DuPage Birding Club

After work Birding at Danada Forest Preserve (east), Wheaton
2025-06-20 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
Registration is not required. Please email the leader if you plan to attend to receive updates. Start the weekend off with a casual evening of birding. This trip is planned with the after-work/school crowd in mind, but anyone interested is welcome! We will stick to well-maintained gravel trails and walk approximately two miles. Danada East (Danada House) is located at 3S501 Naperville Road, on the east side of the road, south of Butterfield Rd. and north of 1-88. Plan to meet at the north end of the parking lot near the entry kiosk with the benches and bike racks. This trip may be cancelled due to weather.Leader: William Pixler, pillwixler@gmail.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2025-06-25 07:30 - 10:30
Registration is not required.Join us for a morning walk at one of DuPage County’s premier birding hotspots to look for resident and breeding species. The walk will be approximately three miles on limestone and earthen trails; wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Road, located east of Rt. 59, and west of Winfield Road.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186

Fabyan Forest Preserve, Geneva
2025-07-06 08:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.Fabyan Forest Preserve, in Geneva, is located along the Fox River. Participants will explore both sides of the river utilizing the extensive trail system there. We will be looking for resident species as well as exploring the historic sites at Fabyan. We will mainly stick to crushed limestone trails, but may venture off into grassy areas. New and experienced birders are welcome. https://maps.app.goo.gl/qdfhMs2KhyPFVo3f8Leader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.com, (630) 724-7534

Danada Forest Preserve (East), Wheaton- CANCELED
2025-07-11 17:30 - 19:30
Registration is not required for this evening birding trip. Start the weekend off with a casual evening of birding. This trip is planned with the after-work/school crowd in mind, but anyone interested is welcome! We will stick to well-maintained, gravel trails and walk approximately two miles. Danada East (Danada House) is located at 3S501 Naperville Road, on the east side of the road, south of Butterfield Rd. and north of I-88. Plan to meet at the north end of the parking lot near the entry kiosk with the benches and bike racks. This trip may be cancelled due to weather. Please email the leader if you plan to attend to receive updates.Leader: William Pixler, pillwixler@gmail.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2025-07-15 07:30 - 10:30
Registration for this trip is not required.Join us for a morning walk at one of DuPage County’s premier birding hotspots to look for resident and breeding species. The walk will be approximately three miles on limestone and earthen trails. Wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Road, located east of Rt. 59, and west of Winfield Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/KXCPRk4BFnszuntK7Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2025-07-15 18:15 - 21:00, 2025-07-29 18:15 - 21:00
Registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.Birding after work! Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We’ll conclude the trip with some dusk birding looking for the resident owls. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended. Lyman’s trails can be muddy if we get rain – be prepared with appropriate footwear. Insect repellent is highly recommended. https://maps.app.goo.gl/anx9bjWV6JG4MTaQ9Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Greene Valley, Naperville
2025-07-19 17:00 - 20:00
Bike & BirdRegistration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants.Greene Valley has a lot of great habitats in it, but you can't really cover more than one in a typical field trip due to distance. We will bike around the preserve to hit as much as possible in one run. Expect to ride about five miles with a few light hills (no overlook). We will be sticking to the limestone/paved trails. Meet at the north end of the Greene Road parking lot near the information sign and trailhead.https://maps.app.goo.gl/nrYDHkpd3n5BtXb86Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com.

Danada Forest Preserve (East), Wheaton
2025-07-25 17:30 - 19:30
Registration for this trip is not required.Start the weekend off with a casual evening of birding. This trip is planned with the after-work/school crowd in mind, but anyone interested is welcome! We will stick to well-maintained, gravel trails and walk approximately two miles. Danada East (Danada House) is located at 3S501 Naperville Road, on the east side of the road, south of Butterfield Rd. and north of I-88. Plan to meet at the north end of the parking lot near the entry kiosk with the benches and bike racks. This trip may be cancelled due to weather. Please email the leader if you plan to attend to receive updates.Leader: William Pixler, pillwixler@gmail.com

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2025-08-11 17:45 - 20:30
Registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.Birding after work! Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We’ll conclude the trip with some dusk-time birding looking for the resident owls. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended. Lyman’s trails can be muddy if we get rain — be prepared with appropriate footwear. Insect repellent is highly recommended.https://maps.app.goo.gl/sWWxHJ9QeDQPS7rRALeader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com.

