Events

The Great Backyard bird count is an opportunity to contribute from the comfort of your own home. Check out their website at: www.birdcount.org

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. On this field trip 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. Feel free to ask questions on how to get there after you RSVP. On this field trip our main targets will be waterfowl. Common Goldeneye and Redhead, along with many others are all possible. We will also be on the lookout for songbirds on the wooded side […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants.New birders welcome! This trip will focus on resident birds and early migrants, as well as waterfowl. Bring appropriate footwear, as trails could be muddy or flooded. Take Winfield Road to Gary’s Mill Road west to the preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road.Leader: Robert Perez, 630-724-7534, robertperez787@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.On this field trip our main targets will be early returning spring migrants. Northern Shovelers and Redheads, along with a large array of waterfowl are all possible. We will also be on the lookout for songbirds such as Rusty Blackbirds, Eastern Towhees, and many more, on the wooded side of the trail. 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. […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.We’ll explore riverside habitat looking for resident birds and early spring migrants. New birders welcome. The DuPage Greenway Trail is a paved trail in Bolingbrook that runs alongside the East Branch of the DuPage River. The trailhead is on Royce Rd just west of Rt. 53. It is about a mile and a half walk to Whalon Lake.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.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 and we have an option to descend into the beautiful ravine down a somewhat steep slope. Meet at Seager Park at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville 60563. Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.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 and we have an option to descend into the beautiful ravine down a somewhat steep slope. Meet at Seager Park at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville 60563. .Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.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. Please contact the leader for meeting time and location. We will caravan from the western suburbs.Leader: Jeff Chapman, jeffchapman948@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants.We will look for the possible ducks and land birds, some early migrants and the variety of year round birds. Meet at Blackwell off of Butterfield Road, drive to the back parking lot by the campground and a picnic shelter. Plan to walk a couple miles at this location. Some trails may be muddy so wear appropriate shoes or boots.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 10. Our first sit of the year! 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 comradery of fellow birders. Bring your folding lawn chairs, binoculars and field guides and join us at Whalon Lake Preserve. We will meet and sit as a group and look for early spring migrants, waterfowl and any birds that come to us! Birders of all levels are welcome. Whalon Lake Preserve is located on […]

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, approx. 1⁄2 mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be canceled due to weather.Leader: Jeff Smith, 331-481-3362, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. Join another morning walk to the marsh to check out early migrating birds. We hope to see migrant waterfowl. 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 warm clothing.Leaders: Steve and Kathy Mineck, 630-254-4077 (day of), kmineck@yahoo.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. 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. Finding waterfowl is associated with open water conditions. Bob will monitor conditions and may change the starting location in order to see more birds. This trip might extend past the noon hour. Wear appropriate clothing.Leader: Bob Fisher, 630-985-2956, bfisher928@aol.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. Meet at the Bolingbrook Park & Ride lot, 120 E. Old Chicago Drive, Bolingbrook, IL 60440 (Behind Ramada Inn) before 6:30 a.m. We can carpool from there or you can meet the group at the observation tower where we will start the trip by scanning for waterfowl. We will also scan from the boat launch lot before hiking the trails. Lunch will be on your own. Pack a sandwich if you plan to stay past noon. Leader will stay until 5:00 p.m. for those who want to “make a day of […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. Danada is located at 3S507 Naperville Road, south of Butterfield Road and north of I-88 on the east side of Naperville Road. Meet in the parking lot by the horse corrals. We will walk the woods looking for passerines and scan the lake for waterfowl.Leaders: Karen and Mike Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com 630-640-2450

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, approx. 1⁄2 mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be canceled due to weather.Leader: Jeff Smith, 331-481-3362, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com

We will be looking for shorebirds, waterfowl, rails and others on this 2-mile walk through Danada West. Meet in the east side of the parking lot at Forest Preserve Headquarters. We’ll be walking on limestone and dirt trails.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski 630-297-9512

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This trip will focus on early grassland birds, marsh birds and waterfowl. Please park at the Main Parking Lot for Springbrook Prairie on 83rd Street west of Book Rd in Naperville.Leader: Joe Suchecki, 630-842-4921, Please RSVP to issuesman50@yahoo.com

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. 1⁄2 mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be canceled due to weather.Leader: Jeff Smith, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. We will search for early migratory birds. 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 Greene Road in Naperville/ Woodridge.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. This morning trip is designed to focus on waterfowl such as Common Loons and Horned Grebes, but we will also search for songbird migrants alongside the lake. We will most likely go onto smaller trails, which could be muddy depending on recent conditions, so boots are highly recommended. We will meet in the parking lot off Army Trail Road.Leader: Henry Meade. Please register with kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

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. 1⁄2 mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be canceled due to weather.Leader: Jeff Smith, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 10. Join us at this new location to see what birds come to visit us. 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, and field guides. We will meet at the picnic shelter, when entering the park turn right and drive to the end of the far right parking lot to reach the shelter. Isle a la Cache is […]

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 the north parking lot off of Gilbert Ave. next to the train tracks in Downers Grove.Leader: John Hebert, johnhhebert@yahoo.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required. This morning trip will be more oriented for new birders, but experienced ones are welcome. We will walk at a leisurely pace to allow for all to see any birds. We will search for early migratory birds. 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 Greene Road in Naperville/ Woodridge.Leader: Bonnie Graham. 630-204-8750, coye72112@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. We’ll start at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve for a short walk through the grassland and to check the trees by the river. Park on Division Street east of Route 53/Broadway Street. Then we’ll drive to Prairie Bluff Preserve to search for migrant Smith’s and Lapland Longspurs, and other grassland birds. This trip is on uneven terrain and more primitive trails so sturdy hiking boots are recommended.RSVP to Vicky Sroczynski: VSroczynski@comcast.net

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. This morning trip will focus on woodland migrants passing through our area. This is a popular 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 McDowellRd. where there is a stoplight.Leader: Denis Kania,  djkan36@gmail.com

We’ll walk at least 3 miles searching this watershed for all the spring migrants, summer breeding birds, and a couple resident specialties. PLEASE be prepared for rocky, root-filled trails along the creek, and hills throughout. Bring lunch so we can eat together in the picnic shelter afterwards. Park in the large new parking lot just southeast of the intersection of Cass and Bluff (enter from Bluff Rd. and listen for nesting Pine Warbler singing.) No RSVP needed, but text any questions.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, 630-297-9512

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 […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at the Model Airplane Field Parking Lot on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road about 0.5 miles south of 75th Street. Field trip to look for marsh, grassland, and migrant birds in the various habitats at Springbrook Prairie. Wear footwear suitable to go off trail and bring insect repellent for ticks and mosquitos. Email the leader to reserve a spot on this field trip and be sure to receive a confirmation regarding your participation.Leader: Joe Suchecki,  dbcsec2020@gmail.com