Little Red Schoolhouse
Pre-registration required, limit 10. Currently the grounds are open from 8 am to 4pm. Nature Center exhibit buildings remain closed. Drinking fountains are not available; please bring your own water. Please dress warm and in layers. We will walk mostly on natural trails, so hiking boots with solid treads are advised. We can expect to see Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Nuthatch, Sparrows, Juncos, and Waterfowl. Face masks and social distancing are required. You must pre-register with the Leader. The walk will be approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours. The Little Red Schoolhouse address is 9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs 60480 Directions: From LaGrange, […]
Norris Woods
Pre-registration required, limit 10. Norris Woods is an Illinois Nature Preserve in St. Charles along the Fox River. We will hike along the river utilizing the bike trail that heads north through St. Charles Park District property as well as Kane County Forest Preserve property. We'll be searching for early woodland migrants as well as anything that might be moving along the river. To reach Norris Woods starting from the intersection of Route 64 and Route 25 head north on Route 25. In .9 miles turn left on Johnor Avenue which is right after the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Johnor Avenue will […]
Woodcocks, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville/Woodridge
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10. 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, approximately ½ mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be cancelled due to weather. Leader: Jeff Smith, jsmith@dupagebirding.org
Mississippi River – Waterfowl Trip
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10. 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 will be visited to search for Western Meadowlark and Northern Mockingbird. We will caravan from the western suburbs. Meeting time and location to be determined. Leader: Jeff Chapman, jchapman@dupagebirding.org
Lyman Woods Forest Preserve, Downers Grove
Pre-registration is with the leader is required, limit 10. We’ll be looking for late Winter birds, early Spring birds, and everything in between. Meet in the parking lot in front of Lyman Woods Interpretive Center, located one block east of Highland Avenue on 31st Street. Boots are HIGHLY recommended. Leader: Joan Campbell, 630-337-2605, jcampbell@dupagebirding.org
Palos Area-McGinnis Slough: Waterfowl and More
Pre-registration is required, limit 10. This location is an Audubon “Important Bird Area.” Loons, grebes, and other waterfowl are targeted on this trip. Meet at McGinnis Slough, on the west side of LaGrange Rd. (US45), approximately 1⁄2 mile south of 131st St. Contact Bob Fisher to register. Finding waterfowl is associated with open water conditions. Bob will monitor conditions and may change the starting location in order to see more birds; so, ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS! This trip might extend past the noon hour. Wear appropriate clothing. Leader: Bob Fisher, 630-985-2956, bfisher@dupagebirding.org
Woodcocks, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville/Woodridge
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10. 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, approximately ½ mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be cancelled due to weather. Leader: Jeff Smith, jsmith@dupagebirding.org
Cricket Creek Forest Preserve, Addison
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10. This morning trip is especially designed for new birders and will be at a leisurely pace to provide as much time as desired to look at each bird and to answer questions on equipment or bird identification. Join us 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.). Website link: http://www.dupageforest.com Leaders: Andrew and Rebecca Steinmann, 708-533-6604, asteinmann@dupagebirding.org
Morton Arboretum, Lisle WEST SIDE
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at P21, the Thornhill parking lot. Must get entry passes beforehand. Will be looking for early spring migrants. Leaders: Mike & Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com
Woodcocks, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Woodridge/Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. 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, approximately ½ mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be cancelled due to weather.Leader: Jeff Smith, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com
Lincoln Marsh, Wheaton
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Between 1979 and 1992 more than 100 parcels of land were assembled to form the core of this park. Today it is one of the most accessible natural areas in DuPage County, having wood chip trails and a floating boardwalk. The focus of the trip will be observing and interpreting breeding and nesting bird activity. Directions: The entrance to Lincoln Marsh is on the west side of the park, at the corner of Harrison St. and Pierce Ave. From County Farm Rd., turn east on Harrison St. and proceed one mile to […]
Centennial Trail, Lemont, IL
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at the 101st Street Waterfall Glen parking lot off of Lemont Road where we will caravan, and depart promptly at 7:30 am. We will be walking along Centennial Trail along the Des Plaines River in search of waterfowl, Bald Eagles, and new spring arrivals.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net
Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This trip will focus on grassland birds and late spring migrants. Please park at the model aircraft field on Plainfield-Naperville Road, South of 75th Street in Naperville. Leader: Joe Suchecki, 630-386-5570, issuesman50@yahoo.com
Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, Oak Brook
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This will be a walk for new birders. We will walk slowly and allow ample time to look for spring warblers and other migrants. Our focus will be the lowland woods along the Salt River. Meet at the main parking lot on Spring Road in Oak Brook.Leader: Lesa Hipes, 630-689-7463, lesahipes@gmail.com
Hidden Lake Forest Preserve, Downers Grove
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Enjoy a mid-morning bird walk at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve for a chance to see herons, egrets, kingfishers, terns, geese, ducks, and early spring migrants. This site includes ample parking and an indoor restroom which will be open.Leader: Mary Loye, maryloye@gmail.com