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2025-08-13 08:30 - 11:00
Registration for this trip is not required.This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us, approximately 3.25 miles, to check out resident species and early fall migrants. Most of our walk will be on the 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/6bWV27h75kFfnAe57Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186.

Wood Dale Reservoir, Wood Dale
2025-08-20 17:30 - 20:00
Registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.Shorebirds after work! Wood Dale Reservoir offers great viewing opportunities for several species of migrating shorebirds. Spotting scopes can be useful here; the trip leader will have one. Shorebird IDs can be difficult at times — the trip leader will be happy to help people who may be new to it, but it will help to review field guides, eBird/Merlin, and/or some of the DBC YouTube content ahead of time (Yellowlegs and Similar Waders, Peeps). We will meet at the parking lot at the end of School Street.https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tatkdrr6CcoYbqrV6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com.

Birding and Breakfast, Blackwell Forest Preserve (West Shelter), Warrenville
2025-08-23 07:30 - 11:00
Birding and BreakfastTo help us with planning, please RSVP here.Please join us for a bird walk and casual breakfast at the West Shelter at Blackwell Forest Preserve. We will begin at 7:30 with a short bird walk followed by breakfast in the picnic shelter at 9:00. The club will provide bananas, bagels, donuts, juice, and coffee. You are welcome to come just for the walk or just for the breakfast.
All birders and potential birders are welcome! This is a great time to get together and relive highlights of your summer birding experiences with others who share your interest in birding and the outdoors.
Blackwell Forest Preserve is located on the north side of Butterfield Road a quarter mile west of Winfield Road. The West Shelter is located on the left side of the Main Dr. opposite the boat rental parking lot. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bh1HxwvczZ92dJmA8Leader: Natalie McFaul, natcatcher7@gmail.com.

Greene Valley Bike Trip, Naperville
2025-08-30 08:30 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants.Greene Valley has a lot of great habitats in it, but you can’t really cover more than one in a typical field trip due to the distance. We will bike around the preserve to hit as much as possible in one run. Expect to ride about 5 miles with a few light hills (no overlook). We will be sticking to the limestone/paved trails. Meet at the north end of the Greene Road parking lot near the information sign and trailhead.https://maps.app.goo.gl/yTA7dZtMT1zL98of7Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com.

Lyman Woods Nature Center, Downers Grove
2025-09-03 07:30 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required.After meeting in the parking lot, we will explore the varied habitats of Lyman Woods. We will be looking for migrants and end of the summer birds. Lyman’s trails are known for being very muddy. If a rainy spell occurs prior to the date, be prepared with appropriate footwear. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. 901 31st St, Downers Grove, ILLeader: Mike and Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2025-09-04 07:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required.Springbrook Prairie is a great place to look for early fall migrants. Dress for the weather and wear long pants and hiking boots in case we go off trail. Use insect repellent for ticks and mosquitos. Meet in the gravel lot on the east side of Plainfield-Naperville Road at 7:00 am.https://maps.app.goo.gl/hpb5Q9WPwojvrApj6Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com, (630) 842-4921

