Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on February 1.We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We will conclude the trip with a brief search for the resident Great Horned Owls around and after sunset. Dress warmly as we may be stationary at times. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended.https://maps.app.goo.gl/tY5mCcKSims6dzF8ALeader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required.Snow Geese Spectacular! Chautauqua NWR (and Emiquon NWR across the Illinois River) typically hold tens of thousands of Snow Geese as a stopover point for these waterfowl as they journey northward for their spring migration in mid to late February. Other waterfowl, Gr. White-fronted Geese for example, are also likely to be present in very large numbers. The trip starts at Chautauqua, then crosses the river in Havana to visit Emiquon NWR. The trip may also include a short meeting with Forbes Biological Station personnel to learn more about their work at Chautauqua. Lodging is available […]

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on February 1.We'll be looking for migrating waterfowl and early nest builders (herons, cormorants and egrets) on the last day before they close the trail for the rookery's breeding season. There's also a pair of nesting eagles. Bring a scope if you have one. We'll be walking a couple miles on easy, flat gravel and paved trails along Lake Renwick and Turtle Lake.https://maps.app.goo.gl/vuVA4cvKFfFtRzxo6Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We will conclude the trip with a brief search for the resident Great Horned Owls around and after sunset. Dress warmly as we may be stationary at times. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended.Note that DST kicks in on the day the trip - check your clocks!https://maps.app.goo.gl/vUbvGeMD7Kyb2mHq6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Pre-registration is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for members only.In this first-of-its-kind event, DBC members will get a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's Urban Stream Research Center. This 60-minute tour will help participants better understand the work done at the USRC and the importance that freshwater mussels provide to DuPage County's ecosystem. The USRC was opened in 2012 and is the cornerstone of the Forest Preserve District's commitment to preserving aquatic habitats. To this date, nearly 38,000 sub-adult mussels have been propagated, reared, and released into area waterways to boost declining populations. After the […]

Registration with the leader is required.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 meet-up instructions will be provided at registration. All supplies will be provided as well as snacks. Bring your favorite work gloves and water. Activities will include using hand saws or loppers to cut down invasive shrubs with a maximum […]

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.Get an early, birdy start to your Sunday. New birders welcome! We’ll be looking for some of our “basic” resident birds (and hopefully a few spring surprises) in this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, and grass, with lots of edge habitat. Trails are a mix of surfaces, and there could be mud. Bathrooms available. Meet at Seager Park at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Seager+Park/Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.The first day of spring! A morning walk to the DuPage River confluence, where the east and west branches meet. We'll look for migrants and residents emerging from the doldrums of winter in the water, fields, and woods. Trails are a mix of surfaces, and it could be muddy, so wear boots. Meet at the parking lot on 336 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville. Bathrooms available at trail head.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Knoch+Knolls+Park/Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.Waterfowl, cranes, eagles, and pelicans will be sought on this all-day trip exploring spots along the Mississippi, both in Illinois and Iowa. In addition to the river, Lost Mound National Wildlife Refuge will be visited to search for Western Meadowlark and Northern Mockingbird. We will meet in Woodridge in the Jewel-Osco parking lot and caravan together.https://maps.app.goo.gl/dFzsVPsMrSN6XXee8Leader: Jeff Chapman, jeffchapman948@gmail.com, (847) 456-2784

Registration with the leader is required.We will meet at the DuPage River Greenway Trailhead parking lot. It is just off Royce Road, as soon as you make the turn west off Rt 53. It is a nice asphalt path and we will follow that along the DuPage River to Whalon Lake and back. We will look for returning migrants- both passing through and the ones sticking around. Just text me if your are interested in joining.   https://www.google.com/maps/place/DuPage+River+Greenway+TrailLeader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net, text (630) 661-1521

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.We will be looking for early migrants & woodland residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We will conclude the trip with a search for the resident Great Horned Owls and/or migrating Woodcocks around and after sunset. Dress warmly as we may be stationary at times. 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/vUbvGeMD7Kyb2mHq6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.Van Patten Woods is a Lake County Forest Preserve off I-94 just below the Wisconsin border and features Sterling Lake and the Des Plaines River. Grab your cameras and we'll stroll a couple miles on crushed gravel trails around the lake to see Common Loons, Horned Grebes and other migrating waterfowl. There will also be plenty of other returning migrants like Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds establishing their territories. If you just want to relax and enjoy the view there is also a wheelchair accessible floating […]

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.We will walk along the canal looking for waterfowl and returning songbirds. 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. Feel free to ask questions on how to get there after you RSVP.  https://maps.app.goo.gl/CCXDNzB5SbTQjdKY6Leader: Karen and Michael Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, (630) 640-2450

