Lake Cook Chapter welcomes voluntary donations in support of its free programs. If you are not already a member of the Illinois Audubon Society, consider joining.
Fall 2010/Winter & Spring 2011 Program Events
Programs are held at Heller Nature Center at 2821 Ridge Road in Highland Park, Illinois 60035 (directions) unless otherwise noted. All programs are free. Membership is not required to attend these programs.
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Here Come the Carp! What’s Next?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Heller Nature Center, 7:00 PM
Asian carp are a nasty breed of fish that jump out of the water, eat up to 40% of their body weight on a daily basis, and serve as the poster child for invasive species. After a steady spread northward up the Illinois waterways, they’re on the doorstep of Lake Michigan and threatening to destroy the entire fish ecology of the Great Lakes.
Kevin Irons, Large River Ecologist for the Illinois Natural History Survey, will bring us the latest information on this menacing ecological threat and what solutions might still be possible.
Watch this 2 minute video about the Asian Carp:
SPECIAL FIELD TRIP & PROGRAM
Exploring the Explorer: The Life of Robert Kennicott
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Grove, Glenview 8:00 AM – 12 Noon
Search for fall migrants from 8-10am, then hear from The Grove Director Steve Swanson about former resident, Smithsonian scholar and explorer/naturalist Robert Kennicott whose work led to the purchase of Alaska and who has two bird species as well as a glacier, valley and river named after him. After Steve’s presentation, tour Robert’s laboratory in the Kennicott family home and view a special exhibit on his life and early death.
It’s Owl Right: Owls of Illinois
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Heller Nature Center, 7:00 PM
Steve Bailey, ornithologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey and a co-author of Birds of Illinois, will discuss the behavior and identification of that most fascinating of bird species, the owl. He will share his secrets for how to look for owls, what habitats they frequent, the best places to see them locally, and, if we’re lucky, a demonstration of his world-famous Barred Owl call.
The Art of the Bird
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Heller Nature Center, 7:00 PM
Peggy Macnamara is a professor at the Art Institute and artist-in-residence for the past 20 years at the Field Museum where she illustrates birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. Her watercolor illustrations grace the museum’s walls as well as the four books she has authored. Peggy will take us behind the scenes to talk about the artistic process of bird and nature illustration.
The Birds of South Africa
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Heller Nature Center, 7:00pm
Local birder makes good, goes global. Josh Engel grew up near Chicago, where he learned the joys of birding along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Since getting hooked on the neotropics, Josh has been spending a lot of time in Africa leading birding groups, which has fueled his fast-growing obsession with, among others, the many endemic birds of South Africa. Josh will entertain us with his photos, extensive knowledge and great sense of humor.
The Cowbird Mafia
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Heller Nature Center, 7:00 PM
Cowbirds famously deposit their eggs in other birds’ nests, allowing surrogates to raise their young. But why do the other birds put up with it? New research suggests the cowbirds are also intimidating enforcers. Jeff Hoover, Avian Ecologist at UIC and INHS, will discuss his study of cowbird parasitism, its effect on many endangered bird species, and what is being done, if anything, to curb their destructive success.
Hackmatack—National Wildlife Refuge in the Making
Tuesday, Mar. 15, 2011
Heller Nature Center, 7:00 PM
Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a study to evaluate the possibility of establishing the Hackmatack Na-tional Wildlife Refuge in the northern portion of McHenry County, Illinois, and southern Walworth County, Wisconsin. This would be the first such refuge within 140 miles of Chicago. Lenore Beyer-Clow, Policy Director for Openlands, will talk about this exciting initiative and what refuge designation would mean.
Chicagoland’s ‘Important Bird Areas’
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Heller Nature Center, 7:00 PM
Chicagoland’s 21 Important Bird Areas attract rare breeding grassland, wetland and shrubland birds as well as migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. Judy Pollock, director of bird conservation for Audubon Chicago Region and coordinator of this program in Illinois, will share the thinking that goes into designating an Important Bird Area and ways the program benefits birds and habitat. Hear about bird species of greatest concern and the conservation accomplishments of this program.
Surefire Shorebirds
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Heller Nature Center, 7:00 PM
Can’t tell a peep from a plover? In anticipation of the summer shorebird migration, join local expert Walter Marcisz who will help us hone our shorebird identification skills. Walter will illustrate where and when to find shorebirds in the Chicago area, with a special emphasis on tips for distinguishing difficult groups such as peeps and dowitchers.
Annual Spring Potluck Dinner & Meeting
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Heller Nature Center, 7:00 PM
Bring a dish to share and your own place setting. Drinks will be provided. After dinner, we’ll hold our annual meeting and election of officers for the coming year. This is a chance to socialize, help set chapter policy and get in on future planning.
This is an open meeting and our last program for the 2010 - 2011
season. If you are interested in our activities, you are welcome to
attend.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Fall Warblers – Confusing No More
Heller Nature Center, 7:00 PM
Can’t tell fall Blackpoll Warblers from Bay-breasteds, or those very late Yellow-Rumpeds and Cape Mays? Chicago birder and illustrator Denis Kania will help demystify fall warbler identification.
He’ll cover all of the 35 regularly occurring warbler species that come through Northeastern Illinois and suggest some field-proven methods for simplifying fall identification. This is a great way to take your birding up a notch.
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