Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2025-10-07 07:30 - 09:30 (America/Chicago)
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

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

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2025-10-11 07:30 - 12:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
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 the 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.
Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2025-10-11 07:30 - 12:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.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 the 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.
Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2025-10-13 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/T7aiJKAa2FoLWUYo8
Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2025-10-13 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/T7aiJKAa2FoLWUYo8
Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186

Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, Hanover Park
2025-10-16 07:30 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.
The 85-acre Mallard Lake is the District’s largest recreational lake. Mallard Lake has 4 miles of trails, including a 2.5-mile trail system that winds around the lake and over two bridges plus a boardwalk that is ideal for birdwatching. The lake is a beautiful place to spend a fall day.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mallard+Lake+Shelter+Parking/
Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, Hanover Park
2025-10-16 07:30 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1.The 85-acre Mallard Lake is the District's largest recreational lake. Mallard Lake has 4 miles of trails, including a 2.5-mile trail system that winds around the lake and over two bridges plus a boardwalk that is ideal for birdwatching. The lake is a beautiful place to spend a fall day.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mallard+Lake+Shelter+Parking/
Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville
2025-10-21 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on October 1. This morning trip, oriented toward fall/early 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. From Greene Road, 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/AGV527igwEnVudDd7Leader: Bonnie Graham, coye72112@gmail.com, (630) 204-8750

Danada Forest Preserve - WEST, Wheaton
2025-11-09 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on November 1.On this trip we will be exploring the western part of Danada Forest Preserve searching for passerine migrants such as hopefully some uncommon sparrows that can be found in DuPage County this time of year. We will also check several different ponds to look for migrating waterfowl. Please meet on the west side of the Forest Preserve HQ parking lot at 8am.https://maps.app.goo.gl/6T4JW5wdoxtCrbF78?g_st=icLeader: Henry Meade, meadehenry21@gmail.com, (224) 319-4377

Danada East/Rice Lake Forest Preserve, Wheaton
2025-11-13 08:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. There is no limit on participants. Join us as we take a casual walk and look for winter birds and possibly some waterfowl on the lake. This is an approximately a 1.5 – 2 mile walk mostly on limestone paths with some dirt paths. 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. https://maps.app.goo.gl/QQhgxr4zypZNMTwS6Leader: Karen and Mike Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, (630) 640-2450

Bemis Woods North Grove, Westchester
2025-11-15 07:30 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on November 1.Bemis Woods is a beautiful place to look for winter residents. We will be looking for Brown Creepers, woodpeckers, perhaps see an occasional Pileated Woodpecker, and maybe a Belted Kingfisher or two. We'll start off walking along Salt Creek then loop back to the parking lot and then do an out & back on the nature preserve trail. Meet by the bridge, at the parking lot off Wolf Road between 31st and Ogden. See map.https://maps.app.goo.gl/JD3ir3Kaz177X4xf9Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, Hampshire
2025-11-16 08:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 20 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on November 1.Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve is fast becoming one of the most promising birding sites in Kane County. Formerly farmland, Muirhead has undergone quite a transformation in the past few years, hosting a wide range of grassland birds. Winter sparrows, waterfowl, as well as Pipits, Longspurs, and Snow Buntings will be the main targets of this trip. If you haven't been to Muirhead yet, this is a great opportunity to do so. New birders are always welcome to join. The parking lot entrance is on Bahr Road, off Plank Road. Please note that we may trek through tall grass, so dress appropriately. Text or call with any questions regarding directions on the day of: 630-724-7534.https://maps.app.goo.gl/kvMp3HLCdidzvT566 Leader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.com, (630) 724-7534

Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, Oak Brook
2025-11-18 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on November 1.This field trip will include late migrants and winter birding in wooded areas as well as some open water along Salt Creek. Join us to look for a good variety while walking about 2 miles on uneven trails. Meet in the main parking lot on Spring Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/3pm1oV7VXkBf8hbf8Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@gmail.com

Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, Oak Brook
2025-11-18 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on November 1.This field trip will include late migrants and winter birding in wooded areas as well as some open water along Salt Creek. Join us to look for a good variety while walking about 2 miles on uneven trails. Meet in the main parking lot on Spring Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/3pm1oV7VXkBf8hbf8Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@gmail.com, (630) 240-6004

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2025-11-22 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 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/LyxyTCuQgXHvMCmL9Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2025-11-23 14:30 - 17:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on November 1.We will be looking for late migrants and remaining residents, including some owling after dark. Lyman's trails can be muddy. While it has been quite dry overall this season, if substantial rain occurs ahead of the trip, be prepared with appropriate footwear. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended for the owling portion. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street.https://maps.app.goo.gl/bcJuErw1iwpqKVBx9Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2025-12-05 07:30 - 09:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on November 1.We will be looking for winter residents and late migrants. Please note that the trails at Lyman are typically muddy. Wear appropriate footwear. We will meet in the parking lot on 31st Street at 7:30am. https://maps.app.goo.gl/bcJuErw1iwpqKVBx9Leader: Kathy and Steve Mineck, (630) 254-4077

Jasper-Pulaski Sandhill Crane Observation Area, Medaryville, IN
2025-12-06 11:45 - 18:30
JASPER-PULASKI SANDHILL CRANES MIGRATIONRegistration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on November 1.The Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area is known for its large Sandhill Crane population during fall migration, with peak counts reaching between 15,000-30,000. We'll meet at 11:45 am, in the Villa Park free public parking lot on Villa Ave just south of Wildwood Ave to carpool. Please let me know if you're available to drive and/or ride in another's car. First stop will be a short out and back trail on Nature Conservancy land. Sightings here can be surprising, so we will see what shows up. We will not be walking around Jasper-Pulaski itself, as it is open for hunting season. There is also a nearby shooting range, so expect to hear gunfire. After that, we'll drive around looking for cranes in nearby farm fields. We'll head to the observation tower one hour before sunset to watch flocks of Sandhill Cranes kite into the refuge from all directions. They gab and socialize before returning to roosting marshes at dusk. International Crane Foundation (ICF) staff will be at the tower to answer your crane questions. Dress for the weather and bring a scope if you have one.Carpool Meeting Place: https://maps.app.goo.gl/R7v4veCehsWtmviK8Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Morton Arboretum, West Side, Lisle
2025-12-10 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required.We will meet at Thornhill parking lot, P21 and explore the area. We are looking for winter resident birds and hopefully some migrants from the north. New birders are welcome to join. Arboretum members are free. There is a charge for nonmembers. Please contact leaders for possible discount. Leader: Mike and Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, (630) 640-2450
