Waterfall Glen Poverty Prairie (8am-10:30am) and Waterfall Glen BorrowPit/Centennial Trail (10:30am-11:30am)
2023-10-04 08:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
No RSVP needed. We’ll be looking for fall migrants while enjoying the resident birds and grand oaks here, walking from the parking lot to Musk Turtle Pond, and back. For those interested in looking for waterfowl and others, we’ll then caravan for a short drive south to the Borrow Pit on the Des Plaines River. (A scope is useful at the Borrow Pit, but the leader will have one.) Meet at the Waterfall Glen Lemont Road parking lot. (Waterfall Glens Parking lot #3.) Drive south on Lemont Road past I55 and turn left (east) into signed entrance road across from 101st Street.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski (630)297-9512 or VSroczynski@comcast.net

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2023-10-05 07:30 - 10:30
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

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2023-10-12 07:30 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 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 inWarrenville.Leader: Kathy and Steve Mineck, cell: 630-254-4077 (day of), kmineck@yahoo.com (RSVP to email)

Danada Forest Preserve (west side), Wheaton
2023-10-14 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader 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 migrantwaterfowl. Please meet on the west side of the Forest Preserve HQ parking lot at 8am.Leader: Henry Meade, Please register with henrymm21@icloud.com

Bird Sit at Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook
2023-10-15 07:30 - 09:30
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, field guides, bug spray, and water. We will sit on the Nature Center balcony where we will be able to observe the river and surrounding woods. Meet in the main parking lot at 3609 Spring Rd. Fullersburg WoodsLeader: Natalie McFaul, natcatcher7@gmail.com

Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Wheaton
2023-10-17 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. This field trip will include the areas around the east side of the lake, some wooded areas and open grasslands. We will look for some late migrants and early winter birds. Meet at the east side of the main parking lot off of Butterfield Road in Wheaton.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Hawkwatch: Greene Valley Overlook, Naperville
2023-10-28 11:00 - 13:00
Bad weather on the 28th? We’ll switch to the 29th, weather permitting; sign ups will be notified. Note: 10/29 is the last weekend day the overlook is open to the public this year. Pre-registration with the leader is requested. Drive up to the overlook parking lot south of 79th Street off Greene Rd (gates open at 11 a.m.) meet the hawk watch volunteers and scan the skies for raptors. Hawk ID handouts provided and discussed. You can review buteos by watching DBC’s Hawk Watch talk on YouTube. Please bring extra layers (it can be much colder up on the hilltop than at ground level,) and a hat for sun (no shade.) Bring lunch, extra water, a lawn chair and a scope if you have one.Leader: Bob Fisher, bfisher928@aol.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2023-10-31 08:00 - 10:30
No registration required. Most of the 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: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186

Danada West, Wheaton
2023-11-04 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.On this trip we will be exploring the diverse habitats at one of my personal favorite locations in the county. Target species include many species of migratory ducks, migrant raptors such as Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Lapland Longspurs. Expect grass trails and dress for the weather. Meet in the forest preserve headquarters parking lot.Leader: Henry Meade, kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

Greene Valley, Woodridge
2023-11-09 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.This morning trip, oriented toward fall migration and winter birds, 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. Meet at the Thunderbird Youth Camp Parking Lot. Go west on 79th about 1/2 mile, the entrance is on south side of 79th Street, west of Greene Road in Naperville/Woodridge. Leader: Bonnie Graham 630-204-8750, coye72112@gmail.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2023-11-12 07:30 - 11:00
Registration not required. This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Join our morning walk around the marsh to check out late fall migrants and wintering birds. Northern Shrike and many other species of birds regularly winter at this site. There should be some late fall migrants present as well. 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 Preserve limestone and earthen trails; wear appropriate shoes and clothing.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186

St James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville
2023-11-14 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants.This field trip will cover the main trails in the forest preserve concentrating on the woodland birds. We will pass through some open areas to look for a hawk or some really late migrants. Plan on walking trails including about a 2 mile loop. Meet at the main parking lot on Winfield Road in Warrenville, between Butterfield Road and Roosevelt Road.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Southeast DuPage and Southwest Cook Waterfowl Search
2023-11-19 08:00 - 12:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.We’ll look for waterfowl, gulls, and others at the Centennial Trail Borrow Pit and ponds, Lemont Quarries, and Saganashkee Slough. Depending on conditions and sightings, other stops may include Sag Quarries, Long John Slough, and Maple Lake. Meet at the Lemont Rd. parking lot of Waterfall Glen (at the portable toilet). We will then caravan to the Borrow Pit. The trip will be canceled if waterfowl are scarce or the weather is poor. Directions to Waterfall Glen: drive south on Lemont Rd., past I-55 to 101st St., and turn left at the stoplight into the parking lot.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, VSroczynski@comcast.net

