Join the crew of the Illinois Beach State Park Hawkwatch in their raptor migration monitoring efforts and celebrate their 25th consecutive year of full time coverage. The timing of this trip is at or near the peak for several species including Merlin and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Other raptor species such as Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and even an early Rough-legged Hawk are possible. This trip and what is seen will be dependent on the weather.

Meeting time: 9 a.m.

Directions: Take I-94 to Route 173, exit and head east to Sheridan Road (approx 8 miles). Go north on Sheridan Road to 17th Street and then go east. Take the park road into the park and turn right at the sign for the Sand Prairie Day Use Area. The count site is located at the first pavilion on the right.

Leader: Vic Berardi

Meet at 9 a.m. at Hawkwatch picnic tables.  Bring a chair & snacks.

Located in Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve; 117 Sheridan Road, Lake Forest.  The main entrance is on Sheridan Road at Old Elm Road and Simonds Way. Enter on Simonds Way, left on Leonard Wood Drive North, left on Gilgare Lane to parking area.

Leader: David Johnson

Friday mornings at Jarvis Bird Sanctuary from 7:30a.m.-9:30a.m.

Park in the metered Waveland Parking Lot  (map here: https://goo.gl/maps/ovFmu2P21ewTXiAF7) and meet on the viewing platform on the east side of the fenced-in bird sanctuary (map here: https://goo.gl/maps/fgSgGEx75wEP3X7M6). 

Leaders: from Red Hill Birding, will be on the platform from 7:30a.m.-9:30a.m., so you can come any time.

Coffee and fixings are provided.

Malawi calls itself "the warm heart of Africa."  John Bates will present on decade long collaborations with colleagues from the National Museums of Malawi to study the population structure of Malawian birds, and what has been learned to help with conservation there.

John is the Rowe Family Curator of Evolutionary Biology, Birds, at the Nagaunee Integrative Research Center of the Field Museum of Natural History.

Program at 7:30 p.m.

Location: Robert Crown Community Center, Room B, 1801 Main St, Evanston

Join us to walk the golf course’s north birding loop. Everyone should bring binoculars and a field guide if they have one. 

Meet at 7:30 a.m. on Maple Ave. in Wilmette, just west of the canal. There is free parking on the south side of the street.  

Leader: Matthew Rooney 

Participation limited to 15 people. register with Matt Rooney at matthewarooney@gmail.com.

Friday mornings at Jarvis Bird Sanctuary from 7:30a.m.-9:30a.m.

Park in the metered Waveland Parking Lot  (map here: https://goo.gl/maps/ovFmu2P21ewTXiAF7) and meet on the viewing platform on the east side of the fenced-in bird sanctuary (map here: https://goo.gl/maps/fgSgGEx75wEP3X7M6). 

Leaders: from Red Hill Birding, will be on the platform from 7:30a.m.-9:30a.m., so you can come any time.

Coffee and fixings are provided.

We will look for fall warblers, other migrants, local raptors along the trails through this nearly 22 acres of restored woodlands, wetlands, and a pond.

Meet 7:30 A.M. at the main park gate on the east side of Western Ave. (5801 N. Western Ave, where Ardmore dead-ends into Western). Free street parking on both sides of Western Avenue.

Leader: Scott Judd

Friday mornings at Jarvis Bird Sanctuary from 7:30a.m.-9:30a.m.

Park in the metered Waveland Parking Lot  (map here: https://goo.gl/maps/ovFmu2P21ewTXiAF7) and meet on the viewing platform on the east side of the fenced-in bird sanctuary (map here: https://goo.gl/maps/fgSgGEx75wEP3X7M6). 

Leaders: from Red Hill Birding, will be on the platform from 7:30a.m.-9:30a.m., so you can come any time.

Coffee and fixings are provided.

This thirteen-acre Emily Oaks savanna and nature center is an oasis full of native plants, grasses, oak trees, a two-acre pond, and trails. The Oakton College Campus native plantings and the area between Emily Oaks and the Campus are both great migrant  traps.

We will be looking for warblers and other Fall migrants.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the Emily Oaks Nature Center parking lot, 4650 Brummel Street, Skokie.

We will start by birding outside the nature center and the area between the campus and the native garden on the campus.  

Leader:  John Bates.