As Linda Breuer returned a peregrine falcon to its cage and prepared to present another bird, the assembled watchers scooted forward in their seats.

“And now for the dessert,” said Breuer, 53, as she reached her hand into the cage.

Oohs, ahhs and cries of delight emanated from the crowd of about 100 as Breuer brought out a speckled owl the size of a grapefruit — Boopie the Northern Saw-whet Owl.

The presentation by Breuer, who is director of the Barnswallow Wild Bird Rehabilitation and Education Center in Lake County, was the feature of the Evanston North Shore Bird Club’s monthly meeting at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd.

On the fourth Tuesday of every month from September to May, excluding December, the club holds meetings where guest lecturers and members discuss various birding topics and occasionally talk about other ecology topics such as fish.

“At the turn of the century there was arguably the first national environmental movement,” said Joel Greenberg, 50, the club’s program chairman. “People were becoming very aware that wildlife was being decimated.”

In 1919 the Evanston North Shore Bird Club formed with the purpose of appreciating and conserving wildlife. Now one of the oldest and largest bird clubs in the Chicago area, the non-profit organization boasts about 300 members of all ages with the same goals — protecting and enjoying wildlife.

“I was 12 when I went to my first meeting,” said Greenberg, who since has become very active in the club and its conservation efforts.

Recently the organization fought to ensure the new buildings planned for Northwestern’s South Campus would have glass that was safer for birds, since hitting windows is one of the leading causes of bird fatalities.