Events

Come one, come all to Morton Arboretum to start the new year right! Meet at the east side Visitor Center parking lot (far north end, by the troll and smashed car) where we will divide into groups. For non-members, the entrance fee is $15 per person, $13 for seniors 65+. Many of our members are also Arboretum members and have free passes, so if you could use one or you have one, please contact Kathy Mineck at kmineck@yahoo.com

MOVED TO SUNDAY - Jan 12 due to weather. Join Bob Fisher and check various locations for raptors, gulls, waterfowl and owls. Meet at the McDonalds in Coal City at the SE corner of Hwy 113 and Broadway. Dress warmly since we will likely be standing in one exposed location as the sun sets. Pre-registration is required; limit 15. Trip may be cancelled in the event of bad weather. Contact Bob to register. Leader: Bob Fisher, bfisher928@aol.com

This will be a walk for new birders. We will walk slowly and allow time for all to look at the birds. We will walk along the Salt Creek in the lowland woods with good habitat for birds. Meet at the main parking lot on Spring Rd. in Oak Brook. Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@dupagebirding.org

Meet in the west parking lot for Waterfall Glen FP, Lemont Rd. and 101st St. We can carpool from there. We will travel downstream along the Des Plaines River looking for waterfowl. The trip will end in the Channahon area. We will stop for lunch along the way. A scope would be helpful, but not necessary. Hope to be back mid-afternoon. Leader: Jeff Smith, 331-481-3362, mrgmagoo12@gmail.com

This trip has been canceled

This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us to check out winter birds. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Road (Mack is south of Roosevelt and north of Butterfield), located between Winfield Road and Rte. 59 in Warrenville. Leaders: Kathy and Steve Mineck, kmineck@yahoo.com cell day of: 630-254-4077

This site remains one of DuPage Countyʼs premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us to check out winter birds. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd. (Mack is south of Roosevelt and north of Butterfield), located between Winfield Rd. and Rte. 59 in Warrenville. Be sure to dress for the weather. Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (C) 708-506-5186, kylewiktor@msn.com

The first of a series in the 'Know Your Neighborhood' trips, exploring hidden gems, odd and under-birded hot spots in DuPage County, we will be checking O'Hare Airport for Snowy Owls and other winter birds. Meet at the Bensenville McDonalds on Irving Park Rd. two blocks west of York Rd. where we will consolidate vehicles. We will leave promptly at 4:30 pm. We will head to dinner at 5:30 pm, in downtown Bensenville, then try for Snowy Owls again afterwards. Leader: Glenn Perricone, 630-687-2921, Gperricone@dupagebirding.org

The Great Backyard Bird Count (February 14-17) is an opportunity to contribute from the comfort of your own home. Check out their website at: gbbc.birdcount.org

One of our best-known warbler locations can be a productive winter site as well. We will be targeting a few winter specialties including finches, sparrows and wrens. We'll meet at Elsen's Hill parking lot. Take Winfield Rd. to Gary’s Mill Rd. Go west on Gary’s Mill Rd. to the Preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road. Dress for the weather. Depending on conditions the trails can be icy or muddy. Leader: MarkBavetz, mbavetz@sbcglobal.net

The second of the 'Know Your Neighborhood' trips, exploring hidden gems, odd and under-birded hot spots in DuPage County, we will be walking the Centennial Trail along the Des Plaines River in search of winter waterfowl. Meet at the 101st St. Waterfall Glen parking lot off of Lemont Rd. where we will consolidate vehicles and depart promptly at 7:45 am. We should be back no later than 11:00 am and will lunch at the famous Del Rhea’s Chicken Basket in Willowbrook. Leader: Glenn Perricone, 630-687-2921, Gperricone@dupagebirding.org

Advanced Registration Required This will be an all-day trip to visit several sites along the Mississippi River to see eagles, other raptors, gulls, and waterfowl. Meet at 7am in the parking lot west of the main building of Yorktown Mall (facing Highland, near the Carson Pirie Scott store) in Lombard. Bring walkie-talkies, scopes, if available, and dress for the cold.NOTE: This trip is limited to 20 people (6 cars). Please register with the leader after Feb. 2. Leader: Urs Geiser, 630-310-9443, ugeiser@comcast.net

Enjoy leisurely walks looking for winter residents and early migrants starting at Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S River St., Batavia, IL. Directions: Take Hwy 56 (Butterfield Rd.) west to Hwy 25 (east side of Fox River), drive north on Hwy 25 approx.1 mile to the Red Oak Nature Center. Meet at the Visitor Center Building. We will visit a few sites further north. A lunch stop completes the trip. Leaders: Bob and Jean Spitzer, 630-222-3307, bobspitzer1@msn.com

