Field Trips

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants
This morning trip will focus on woodland migrants passing through our area. This is a popular migrant hotspot in both spring and fall. If birds are on the move, we will be in a great location to view them. Meet in the first parking lot after entering the preserve. The entrance is at the intersection of Raymond Dr. and McDowell Rd. where there is a stoplight.
Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required.
Come check out a popular birding hotspot at a less-often visited time of day; an evening at Elsen's!  There should be plenty of migrant birds around, as well as resident species. Hopefully we could also encounter some crepuscular or nocturnal birds and other wildlife. This trip will be approximately 2 miles on earthen trails which might be muddy or even have standing water if there has been a lot of rain lately.  Meet at the Elsen's Hill parking lot in West DuPage Woods located on the north side of Gary's Mill Road, west of Winfield Road, and east of where Gary's Mill intersects Roosevelt Road.
Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186 (text or call to register)

Registration not required.
We’ll walk at least 3 miles searching this watershed for all the spring migrants, summer breeding birds, and a couple resident specialties. PLEASE be prepared for rocky, root-filled trails along the creek, and hills throughout. Bring lunch so we can eat together in the picnic shelter afterwards. Park in the large new parking lot just southeast of the intersection of Cass and Bluff. (Enter from Bluff Rd. and listen for nesting Pine Warblers singing.) 
Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, 630-297-9512 (text with any questions)

A hundred or more birders will fan out across DuPage County to identify all the bird species they can find at the Spring Bird Count on Saturday May 10.  A group of birders will be in the field somewhere near your home. Come join us; we need more birders to make it possible to cover as many locations within the county as we can. You don't have to be an expert birder to participate; all skill levels are welcome.

Even if you can only bird for part of the day, we can use you. And if that’s your preference, you’ll probably be able to look for birds close to home, since we divide the county into 16 areas, with teams scouring each area. To volunteer or find out more information email Joe Suchecki.

Email Joe Suchecki at DuPagesbc@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants.
On this trip, we will be driving to different locations that offer a variety of habitats including mudflats, lakes, woodlands, and more.  There should be a large variety of bird species found.  Our exact route within northeastern DuPage County may be determined based on recent sightings.  Participants can continue as long as they wish.  Expect approximately 3 miles of walking on limestone or earthen trails. Meet at the parking spots for Wood Dale Reservoir located on School Street as far as you can go west of Wood Dale Road.  The exact meeting spot can be viewed in the following link:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/K8LmfNm3HyigkVmP7
Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186 (text or call if you have questions, and to register)

Registration with the leader is required.
This trip will check out the river and the Barrow Pit and then follow along the trail looking for spring migrants and new summer arrivals. We will meet at the bike trailhead on the east end of Canal Bank Road. If using navigation, search for 15112 Canal Bank Rd, Lemont.
Leader: Mark Freeburg, Cell: (630) 661-1521, freebs59@sbcglobal.net

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants.
Warblers (and other spring migrants) after work! Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We'll conclude the trip with some dusk birding looking for the resident Great Horned Owls. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended. Lyman's trails are almost always muddy regardless of weather. If rain occurs ahead of the trip, expect areas with standing water. Be prepared with appropriate footwear. 
Leader: Matt Crisler,  crislermj@gmail.com

Registration is not required. If you want to be informed of any last-minute changes, email the leader with your contact information.

This is a small park on the Des Plaines River. This field trip is for anyone who finds the long walks of our regular field trips too difficult or who would just like a less vigorous birding experience but still share the camaraderie of fellow birders. Bring your folding lawn chairs, binoculars, and field guides. Dress for the weather, bring bug spray, and water. We will meet at the visitor center parking lot; when entering the park turn left into the parking lot. Isle a la Cache is located on the Des Plaines River about a mile east of Route 53 on Romeo Road/135th St, Romeoville. Isle a la Cache Website
Leader: Natalie McFaul, natcatcher7@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit of 20 participants.
This unique spot in northern McHenry County is a great spot for sought after marsh birds. The walk will focus on finding the site's nesting Yellow-headed Blackbird population, as well as species such as Black Tern, King Rail, Marsh Wren, and others. There is roughly a mile walk on a straight gravel path before we hit the marsh area. We may venture off trail into tall grass, so dress appropriately and bring bug spray and sun protection. The parking lot is behind the Hebron Township Building in Hebron, Illinois (10206 Seaman Rd, Hebron, IL 60034). 
Leader: Robert Perez,  robertperez787@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants.
Meet at the main parking lot, 1163 Plank Rd. This relatively small area is rich in varied habitat, which increases the number of species we may observe.  We will be in search of migrants (especially warblers), Red-headed Woodpeckers, and other woodland birds. 
Leaders: Mike and Karen Warner,  mwarner2543@gmail.com, 630 640-2450

Registration not required.
Join us for a morning walk at one of DuPage County’s premier birding hotspots to look for spring migrants and breeding species. The walk will be approximately 3 miles on limestone and earthen trails; wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Road, located east of Rt. 59, and west of Winfield Road.
Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186

