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Margaret Mead, anthropologist Blackburnian Warbler Photo by Jim and Linda Strange To download our bimonthly newsletter, the Compass, just click on "COMPASS" in the above menu! You can download a pdf (in full color!) of most every issue dating from the year 2000 right up to the most current issue, January/February 2012. THE 2011-2012 ANNUAL APPEAL If you're a Chicago Audubon member (first of all, thanks!) you've recently received a letter from CAS President Roger Shamley with regards to our Annual Appeal. For those who prefer the convenience of donating online through our secure server, click here. Thanks again for your support! BIRDING AMERICA IX - SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012 SAVE THE DATE!!! Great places to bird and what you'll find there! Our biennial event returns, so mark it in your calendar; you won't want to miss it! To register and pay online through our secure site, click here! Questions? Please call the CAS office at 773-539-6793. Symposium Schedule: 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Registration and refreshments. 9:15 a.m. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Erik Johnson 10:30 a.m. Presentations 11:45 a.m. Lunch 12:30 p.m. Presentations 1:45 p.m. Presentations 3:00 p.m. Closing Speaker: Greg Miller Keynote speaker: Dr. Erik Johnson Closing speaker: Greg Miller In 1998 I zigzagged across the continent to try to see as many species of birds in one calendar year as possible. It was an incredible experience passing the 700-species mark—an achievement many birders aspire to in an entire lifetime. But there was competition. Two other birders, Sandy Komito and Al Levantin also doing Big Years the same year as me broke the 700-mark, too. Our competitive quests are documented in the book, The Big Year, by Pulitzer Prize winning author Mark Obmascik."
Birds of Costa Rica and Panama - Dr. Agustin Zuniga Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area, Indiana - Lee Sterrenburg Butterflies of the American Prairie- Doug Taron Pacific Pelagic Birding - Todd McGrath Indiana Dunes State Park, Indiana - Brad Bumgardner Chicago's Peregrine Falcons - Mary Hennen Operation Migration - Joan Garland (International Crane Foundation) The day's schedule is still being finalized, so check back soon! PROPOSED FIRING RANGE - PUBLIC HEARING, JANUARY 5, 2012 At the January 5, 2012 board meeting of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Terrence O’Brien, didn’t initially plan to hear from the public, but planned instead to go directly to a vote regarding the proposed Hegewisch firing range. However, the strong public showing and outcry led the commissioners to vote, unanimously, to hear those that had signed up to speak. There were 15 anti-firing range speakers and one more who arrived late and asked a question from the floor. Eleven organizations, including the Chicago Audubon Society (CAS), were represented. Two representatives of the Chicago Police Department stood together to answer questions.
The vote was five for the lease and four against. To send a “thank you” to the four commissioners who voted against the firing range, their email addresses follow. Frank Avila, Frank.Avila@mwrd.org
Patricia Horton, Patricia.Horton@mwrd.org
Debra Shore, Debra.Shore@mwrd.org
Mariyana Spyropoulos, Mariyana.Spyropoulos@mwrd.org
To read the on-the-record statement from MWRD Commissioner Debra Shore, click here. To read the press release from the MWRD regarding the proposed firing range, click here. To read a New York Times article about this issue from March 24, 2011, which featured CAS President Roger Shamley, click here. THE 2012 CAS CALENDAR!!! The 2012 CAS Calendar is now available! IOS GULL FROLIC - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012 The 11th Annual Illinois Ornithological Society Gull Frolic is a great opportunity to mingle with other birders at the yacht club at North Point Marina, watch and learn about gulls, and retreat to the warm building for food and socializing. Space is limited, so reserve your spot!
