Waukegan Christmas Count

Compiler: Joel Greenberg, 630-725-9416

Chicago Lakefront Christmas Count
Compiler: Joel Greenberg, 630-725-9416

Evolution of bird migration: from the Field to the Theory. Valentina Gómez-Bahamón. Every year, massive and periodic movements of birds occur in response to variation in seasonal environments. Migratory birds can travel thousands of kilometers from their breeding grounds towards their wintering grounds, requiring unique physiological and morphological adaptations to accomplish such feats. Partial migration occurs when a species is composed of a migratory population (or subspecies) and a sedentary one. It occurs in many species of birds and it has been suggested as an intermediate step in between the evolution of sedentariness and migratoriness. Focusing on a partially migratory species, the Fork-tail Flycatcher (Tyrannus savanna), Valentina Gómez-Bahamón, who works for SELVA: Research Conservation for the Neotropics and is currently a PhD student at UIC and the Field, will share her field research in the Argentinian Pampas and Colombian Llanos on how morphology differs in association to migration and determining if migration has been lost or gained in the evolutionary history of this group and how it translates into scientific knowledge that can help us understand the evolution of migration and its possible role in the origin of species.

"Life at the Top. Shane DuBay." Shane will talk about the extraordinary ways in which birds survive at extreme high elevations, where temperatures are cold and oxygen is low. High-elevation environments are harsh for the majority of life, but some birds have evolved incredible adaptations and behavioral strategies to thrive under these conditions. Shane is a graduate student at The Field Museum and the University of Chicago, where he studies high altitude adaptation in birds that inhabit the Hengduan Mountains of southern China. Through a virtual tour he will transport you to the highest peaks in Asia, exposing the ways in which birds survive in these stunning, yet deadly environments.

Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary Thursday Workday afternoons take place at the Sanctuary between 4 p.m - 6.p.m.;  No experience needed, Stewards Jerry Herst and Julie Dorfman will decide on the particular work needs of the sanctuary for that afternoon. Activities can range from collecting seeds, scattering seeds, pulling invasive weeds, removing seedheads of invasive weeds, etc.  Contact Jerry Herst at Jerry.Herst@gmail.com for information.  Meet at the Sanctuary fence north or the Clark Street Beach House.

Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary Thursday Workday afternoons take place at the Sanctuary between 4 p.m - 6.p.m.;  No experience needed, Stewards Jerry Herst and Julie Dorfman will decide on the particular work needs of the sanctuary for that afternoon. Activities can range from collecting seeds, scattering seeds, pulling invasive weeds, removing seedheads of invasive weeds, etc.  Contact Jerry Herst at Jerry.Herst@gmail.com for information.  Meet at the Sanctuary fence north or the Clark Street Beach House.

"The Color of Birds - In Celebration of a Passion." Kevin Loughlin, owner of Wildside Birding based in Pennsylvania, has spent decades photographing the natural world, especially the birds. Celebrate Kevin’s passion for birds and birding through this photographic journey from the icy waters of Antarctica, to the mountains of Ecuador full of colorful gems we call hummingbirds and many other locations across the globe. Through his images, Kevin will show us that the elegance of a Black-necked Stilt is every bit as stunning as the glorious colors of the Fiery-throated Hummingbird. A Ruth Milgrom Program.

Gillson Park, Wilmette. Work alongside other birders to help the Wilmette Park District install new bird habitat at Gillson Park. Shifts are 9-12 or 1-4.  For more information, contact kglennemeier@gmail.com.

This is a community-wide initiative involving many local groups as volunteers.  We will be helping to put in thousands of new plants!   No experience is necessary, just be willing to work hard and get dirty!  Those of you with strength and stamina are especially needed to run a mechanical auger, so look for that option on the sign up page.   For more information, contact kglennemeier@gmail.com.  Park in the beach parking lot and then walk up the hill to the planting area.   For more information, contact kglennemeier@gmail.com

Please visit Signup Genius at the link below to sign up for a slot.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094ea8ae22a75-gillson

Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary Thursday Workday afternoons take place at the Sanctuary between 4 p.m - 6.p.m.;  No experience needed, Stewards Jerry Herst and Julie Dorfman will decide on the particular work needs of the sanctuary for that afternoon. Activities can range from collecting seeds, scattering seeds, pulling invasive weeds, removing seedheads of invasive weeds, etc.  Contact Jerry Herst at Jerry.Herst@gmail.com for information.  Meet at the Sanctuary fence north or the Clark Street Beach House.