Birding Hotspots of Northeastern DuPage County
2023-11-21 07:00 - 11:00
Pre-registration with leader required (text or call only). Limit 9 participants.On this trip, we will be out all morning to take a tour of some of the birding hotspots in Northeastern DuPage County. At this time of the year, we should hopefully find a number of waterfowl and some other late fall migrants. Be prepared to drive from location to location. Walkie-talkies and spotting scopes would be good to bring along if you have them. We will meet at the parking lot for the Wood Dale Reservoir located on the western dead end of School St. (0.4 mi west of the intersection of Foster Ave. & Wood Dale Rd. in Wood Dale).Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186

Centennial Trail, Lemont
2023-11-22 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required.On this field trip our main target will be looking for waterfowl and fall residents. 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. Please call if you have any problems with directions.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521

Fermilab, Warrenville
2023-12-02 08:00 - 12:00
Pre-registration is required (please email), limit 8 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, must remain in public areas at all times, have a visitor’s tag visible, and leave the same way they came in. When arriving at Fermilab, present your ID and let the security guard know you arehere for bird watching, they will provide a visitors tag for you to wear. Full details on public access to Fermilab can be found HERE

We will cover a variety of habitats, but will primarily look for wintering waterfowl and sparrows. We will cover about 2 miles – mostly on wide, but occasionally uneven mown grass trails – as we walk a loop around the AE Sea Nature Area. Depending on time and interest, we may drive elsewhere within Fermilab. We will meet at the ‘Red Barn Area’ located at the end of Sauk Circle Google Map Link If needed, Fermilab security can provide a site map and directions to this area when you arrive.Leader: William Pixler, pillwixler@gmail.com or text 630-917-5419

Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook
2023-12-05 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required.This field trip will include some good winter birding in wooded areas as well as some open water sections. Join us to look for a good variety while walking about 2 miles on uneven trails. Prepare for possible snow and/or ice depending on current weather. Meet in the main parking lot on Spring Road.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Christmas Bird Count, Fermilab Circle
2023-12-16 08:00 - 17:00
Cutoff for registration to assist in the count is December 1.The DuPage Birding Club sponsors this Christmas Bird Count. Thousands of birds and over 100 species have been logged in previous Bird Counts. This opportunity to join almost 100 other birders is open to all skill levels. If you did not count last year, please contact the compiler, Jeff Chapman, for details or to volunteer and to be assigned to a location and area captain.Contact: Jeff Chapman, jeffchapman948@gmail.com

Christmas Bird Count, Lisle-Arboretum Circle
2023-12-17 08:00 - 17:00
Cutoff for registration to assist in the count is December 8.Birders of all skill levels are welcome on the Lisle-Arboretum CBC. The Chicago Ornithological Society(www.chicagobirder.org) sponsors this count where sub-teams are assigned to various locations. Even if you cannot go out in the field, there is another way to contribute: DBC members who live in the count circle can participate as a feederwatcher. For details and signup:https://www.chicagobirder.org/events/2023/12/17/lisle-christmas-bird-count#:~:text=WHEN%3A%20The%20Lisle%2DArboretum%20Christmas,circle%22%20on%20the%20count%20day

Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
2023-12-21 16:10 - 16:50
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 often appear just as the light is failing, so this trip does not offer a photo-op. The trip will last about 30-40 min.

Contact Joe if you plan on attending. The owls do not always winter at Springbrook and the trips will be canceled if they are not around or in the event of inclement weather.Leader: Joe Suchecki. Register via email: dbcsec2020@gmail.com. Phone: 630-369-5570.

Knoch Knolls Park, Naperville
2023-12-26 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration suggested so you can be contacted if the trip is canceled due to bad weather.We’ll enjoy the winter quiet and explore a few spots that highlight the park’s variety of habitats, staying within about 1/3 mile of the parking lot. New birders welcome. We’ll look and listen for woodpeckers and whoever else has decided to spend the holidays in our area. Trails are level and are grass/dirt/paved. Meet at the parking lot on 336 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville.Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Southeast DuPage and Southwest Cook, Waterfowl Search
2023-12-29 08:00 - 12:00
Cancelled.