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.We will be looking for early migrants & woodland residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We will conclude the trip with a search for the resident Great Horned Owls and/or migrating Woodcocks around and after sunset. Dress warmly as we may be stationary at times. 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/zLxxAF1AM4WPMCS37Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.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. 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZB9rGJRvgfAHamTT6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Early Spring Field Trip for migrants, waterbirds, and early grassland species. Meet at the model aircraft field parking lot on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road about 0.5 miles south of 75th Street in Naperville, https://maps.app.goo.gl/25ZqUpfN1DUrcrB48. We will bird in wetland, grassland, and some forest patches for migrants and early-returning summer residents. Dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots since we will be going off-trail to look for some species. Use insect repellent for ticks and mosquitos. Field Trip to last about 2.5-3 hours.Leader: Joe Suchecki, […]

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.We’ll explore grassland, edge, and riverside habitat along the east branch of the DuPage River, looking for resident birds and, of course, spring migrants. 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/kkmoXY6N3KFrPUWH7Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Deer Grove, Cook County’s first forest preserve, features nearly 2,000 acres of diverse habitat such as rolling upland forest, wooded ravines, wetlands and prairie. Following years of dedicated restoration work, two areas within Deer Grove are recognized by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission as some of the highest quality natural areas in the state.We'll start by walking to the bottom of the sledding hill to check out the waterfowl and rookery on Deer Grove Lake. Then we'll walk over 3 miles on dirt trails with roots […]

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Get an early, birdy start to your Sunday. New birders welcome! We’ll be looking for birds settling into and birds passing through this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, and grass, with lots of edge habitat. Trails are a mix of surfaces, and there could be mud. Bathrooms available. Meet at Seager Park 1163 Plank Road, Naperville, https://maps.app.goo.gl/wah4DsoWXksaSfRv5.Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Registration with the leaders is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Lyman Woods has many habitats which attract a wide variety of birds. At the time of the trip we would expect to find spring migrants, including some early warblers and woodland birds. The lake area usually attracts a variety of waterfowl while the marsh areas have several different species of sparrows. Up to two miles of walking; expect to walk on some muddy paths. Meet in the parking lot for a fun and informative morning.https://maps.app.goo.gl/EvuYT9k2hvAtph2E6Leader: Mike and Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, (630) 640-2450      Please register […]

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.We will be looking for migrants and returning residents. Easy walking on a gravel road and a mulch trail. It will about 2 hours. Meet at the Thunderbird parking lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oc7GWihKD4pHKiZC8. Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net, (630) 661-1521 (text preferred)

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/zLxxAF1AM4WPMCS37Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Field trip to Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville to look for a variety of spring migrants with the long-time Steward and Bird Monitor, Joe Suchecki. We will bird in wetlands, grasslands, and patchy forest habitats. Good opportunity to find rails, waterfowl, several grassland sparrows and migrants such as vireos and warblers. We will be going off-trail on this trip so footing will be unlevel and possibly wet. Wear water-proof shoes or boots and dress for weather. Use insect repellent since ticks and mosquitos will be […]

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.This walk will be geared towards new birders, but any level of birder is invited. Our walk will focus on early migratory birds, including warblers and thrushes. Lyman Woods can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear. We will meet in the parking lot by the Lyman Woods Nature Center, 901 31st St. Downers Grove.Leader: Bonnie Graham, coye72112@gmail.com, (630) 204-8750

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.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 […]

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Moraine Hills State Park is comprised of 2,200+ acres of glacier-formed park nearly half of which are wetlands & lakes. The McHenry Dam trail is an easy two-mile crushed gravel loop through forest and wetlands with two observation decks.  We can expect to see waterfowl, shorebirds, warblers, and returning summer residents.  Bring bug spray.https://maps.app.goo.gl/rEkc1xaJkhekfN6y6Leader: Elena N Nelson, ladylena76gmailcom

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 20 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Montrose 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.  Meet at the main entrance, https://maps.app.goo.gl/BZjWnjUSN1y1r6Wh9.Leader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.com, (630) 724-7534

Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Wood Dale Reservoir offers great viewing opportunities for several species of migrating shorebirds. Spotting scopes can be useful here; trip leader will have one. Shorebird IDs can be difficult at times - Trip leader will be happy to help people who may be new to it, but it will help to review field guides, eBird/Merlin, and/or some of the DBC YouTube content (Yellowlegs and Similar Waders, Peeps) ahead of time. We will meet at the parking lot at the end of School Street. (298 School Street […]

Registration with the leader via text or call is required, but there is no limit to the number of participants.Join us for a morning walk around one of DuPage County's top birding hotspots. Going through multiple habitat types at this time of year should result in finding a large variety of bird species. Most of this 3.25 mile walk will be on limestone or earthen trails. Make sure to dress accordingly to the predicted weather conditions. Meet in the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd. located west of Winfield Rd. & east of Rt. 59.https://maps.app.goo.gl/nXtgY54hNjHBZ1u39Leader: Kyle […]

No Registration RequiredWe will meet at the boat rental building, near the bathrooms off the Butterfield Road lot and walking on the gravel paths checking for spring migrants and seasonal and year round resident birds. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Venm2bxegr5ZW6vE6Leader: Laurel Salvador, laurelsalvador@yahoo.com, (630) 534-0734