Field Trips   Field trips are offered throughout the year.  These walks are an excellent way to learn about birds and the natural environment of McHenry County.  We have monthly field trips to local hot spots, as well as some longer trips to see special habitats and species.  Viewing wintering bald eagles on the Illinois, Mississippi, and Wisconsin Rivers has been a popular trip recently.   Bird Counts Two of our favorite (and important) activities are the annual Christmas and Spring Bird Counts.  For each of these we devote an entire day to counting and recording the different bird species and their numbers found in McHenry County. We, along with other participating chapters throughout North America, send our results to be compiled by researchers to study bird populations and migration patterns.  April brings the annual sandhill crane count.  Also, several members participate in the Birding Conservation Network’s bird surveys of local natural areas.         Chapter Meetings and Programs   Our chapter meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month from October to April at the Crystal Lake Nature Center. Refreshments are available at 7 p.m., and the programs start at 7:30 p.m.  Our programs involve local and regional experts on natural history and ecology.  The specific topics are described in our newsletter. Beginning birders are always welcome!      “Environmental Awareness Through Birding”               McHenry County Audubon      P.O. Box 67      Woodstock, IL 60098-0067      www.mchenryaudubon.org                                                                  Dues are tax deductible!                                 McHenry County Chapter                              Illinois Audubon Society                         Membership Application Form     Membership in the McHenry County Chapter is for the calendar year.   First Name(s)_______________Last Name_____________________   Street Address___________________________________________   City_________________ State____________ Zip______________         Phone___________________           E-mail_______________________________               Local Chapter Dues…………………….. $10.00  ________   +   Illinois Audubon Society Dues……..(Individual) $25.00  ________                                             …..……..(Family) $30.00  ________          Donation…………………………….........…………  ________                                                                                  Total    ________          Would you like your newsletter sent electronically?            Yes _____    No _____                                                                 McHenry County Audubon is a chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society.        We urge you to join the Illinois Audubon Society along with our chapter.       Send one check payable to:  McHenry County Audubon                                                 P.O. Box 67                                                Woodstock, IL 60098