AS OF JANUARY 7th THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT. Contact IOS for waiting list info. For more information, click here. EAGLE OPTICS DAY IS COMING!!! - SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at North Park Village Nature Center. 5801 North Pulaski – Building D. Save this date and start making a list of your questions about binoculars, scopes, and all birding equipment accessories to bring with you. Equipment will be available for purchase and experts will be available to answer your questions. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned birder, you will want to be there to take advantage of this rare opportunity to receive expert advice. If you have questions or need directions as we get closer to the day, just call Chicago Audubon office at (773) 539-6793. A portion of all sales is donated by Eagle Optics to Chicago Audubon! Bring family and friends—and don’t forget that list!! BIRDSEED SALE DAY - THANKS!!! A special thanks to all who helped move and load a record amount of birdseed! At the River Forest location (Good Earth Greenhouse): Kerry Graham, Pam Koziel, Joe Lill, Kathryn Mokry, Roger Overton, Lisa Rest, Les Szewczyk & Pat Szewczyk At the Chicago location (ERVA/Nature House): Diane Beacraft, Alan Garrett, Doreen Hlavaty, Kathy Kelly, Roger Shamley, Joy Schochet, Kathleen Taylor, Chris Van Wassenhove & Skipper Wolters At the Chesrow location: Jacob Lill, Joe Lill, Tim Puczkowskyj, Ariel Sanabria, Roger Shamley & Jaclynn Workman At the CAS Office: Skipper Wolters
WOODED ISLAND BIRDWALKS Chicago's Jackson Park. These wonderful walks continue throughout the year. Bring binoculars, field guides, and dress for the weather. Meet at Clarence Darrow Bridge, just south of Museum of Science and Industry. Note the later start time on Wednesdays due to the season! Directions to Darrow Bridge: From Lake Shore Drive turn west on Science Drive, which is the stop light at 5800 South. Turn left at the stop sign. Travel through the parking lot to the west end where you'll find Darrow Bridge. As is becoming customary in the lakefront parks, the parking lot is now metered. For pdf summaries of the 2012 birdwalks please click here. For pdf summaries of the 2011 birdwalks please click here. Questions? Contact Pat Durkin at pat.durkin@comcast.net. All levels of birders are welcome! NORTH PARK VILLAGE BIRDWALKS Coming in the Spring. Every Saturday in April and May at 8:00 a.m. DELTA DISPATCHES: The latest news on efforts to restore Coastal Louisiana National Audubon, among other organizations, co-sponsors Delta Dispatches, an online newsletter that keeps us abreast of current environmental updates regarding Coastal Louisiana. Here is a link to the latest update (1/3/12): VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP SAVE THE BIRDS! Chicago Bird Collision Monitors is looking for volunteers to assist in their conservation and rescue efforts for migratory birds in downtown Chicago and outlying areas. Help rescue the birds! CBCM is a conservation project of the Chicago Audubon Society. For further information, please call (773) 988-1867. For even more info go to www.birdmonitors.net What to do if you find an entangled bird: First, call for help and advice: NEVER CUT AN ENTANGLED BIRD LOOSE BEFORE IT HAS BEEN SECURELY CONTAINED!!! Click here to read an article on this subject by Annette Prince. Want to donate to Chicago Audubon on behalf of CBCM? Click here to make a donation! COOK COUNTY SPRING BIRD COUNT RESULTS Compiled by CAS Research Committee Chair Alan Anderson, the results of the Spring Bird Count for Cook County may be accessed by clicking here. Species table, participant list, it's all here! DALE PONTIUS (1906-2011) Dale Pontius, a long-time Chicago birder and retired political science professor at Roosevelt University, passed away on Wednesday, July 20th, at the age of 104. He had been birding in and around Chicago, and his Hyde Park neighborhood, since 1947. For a link to an article about him that ran in the July/August 2006 issue of the Compass, click here. Among the organizations named to receive memorial donations was Chicago Audubon, for which we are most grateful. To donate in the memory of Dale Pontius, click here. BIRDATHON 2011 - The 12th Annual Beecher Cup Challenge! Saturday, May 21, 2011 151 - Field's Flickers (Nick Block, Josh Engel, Jason Weckstein, Ben Winger) The total species from the combined teams was 163. For the list of species, click here. Congrats to the Flickers, and thanks to all who participated, pledged or donated (or will donate)! LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY MIKE QUIGLEY: THE FEDERAL BIRD-SAFE ACT! The American Bird Conservancy, which is the nation's leading bird conservation organization, today applauded legislation introduced by Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) that will prevent the deaths of millions of birds that collide with the windows of thousands of federal buildings across the country. To read more click here!
