Danada Forest Preserve - West
2022-07-19 07:00 - 09:30 (America/Chicago)
Pre-registration required with the leader, limit 10 participants. This preserve (3S580 Naperville Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189) has open grasslands with a few ponds. We will look for grassland birds, shrubland birds, raptors, and some other possibilities in the ponds. Plan to walk 3 – 4 miles on limestone and uneven grass trails.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, Oak Brook
2022-07-23 07:30 - 09:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. This will be a walk for birders of all levels. We will walk along the Salt Creek in the lowland woods with good habitat for birds. Meet at the main parking lot on Spring Road in Oak Brook.Leaders: Andrew and Rebecca Steinmann, 708-533-6604, asteinmann@ameritech.net

Knoch Knolls Park, Naperville
2022-07-29 07:00 - 09:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. A bird walk to the DuPage River confluence, where the east and west branches meet. We’ll look for summer residents in the woods, fields, and on the water, so prepare for some sun, heat, and a few bugs! New birders welcome. Trails are mostly level and are grass/dirt, with some paved. Meet at the parking lot on 336 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville. Google Maps link.Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Birding and Breakfast!
2022-08-13 07:30 - 10:30
No pre-registration required. Join us for a bird walk and casual breakfast at Pratt’s Wayne Woods. Participants planning on joining the bird walk should meet at the furthest parking lot near the trailhead at 7:30 am. The breakfast will occur at the picnic shelter at 9:00 am. The club will provide fruit, bagels, donuts, juice, and coffee. You are invited to come for both the walk and breakfast or just join us for breakfast. All birders and potential birders are welcome! Pratt’s Wayne is located at Powis Road south of Stearns Road in Wayne (driving directions here). Meet at the picnic shelter.Organizers: Natalie McFaul natcatcher7@gmail.com and Jane Barnettjane.barnett333@gmail.com

Wood Dale Reservoir
2022-08-14 07:30 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 12 participants. On this trip we will be exploring one of the premier shorebird spots in DuPage County. We will focus on finding and identifying migratory shorebirds such as Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers and both species of yellowlegs. There’s even the chance for something rarer like a Stilt or Baird’s Sandpiper. Please meet in the parking lot at the end of School St.Leader: Henry Meade kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
2022-08-17 07:30 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at the main parking lot off of Raymond Rd in Naperville. Trip is looking for summer residents and maybe an early migrant. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing and bring insect repellent.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net

Greene Valley Shorebirds
2022-08-19 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. Meet at Greene Road parking lot. We will walk east to the 83rd Street Fluddle to look for shorebirds, birding on the way. Scopes recommended here–leader will have one. To prepare for fall shorebird migration (that begins mid-July or so, please consider enrolling in Cornell’s Shorebirds Class, and definitely review shorebird ID with Denis Kania’s mini-tutorials: “Yellowlegs and Similar Waders” and “Peeps” on the DBC YouTube channel. Some bushwacking on overgrown grass trails or thru tall grass is necessary here so please prepare for ticks and mosquitoes.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, vsroczynski@comcast.net or text 630-297-9512

Lincoln Marsh, Wheaton
2022-08-20 07:30 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Lincoln Marsh Natural Area is located just northwest of downtown Wheaton. From County Farm Road, go east on Harrison Street. Harrison ends in Lincoln Marsh’s parking lot. Two large marshes dominate the area. However, there is a large oak woodland, a small prairie, and two small ponds. A variety of birds, residents and migrants, associated with such habitats can be seen here. The trails at Lincoln Marsh are generally excellent, consisting mostly of wood chips and crushed limestone; boardwalks cross low areas, and there are two floating boardwalks and bird blinds. A fuller description of the site can be found here.Leader: John Cebula, 630-640-2721, joceb2005@sbcglobal.net

Greene Valley Overlook, Naperville
2022-08-22 08:00 - 17:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Drive up to the overlook parking lot south of 79th Street off Greene Rd and meet the hawk watch volunteers to scan the skies for raptors. Hawk ID handouts provided and discussed. Review buteos by watching the club’s Hawk Watch talk on YouTube. Please bring layers (it can be much colder up on the hill than at ground level,) and a hat for sun (no shade.) Bring lunch, extra water, and a lawn chair.Leader Vicky Sroczynski, RSVP to vsroczynski@comcast.net or text 630-297-9512

Bird Sit at Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
2022-08-23 07:00 - 09:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. This is a new spot! 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. We will be birding at the small picnic shelter by the Model Airplane field parking lot off Plainfield-Naperville Rd on the east side of the park. The parking lot is located on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road . 05 mile south of 75th Street. Places to Go-Forest Preserves-Springbrook Prairie (dupageforest.org). Dress for the weather and bring bug spray (sitting, we are easy targets for mosquitos!) and drinking water.Leader: Natalie McFaul, natcatcher7@gmail.com

Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville/Bolingbrook
2022-08-26 07:00 - 09:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. We’ll be looking for summer residents, avian youngsters, and early migrants as we explore the fields and woods along the Thunderbird Trail. New birders are welcome as we will take a fairly leisurely pace to see (and listen to) the birds and to answer questions. If conditions are good, we’ll do a little bonus walk at the end. The entrance is located on the south side of 79th Street, about 0.5 miles west of Greene Road. Meet in the parking lot at the south end of Thunderbird Road, aka “Greene Valley Forest Preserve West Entrance.” Here is the map link for parking.Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield
2022-09-03 07:00 - 09:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.We will be looking for early fall 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.Leader Joe Suchecki, DBCsec2020@gmail.com

Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
2022-09-07 07:00 - 09:30
Pre-registration with leader required, limit 15 participants.We will be searching for fall migrants. Meet at the gravel parking lot on the east side of Plainfield-Naperville Road about one-half mile south of 75th Street in Naperville.Leader: Joe Suchecki, DBCsec2020@gmail.com

McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
2022-09-08 07:30 - 10:00, 2022-09-13 07:30 - 10:00
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

Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield
2022-09-11 07:30 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.Elsen’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.Leader: Diann Bilderback, diann.bilderback@yahoo.com

Bird Sit at Pratt’s Wayne Woods, Powis Road, West Chicago
2022-09-16 07:00 - 09:00
Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 10 participants. 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 meet in the first parking area by Pickerel Lake as you come into the park off Powis Road. NOTE: the entrance is on the WEST side of Powis Road north of Army Trail and south of Stearns Road. Be aware that when using GPS it sometimes takes you to the Preserve which is NOT where we will meet, we are meeting at Pratt’s Wayne Woods: https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/pratts-wayne-woods

Dress for the weather and bring bug spray (sitting, we are easy targets for mosquitoes!) and drinking water.

Leader: Natalie McFaul, natcatcher7@gmail.com

Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield
2022-09-17 07:30 - 10:00
On this trip we’ll be exploring Elsen’s Hill within West DuPage Woods in hopes of finding migrant songbirds, in particular warblers. Please meet in the parking lot off Gary’s Mill Rd.Leader: Henry Meade, Please register with kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
2022-09-18 07:30 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This morning trip will focus on woodland migrants passing through our area. 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: Joe Suchecki, DBCsec2020@gmail.com

Waterfall Glen Poverty Prairie, Darien
2022-09-20 08:00 - 11:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at the Lemont Rd. parking lot, south of I55 at 101st Street. We’ll start in the Kettle Pond Woods and walk to the prairie.Leader Vicky Sroczynski, RSVP to vsroczynski@comcast.net or text 630-297-9512

Seager Park, Naperville
2022-09-21 07:30 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at the main parking lot, 1163 Plank Rd. We will be in search of migrants, especially fall warblers and other woodland birds.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net

St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville
2022-09-24 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This morning’s walk will take us through some prairie and woods. We’ll be looking for resident birds as well as early migratory birds. We’ll be walking approximately 2 miles on mostly easy terrain. We will meet in the parking lot off on Winfield Rd, just north of Butterfield Rd.Leader: Bonnie Graham, 630-204-8750, coye72112@gmail.com

Greene Valley Overlook, Naperville
2022-09-25 11:00 - 13:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Drive up to the overlook parking lot south of 79th Street off Greene Rd and meet the hawk watch volunteers to scan the skies for raptors. Hawk ID handouts provided and discussed. Review buteos by watching the club’s Hawk Watch talk on YouTube. Please bring layers (it can be much colder up on the hill than at ground level) and a hat for sun (no shade). Bring lunch, extra water, and a lawn chair.Leader Vicky Sroczynski, RSVP to vsroczynski@comcast.net or text 630-297-9512

Lyman Woods Forest Preserve, Downers Grove
2022-09-28 07:30 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This morning trip will be oriented toward fall migration. We will be at a leisurely pace to provide as much time as desired to look at each bird and to answer questions for any new birders. Meet in the parking lot in front of Lyman Woods Interpretive Center, located one block east of Highland Avenue on 31st Street. Boots are recommended if it’s been raining recently. Some areas are muddy.Leader: Lisa Gaylord, lisarae59@icloud.com, cell phone:630-740-0911. Please leave a message or text along with your name & email.

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2022-10-06 07:30 - 09:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.Join us on a morning walk to the marsh for fall migrants, including shorebirds and waterfowl. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. 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. and be prepared for some dirt trails, possibly muddy if wet. Located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville.Leader: Kathy Mineck, cell: 630-254-4077 (day of), kmineck@yahoo.com (RSVP toemail)

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2022-10-08 07:30 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email please, limit 15 participants.Join Joe Suchecki for our annual club fall trip to locate Nelson’s and LeConte’s sparrows at Springbrook Prairie. We also will be looking for other late migrant species of the wetlands and grasslands. This trip requires that we go off-trail through uneven terrain, so this is not for those who want/need to stay on wide, flat groomed trails. The vegetation and footing will likely be wet as we walk along the edge of wetlands looking for the sparrows, so rubber boots are recommended. Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road south of 75th St.Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com

Danada Forest Preserve (west side), Wheaton
2022-10-09 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration is required by email please, 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, Please register with kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2022-10-11 07:30 - 10:00
Pre-registration is required by email please, limit 15 participants.Join Joe Suchecki for our annual club fall trip to locate Nelson’s and LeConte’s sparrows at Springbrook Prairie. We also will be looking for other late migrant species of the wetlands and grasslands. This trip requires that we go off-trail through uneven terrain, so this is not for those who want/need to stay on wide, flat groomed trails. The vegetation and footing will likely be wet as we walk along the edge of wetlands looking for the sparrows, so rubber boots are recommended. Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road south of 75th St.Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com

St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville
2022-10-17 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration is required by email please, limit 15 participants.Explore the woodlands of this preserve looking for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other fall and winter birds. We will also check out the open spaces for grassland birds and the skies for migrating raptors. Be prepared for some dirt trails, possibly muddy if wet. Meet at the parking lot off Winfield Road.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Lyman Woods Nature Center, 901 31st St, Downers Grove, IL
2022-10-18 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email, limit 12 participants. After meeting in the parking lot, we will explore the varied habitats of Lyman. We will be looking for late migrants and birds that winter in our region. Lyman’s trails are known for being very muddy. If a rainy spell occurs, be prepared with appropriate footwear. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street.Leaders: Mike & Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com
