Spring Saturday Mornings at Northwestern University's Campus. 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. Leaders: Libby Hill and Josh Engel

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

Come out to see the spectacular aerial displays of the American Woodcock at dusk! The Air Station Prairie in Glenview is a great location for these displays and we may even spot a woodcock on the ground. Meet on the deck of the interpretive center at 6:45 pm. Leader: John Leonard or Jennifer Schmidt

Scott Heinrichs is the Founder of Flying Fox Conservation Fund in Chicago. Bats are one of the most beneficial and misunderstood of all animals. Our program is filled with information about where bats live, what they eat, and the vital contributions they make to the ecosystem. He will bring us up-to-date on White Nose. Syndrome and will bring live bats for us to touch and photograph. Bat Tee shirts will be for sale. 7:30 pm. at the Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston, IL, park in the parking lot off of McCormick Blvd in the Ladd Arboretum. (The bridge is under construction and the street is one way towards McCormick Blvd.)

Waukegan Christmas Count Compiler: Joel Greenberg, 630-725-9416

Compiler: Joel Greenberg, 630-725-9416

Dr. Lloyd Davidson, a world traveler and photographer and Conservation Chair of ENSBC, will take us on a photographic tour of the vast area of Argentina and Chile known as Patagonia, one of the least populated and most picturesque areas on earth. He and his wife Arden have visited this area, which is filled with exotic birds, such as the Andean Condor, the very large Magellanic Woodpecker and Darwin’s Rhea, as well as mammals like the Magellanic Fox and Guanacos. Remarkably rugged mountains, such as the splendid Mt. Fitzroy (named after the captain of Darwin’s ship, the Beagle) and the massive Torres del Paine and Cuernos del Paine, are often enhanced by magnificent lenticular (lens shaped) clouds hanging above them, and, along with calving glaciers, waterfalls, and surprisingly beautiful lichens and plants, such scenes make this region one of the most beautiful and interesting in the world.

For the past 15 years, Michael and Kathi Rock have dedicated their lives to learning about and attracting hummingbirds. They have educated many groups in the Midwest and across the country about these "glittering fragments of the rainbow." Their program will guide you in creating a sanctuary for hummingbirds in your own backyard. Through the use of perennial and annual plants, wildflowers, shrubs, trees and hummingbird feeders, you too can discover the magic and excitement of hummingbirds! Michael and Kathi's program will cover identification of the Ruby-throated hummingbird, ideal habitat, migration, nesting, feeding, importance of water features, and how the elements of the best hummingbird feeders and plants can bring you up close to these special birds.