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!!!
North Park University
3225 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, IL

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!
Registration is $40 for Chicago Audubon or National Audubon members and $50 for non-members. Lunch is available for $12 (must be ordered by March 9th). A pdf of the registration form may be downloaded by clicking here.

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
Dr. Erik Johnson is Audubon’s Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi Flyway conservation biologist. Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, for which he examined effects of forest fragmentation on Amazonian bird communities. At Audubon, Dr. Johnson works to understand baseline populations and trends of birds of conservation concern in the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Flyway, and he is also an integral part of the conservation team working on conservation planning and implementation for this vital region. During the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, Erik worked with another Louisiana State University researcher to organize a citizen science monitoring program in Louisiana to track the extent and frequency of oiling of waterbirds. Audubon expanded a modified version of the survey protocol as the Audubon Coastal Bird Survey; these combined efforts have created the only independent dataset of oiled bird survey data from the Gulf oil spill.

Closing speaker: Greg Miller
"I have been birding since…umm…well I can’t remember because I was too young. I do not remember getting my first pair of binoculars or my first birding trip with my dad. It was my father that got me into birding at an early age. I have been birding for over 50 years and have birded in all 50 states and much of Canada. And I have always been smitten by the birding bug. I love to get outside and go find birds. Every trip out is an adventure!

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."

Other presentations will include:

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 a press release by CAS Conservation Chair Carolyn Marsh that details the issue and gives further information about the hearing, click here.

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!
Featuring the nature photographs of CAS President Roger Shamley, you can order by calling the CAS office at 773-539-6793. The price is $15.00 + $3 shipping.
Although the web versions don't do them justice, here are some samples:

IOS GULL FROLIC - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012

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

the River Forest crew

WOODED ISLAND BIRDWALKS

Chicago's Jackson Park.
Every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. & every Saturday at 8:00 a.m.

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.
North Park Village Nature Center
5801 N. Pulaski -- Building D
Spring will be here–whether we believe it now or not—and planning ahead is a good thing. So be sure to plan on joining our popular Spring birdwalks starting the first Saturday in April. Learn about birds and their habitats while walking through the early springtime woods surrounding the Nature Center. These walks are led by expert birders who welcome questions from all levels of birders. For information or directions to the Nature Center, call the Chicago Audubon office (773) 539-6793. Everyone is welcome!!

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):

http://tinyurl.com/733zo2b

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:
Willowbrook Wildlife Center: 630-942-6200 or
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (CBCM) hotline : 773-988-1867

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!
Thanks to all 147 birders who contributed to a fine day, and tallied a total of 198 species!

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
Here are the final tallies from the Chicago Audubon Society Birdathon 2011. All species were seen on Saturday, May 21st, within the confines of Cook County.

151 - Field's Flickers (Nick Block, Josh Engel, Jason Weckstein, Ben Winger)
147 - Steel Belted Kingfishers (Joe Lill, Jeff Sanders, Randy Shonkwiler, Jeff Sundberg)
63 - Covert Ops (Michelle Devlin, Jim O'Toole, Lauren Biron, Melissa Foster, Chris Monaghan, Barbara Pearce)

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)!

This year, for the first time, you're able to donate online. Click here to access the donation page. You can even pick a team to sponsor, although it isn't required.
Further details are in the current issue of the Compass, which you can access by clicking here.

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—Educator - Carl Strang, Naturalist with Forest Preserve District of DuPage Co., “WildThings” wildlife news program on WDCB, “Nature Inquiries” blog

Protector of the Environment—Single Act (individual) (3 recipients)
i) Judith Lihota, President, Calumet Ecological Park Association
ii) Annette Prince, Chicago Bird Collision Monitors
iii) Joe Suchecki, Steward and Bird Monitor, Springbrook Prairie

 

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)
i) Gerald Adelmann, Openlands, Canal Corridor Association
ii) Dick Young, Kane County Forest Preserve District (posthumous recognition)

        

Service to Chicago Area Birders - Paul and Janice Sweet, Illinois Beach Hawkwatch

CAS Good Business Neighbor - De Long Company, Inc., supplier of high-quality birdseed for our annual CAS Birdseed Sale

 

To see a list of all previous awardees click here.

 

SKOKIE LAGOONS WORKDAYS

10:00 a.m. every second Saturday of the month.
These workdays are continuous throughout the year.

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:
http://www.ilbirds.com/Environment/BirdMigration/