THE BIENNIAL CAS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS HONOREES! The 2011 Environmental Awards honorees are: Excellence in Environmental Reporting - Chicago Wildlife News, http://www.chicagowildlifenews.com/
Protector of the Environment—Single Act (group) - No Games Chicago Protector of the Environment—Avocation - Conrad Fialkowski, Chicago Audubon Society, Save The Prairie Society, Steward (Cook and DuPage Co.), Bird Monitor Protector of the Environment—Vocation (2 recipients)
Service to Chicago Area Birders - Paul and Janice Sweet, Illinois Beach Hawkwatch
To see a list of all previous awardees click here.
SKOKIE LAGOONS WORKDAYS 10:00 a.m. every second Saturday of the month. The Chicago Audubon Society sponsors regular monthly workdays at Skokie Lagoons every second Saturday of the month. Activities include buckthorn cutting, brush pile burning, and other management activities. Wear work clothes. Meet at the Tower Road parking lot, east of the lagoon bridge. For further information, please call Dave Kosnik at (847) 456-6368. Everyone is welcome! CITY OF CHICAGO "BIRD'S-EYE VIEW" WEBSITE The City of Chicago's Department of Environment put together a great birding website, with text in both English and Spanish. Educational materials, helpful links, and more! CAS has "inherited" the site and, with the help of Greg Neise (webhost of the Illinois Birder's Forum), we will continue to make this site available to the public. There will be updates along the way, so check back from time to time at: Birds of Chicago by Chris C. Fisher and David B. Johnson
Birds of Chicago is the perfect lightweight easy-to-carry volume intended to serve as both a bird identification guide and a bird appreciation guide and presents a balance between the familliar and the noteworthy--an excellent companion whether you are on a birdwalk or just a stroll through the park. Price: $15 (includes postage). To order over the phone, call the Chicago Audubon office at (773) 539-6793 or send a check to: Chicago Audubon Society 5801-C North Pulaski Road, Chicago, 60646. LIGHTS OUT!!! Now that spring migration is here, our nationally-known program, Lights Out! also resumes. With the cooperation and support of the Mayor's Nature and Wildlife Committee and the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago (BOMA), lights in many of downtown Chicago's tall buildings are turned out during the overnight hours in order to avoid attracting migratory birds, which can otherwise become disoriented and crash into the buildings. For more information, please click here! OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW CAS BOARD MEMBERS To get right to the point, we have openings on the CAS Board. We're looking for people with a passion for nature who want to "act locally." If you're interested in being nominated for the Board please contact Joe Lill at 773-631-3154 or trptjoe@aol.com. <TIPS FOR BIRD IDENTIFICATION People have different approaches to bird watching and bird identification. Here are a few tips to help the new birder remember details before reaching for the guidebook. This information is meant to be a general guide and even if ... READ MORE>> ADDITIONAL BIRD SAFETY INFORMATION Continuing our efforts to supply our readers with bird safety information specifically related to the problem of birds pecking at windows, we hope the following will also be helpful. Birds will often mistake their own reflection ... READ MORE>> Make Your Windows Safer for Birds The Chicago Audubon office receives calls every spring from many people concerned about the bird that is ?gtrying to get through the window.?h Of course, the bird is only reacting to its own reflection in the glass. Hopefully, this article will answer many questions about this important problem -- including the most important question of all, ?gHow do I keep the bird from injuring itself??h ... READ MORE>> All Creatures Small and Smaller When we come across a baby bird, squirrel, or rabbit, (to name just a few), our first instinct is to rescue it ?| a very understandable and very human reaction. However, chances are you shouldn?ft try to rescue it ?| at least not immediately. Many animals leave their babies for extended periods of time ... READ MORE>> |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Photo by Glyn Dawson
![]() Click to view Larger The Harrier Hat The CAS hat, featuring a Northern Harrier, is now available for only $15.00 (add $3.00 for shipping). Great colors, solid stitching, an adjustable band. Contact the CAS office at (773) 539-6793 or cas@chicagoaudubon.org
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