Audubon Society to offer first Jerry Hope Country Roads Birding Trip
At 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, the Kane County Audubon Society will host a bird walk at Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia. Meet in the parking lot by the silo on Nelson Lake Road, three-quarter of a mile south of Main Street, Batavia, and 1½ mile west of Randall Road. An optional walk around the lake follows.
A bird walk at Nelson Lake is offered the first Saturday of every month throughout the year. You don't have to be an expert to enjoy the outdoors in the company of fellow nature lovers. Call leader Theresa LeCompte with questions at (630) 896-7087.
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Kane County Audubon Society will hold a monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center. Laura Keene will talk about her photographic big year where she set a record of photographing 792 species! Come out and hear her inspiring story and enjoy some great photography.
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center is located in James O. Breen Community Park, at the intersection of Campton Hills and Peck roads in St. Charles, with entrances off both roads. The building is at the far west end of the parking lot.
For information, contact John Sprovieri at (630) 776-0924.
On Saturday, Jan. 11, the first Jerry Hope Country Roads Birding Trip will be held. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center in St. Charles. In honor of longtime society member Jerry Hope who passed away earlier this year, participants will drive the back roads looking for Lapland longspurs, horned larks, snow buntings and maybe a snowy owl if any are in the area. For more information, contact John Sprovieri at (630) 776-0924.
On Saturday, Jan. 18, come out and look for waterfowl and eagles along the Fox River at 8 a.m. during a bird walk at Fox River Shores, 716 N. Williams Road, Carpentersville. For information, contact Walter Lutz at (847) 468-1709.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, ages 16 or older are invited to "Birds on a Winter Morning" from 8 to 10 a.m. Meet at Mt. St. Mary's Park, off Route 31 and Prairie Street in St. Charles. Many areas of the Fox River remain open in winter, even when temperatures are cold. The stretch along Mount St. Mary Park ripples nicely and provides habitat - food, water, shelter and space - for a number of duck species that overwinter in St. Charles. Take a look at who's there, all the while keeping an eye to the sky for the bald eagles that frequently stop by. Meet in the parking lot by the skate park. For information, contact St. Charles Park District at (630) 513-6200.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, ages 8 to 12 can join a "Winter Bird Count for Kids." Meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center in St. Charles. Bring your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews out to survey Hickory Knolls to see what winter birds can be found. This is a fun event to introduce kids to birding. Teams will go out with parents/guardians and a Audubon Society leader. For information, contact Tim Balassie at (630) 460-6910.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25-26, join the Bald Eagle Weekend at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Ill. Sponsored by Illinois Audubon Society. Family activities including live birds of prey at the Starved Rock Visitor Center, Starved Rock Lodge and Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. Take a short hike to the top of Starved Rock for live eagle viewing or join park naturalist for guided eagle tour. For more information and registration, visit illinoisaudubon.org.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, join "Birding the Fox River - South." Meet at 8 a.m. at Batavia River Walk, behind McDonald's at 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Participants will drive along the river and stop at various locations looking for eagles and waterfowl. For information, contact Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8387.
Visit www.kanecountyaudubon.org.