Saturday, November 22^nd, 10:00 AM: Field Trip to Jasper Pulaski State Park, Medaryville, IN. KCA President Bob Andrini heads up this car pooling trip to Indiana to view one of the most dramatic avian sights in the Midwest: the huge flocks of migrating Sandhill Cranes that stop over at Jasper Pulaski. Imagine thousands of 4-foot-tall birds, with an almost 7-foot wingspan congregating in one area. It's spectacular. Participants should meet in the parking lot of Peck Farm Park. To reach the park, from Randall Road drive 1½ miles west on Fabyan Parkway (the border street between Geneva and Batavia). Turn right on Kaneville Road. After ½ mile turn right into the parking lot. If you'd like more information, please call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386. (Map)

Saturday, December 6^th, 8:00 AM: Birdwalk at Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve, Batavia. On the first Saturday of every month, KCA sponsors this bird/nature hike around Nelson Lake. This is an easy 3-mile walk at a leisurely (3-hour) pace. Meet in the parking lot by the silo. Dick Young Forest Preserve is located on Nelson Lake Road about ¾ mile south of Main Street, and about 1½ mile west of Randall Road in Batavia. For more information about this walk, please contact Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1384. (Map)

Wednesday, December 10^th, 7:00 PM: Meeting Night at "The Barn" at Peck Farm Park, Geneva. Paul Mayer, a KCA member, will speak on "Birds of the Northwest and Beyond," sharing stories and pictures of his recent birding trip to Alaska. And, as usual, we'll have the latest bird sightings, chapter news, the raffle, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet and socialize with other birders. To reach Peck Farm Park, from Randall Road drive 1½ miles west on Fabyan Parkway (the border street between Geneva and Batavia). Turn right on Kaneville Road. After ½ mile turn right into the parking lot. If you'd like more information, please call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386. (Map)

Saturday, December 13^th, 8:00 AM: Birdwalk at SEBA Park, South Elgin. Jane McMillan loves this walk and you will too if you join her on this easy 3-mile stroll along the west bank of the Fox River. Given the proper weather (cold), Bald Eagles may have returned to this stretch of the river for this walk. Meet in the parking lot of SEBA Park, one block east of Route 31 and two blocks south of State Street (the river crossing in South Elgin). For additional information about this walk, please call Jane at (847) 622-3216. (Map)

Saturday, December 20^th, All day: Christmas Bird Count throughout Kane County. Every year at this time, KCA members join other hardy birders throughout the country to count as many birds as possible within assigned locations. The results are fed into a database that over time shows bird population trends. This trend data helps public land use planners better utilize tax dollars to provide specific habitats for native and migrating bird species. If you would like to participate in the Christmas Bird Count, please contact Kane County's CBC co-ordinator Terry Murray at (630) 896-3219.

Thursday, January 1^st, 8:00 AM: Special New Year's Day Birdwalk at Nelson Lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve, Batavia. In what has now become a tradition, Rhonda Nelson leads this walk to kick off the new year. Shake off the effects of the previous evening and get a fresh start on this year's bird list. Meet in the parking lot by the silo. Dick Young Forest Preserve is located on Nelson Lake Road about ¾ mile south of Main Street, and about 1½ mile west of Randall Road in Batavia. For more information about this walk, please contact Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1384. (Map)

Saturday, January 3^rd, 8:00 AM: Birdwalk at Nelson lake/Dick Young Forest Preserve, Batavia. This is the regularly scheduled, first-Saturday-of-the-month walk at Nelson Lake. Join us for birding, fresh air, and camaraderie on this 3-mile stroll around the lake. Meet in the parking lot by the silo. Dick Young Forest Preserve is located on Nelson Lake Road about ¾ mile south of Main Street, and about 1½ mile west of Randall Road in Batavia. For more information about this walk, please contact Terry Murray at (630) 896-3219. (Map)