EVENTS & OUTINGS
American Avocet by Michelle Mackenzie, Audubon Photography Awards
Program Meetings:
Current plans are for all LCAS program meetings to use the hybrid format, with Zoom and in-person attendance as options.
The in-person portion of meetings is held at Cook Memorial Library, 413 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, OR at Aspen Drive Library, 701 Aspen Dr, Vernon Hills. Please check individual event details for the library location. Children accompanied by an adult are welcome.
View recordings of past presentations on our YouTube page.
Bird & Nature Outings:
Unless noted otherwise, registration is mandatory for all outings (see included registration links). It helps us know how many participants to expect and allows for easier communication with you in case of potential changes. Be sure to check your email before heading out!
Program Meetings
Bird and Nature Outings
Community Events
Bird Walk for Beginners: Independence Grove Forest Preserve
Trip Leader:
Donna Kenski, 847-347-3474
Calling all beginning birders! Join experienced Lake County Audubon Society bird walk leaders for a trip around Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. This is a perfect preserve for both new and seasoned birders, with a large lake offering expansive views, and a stretch along the Des Plaines River that attracts many land species to the adjacent vegetation, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, sparrows, and finches.
Trip leaders will be happy to help with identification questions during the trip. Please bring a pair of binoculars if you have them, but we will have some loaners available at the walk.
The trip will begin in the North Bay parking lot, pinned on the registration page linked below.
Bird Walk: Ryerson Conservation Area
Trip leaders:
Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka (847) 347-8416
Matt Tobin (847) 951-1483
Join Charlotte and Doug for a late-April walk around Ryerson Conservation Area, one of the most popular sites in Lake County for spring migrating birds. Year-round woodland residents like Red-bellied Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatches will be joined by a slew of species arriving throughout April, which may include Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Northern House Wrens, White-crowned Sparrows, and Palm Warblers. Many species will be actively singing during this time as they try to attract a mate.
The trip will begin in the Brushwood Center parking lot, which is pinned on the registration page linked below.
Bird Walk: Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve
Trip Leader: Beau Schaefer
Trip Coordinator: Matt Tobin, 847-951-1483
Join expert birder Beau Schaefer for a walk around one of the largest forest preserves in Lake County. The expansive wetland and grassland habitats offer a home for many species, while providing countless more with the resources needed for a recharge on their migratory journeys. A number of waterfowl species are present in mid-April, including Blue- and Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, and Northern Shovelers, while breeding grassland birds like Eastern Meadowlarks and Field Sparrows may be observed from the trail.
The trip will start from the Drury Lane parking lot in the northern part of the preserve.
Directions to the Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve parking lot are included in the registration link below.
Bird Walk: Greene Nature Preserve
EVENT REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED - EVENT FULL
Trip Leaders:
Matt Hayner (608-213-2382)
Matt Tobin (847-951-1483)
Come out for a joint walk with Lake Forest Open Lands as we explore Greene Nature Preserve, a hidden gem tucked away just north of Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. With its spectacular ravine, bluff, and lakeshore habitats, many resident and migratory species are found at Greene, including a nice variety of woodpeckers and sparrows.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. This walk will be limited to 12 participants.
Directions to the preserve are included on the registration page linked below.
Evening Bird Walk: Woodcock Walk at Middlefork Savanna
EVENT REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED - EVENT FULL
Trip leader:
Matt Tobin (847) 951-1483
Enjoy an evening walk as we listen for American Woodcocks and look for their aerial displays against the dimming evening light. We'll also keep a lookout for Wilson's Snipes, which are often found at Middlefork in April. We'll start the trip with a quick visit over to the nearby wetland and then set up to await the woodcock activity after sunset.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. This walk is limited to 20 participants. Please dress accordingly for cooler evening temperatures.
The parking lot meeting location is pinned on the registration page linked below.