Wood Dale Reservoir, Wood Dale
2025-09-06 16:30 - 19:00
Registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.Wood Dale Reservoir offers great viewing opportunities for several species of migrating shorebirds. Spotting scopes can be useful here; trip leader will have one. Shorebird IDs can be difficult at times – Trip leader will be happy to help people who may be new to it, but it will help to review field guides, eBird/Merlin, and/or some of the DBC YouTube content (Yellowlegs and Similar Waders, Peeps) ahead of time. We will meet at the parking lot at the end of School Street.https://maps.app.goo.gl/gzcz9vDcy4ypAJbM8Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Elsen's Hill, West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve, Winfield
2025-09-08 07:30 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is requested in case of cancellation due to weather.Elsen’s Hill is well-known as one of the best places to witness fall passerine migration in DuPage County. We’ll be out in the morning in the peak of migration season looking for warblers, vireos, sparrows and other fall migrants stopping to refuel on their journeys south. We’ll also stay on the lookout for resident preserve specialties, such as titmice, Pileated Woodpeckers, and raptors. The grass and/or dirt trails we will be taking are maximum 1.5-2 miles long. Elsen’s Hill can be very muddy, so you may want to bring boots.Meet at the “West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve – Elsen’s Hill Area” parking lot.(https://maps.app.goo.gl/KYHzHmL5osNTVZin8)This walk will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Participants will be notified of any changes or cancellations via email.Leader: Hazem Alkhan, hazemdsf@gmail.com

St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville
2025-09-12 07:30 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required, limit 8 participants.St. James Farm provides a variety of restored prairies, woodlands, and wetlands where over 300 species of native plants and animals thrive. Let’s see how many fall migrants we can find. We’ll walk about 2 miles on crushed gravel and dirt deer paths if they’re not too overgrown. Bring bug/tick spray in case. Meet by the horse statue.https://maps.app.goo.gl/d2ut1D88rMQa23tE8Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2025-09-16 07:30 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. Field trip for fall migrants at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve. Trip will start by looking for waterbirds, including rails at the marsh, and then move on to migrant bird locations on east side of Plainfield-Naperville Road. Trip will concentrate on fall warblers. Dress for weather and wear appropriate hiking boots in case we go off trail. Wear insect repellent for ticks and mosquitos. Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road at 7:30 am.https://maps.app.goo.gl/WqXt8t2ibR1Sizty6Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com, (630) 842-4921

Wood Dale Reservoir, Wood Dale
2025-09-20 08:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.On this trip with Henry we will explore the best shorebirding hotspot in DuPage County. We have the chance to see some uncommon/rare shorebirds along with warblers and other passerine migrants during the portion of this walk that will take us near Salt Creek. Paved surfaces. Meet at the lot at the end of School Street at 8am sharp.https://maps.app.goo.gl/vftaZZZEx2fHg9yw9?g_st=ipcLeader: Henry Meade, meadehenry21@gmail.com, (224) 319-4377

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2025-09-21 07:30 - 12:00
Registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants.Functionally, this is more or less a “Big Morning” trip – our targets will primarily be southbound warblers, but we’ll be exploring Lyman in detail and trying to find as much as possible in the heart of fall migration. Expect a longer walk than typical. Lyman’s trails are almost always muddy regardless of weather. If rain occurs ahead of the trip, expect areas with standing water. Be prepared with appropriate footwear and bring bug/tick spray. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street.https://maps.app.goo.gl/NtYkLrUroVB2wUk87 Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Take a Hike! Challenge Bird Walk, St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville,
2025-09-21 08:00 - 10:00
If you’re interested in participating in this bird walk, please reach out to the field trip leader via email. Leader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.comDuPage Birding Club will be partnering with the Conservation Foundation to lead a bird walk as part of the Take a Hike! Challenge. The walk will be held at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville. We will meet in the parking lot off Winfield Road and will traverse St. James Farm’s limestone trails at a leisurely pace, taking our time to identify tricky fall migrants. The walk will cover a couple of miles over relatively flat terrain. Our targets will include fall warblers and other migrant species. New and experienced birders are always welcome. The Conservation Foundation and Endeavor Health have partnered to create the Take a Hike! Challenge. For eight weeks, from Sept. 2 to Oct. 28, people of all ages are encouraged to rediscover the health benefits of being active and spending time outdoors.People interested in participating in the free challenge can follow the directions below to sign up. 1) Sign up online at theconservationfoundation.org/take-a-hike/ 2) Get out and hike from Sept. 2 to Oct. 28! 3) Turn in the Take a Hike! Tracker with 6 completed hikes to earn the Take a Hike! Trail Blaze Award* (commemorative pin or medallion. First time participants can earn a hiking stick + medallion). *Must register individually to be eligible. Supplies are limited. Offer is valid while supplies last. To learn more and sign up, visit theconservationfoundation.org/take-a-hike/. If you’re interested in participating in this bird walk, please reach out to the field trip leader via email.Leader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2025-09-24 07:30 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is not required.This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us, approximately 3.25 miles, to check out resident species and fall migrants. Most of our walk will be on the 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jg3GqKUyYp1RtrYW7Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186

