Events

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: […]

Preregistration is required. This morning we will look for grassland birds, and check out the lake and the wooded areas. Meet at the parking lot on the east side of Naperville Rd. in Wheaton.Leader: Nancy Allured, register at: nallured@comcast.net

Preregistration required. Designated as an Audubon Important Bird Area, this is the largest forest preserve in DuPage County. We will be looking for summer residents, including wrens, sparrows and marsh birds. Meet at the Pickerel Lake parking lot off Powis Rd.Leader: Diann Bilderback, register at: diann.bilderback@yahoo.com

Registration closed. This field trip is full. Join another morning walk to the marsh for residents and possibly early migrating shorebirds. 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., located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville.Leaders: Kathy and Steve Mineck

Preregistration required. This can be a birdy site for the summer! Uncommon target birds include: Pileated Woodpecker, Orchard Oriole and Wood Thrush. The walk is mainly on dirt and grass trails and there will also be paved portions. Wear protective clothing and boots for weather. We will meet at the corner of Brainard Ave and Jackson, south of 31st Street. Leader: Alan Seelye-James, 954-708-4804, alan_seelyejames@yahoo.com

Registration closed. The monthly Cantigny walk is migrating to adjacent St. James Farm due to park construction. Like Cantigny, St. James was once a McCormick family property. Meet in the main parking lot of St. James. Enter off Winfield Rd., just north of Butterfield. Leader: Jeff Reiter

Registration closed. This trip is full. York Woods, part of the Salt Creek Greenway Trail, is a small preserve on the east side of DuPage County. It is mostly wooded with an old oak stand and has some open and wet areas as well, which draw a variety of birds. New birders are very welcome. Meet at the east side parking lot off of Harger Rd. Directions: traveling south on York Rd., just past Roosevelt Rd., take the I-88 exit on the right (Harger Rd.) and turn right into the York Woods lot just before the interstate ramp. Leaders: Steve […]

Preregistration required. This morning trip, oriented toward late summer 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 St. about 1/2 mile, the entrance is on south side of 79th St., west of Greene Rd. in Naperville/Woodridge. Leader: Bonnie Graham, 630-204-8750, coye72112@gmail.com

Preregistration required. This morning trip will focus on woodland migrants passing through our area. This is apopular migrant hotspot in both spring and fall. If birds are on the move, we will be in a great location to view them. Meet in the first parking lot after entering the preserve. The entrance is at the intersection of Raymond Dr. and McDowell Rd. where there is a stop light.Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com