Events

There is no limit to the number of participants, but please email us to let us know you are coming and for any updates.The bird club has a tradition of New Year’s Day birding, so come one, come all to the Morton Arboretum to start the new year right! We will gather at parking lot P13, Big Rock on the east side, https://mortonarb.org/visit-the-arboretum/maps-guides/ . We will walk about 2 miles on mulched paths. Non-members (aka, guests) can’t enter the Arb until 9:00 am, so we will start gathering at 9:00 am and begin birding at about 9:15. Nonmembers will need […]

Pre-registration is required, 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, participants must remain in public areas at all times 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. We will meet at the ‘Red Barn Area’ located at the end […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.Join Joe Suchecki at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville to look for Short-eared Owls. Short-eared Owls frequently winter at Springbrook Prairie and can be seen as they come out to hunt over the preserve at dusk. Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on Plainfield-Naperville Rd, south of 75th St. in Naperville. We will walk a short distance off-trail to wait for the owls to appear. Dress very warmly since we will be standing in one place as the sun goes down. Note that the owls are generally pretty far away and […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.On this field trip our main target will be looking for waterfowl and other winter residents. Spotting scopes can be useful here, trip leader will have one. 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. Feel free to ask questions on how to get there after you RSVP.Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required by email, limit 10 participantsWe will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. While the trip will wrap up at sunset, for those who would like, we can do a shorter walk after sunset to see if there's any owl activity. If you want to do this, a red flashlight/headlamp is recommended.Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Registration not necessary.Join us for a morning walk around one of DuPage County’s premier birding hotspots. This trip will be about three miles long on limestone and earthen trials. This site often has a good selection of wintering species including the Northern Shrike, American Black Duck and other waterfowl, various raptors, and other birds. Meet at the visitor parking lot located on the north side of Mack Road, east of Route 59, and west of Winfield Road.Leader: Kyle Wiktor. 708-506-5186 (text or call if you have questions regarding weather cancellation).

CANCELED - This trip is canceled due to weather. This morning trip will be oriented toward winter birds such as sparrows, finches, and raptors. We will walk at a leisurely pace to provide as much time as desired to look at each bird and to answer questions for any new birders. Please dress for the weather. Meet at Greene Valley Forest Preserve West entrance, near the Thunderbird Youth Camp Parking Lot. The entrance (Thunderbird Road) is on the south side of 79th, west of Greene Road in Naperville/Woodridge. https://maps.app.goo.gl/nwLczvPZDP9FP3zF9 Leader: Bonnie Graham, 630-204-8750, Coye72112@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.On this field trip our main target will be looking for waterfowl and other winter residents. Spotting scopes can be useful here, trip leader will have one. 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. Feel free to ask questions on how to get there after you RSVP. Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

No registration required.  No limit to the number of participants. This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us to check out winter birds. 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. Text or call Kyle for any additional information including questions regarding weather related cancellation. Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186

If the Christmas Bird Count was just too cold and daunting for you, February 14-17 offers a more agreeable opportunity and a second chance to get involved in Community Science. The Great Backyard Bird Count, sponsored by Cornell Labs and Birds Canada, invites you to sit back with a hot cup of Joe in your snuggly slippers and count the birds you see in your own backyard. Over the four days of the count, spend at least 15 minutes on one day to record what you see happening out your window. Share your Merlin Bird ID(s), eBird checklist(s), or photos, sounds, or […]

THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELED BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SNOW GEESE. Pre-registration is required. No limit to the number of participantsThe Snow Geese in February can number in the hundreds of thousands in the lakes surrounding the Illinois River south of Peoria!  It is an amazing sight to see them all take off and land.  Join Bob Fisher in witnessing this spectacle. There will likely be an opportunity to view eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Greater White Fronted Geese, and a variety of other waterfowl and resident birds as well. Bob will lead us in a caravan car trip among several locations […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.On this field trip 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 it is unmarked, so turn at this pin: .41,683840, -88.003541. Google Map link. Feel free to ask questions on how to get there after you RSVP. On this field trip our main targets will be waterfowl. Common Goldeneye and Redhead, along with many others are all possible. We will also be on the lookout for songbirds on the wooded side of […]

Pre-registration required by text or email.We’ll explore riverside habitat looking for resident birds and migrating waterfowl. New birders welcome. The DuPage Greenway Trail is a paved trail in Bolingbrook that runs alongside the East Branch of the DuPage River. The trailhead is on Royce Rd just west of Rt. 53. It is about a mile and a half walk to Whalon Lake. Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521 