Registration with Thelma Hulka is required.
Bob’s backyard is a bird sanctuary, with a creek running through it that attracts many migratory birds. Come relax and share a birding experience with other club members in a private environment. We are unsure what we will see. There are surprise birds on occasion. Participants should bring their own lawn chair. Park on the street.  Restroom facilities available nearby. Oldfield Oaks FP is a short distance away, and Bob's property borders on Meyer's Woods, a Darien Park District parcel comprising a mostly natural area. This Big Sit event is, of course, weather permitting.
Leader: Call or text Thelma Hulka at (630) 738-0720 to register, and for Bob's address

Registration with the leader is required by email. Limit 10 participants.
Our primary targets will be warblers, but we'll explore most of the preserve in search of any of the recent spring arrivals. On the expectation of plenty of activity, this will be a longer walk than typical. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. Lyman's trails are almost always muddy regardless of weather. If rain occurs ahead of the trip, expect areas with standing water. Be prepared with appropriate footwear. 
Leader: Matt Crisler,  crislermj@gmail.com

Registration is not required. If you want to be informed of any last-minute changes, email the leader with your contact information.
This is a field trip for anyone who finds the long walks of our regular field trips too difficult or who would just like a less vigorous birding experience but still share the comradery of fellow birders. Bring your folding lawn chairs, binoculars and field guides. We will meet and sit as a group and look for spring migrants and any birds that come to us! Birders of all levels are welcome. Elsen’s Woods is part of West DuPage Woods. We will meet at the Gary’s Mill Road parking lot. Take Winfield Rd. to Gary’s Mill Rd. Go west on Gary’s Mill Rd. to the Preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road. Bring a lawn chair, water, bug spray and dress for the weather. West DuPage Woods
Leader: Natalie McFaul, natcatcher7@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants.
Greene Valley has a lot of great habitats in it, but you can't really cover more than one in a typical field trip due to distance. We will bike around the preserve to hit as much as possible in one run. There will be a slight emphasis on areas more likely to have migrating warblers. Expect to ride about 5 miles with a few light hills (no overlook). We will be sticking to the limestone/paved trails. Meet at the north end of the Greene Road parking lot near the information sign & trailhead.
Leader: Matt Crisler,  crislermj@gmail.com

Registration is not required. 
We’ll be looking for shrubland/grassland birds on a walk of 2.5-3 miles on limestone trails only, through the prairie and savanna. Optional continuation through the oak woodland-kettle pond area for later migrants. Hat, water bottle and snack highly recommended. Meet at the Lemont Rd parking lot at 101st Street (Google Maps Waterfall Glen Parking Lot #3.) No reservation is needed but please text or call leader with any questions. 
Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, 630-297-9512

Registration required. Limit of 20 participants.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is one of the premier grassland birding spots in the area. The area is littered with abandoned munitions bunkers, as well as fantastic grassland species such as Henslow's Sparrow, Bell's Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Blue Grosbeak. This walk will primarily take place on gravel trails, but may venture into tall grass. Dress appropriately and bring bug spray and sun protection. We will meet at the Iron Bridge Trailhead on Route 53 in Elwood, Illinois. The entrance to the trailhead parking lot is about a mile south of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and the intersection of Hoff Road and Route 53.  
Leader: Robert Perez,  robertperez787@gmail.com

Registration is not required.
Join us for a walk around one of DuPage county's premier birding hotspots to look for resident birds, waterfowl and spring migrants. This approximately 3-mile walk will be on crushed limestone and earthen trails; wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd., located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville.
Leaders: Steve and Kathy Mineck, cell for same day questions: 630-254-4077

DBC members, it is time to celebrate! Newest members, founding members, and all the members in between, come and celebrate the DuPage Birding Club’s 40th Birthday! There will be lunch. There will be cake! And there will be the Forty Birds in Forty Minutes Scavenger Hunt!

Date: June 14, 2025
Time: 9:30 am - Forty Birds in Forty Minutes Scavenger Hunt
11:30 am - Lunch served
Place: Blackwell Forest Preserve, North Shelter

Please RSVP by June 8. CLICK HERE TO RSVP
We will meet at 9:30 am at the Blackwell Forest Preserve’s North Shelter for the first ever Forty Birds in Forty Minutes Scavenger Hunt. This will be a fun birding adventure for all levels of birders. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars!

We will serve a hot dog lunch at 11:30. If you cannot make the Forty Birds in Forty Minutes Scavenger hunt at 9:30, you are welcome to come just for lunch. Though why would you want to miss a scavenger hunt??

Please come! Wouldn’t it be fun if all 350+ DBC members, your fellow birders, came together to celebrate forty years of field trips, meetings, and the joy of birding?

Any questions contact: Andie Duffy aduffy99@ameritech.net

Directions:
Use Blackwell FP main entrance on Butterfield Road (about ¼ mile west of Winfield Rd.) To get to the North Shelter take the Main Drive to the north end of Silver Lake (past the boat rental place). The shelter is located just before the campground entrance. Blackwell FP Webpage