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.

The NU campus has long been a stopover for migrants of all kinds headed south. Park on the lakeside 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 Wayne Svoboda

Chris Anchor, Wildlife Biologist with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, will present a program on the return of keystone predators in Northern Illinois. These will include timber wolf, cougar, black bear and a special emphasis on the Cook County Urban Coyote Project. The program is going into its 13th year, and has marked over 650 coyotes making it the largest coyote project of its kind.

Expect fall passerine migrants, particularly warblers, vireos and thrushes, plus anything else we can find. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Starbucks, 243 N Skokie Blvd just south of Lake Cook Rd, east side of Skokie Blvd near Nordstroms & Marshalls, to carpool with participants who are members of Botanic Gardens. Leader: David Johnson

June 23, 2013 – Sunday. Meet at 7:30am at the forest preserve parking lot on the east side of Burnham Rd., about 1 mile south of Sauk Trail. We'll spend the morning at Josh's favorite local summer birding spot, looking especially for grassland and shrubland birds that are otherwise rare so close to Chicago--Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows, Dickcissel, Yellow-breasted Chat, and White-eyed Vireo all breed there. Leader: Josh Engel.

This unique trip will allow you a great chance to see Whip-poor-wills, a bird in serious decline, after hours in the South Unit of the State Park. Meet at 7:00 pm at the Nature Center parking lot to bird the area for local nesters prior to looking for the Whip-poor-wills. The Nature Center entrance is just west of the Illinois Beach Resort in the South Unit. Leader: Joel Greenberg.

May 24-25, Friday and Saturday. Watch for details in Bird Calls and on the web. Leader: David B. Johnson

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 TBA.