Pre-registration is preferred. Limit of 20 people.  West Branch Forest Preserve in West Chicago is a great spot for waterfowl and grassland birds. On this field trip, we'll focus our attention on migrating waterfowl but will venture into the grassland portions of the preserve. Please dress appropriately, as we will plan to go off trail. We will meet in the north parking lot, off Army Trail Road. Leader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.com (text or call with any questions regarding directions on the day of - 630-724-7534)

Pre-registration required by text or email.We’ll explore riverside habitat looking for resident birds and migrating waterfowl. New birders welcome. The DuPage Greenway Trail is a paved trail in Bolingbrook that runs alongside the East Branch of the DuPage River. The trailhead is on Royce Rd just west of Rt. 53. It is about a mile and a half walk to Whalon Lake. Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521 

Pre-registration with the leader is required by email, limit 10 participants.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. Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.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. Please contact the leader for meeting time and location. We will caravan from the western suburbs. Leader: Jeff Chapman, jeffchapman948@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.On this field trip our main targets will be early returning spring migrants. Northern Shovelers and Redheads, along with a large array of waterfowl are all possible. We will also be on the lookout for songbirds such as Rusty Blackbirds, Eastern Towhees, and many more, on the wooded side of the trail. 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. […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required.We will meet at Thornhill parking lot, P21 and walk on wood chip paths for about 2 miles. We will be looking for early migrants and usual winter birds.  Info on the arboretum is at:  https://mortonarb.org/visit-the-arboretum/. If you don’t have an arboretum membership contact us and we can arrange for you to enter with a member for $10.00.Leaders: Mike and Karen Warner,  mwarner2543@gmail.com, 630-640-2450

Registration not necessary.  Join us for a walk around one of DuPage county's premier birding hotspots to look for resident birds and early spring migrants.  Hopefully, some waterfowl should be around.  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.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186 (text or call if you have questions regarding weather cancellation)

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participantsWe will be looking for early migrants and woodland residents and 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 oftenmuddy and there may be areas with standing water. Be prepared with appropriate footwear. Meet at the Lyman Woods main parking lot on 31 st Street.Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participantsMeet up with us for some evening birding through the west side of Danada Forest Preserve while daylight allows. The birding doesn’t stop just because the sun as gone down! Once it’s too dark to keep birding with binoculars, we will shift our focus to looking and listening for displays of American Woodcocks. This trip may be cancelled due to weather. Meet at the circle drive in front of the Forest Preserve District HQ, located at 3S580 Naperville Rd., Wheaton, IL 60189Leader: William Pixler, pillwixler@gmail.com

Registration not requiredJoin us for a morning walk at one of DuPage County’s premier birding hotspots to look for resident birds and early spring migrants.  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, Cell: (708)506-5186

Preregistration is suggested so you can be contacted in case of cancellationOur first sit of the year! This is a field trip for anyone who finds the long walks of our regular field trips too difficult or who would like a less vigorous birding experience. Share in the camaraderie of fellow birders! Bring your folding lawn chairs, binoculars, and field guides and join us at Whalon Lake Preserve.A scope can be helpful for spotting birds on the lake. We will meet and sit as a group and look for early spring migrants, waterfowl and any birds that come to us! […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participantsThis morning trip is designed to focus on waterfowl such as Common Loons and Horned Grebes, but we will also search for songbird migrants alongside the lake. We will most likely go onto smaller trails, which could be muddy depending on recent conditions, so boots are highly recommended. We will meet in theparking lot off Army Trail Road, near Deep Quarry Lake.Leader: Henry Meade, henrymm21@icloud.com

Pre-registration with the leader is suggestedOn this trip we will be exploring the western part of Danada Forest Preserve looking for nesting Great Blue Herons who have had a rookery here in the past. Also, we will be searching for early spring migrants. Please meet on the west side of the Forest Preserve HQ parking lot.Leader: Mike and Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, 630 640-2450

Pre-registration with the leader is requiredJoin Joe Suchecki to look for early spring migrants, grassland birds and marsh birds at this great birding location. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear in case we go off-trail. Insect repellant recommended. Meet at the main parking lot on 83 rd Street, between Book Rd. and Route 59.Leader: Joe Suchecki, Dbcsec2020@gmail.com

Pre-registration required with the leader, 10 participantsGreene 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.Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is requiredThis trip will look for early migrants and returning summer residents in the Thunderbird area. We will travel along the gravel road to the campground and then walk back through the woods. Meet at the west entrance parking lot off Thunderbird Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/qBDz7dMEctk3oJss8Leader: Mark Freeburg, Cell: (630)661-1521, freebs59@sbcglobal.net

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participantsWe will be looking for early migrants and woodland residents and 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 oftenmuddy and there may be areas with standing water. Be prepared with appropriate footwear. Meet at the Lyman Woods main parking lot on 31 st Street.Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com