We’ll look for waterfowl, gulls, and other birds at the Borrow Pit (Waterfall Glen/Canalbank Rd.), Lemont Quarries, and Saganashkee Slough. Depending on ice conditions and sightings, we may stop at Sag Quarries, Longjohn Slough at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, and Maple Lake too.Meet at Waterfall Glen, Lemont Rd entrance for Poverty Prairie (Google Maps Parking Lot #3) so we can gather and caravan to the Borrow Pit.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, vsroczynski@comcast.net

Whalon Lake, Naperville
2023-12-30 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.The goal of this trip will be to help participants get last minute additions to their year lists. Whalon Lake can have great diversity of waterfowl, so we will be looking for goldeneye, mergansers etc. Please meet in the parking lot off of Royce Road that is east of the dog park.Leader: Henry Meade. Please register with henrymm21@icloud.com

New Year’s Day Birding at the Morton Arboretum, Lisle
2024-01-01 09:00 - 11:00
A reservation with the Morton Arboretum is required if you are a nonmember. (see below).There is no limit to the number of participants.You do not need to register with the DBC Organizer listed below, but she is available to answer questions.Come one, come all to Morton Arboretum to start the new year right! Gather at parking lot P33 on the west side https://mortonarb.org/visit-the-arboretum/maps-guides/. 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.Here is the link for reserving an entry pass: https://buy.acmeticketing.com/events/480/listPlease read the details below on how to obtain an entry pass to the Arboretum: ● Every nonmember/guest attendee must reserve their own entry pass online. ● This must be done well in advance (days). ● Non-members (aka, Guests) will need to pay for their pass. ● Entry passes are sent via email. ● The pass must be shown at the entry gate. ● Entry is only allowed at the selected entry time.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski: vsroczynski@comcast.net

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2024-01-07 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants.

We will be looking for winter resident birds. 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. The trip will be cancelled if there is inclement weather.Leaders: Steve and Kathy Mineck, (day of, 630-254-4077), kmineck@yahoo.com

Fermilab CANCELED
2024-01-13 14:30 - 17:00
THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER.Pre-registration is required (please email), limit 8 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, must remain in public areas at all times, have a visitor’s tag visible, 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, they will provide a visitors tag for you to wear. Full details on public access to Fermilab can be found HERE.

We will meet at the ‘Red Barn Area’ located at the end of Sauk Cir Google Map Link (If needed, Fermilab security can provide a site map and directions to this area when you arrive) for a short trip through the Sparrow Hedge before heading over to the Buffalo Field to look for winter resident Short-eared Owls and other raptors which are typically active in this area around sunset.Leader: William Pixler pillwixler@gmail.com or text 630-917-5419

Des Plaines River Tour Cancelled (Rescheduled for Jan. 21st)
2024-01-14 09:00 - 17:00
THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER. Pre-registration suggested so you can be contacted if the trip is canceled due to bad weather. Meet at the Bolingbrook Park & Ride lot, 120 E. Old Chicago Drive, Bolingbrook, IL 60440 (Behind Ramada Inn). 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 can stop for lunch along the way. A scope would be helpful, but not necessary. Hope to be back late afternoon or you can return earlier. Trip may be canceled if roads become hazardous.Leader: Jeff Smith, 331-481-3362, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com

Centennial Trail, CANCELED
2024-01-15 08:00 - 10:00
THIS TRIP IS CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER. Pre-registration suggested so you can be contacted if the trip is canceled due to bad weather.On this field trip our main target will be looking for waterfowl and other winter residents. 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. Please call if you have any problems with directions.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521

Knoch Knolls Park, Naperville CANCELLED
2024-01-19 08:00 - 10:00
THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Pre-registration suggested so you can be contacted if the trip is canceled due to bad weather. New birders welcome. We’ll visit a few spots that highlight the park’s variety of habitats, staying within about 1/3 mile of the parking lot. Trails are level and are grass/dirt/paved. Meet at the parking lot on 336 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville.Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com, 630-890-8956

Seager Park, Naperville CANCELED
2024-01-21 08:00 - 09:30
FIELD TRIP CANCELED DUE TO BAD WEATHER. Pre-registration suggested so you can be contacted if the trip is canceled due to bad weather. New birders welcome. A short walk to see what birds have settled in for winter in this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, and grass, with lots of edge habitat. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for woodpeckers, raptors, crows, etc. Trails are mostly level, although we have an option to descend into the beautiful ravine down a somewhat steep slope. Meet in the parking lot at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville.Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com, 630-890-8956
