News

Join a morning workday to restore a degraded shrubland at Fermilab and make a difference for birds. We will help clear invasives and restore habitat for Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown Thrashers, and other shrubland birds. All that is required for Fermilab entry is a Real ID or passport for each person in the vehicle. Further instructions will be provided upon registration. All supplies will be provided as well as snacks. Bring your favorite work gloves and water. The activity will include using a hand saw or loppers to cut down invasive shrubs with a maximum diameter of 3 inches, […]

Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online community-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. Now, more than 160,000 people worldwide join the count to create an annual snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds. To participate, tally the numbers and species of birds at a specific location for at least 15 minutes. You can count from any location, anywhere in the world, for as long as you wish! Learn more about the GBBC here: https://www.birdcount.org/. For

In keeping with the DBC tradition of giving, the club provided $2,612 in grants and donations in 2025. This included renewal of our coalition membership in the Bird Conservation Network and an IOS grant of $2,462 to student Auriel Fournier, who will develop and test automated processing for recordings that can detect King Rails. Here is the full abstract of Auriel’s proposal: Development of automated processing for recordings to detect King Rails King Rails have experienced significant population decline over the past several decades, especially in the Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes Region and action is needed to sustain King Rails across the region

DBC will host an exhibit table at this event, which features multiple speakers, a luncheon, and exhibits. Natalie McFaul and Elena Nelson will represent the club. Darien Garden Club has more than 100 members. To register or learn more information about this event, visit: https://dariengardenclub.com/events.

Lauded by multiple sources as one of the best nonfiction books of 2025, The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne, by Chris Sweeney, shares the fascinating biography of the world’s first forensic ornithologist.  Using nothing more than her microscope and bits of feathers, Smithsonian scientist Roxie Laybourne investigated deadly airplane crashes and helped prosecute murderers, kidnappers, and poachers.  She broke down barriers for women in science and pioneered a new field in forensics. “A biography that reads like a novel,” said The Wall Street Journal.  This one promises to be a great read to start

“Best in Show,” photo by James J. Goldsmith (Rufous Hummingbird) The winners of DBC’s Summer/Fall 2025 photo contest have been finalized, adding to a growing library of stunning bird images taken by DBC members, and the Winter/Spring Contest is now open.  To view recent winning images or submit your own for the Winter/Spring ’26, go to Members Photo Gallery. 

The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Fermilab Circle is December 20 this year, and the always-fun Countdown Dinner is a go! This is your chance to join the world’s longest running community science program! Now in its 125th year, the CBC brings together bird lovers across the continent to contribute research that helps ornithologists understand bird population abundance and trends. Here in DuPage County, the DBC sponsors the Fermilab Circle, a 15-mile circle. Prior participants will be contacted in early December. If it’s been awhile since you participated or you’d like to join a team, notify compiler Jeff

It’s time to renew your dues for next year! Your annual membership dues for 2026 are due by December 31, 2025. Dues remain $20 for individuals, $30 for families and $10 for students. Please note that any new member joining on or after September 1 is automatically registered for the following year. Your dues fund our annual operations and support a broad range of activities, including field trips, interesting speakers, research grants, and proactive community outreach. Help us stay strong! Your 2026 dues may now be paid in any of the following ways: 1. On-line through our website using PayPal

If you’re looking for a great way to spend a lovely fall weekend, head to Baraboo, Wisconsin, and the fourth annual Great Midwest Crane Fest to be held November 15-16. Here’s your chance to witness the largest fall crane congregation and participate in guided crane-viewing tours, presentations, workshops, and more! You can also explore the beautiful landscapes and rich histories connecting the festival hosts, the International Crane Foundation and the Aldo Leopold Foundation. To register: https://greatmidwestcranefest.org/registration/

DBC’s Summer/Fall ’25 Photo Contest is now open and inviting pictures of birds taken between June 1, 2025, and November 30, 2025. All photos are welcome: amateur, funny, imperfect, high-quality. The “story behind the shot” is taken into account when judging. The judges want this to be a fun contest so no categories have been predefined – every entry has a chance to win! The contest is open to DBC members only. If you would like to look at past DBC Photo Contest winners and review how to enter your photos click here.