Field Trips

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
Join us on a visit to Fermilab to look for fall migrants. Based on a tip that uncommon sparrows such as Nelson's and LeConte's sometimes grace this area at this time of year, we'll do our best to see what we can find. We'll start out exploring the area around Lake Law and possibly explore the bison pasture area as well. IMPORTANT: To be able to access this Federal facility, the US government requires a passport or Real ID to be shown to the security guard at the gate. Let me know if you have any questions about that or anything else.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/do6FGXkUWyTgETzV6
Leader: Vince Sherwin, vince1230@comcast.net, (630) 699-4936

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
We will be looking for fall migrants and local birds. We'll take a walk approximately 2 miles around some of the west side, including the river and Lake Marmo. (The arboretum is only open to members before 9am. If you don’t have an arboretum membership, email to let us know and we can meet up so you can enter in our car; cost is $10.) Meet at Thornhill parking lot, P21.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Aqd17HJdJ4yPP3Jc8
Leader: Mike & Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, (630) 640-2450

No Registration Required. 
Meet at the Herrick Lake Boat house, restrooms available. We will check out Herrick Lake, then work towards the meadow via the woods on limestone trails.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RBHqarjmA6DhKtn1A
Leader: Laurel Salvador (630) 534-0734

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 24 participants.
Wingspan is a beautifully crafted game, where each player has several wildlife habitats in which to attract a variety of birds with unique characteristics and abilities. Players collect food, lay eggs, and draw birds from cards with stunning illustrations and interesting facts. It blends education with strategy, in an enjoyable atmosphere.
Meet at the Plum Meeting Rooms on the first floor of Helen Plum Library, 411 S Main St, Lombard, IL 60148. To register, email Elena and let us know if you've played before.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hBw1CwQPDwhoGPpH6
Leaders: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com
& Len Edgin

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on September 1.
We will be looking for late migrants and remaining residents. The trip will conclude with a search for the local owls (Great-Horned/Barred), so a red flashlight is recommended. Lyman's trails are uneven and almost always muddy regardless of weather. We will walk approximately 2 miles. If rain occurs ahead of the trip, expect areas with standing water. Be prepared with appropriate footwear. Insect repellent is recommended. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/g3pH8Qwj9E1aknJf8
Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
Let's see what fall migrants we can find along the creek and in the wooded areas. This preserve often has an interesting variety that pass through. Meet in front of the nature center. https://maps.app.goo.gl/FvBtF4KvEQF8BAoc9
Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration with the leader is required.
Enjoying the big skies, we’ll explore grassland, edge, and riverside habitat along the east branch of the DuPage River, looking for late migrants and those who may sticking around for the winter. New birders welcome! Trails are mostly grass with some blacktop. Meet in the parking lot east of Braddock Drive at 808 Royce Road.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kkmoXY6N3KFrPUWH7
Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required, please RSVP using this link: https://forms.gle/1D1DXMr3J1E94ecs9.
In order to thank everyone who has volunteered on behalf of the club, the DBC board is sponsoring a bird walk from 9am to 11am followed by a lunch of sandwiches and salad served inside riding arena from 11am to 1pm. If you have volunteered in any way in the past year, please join us: https://forms.gle/1D1DXMr3J1E94ecs9.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/a8XbihAX9c5c3fCm9
Leader: Jeff Reiter & Elena Nelson

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
On this trip we will be exploring the western part of Danada Forest Preserve searching for migrants across several habitats as well as keeping an eye out for any common returning winter birds that are settling back in. We will also check several different ponds to look for migrant waterfowl.
Please meet on the west side of the Forest Preserve HQ parking lot at 8am.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/i7jZNvXFtffBcu8D9?g_st=ic
Leader: Henry Meade, meadehenry21@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
We'll take a leisurely walk around the gravel 2-mile loop trail stopping at the observation decks to watch and photograph waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, Rusty Blackbirds, and other late migrants. Meet at the McHenry Dam parking lot. Wear bug spray.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xpg15D5ErhL5ECBc9
Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
Kick off your Sunday in this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, and grass, with lots of edge habitat. New birders welcome! We’ll be looking for late migrants and seeing who might be staying for winter in this little gem of a park. Trails are a mix of dirt, grass, and pavement. Meet in the parking lot at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FJhBUMPEhnk5Bufj8
Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
Please note that Fermilab is a government research facility and has strict access requirements. All participants aged 18 and over must have a REAL-ID compliant state ID or passport to enter the site. When on site, you must remain in public areas at all times. When arriving at Fermilab, present your ID and let the security guard know you are here for bird watching.
Enter from Batavia road. We will meet at the ‘Red Barn Area’ located at the end of Sauk Circle We will scan the lakes for waterfowl and take a walk from there looking for migrant and local birds. We will travel about 1-1/2 miles on a trail that is a dirt path.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kuja5y2KBfE32Pb86
Leader: Mike and Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, (630) 640-2450

Registration with the leader is required for updates on weather conditions, and to receive hawk ID handouts.
Bring a chair, lunch, and a hat to the Greene Valley Hawkwatch, where we will quickly review how to ID hawks in flight and then join the team counting migrating raptors. Park on top of the Greene Valley Scenic Overlook and join us about 100 feet away on the grass lawn. If winds are good, we can see many migrating Broad-winged Hawks in late September. It is a good idea to bring a jacket, hat, and gloves as it can be colder up top than at ground level. Watch the Greene Valley Hawkwatch and Hawk ID talks on the club's You Tube channel to fully prepare for this experience. 
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Greene+Valley+Scenic+Overlook/ 
Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, vsroczynski@comcast.net, (630) 297-9512