Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 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 at the preserve parking lot off of Garys Mill Road west of Winfield Road.Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com
Danada East, Wheaton
Registration is not required, but please email the trip leader if you plan to attend so you can receive any trip updates.A more casual evening trip planned with the after-work/school crowd in mind, but anyone interested is welcome! This trip may be cancelled due to weather and will not be rescheduled. Please note, this trip will last past sunset and will be the last after-work trip of the year due to the shortened days. Danada East is located at 3S501 Naperville Road, on the east side of the road, south of Butterfield Road and north of I-88. Those using GPS […]
Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participantsJoin Joe Suchecki for a trip to Springbrook Prairie in Naperville to look for fall migrants. Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on Plainfield-Naperville Road. Please contact the trip leader at dbcsec2020@gmail.com  to reserve your spot on the trip. Ensure that you receive confirmation from the trip leader that you are registered for the trip.Leader: Joe Suchecki, DBCsec2020@gmail.com
Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participantsElsen’s Hill is another great site for migrants, especially warblers passing through on their way to their wintering grounds. Take Winfield Rd. to Gary’s Mill Rd. west to the preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road. Bring boots as needed for muddy trails.Leaders: Diann Bilderback, diann.bilderback@yahoo.com
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 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
Waterfall Glen Poverty Prairie, Darien
Pre-registration not required.Meet at the Lemont Road parking lot (Waterfall Glen Parking Lot #3 Google Maps) for a slow walk through oak savanna and out to the prairie. No need to RSVP.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, vsroczynski@comcast.net
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Limit of 20 participantsMontrose Point Bird Sanctuary is one of the premier birding hotspots in the state. Located next to Montrose Beach along Lake Michigan in Chicago, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary offers a variety of habitats for a large number of birds. The group will explore the entire sanctuary, including wooded areas, prairie, beachfront and dunes area. Some trails may be muddy, so dress appropriately. Targets will include migrating warblers and shorebirds. If you’re interested in joining, please reach out to the field trip leader via email.Leader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.com
Fall Hawk Migration Extravaganza at Greene Valley Forest Preserve Overlook/Fisher Point
No limit on number of participants.Let’s gather at the top of the overlook, right after the gate is unlocked at 11:00am. We’ll have a short site orientation, explain hawk watch techniques, and do a quick review of Hawk Migration Association of North America’s Hawk ID sheet. We picked these two weekends to give us the best chance to witness together the spectacle of Broad-winged Hawk migration. At the end of September, Broadwings, leaving the US, start passing by hawk watches in large numbers, depending on wind and timing. Please review the club’s Hawk Watch/Buteos talk, https://youtu.be/ltXn5knJmyc?si=LchgvzD8BIXqPU1y.There is a second club talk […]
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participantsMeet Joe Suchecki at the main parking lot at McDowell Grove off of Raymond Drive in Naperville for a field trip to look for fall migrants at this DuPage County hotspot. Please contact the trip leader at dbcsec2020@gmail.com  to reserve your spot on the trip. Ensure that you receive confirmation from the trip leader that you are registered for the trip.Leader: Joe Suchecki, DBCsec2020@gmail.com
Fall Hawk Migration Extravaganza at Greene Valley Forest Preserve Overlook/Fisher Point
No limit on number of participants.Let’s gather at the top of the overlook, right after the gate is unlocked at 11:00am. We’ll have a short site orientation, explain hawk watch techniques, and do a quick review of Hawk Migration Association of North America’s Hawk ID sheet. We picked these two weekends to give us the best chance to witness together the spectacle of Broad-winged Hawk migration. At the end of September, Broadwings, leaving the US, start passing by hawk watches in large numbers, depending on wind and timing. Please review the club’s Hawk Watch/Buteos talk, https://youtu.be/ltXn5knJmyc?si=LchgvzD8BIXqPU1y.There is a second club talk […]
Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email, limit 10 participantsWe will be looking for late summer woodland/wetland residents and early migrants. 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, and insect repellent is recommended. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street .Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com
Fermilab, Warrenville CANCELED
