Sunday – Getaway Weekend
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.

Tour the better birding areas that North Glenview has to offer.  We will most likely bird Techny Basin Conservation Area, Lake Glenview, and Air Station Prairie for early migrants and lingering waterfowl.  Techny Basin is located west of Waukegan Rd., south of Willow Rd., and east of Ravine Way in Glenview.  Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the gravel parking lot on Claire Ct. off of Ravine Way.  The trip will last approximately 3 hours but you are welcome to leave at any time.  Leader:  John Leonard. 847-845-5563

Come out to see the spectacular aerial displays of the American woodcock at dusk!  Air Station Prairie in Glenview is a great location for these displays.  We may even spot a woodcock on the ground.  Meet on the deck of the interpretive center at 6:45 p.m.  Leader:  John Leonard. 847-845-5563

Bird the lakes and ponds of the Palos region for a variety of spring waterfowl.  Meet at 7:30 a.m.  From I-55, exit south onto US Rte. 45/LaGrange Rd.  Head straight south to the McGinnis Slough parking lot on the west side of La Grange Rd.  Leader:  Jeff Sanders. (Note:  If ponds are frozen, trip may be rescheduled or cancelled.  Check the website for update.) yellowstart5@yahoo.com or 847-657-6431, the night before the field  trip.

Knowing the names of all the different parts of a bird gives us a language for communicating in an unambiguous fashion about what a bird looks like. Bird topography is so critical to bird identification that you'll be hard pressed to find a field guide without a section covering the topic. However, that section is usually neglected. Geoff Williamson will provide an introduction and review to the topic and will deepen our appreciation of how incredible birds are. Geoff is active in local, state, and national birding organizations and was a 2013 recipient of the American Birding Association's Ludlow Griscom Award.

54th Chicago-North Shore Count and ENSBC Post-Count Potluck dinner at Libby Hill’s house, 2715 Woodland Rd, Evanston. Arrive any time after 4 p.m. Contact Libby Hill at 847-475-2096 or libbyhill@comcast.net for information about the dinner. Compiler: Contact Tim Wallace, 847-548-2654, for information and to participate in the count. Feeder Count Compiler: Eleonora di Liscia, 847-568-0160.

49th Chicago Urban Count.
Contact compiler: Jeffrey Sanders, 847-657-6431 for more information and to participate.

45th Annual Jeff Sanders’ Fall Specialty Trip.  North Shore lakefront – Northwestern, Gillson Park, Maple Park, Tower Road Park, Park Ave., Rose Beach in Highland Park, and other areas as time permits.  Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Northwestern University beach.  Go east on Lincoln St. from Sheridan Rd., turn south past the giant fitness center, then turn east (left) and go almost to the end.  Bring scopes and dress for cold lake wind.  Leader: Jeff Sanders.

Target birds are sparrows, other late migrants, and a few hawks if the winds are right.  Daniel Wright Woods is located at the intersection of St. Mary's and Everett Roads.  From that point, turn south into the preserve.  Meet in the first parking lot at 7:30 a.m.  Directions:  From the south, take I-94 or Rte. 41 north to Rte. 22, go west to Riverwoods Rd., then go north to Everett Rd., then go west to St. Mary's Rd.  From the north, take I-94 or Rte. 41 south to Rte. 60, go west to St. Mary's Rd., then south to the entrance.  Leader:  Jeff Sanders.