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

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

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

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. Leader: Wayne Svoboda

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.

Fridays at Skokie Lagoons. 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.

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.

Recognizing and Identifying Birds by Their Vocalizations is an important part of enjoyable and successful birding. Geoff Williamson, recipient of the 2013 Ludlow Griscom Award from the American Birding Association, given for outstanding contributions to regional ornithology, will introduce us to “birding by ear.” Many experienced birders will say that 90% of their birding is done "by ear." Those conducting censuses and surveys find this skill especially important. But but even the casual bird watcher will find ear-birding skills quite useful. In many situations, such as forest and marshland birding, birding by ear is valuable in locating and identifying birds when they are difficult to see. This presentation describes basic concepts in bird vocalizations and provides organizing principles for learning to bird by ear. The talk also discusses the many resources available to the person looking to acquire or improve ear-birding skills. 7:30 pm at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd, Evanston. Park in the Ladd Arboretum Parking lot between Bridge Street and Emerson/Golf Rds. The bridge is under construction and traffic is one way towards McCormick Blvd.

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 with Leader by email: djohnsoda@comcast.net or phone: 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