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.Magee is known around the world as one of the best places to experience the spring warbler migration, but is also notable for the variety of other habitats in close proximity that allow you to see far more than just warblers. This trip is part of our “Special Trips” program, and since space is limited, all potential registrants must have a current membership with the club. This trip will be less scheduled than last year, with more options to choose your interest and activity level. Matt’s plan is to “Bird ‘til we drop,” which means […]