Or a bobolink. Or even a meadowlark. For Wendy Paulson, standing in the grasslands of North Barrington and focusing her telescope on a rare savannah sparrow for all to see, it brings her great joy.

There are binoculars hanging around Hank Paulson's neck, and Wendy Paulson is toting a tripod with binoculars attached as they tromp across a muddy field. In recent days, they've spied Sandhill ...