This is a morning trip over gravel and earthen trails. This site has multiple habitats that attract lots of birds. Some areas may be muddy; we strongly recommend wearing boots and suitable clothing. Leader:Joan Campbell, 630-337-2605, peachjmc@gmail.com

Join us at Bemis Wood South for a morning of birding. This will be a walk for new birders. We will walk slowly and allow time for all to check out the late winter and early spring migrant birds. Meet by the “Go Ape: course. The entrance is off Ogden Ave. between I 294 and Wolf Rd. The trails can be muddy so wear appropriate footwear and warm clothing.Leader: Lesa Hipes, 630-689-7463, lhipes@dupagebirding.org

The Havana area is known to host large numbers of waterfowl during migration. This trip will target the tens of thousands of Snow Geese that rest on the waters of Chautauqua NWR and the Emiquon NWR and Preserve. Large numbers of ducks, swans, pelicans, etc., may also be seen. Sorry, no Little Stint. Pre-register with Jeff Smith by March 5 for additional directions. We will meet to carpool to Havana. Warning!! It is a 3-hour drive to this location, and we may not return before 7 pm. We will lunch at a local Havana eatery. Bring snacks, water, scope, cameras, etc.Leader: Jeff […]

Greene Valley Forest Preserve is known for its Woodcock displays, which begin shortly after sunset. Join us this spring on one of our walks. Meet at the west entrance parking lot: west on 79th St. from Greene Rd, then Thunderbird Rd. south, appr. ½ mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be cancelled due to weather.Leader: Jeff Smith, 331-481-3362, jsmith@dupagebirding.org

Cantigny - this trip is canceled. Leader: Jeff Reiter, jreiter@wordsonbirds.com

This field trip has been canceled.Leader: Glenn Perricone, 630-687-2921, gperricone@dupagebirding.org

This field trip has been canceled.Leaders: Steve and Kathy Mineck, 630-254-4077, kmineck@dupagebirding.org

This field trip is canceled.Leader: Jeff Smith, 331-481-3362, jsmith@dupagebirding.org

This field trip is canceled.Leaders: Andrew and Rebecca Steinmann, 708-533-6604, asteinmann@dupagebirding.org

Save the date for the upcoming Spring Bird Count. To volunteer for all day or just part of the day contact Joe Suchecki, dupagesbc@gmail.com

REGISTRATION CLOSED - This trip will focus on finding the grassland birds that nest at Springbrook Prairie including such species as Henslow's, Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolinks, Sedge Wren and Dickcissel. Some shrubland birds such as Yellow-breasted Chat, Bell's Vireo and marsh-nesting birds are also possible. Meet the leader at the main parking lot for Springbrook Prairie on 83rd St. west of Book Rd. across from the Springbrook Golf Course. The trip will go off-trail and the vegetation may be wet, so please wear appropriate footwear and use insect repellent. REGISTRATION CLOSED. Leader: Joe Suchecki

This location has the designation of “Important Bird Area.” Take Winfield Rd. to Gary’s Mill Rd. Go west on Gary’s Mill Rd to the Preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and boots for muddy trails. We will look and listen for local breeding birds and focus on recognizing songs and calls of some of our local nesting species. Pre-registration required. Leader: Mark Bavetz, mbavetz@sbcglobal.net

Join us for another morning walk to the marsh where we hope to see nesting residents. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd., located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville. Most of our walk will be on limestone and earthen trails; wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Please bring your face masks.Pre-registration required. Leaders: Steve and Kathy Mineck, cell day of: 630-254-4077, kmineck@yahoo,com

Join us at Bemis Woods South for a morning of birding. This will be a walk for new birders. We will walk slowly and allow time for all to look at the birds. We will check out resident and nesting birds. Meet by the “Go Ape” course. The entrance is off Ogden Ave. between I 294 and Wolf Rd. The trails can be muddy so wear appropriate shoes and use insect repellant.Pre-registration required. Leader: Lesa Hipes, 630-689-7463, lesahipes@gmail.com

Preregistration required. Join us for a morning walk to check out this small preserve on the eastern side of DuPage County, right next to Salt Creek. Meet at the parking lot north of Fullerton Avenue (west of Rt. 83, east of Villa Ave.).Leader: Andrew Steinmann, register at: asteinmann@ameritech.net

Preregistration required. This morning trip is oriented towards our summer residents. Most of the walk will be on gravel or mulch paths. Wear appropriate shoes and bring bug spray. Don't forget to bring some water to stay hydrated. As always, new birders are welcome as we will take 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. Go west on 79th St. about 1/2 mile; the entrance is south of 79th St., west of Greene Rd. in Naperville/Woodridge. Leader: Bonnie Graham, register at: […]