Barb Dougan

Did you know that the largest colony of Black-crowned Night-Herons in the state of Illinois exists on the grounds adjacent to the urban Lincoln Park Zoo? And that a major project is underway to relocate some of the colony to protect it should a natural or other calamity befall it? Illinois Audubon Society, Lincoln Park Zoo, Bird Conservation Network (of which DBC is a member), Chicago Black-crowned Night-Heron Project, and the University of Illinois are partnering to sponsor a series of Zoom programs to raise awareness and to support ongoing research. The first program was held January 23, and two […]

The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum selected 60 pieces from its annual “Birds in Art” exhibition for a national tour, and the Will County Forest Preserve is its first stop! This prestigious show features an international team of artists interpreting bird themes in diverse styles and habitats. This free event will be held January-February at the Plum Creek Nature Center. Exhibit details available here: https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/event-calendar/birds-in-art-exhibition/      

The DBC is looking for pictures of birds taken between December 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024. All photos are welcome: amateur, funny, imperfect, high-quality. The “story behind the shot” is also taken into account when judging. The judges want this to be a fun contest; no categories have been predefined for award winners so every entry has a chance to win! NOTE: The judges usually do not give out more than one award to the same author if they submit multiple images. If you would like to look at past DBC Photo Contest winners CLICK HERE. The contest is

The Bird Way:  A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent and Think by Jennifer Ackerman will be the subject of discussion at the next meeting of the newly formed DBC Book Club.  This book explores the many strategies birds use to communicate, forage, court, breed, and survive, including fascinating behaviors like manipulation, deception, collaboration, altruism, teaching, and more. It holds a treasure trove of learning that is sure to enhance an appreciation of our avian friends. The next DBC Book Club Meeting will be held February 27, 2024. All members are welcome to join! If you would

At the November 9, 2023, meeting the DuPage Birding Club, the Executive Committee presented Diann Bilderback the Distinguished Achievement Award. This award is given to individuals “for outstanding service to the club.” Diann is a past DBC President (twice) and currently leads the Communications team responsible for the DBC visual brand and messaging, the monthly Drummings newsletter, and our online channels.  Every article that appears in the Drummings has been reviewed, edited or written by Diann. She works constantly with newsletter contributors and those that turn the copy into the final PDF product. She also directed the redesign of our current

Join us again for the annual Fermi Christmas Bird Count on December 16th. This is your chance to contribute to an important community science opportunity. Data collected provides invaluable insights into winter bird populations plus it’s a great opportunity to connect with fellow birders. If you participated last year, you’re already on the list and will be contacted in early December regarding your counting areas. If it’s been a few years, or you are new to the count and would like to participate, please contact the compiler, Jeff Chapman at jeffchapman948@gmail.com. Remember you’ll be grouped with a team so no

The DBC is looking for pictures of birds taken between September 1 and November 31, 2023 for the Fall ’23 Photo Contest. All photos are welcome: amateur, funny, imperfect, high-quality. The “story behind the shot” is also taken into account when judging. The judges want this to be a fun contest; no categories have been predefined for award-winners so every entry has a chance to win!  NOTE: The judges usually do not give out more than one award to the same author if they submit multiple images. If you would like to look at past DBC Photo Contest winners CLICK

As announced in the last Drummings, the Club will host a book discussion November 14. President Mike Warner was inspired by A Wing and a Prayer, The Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds by Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal and couldn’t wait to share it with you! The authors spent a year traveling the U.S. in their Airstream Trailer visiting sites where dedicated scientists, researchers, and volunteers are working to save some of their local species from extinction. He was touched by the enthusiasm and determination these people have to preserve our birds and thought the writing was excellent—a great read!

  Best of Show, photo by John Obenland The DBC’s Spring ’23 photo contest was a great success! The 20 entries were judged by John Hebert, Andie Duffy, Steve Constantelos, Natalie McFaul, and Mike Warner. Because of the variety and quality of the submissions, the committee had a very tough time deciding on which pictures to recognize; the committee would like to thank all the photographers for their entries. Go to Summer ’23 Photo Contest Winners to see all the winning images and the stories behind them. Go to Members Photo Gallery to see the winning photos only.  

The DuPage Birding Club is excited to participate in the Fall Festival, the Forest Preserve District’s largest event. Held at Danada Equestrian Center, festivities will include equestrian performances and demonstrations in the outdoor arena, wagon rides, children’s activities, barn tours, and more. As part of our Outreach program, DBC will host two booths in the shade of two giant oak trees adjacent to the Danada Native Display Garden. One booth will feature activities for kids. On Saturday we will discuss how to identify local birds by eye and by ear and will look for birds in the Native Display Garden.