders throughout the area.

Tuesday, December 4  7:00 PM
Helping Migratory Birds - Rescue and Protection

Annette Prince, Director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, will describe the work of the CBCM.  This group rescues birds injured from building strikes and works to reduce the risks of lighting and building designs to migratory birds.This group had another record season season in fall 2006.  Volunteers rescued over 1200 collision injured birds in one square mile of downtown Chicago.

Tuesday, March 4  7:00 PM
The Coyote-Symbol of the Wilderness?

Chris Anchor, Wildlife Biologist for Cook County Forest Preserve District, has participated in the Urban Coyote study which is entering its seventh year. Chris will reveal details of the study and explain the habits of  the coyote including why one was a customer at a fast-food restaurant in Chicago.



(Note: This program was re-scheduled from the February program date)

“Those Were the Days” - 110 Years of the Illinois Audubon Society

(Postponed): Tom Clay will join us for this presentation later in 2008)

Tom Clay, Executive Director of IAS, will be here to present our history from the founding, when members joined together to curtail the feather trade, to our present direction and activities, including preservation of habitat in Illinois.  IAS is responsible for land acquisition that has created many nature sanctuaries throughout the state.


Saturday, March 15 Noon - 4 PM
Bird Monitoring Workshop
Ryerson Woods Welcome Center, Deerfield, Illinois

The Bird Conservation Network, in cooperation with the Forest Preserve Districts of Lake County, and the Park District of Highland Park invites you to a workshop for current and prospective bird monitors. Anyone interested is invited to attend this free workshop. The workshop will feature forest preserve and park district staff and experienced birders and monitors. Click here to learn complete details.

Tuesday, April 1 7:00 PM
“Can You Hear That?"- A Bird Call Program

Bird calls and songs are important to species identification. Vern Kleen, well-known Illinois naturalist and tour leader, is a master of the art of birding by ear.  Using only vocalized renditions of approximately 80 species, he’ll help us learn to identify birds by their calls. With luck, we will also have a chance to catch the woodcocks in action outside the meeting room during their spring mating ritual.

Tuesday, May 6  7:00 PM
Birding the Midwest-Birds in Our Area.

Kathy and Bob Andrini, former educators and well-known for their nature programs and field trips, will present an “up close and personal” look at birds which are local as well as migrant visitors.

Tuesday,  June 3    6:30 PM
Annual Potluck Dinner and Elections of Officers ProgramBring a dish to share and your own place setting. This meeting is your chance to participate in planning our field trips, programs and activities for the 2008 - 2009 fall, winter and spring. Additionally we will install our board members for the coming year. This is an open meeting and our last program for the 2007 - 2008 season. If you are interested in our activities, you are welcome to attend.