Bemis Woods North Grove, Westchester
2025-11-15 07:30 - 10:30 (America/Chicago)
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

Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Wheaton
2025-12-16 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on December 1.This field trip will include about 4 miles of walking through open grassland and wooded trails. We will look for winter birds including some raptors known to frequent here. We will walk on limestone trails out and back on the same path. Meet at the east end of the parking lot off Butterfield Road, by the restrooms and boat house. https://maps.app.goo.gl/dm7Ak52QQwcGgUjK9Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@gmail.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2025-12-17 08:00 - 11:00
Registration is not required. There is no limit to the number of participants.Join us for a walk around the marsh as we search for the variety of bird species that spend the winter here. We will be walking for 3.25 miles on preserve limestone and earthen trails. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd., located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59.https://maps.app.goo.gl/tcoGDz9MN7ewnNvq5Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186

Springbrook Prairie - Canceled
2025-12-18 16:00 - 17:00
This trip is canceled.
Short-eared Owls frequently winter at Springbrook Prairie and can be seen as they come out to hunt over the preserve at dusk. 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 40-50 min. The owls do not always winter at Springbrook and the trip will be canceled if they are not around or in the event of inclement weather.
Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on Plainfield-Naperville Rd., south of 75th St. in Naperville. https://maps.app.goo.gl/p9BR3fJosNn8FSk98
Leader: Joe Suchecki

Christmas Bird Count, Fermilab Circle
2025-12-20 07:00 - 16:00
Registration is required by December 13, 2025.
The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Fermilab Circle is December 20 this year, and the always-fun Countdown Dinner is a go!
This is your chance to join the world’s longest running community science program! Now in its 125th year, the CBC brings together bird lovers across the continent to contribute research that helps ornithologists understand bird population abundance and trends.
Here in DuPage County, the DBC sponsors the Fermilab Circle, a 15-mile circle. Compiler Jeff Chapman organizes teams and assigns them to coverage areas to count all the birds they see and hear on this one day in December.
If you have participated in the CBC count last year, you will receive an email from Jeff in early December on plans for this year’s count. If it’s been awhile since you participated or you’d like to join a team, notify Jeff at jeffchapman948@gmail.com. You do NOT have to be an expert birder to join as you will be part of a team. Birders of all skill levels are welcome!
One of the best parts of the CBC is the Countdown Dinner, where Jeff shares the results of all the teams and we get to learn which birds are most abundant, abundance trends, surprise finds, and more! It is a great way to connect with fellow birders and enjoy a brew and some delicious hot food. See details in the next post.

Annual Christmas Bird Countdown Dinner, Cooper's Corner, Winfield
2025-12-20 17:00 - 20:00
RSVP is required. Deadline to register is December 7. Space is limited to 50 members. Cost per member $20.
After your long day on the trails, it’s time to relax and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow birders and hear the results for the day in a warm, private room at Cooper’s Corner, where Jeff Chapman will lead the tally for DuPage County at the Annual Christmas Bird Countdown Dinner. If you have never been to this event, it is a hoot! Buffet dinner will be served with several entree choices, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. A cash bar will also be available. Cooper’s Corner, 27W150 Roosevelt Rd, Winfield, IL 60190.
RSVP by December 7 to Sherry Courtney at sherrycourtney10@gmail.com or (505) 239-1258.

Lyman Woods, Canceled
2025-12-28 14:30 - 17:30
This trip has been moved to December 31.
We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents.
We will conclude the trip with a brief search for the resident Great Horned Owls around and after sunset. Dress very warmly as we may be stationary at times. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vf3YKmyeJSDr5fxT7
Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2025-12-31 14:30 - 17:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on December 1.We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. We will conclude the trip with a brief search for the resident Great Horned Owls around and after sunset. Dress very warmly as we may be stationary at times. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vf3YKmyeJSDr5fxT7Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville
2026-01-01 08:00 - 10:00
There is no limit to the number of participants. Registration is required for planning and updates in case of bad weather. NEW YEAR’S DAY BIRDINGThe bird club has a tradition of New Year’s Day birding, so come one, come all to St. James Farm to start the new year right! We’ll meet by the horse statue and walk about 2 miles along gravel paths and possibly some grass or deer paths depending on conditions. Due to increased pricing at the Morton Arboretum we are trying something new so there is no cost barrier to joining.https://maps.app.goo.gl/u5pncs3WPA6Q9Gb78Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Centennial Trail, Lemont
2026-01-04 08:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on January 1.The goal of this trip will be to help participants get early additions to their year lists. This area can have great diversity of waterfowl, so we will be looking for Common Goldeneye, mergansers etc. We will meet in the gravel parking lot at the end of Canal Bank Road. If using navigation, search for 15112 Canal Bank Rd, Lemont. Feel free to ask questions on how to get there after you RSVP. https://maps.app.goo.gl/MFJjyyMduu9q1a386Leader: Henry Meade, meadehenry21@gmail.com (224) 319-4377

Springbrook Prairie, CANCELED
2026-01-07 16:00 - 17:00
This trip has been canceled.Short-eared Owls frequently winter at Springbrook Prairie and can be seen as they come out to hunt over the preserve at dusk. 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 40-50 min. The owls do not always winter at Springbrook and the trip will be canceled if they are not around or in the event of inclement weather.Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on Plainfield-Naperville Rd., south of 75th St. in Naperville. https://maps.app.goo.gl/p9BR3fJosNn8FSk98Leader: Joe Suchecki, Register via email: dbcsec2020@gmail.com, (630) 842-4921

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2026-01-10 07:30 - 10:30
Registration not required.Join us for a walk around the marsh in search of the wide variety of bird species that overwinter at this site. This will be a 3.25 mile walk on preserve limestone and earthen trails. Wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the weather. Meet at the visitor parking lot located on the north side of Mack Road, to the east of Rte. 59 & west of Winfield Road.https://maps.app.goo.gl/nqjzSJkfqZcSimPd8Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-01-11 14:45 - 18:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on January 1.We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. We will conclude the trip with a brief search for the resident Great Horned Owls around and after sunset. Dress warmly as we may be stationary at times. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. https://maps.app.goo.gl/mtddFUwocgK1RULz6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Seager Park, Naperville
2026-01-16 15:30 - 17:00
No registration required. New birders welcome. An afternoon walk to see what birds have spent the winter with us in this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, and edge habitat. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for woodpeckers, raptors, crows, etc. With luck, we may see an owl stirring at dusk. Trails mixed. Dress warmly! Meet at the Seager Park parking lot at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville. Indoor restrooms available!https://maps.app.goo.gl/h36m17FE7ShTtiL79Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com (630) 890-8956

Whalon Lake-Boat Parking Lot, Naperville-CANCELED
2026-01-18 08:00 - 10:00
This trip Has been canceled.Registration with the leader is required. No limit on participants.We’ll walk along the paved trail around the lake looking for waterfowl and winter residents. The leader will provide updates in case of bad weather.https://maps.app.goo.gl/eTDfs3E3QgBJqufZ7Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com