New! Bird the Park: Herrick Lake, Butterfield Road, Wheaton
This is a leaderless birding experience. You are invited to bird the Meadowlark Trail / Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail loop (about one and half miles) on your own between the hours of 7 and 10 am. The idea is you will ‘bump’ into fellow birders as you make your way along the trail loop, chat a little about what you are seeing, then move on and hopefully run into another birder further along the trail. You can start at 7 or sleep in and start at 8 or even 9! Park in the Herrick Rd parking lot or, if you […]
Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Woodridge/Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This morning trip will be oriented toward early spring 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. If you register for this walk, Bonnie will either notify you that you are confirmed, or offer to put you on a waiting list in case someone cancels. Meet at the Thunderbird Youth Camp Parking Lot. Go west on 79th about 1/2 mile, the entrance is on the south side of 79th Street, west of […]
Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This trip will focus on grassland birds and late spring migrants. Please park at the model aircraft field on Plainfield-Naperville Road, South of 75th Street in Naperville.Leader: Joe Suchecki, 630-386-5570, issuesman50@yahoo.com
St. James Farm FP, Warrenville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. We'll be concentrating on early woodland migrants as we explore some of the excellent trails through this preserve. We will meet in the main parking lot which is accessed off of Winfield Road just north of Butterfield Road. Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com
Woodcocks, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Woodridge/Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. 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, approximately ½ mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be cancelled due to weather.Leader: Jeff Smith, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com
Introduction to Birding By Ear, Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. This trip is intended for those birders who would like to learn about bird calls and songs and how to use those sounds to identify "Birds-by-Ear." The trip leader will key-in on bird calls and songs as the group looks for marsh birds, grassland birds, and spring migrants. The emphasis of the trip will be to point out and learn the calls of the birds and how to develop the skills of identifying birds by sound. Please park at the Model Aircraft Field on Plainfield-Naperville Road south of 75th Street in Naperville. […]
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. McDowell Grove is typically a productive site for warblers and other migrants. The focus of the trip will be early migrants, forest, and scrubland birds. Meet in the parking lot off Raymond Drive, 1/2 mile south of I-88. Most of our walk will be on gravel and good earthen trails; wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Leader: Diann Bilderback, 630-272-5746, diann.bilderback@yahoo.com
Bird Sit at McDowell Grove, Naperville, 4s500 Raymond Dr. Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. This is a new 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 and join us at McDowell Grove. We will meet and sit as a group (masked and socially distanced) and look for early spring migrants and any birds that come to us! Birders of all levels are welcome.McDowell Grove is on the east side of Raymond […]
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. We'll be concentrating on early woodland migrants as we explore some of the excellent trails through this preserve. We will meet in the main parking lot which is accessed off of Raymond Drive where it intersects with McDowell Road (stop light). Leader: Denis Kania at djkan36@gmail.com
Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This location has the designation of “Important Bird Area.” Elsen’s Hill is known for spring migrating birds and is a traditionally excellent spot for warblers. 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. Leader: Diann Bilderback, 630-272-5746, diann.bilderback@yahoo.com
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. We'll be concentrating on woodland migrants as we explore some of the excellent trails through this preserve. We will meet in the main parking lot which is accessed off of Raymond Drive where it intersects with McDowell Road (stop light). Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com
Danada Forest Preserve – East side, Wheaton
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at the parking lot east of Naperville Rd. between Butterfield Rd. and Warrenville Rd. We will be searching for resident and migrant species, through a variety of habitats including woodlands, prairie and Rice Lake. A scope would be helpful. Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@gmail.com
Maple Grove Forest Preserve, Downers Grove
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. We'll be looking for spring migrants, including warblers, songbirds, and Wood Ducks that nest in the area. Trails are dirt and may be muddy, so wear appropriate footwear. Meet in parking lot off of Maple Ave. in Downers Grove. Leader: John Hebert, johnhhebert@yahoo.com
2021 Spring Bird Count
A hundred or more birders will fan out across DuPage County to identify all the bird species they can find. A group of birders will be in the field somewhere near your home. Come join us; we need more birders to make it possible to cover as many locations within the county as we can. You don't have to be an expert birder to participate; all skill levels are welcome. Even if you can only bird for part of the day, we can use you. And if that’s your preference, you’ll probably be able to look for birds close to […]
Whalon Lake and Peacock Marsh, Will County
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15. Please email both Bob and Jean to reserve your spot on the trip. We are going to start this trip in the afternoon to get the sun at our back. Waterfowl, shorebirds, and grassland species are targets. We'll start at Whalon Lake in Naperville. Drive down to meet at the picnic shelter next to the parking lot near the dog play lot. Whalon Lake on the south side of Royce Rd., west of Rt. 53 and south of 75th St. From Whalon Lake, we will drive south to visit Peacock Marsh to […]