Annual Christmas Bird Countdown Dinner, Cooper's Corner, Winfield
2025-12-20 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
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

Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, Oak Brook
2026-02-11 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on February 1.Let’s visit Fullersburg Woods for a morning of winter birding. This location can be good for winter birds and has a nice trail system with wooded areas and open water most of the winter. Plan on snow and/or ice on the trails and use footwear accordingly.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@gmail.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenvillle
2026-02-14 08:00 - 10:30
No registration required.Join us for a walk around one of DuPage county’s premier birding hotspots to look for resident and wintering birds. Hopefully, some waterfowl should be around. This approximately 3-mile walk will be on crushed 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/Bj3NzyY2zZiJ4L5X6Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-02-15 15:30 - 18:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on February 1.We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/tY5mCcKSims6dzF8ALeader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Chautauqua and Emiquon National Wildlife Refuges on the Illinois river near Havana, IL
2026-02-21 10:30 - 15:30
Registration with the leader is required.Snow Geese Spectacular! Chautauqua NWR (and Emiquon NWR across the Illinois River) typically hold tens of thousands of Snow Geese as a stopover point for these waterfowl as they journey northward for their spring migration in mid to late February. Other waterfowl, Gr. White-fronted Geese for example, are also likely to be present in very large numbers. The trip starts at Chautauqua, then crosses the river in Havana to visit Emiquon NWR. The trip may also include a short meeting with Forbes Biological Station personnel to learn more about their work at Chautauqua. Lodging is available in Havana for those who wish to stay over. Little walking will be needed; bring warm clothes! Spotting scopes will be useful.Note: The date is subject to change given information on waterfowl presence from the on site IL Natural History Survey’s Forbes Biological Station and weather conditions.
Given the distance from DuPage County (an approx. 3 hour drive) CAR POOLING IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Meet at the entrance to Center Dike Rd off of N. Buzzville Rd. at Chautaqua NWR.https://maps.app.goo.gl/sPbWUdLfkDEcRPbM8Leader: BOB FISHER, bfisher928@aol.com, (630) 985-2956February 21, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PMNOTE: Date subject to change dependent on weather conditions and the arrival of the Snow Geese. The trip leader will keep registrants informed as the scheduled date approaches.

Lake Renwick Preserve, Plainfield
2026-02-28 08:00 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on February 1.We’ll be looking for migrating waterfowl and early nest builders (herons, cormorants and egrets) on the last day before they close the trail for the rookery’s breeding season. There’s also a pair of nesting eagles. Bring a scope if you have one. We’ll be walking a couple miles on easy, flat gravel and paved trails along Lake Renwick and Turtle Lake.https://maps.app.goo.gl/vuVA4cvKFfFtRzxo6Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-03-08 16:30 - 19:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. 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.
Note that DST kicks in on the day the trip – check your clocks!https://maps.app.goo.gl/vUbvGeMD7Kyb2mHq6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Urban Stream Research Center Tour and Blackwell Forest Preserve
2026-03-13 09:00 - 11:00
Pre-registration is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for members only.In this first-of-its-kind event, DBC members will get a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Urban Stream Research Center. This 60-minute tour will help participants better understand the work done at the USRC and the importance that freshwater mussels provide to DuPage County’s ecosystem. The USRC was opened in 2012 and is the cornerstone of the Forest Preserve District’s commitment to preserving aquatic habitats. To this date, nearly 38,000 sub-adult mussels have been propagated, reared, and released into area waterways to boost declining populations.
After the tour, participants will go for a short birding walk around Mount Hoy in Blackwell Forest Preserve. Targets will include resident species and early spring migrants. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and will have the opportunity to change into warmer clothes after the tour. We will meet at the Urban Stream Research Center in Blackwell Forest Preserve, next to the archery range.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Urban+Stream+Research+CenterLeader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.com, (630) 724-7534

Fermilab Workday, Batavia, IL
2026-03-14 08:30 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required.Join a morning workday to restore a degraded shrubland at Fermilab and make a difference for birds. We will help clear invasives and restore habitat for Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown Thrashers, and other shrubland birds. All that is required for Fermilab entry is a REAL ID or passport for each person in the vehicle. Further meet-up instructions will be provided at registration. All supplies will be provided as well as snacks. Bring your favorite work gloves and water. Activities will include using hand saws or loppers to cut down invasive shrubs with a maximum diameter of 3 inches, hauling brush, and stacking brush. No experience is necessary and there will be Fermilab wildlife specialists on hand to answer questions and advise us.Let’s turn out in force and show how DBC members put their love of birds to work!https://maps.app.goo.gl/qq45tvw31Geoztq59Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com