This trip has been CANCELED Pre-registration is required (please email), limit 10 participants.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, must remain in public areas at all times, have a visitor’s tag visible, and leave the same way they came in. When arriving at Fermilab, present your ID and let the security guard know you are here for bird watching. Full details on public access to Fermilab can be found HERE and […]
Fall Hawk Migration Extravaganza at Greene Valley Forest Preserve Overlook/Fisher Point
No limit on number of participants.Let’s gather at the top of the overlook, right after the gate is unlocked at 11:00am. We’ll have a short site orientation, explain hawk watch techniques, and do a quick review of Hawk Migration Association of North America’s Hawk ID sheet. We picked these two weekends to give us the best chance to witness together the spectacle of Broad-winged Hawk migration. At the end of September, Broadwings, leaving the US, start passing by hawk watches in large numbers, depending on wind and timing. Please review the club’s Hawk Watch/Buteos talk, https://youtu.be/ltXn5knJmyc?si=LchgvzD8BIXqPU1y.There is a second club talk […]
Danada West, Wheaton,
Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 12 participants.September is easily one of the best months of the year to see migrating species in DuPage County. On this trip we will mainly be focusing on finding migrant warblers, along with raptors and possibly some earlier returning fall and winter residents, such as white-crowned sparrows. The diverse habitat at Danada West always provides the chance to find something unusual as well, so we’ll keep a lookout for rarer species. Meet in the forest preserve parking lot.Leader: Robert Perez. robertperez787@gmail.com
Fall Hawk Migration Extravaganza at Greene Valley Forest Preserve Overlook/Fisher Point
No limit on number of participants.Let’s gather at the top of the overlook, right after the gate is unlocked at 11:00am. We’ll have a short site orientation, explain hawk watch techniques, and do a quick review of Hawk Migration Association of North America’s Hawk ID sheet. We picked these two weekends to give us the best chance to witness together the spectacle of Broad-winged Hawk migration. At the end of September, Broadwings, leaving the US, start passing by hawk watches in large numbers, depending on wind and timing. Please review the club’s Hawk Watch/Buteos talk, https://youtu.be/ltXn5knJmyc?si=LchgvzD8BIXqPU1y.There is a second club talk […]
Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participantsJoin Joe Suchecki for a trip to Springbrook Prairie in Naperville to look for later fall migrants and ducks. Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on Plainfield-Naperville Road. Please contact the trip leader at dbcsec2020@gmail.com to reserve your spot on the trip. Ensure that you receive confirmation from the trip leader that you are registered for the trip.Leader: Joe Suchecki, DBCsec2020@gmail.com
Whalon Lake Sparrow Search, Naperville
No need to RSVP but email leader with any questions.Let’s spend an hour near the wetlands searching for Nelson’s and Leconte’s Sparrows, and then head to the big quarry pond for waterfowl and other birds. Please watch DBC Mini tutorial on Nelson’s and Leconte’s Sparrows to prepare. Meet at the picnic shelter at the wetlands-this is the first big parking lot you’ll see, between the dog park on the north and the shallow wetlands to the south.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, vsroczynski@comcast.net
Bird Sit at Herrick Lake West Shelter, Wheaton
No Pre-registration necessary. (Send me an email if you want to be notified should the trip be canceled.)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 camaraderie of fellow birders. Bring your folding lawn chairs, binoculars, and field guides. We will be birding at the Herrick Lake West Shelter. Meet at the parking lot located on the east side Herrick Road south of Butterfield (Hwy 56). Drive all the way to the end of the parking […]
Sunset, Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email, limit 10 participants.We will be looking for late migrants and remaining residents. 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, and insect repellent is recommended. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street.Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com
Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville/Woodridge
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.This morning trip, oriented toward early fall and late summer birds, is especially designed for new birders and will be at a leisurely pace to provide as much time as desired to look at each bird and to answer questions on equipment or bird identification. Meet at the Thunderbird Youth Camp Parking Lot. From Greene Road, go west on 79th about 1/2 mile, the entrance is on the south side of 79th Street, west of Greene Road in Naperville/ Woodridge.Leader: Bonnie Graham, 630-204-8750, coye72112@gmail.com
Morton Arboretum, West Side, Lisle
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.Let’s see what we can find among the sparrows, waterfowl, and wintering residents. We will meet at Thornhill parking lot, P21. *Please note that a timed-reservation entry is required for all NON-members. Timed entry tickets can be obtained at the following link: https://mortonarb.org/visit-the-arboretum/. If you don’t have an arboretum membership, let us know and you can follow us in. It will cost $5.00.Leaders: Mike and Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, 630-640-2450
Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook
Pre-registration suggested so you can be contacted if the trip is canceled due to bad weather.Beginning birders welcome. We’ll explore the woodlands along Salt Creek on pretty easy level trails, as well as the feeders around the visitor’s center and other buildings. Meet in the main parking lot at 3609 Spring Road. More info here: https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/fullersburg-woodsLeader: Kathy and Steve Mineck, cell: 630-254-4077 (day of), kmineck@yahoo.com (RSVP to email)
‘LAST CHANCE’ Hawk Migration, Greene Valley Forest
Preserve's Scenic Overlook, Woodridge (Sunday, October 27, will be the 'rain date'.)No limit on number of participants, but RSVP to Bob so you can get an email update on weather conditions and receive the handouts.Root for N/NW winds! This will be our last opportunity in 2024 to see migrating raptors from the Scenic Overlook, aka Fisher Point, at Greene Valley (the overlook is closed to the public after this weekend). The Broadwings are long gone, but some of the later migrating raptor species may sail by—Northern Harriers, Red-shouldered and Rough-legged Hawks, and if we're lucky, maybe a goshawk or Golden […]
McKee Marsh, Warrenville
Pre-registration not required.This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us, approximately 3.25 miles, to check out resident species and fall migrants. We hope to see Red-headed Woodpeckers, Henslow's Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, and some marsh and woodland species. Most of our walk will be on preserve 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.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186
Centennial Trail, Lemont
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.On this field trip our main target will be looking for waterfowl and fall and early winter residents. We will meet in the gravel parking lot at the end of Canal Bank Road. Coming off of Lemont Road this turnoff is called Old Lemont Road, and is unmarked, so turn at this pin: 41,683840, -88.003541. Google Map link . Please call if you have any problems with directions.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521
Danada Forest Preserve (west side), Wheaton
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.On this trip we will be exploring the western part of Danada Forest Preserve searching for passerine migrants such as some of the more uncommon sparrows that can be found in DuPage County. 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.Leader: Henry Meade, henrymm21@icloud.com
McKee Marsh, Warrenville
Registration not required.Join us on another walk around one of DuPage County's premier birding hotspots. We will be looking for wintering species and late fall migrants. The walk will be approximately 3 miles on limestone & earthen trails. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd. between Winfield Rd. & Route 59.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186
Nygren Wetland Preserve, Rockton, IL. – Canceled
THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELED. Led by Dan Williams. Organized by Lenny Edgin.This trip will begin Friday at 3:30 pm, at Nygren Overlook, and end around Noon to 1:00 pm Saturday. Full itinerary will be sent to registrants.To register and for more detailed information contact Lenny Edgin @ ledgin72@gmail.com. Nygren is a beautiful wildlife refuge located in Rockton, Illinois, owned by the Natural Land Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit land trust which was created in 1958 by George Fell, one of the founders and first executive director of The Nature Conservancy. It covers over 700 acres of pristine wetlands, woodlands, and prairies, […]
DBC Volunteers: Celebrating YOU at the DBC Volunteer Luncheon
The DuPage Birding Club would not exist if not for the many volunteers that give of their time and talents. The DBC Board would like to acknowledge all of our volunteers with a luncheon Saturday, November 16, at St. James Farm. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a short birding walk followed by a luncheon at 11:30. The event is for everyone who has volunteered in any capacity on behalf of the club in the last year. This includes Board Members, Committee members, field trip leaders, outreach volunteers, newsletter and website contributors, and any others who have helped […]
Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, Hampshire
Pre-registration is preferred, limit 20 participants. Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve is fast becoming one of the most promising birding sites in Kane County. Formerly farmland, Muirhead has undergone quite a transformation in the past few years, hosting a wide range of grassland birds. Winter sparrows, waterfowl, as well as Pipits, Longspurs, and Snow Buntings will be the main targets of this trip. If you haven't been to Muirhead yet, this is a great opportunity to do so. New birders are always welcome to join. The parking lot entrance is on Bahr Road, off Plank Road. Please note that we may trek through tall grass, so […]