Morton Arboretum - West Side, Lisle
2025-09-25 07:30 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required, limit 8 participants.***Arboretum membership is required*** We’ll meet at P19 and do a 3-mile loop to the prairie and back on wood chip, grass and gravel trails looking for fall migrants.https://maps.app.goo.gl/A3E5CygtfZLK3qnz8Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Hawkwatch, Greene Valley Overlook, Naperville
2025-09-27 11:00 - 13:00
Registration with the leader is required for update on weather conditions, and hawk ID handouts.Bring a chair, lunch, and hat to the Greene Valley Hawkwatch, where we will quickly review how to ID hawks in flight and then join the team counting migrating raptors. Walk a hundred feet on limestone path from parking lot (https://maps.app.goo.gl/LFgVdFWzG8L26NE58) to the watch site–you will see a car and people–then we’ll be sitting on a grass lawn. If winds are good, we can see many migrating Broad-winged Hawks in late September.It is a good idea to bring a hoodie or jacket as it can be colder up top than at ground level. Watch the Greene Valley Hawkwatch and Hawk ID talks on the club’s YouTube channel to fully prepare for this experience.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, vsroczynski@comcast.net, (630) 297-9512

Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, IN
2025-10-04 08:00 - 13:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.We'll start from the Wilson Shelter parking lot and make a loop of trails 10 & 2 through woods and the marsh boardwalk, about 5 miles. We will not be climbing sand dunes. Should get some late migrants and fall colors. Entrance fee is $12 per car. Bring a sack lunch and bug spray.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parking+lot,+Tremont+Rd,+Chesterton,+IN+46304Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2025-10-07 07:30 - 09:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
Springbrook Prairie Fall Sparrow Trip. Join Joe Suchecki at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville to look for fall sparrows and other migrants. Targets for the trip include Nelson’s and LeConte’s sparrows. We will search along wetland areas for these elusive sparrows and will go off trail through some wetter areas, so waterproof footwear is recommended. Use insect repellent for ticks and mosquitos.
Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on Plainfield -Naperville Road about 0.5 miles south of 75th Street.
Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com, (630) 842-4921

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2025-10-07 07:30 - 09:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.Springbrook Prairie Fall Sparrow Trip. Join Joe Suchecki at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville to look for fall sparrows and other migrants. Targets for the trip include Nelson's and LeConte's sparrows. We will search along wetland areas for these elusive sparrows and will go off trail through some wetter areas, so waterproof footwear is recommended. Use insect repellent for ticks and mosquitos.
Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on Plainfield -Naperville Road about 0.5 miles south of 75th Street.
Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com, (630) 842-4921

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2025-10-11 07:30 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
Springbrook Prairie Fall Sparrow Trip. Join Joe Suchecki at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville to look for fall sparrows and other migrants. Targets for the trip include Nelson’s and LeConte’s sparrows. We will search along wetland areas for these elusive sparrows and will go off trail through some wetter areas, so waterproof footwear is recommended. Use insect repellent for ticks and mosquitos.
Meet at the Main Parking Lot on 83rd Street between Route 59 and Book Road.
Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com, (630) 842-4921