Seager Park, Naperville
2026-03-15 07:30 - 09:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.Get an early, birdy start to your Sunday. 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 of surfaces, and there could be mud. Bathrooms available. Meet at Seager Park at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Seager+Park/Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Knoch Knolls Park, Naperville
2026-03-20 08:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.The first day of spring! A morning walk to the DuPage River confluence, where the east and west branches meet. We’ll look for migrants and residents emerging from the doldrums of winter in the water, fields, and woods. Trails are a mix of surfaces, and it could be muddy, so wear boots. Meet at the parking lot on 336 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville. Bathrooms available at trail head.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Knoch+Knolls+Park/Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Mississippi River Trip, Fulton, IL
2026-03-21 06:30 - 19:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.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 National Wildlife Refuge will be visited to search for Western Meadowlark and Northern Mockingbird. We will meet in Woodridge in the Jewel-Osco parking lot and caravan together.https://maps.app.goo.gl/dFzsVPsMrSN6XXee8Leader: Jeff Chapman, jeffchapman948@gmail.com, (847) 456-2784

DuPage River Greenway Trail, Bolingbrook, Will County
2026-03-25 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required.We will meet at the DuPage River Greenway Trailhead parking lot. It is just off Royce Road, as soon as you make the turn west off Rt 53. It is a nice asphalt path and we will follow that along the DuPage River to Whalon Lake and back. We will look for returning migrants- both passing through and the ones sticking around. Just text me if your are interested in joining. https://www.google.com/maps/place/DuPage+River+Greenway+TrailLeader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net, text (630) 661-1521

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-03-27 17:00 - 20:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.We will be looking for early migrants & woodland residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We will conclude the trip with a search for the resident Great Horned Owls and/or migrating Woodcocks around and after sunset. Dress warmly as we may be stationary at times. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended. 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/vUbvGeMD7Kyb2mHq6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Van Patten Woods - Sterling Lake, Zion, IL
2026-03-28 08:00 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.Van Patten Woods is a Lake County Forest Preserve off I-94 just below the Wisconsin border and features Sterling Lake and the Des Plaines River. Grab your cameras and we’ll stroll a couple miles on crushed gravel trails around the lake to see Common Loons, Horned Grebes and other migrating waterfowl. There will also be plenty of other returning migrants like Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds establishing their territories. If you just want to relax and enjoy the view there is also a wheelchair accessible floating dock with benches.
It’s an easy, hour-long drive up the tollway. Let me know if you want to meet at the Sterling Lake parking lot or carpool.https://maps.app.goo.gl/7ULnk9kqBmx5fvWR7Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Centennial Trail, Lemont
2026-03-31 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.We will walk along the canal looking for waterfowl and returning songbirds. 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. Feel free to ask questions on how to get there after you RSVP. https://maps.app.goo.gl/CCXDNzB5SbTQjdKY6Leader: Karen and Michael Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, (630) 640-2450

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-04-10 17:30 - 20:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.We will be looking for early migrants & woodland residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We will conclude the trip with a search for the resident Great Horned Owls and/or migrating Woodcocks around and after sunset. Dress warmly as we may be stationary at times. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended. 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/zLxxAF1AM4WPMCS37Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Greene Valley Bike & Bird, Naperville
2026-04-12 08:30 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.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 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 & trailhead.https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZB9rGJRvgfAHamTT6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2026-04-15 07:30 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Early Spring Field Trip for migrants, waterbirds, and early grassland species. Meet at the model aircraft field parking lot on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road about 0.5 miles south of 75th Street in Naperville, https://maps.app.goo.gl/25ZqUpfN1DUrcrB48. We will bird in wetland, grassland, and some forest patches for migrants and early-returning summer residents. Dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots since we will be going off-trail to look for some species. Use insect repellent for ticks and mosquitos. Field Trip to last about 2.5-3 hours.Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com, (630) 842-4921

DuPage River Park, Bolingbrook
2026-04-17 07:30 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.We’ll explore grassland, edge, and riverside habitat along the east branch of the DuPage River, looking for resident birds and, of course, spring migrants. New birders welcome! Trails are mostly grass with some blacktop. Meet in the parking lot east of Braddock Drive at 808 Royce Road.https://maps.app.goo.gl/kkmoXY6N3KFrPUWH7Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com
