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Mississippi River – Waterfowl Trip

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

Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville

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

Bird Sit at Whalon Lake Preserve, Royce Road, Naperville

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 […]

Woodcocks, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville/Woodridge

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

McKee Marsh, Warrenville

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

Palos Area-McGinnis Slough: Waterfowl and More

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

Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes

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 […]

Danada East/Rice Lake Forest Preserve

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

Woodcocks, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville/Woodridge

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

Danada West Forest Preserve, Naperville

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

Springbrook Prairie, Naperville

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

Woodcocks, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville

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

Greene Valley, Naperville

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

West Branch Forest Preserve

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

Woodcocks, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville

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

Bird Sit at Isle a la Cache, Romeoville

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 […]

Maple Grove Forest Preserve, Downers Grove

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

Greene Valley, Woodridge

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

Lockport Prairie and Prairie Bluff Preserve (Will County)

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

McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville

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

Waterfall Glen Sawmill Creek Area, Lemont

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

Spring Bird Count, DuPage County

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 […]

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville

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

St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. This morning’s walk will take us through some prairie and woods. We’ll be looking for resident birds as well as migratory birds. We’ll be walking approximately 2 miles on mostly easy terrain. We will meet in the parking lot on Winfield Rd, just north of Butterfield Rd.Leader: Denis Kania,  djkan36@gmail.com

Lambert Lake Nature Preserve, Glen Ellyn

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This walk with be geared towards new birders, but any level of birder is invited. Lambert Lake is a hidden gem surrounded by shrubby woodland and a small lake to see an assortment of ducks and waders. Our walk will focus on migratory birds, including warblers, orioles, and vireos. A wood chip trail encircles the lake, but spots can be muddy. A few trails to the south can be a good spot for warblers. Those trails can also be muddy and some have an incline. Please wear appropriate footwear. We will meet in the […]

McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at the parking lot for McDowell Grove Forest Preserve on Raymond Road just south of I-88. Field trip to look for migrants, especially warblers. 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

Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield

Pre registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Elsen’s Hill is known for spring migrating birds and is traditionally an excellent spot for warblers. Take Winfield Rd. to Gary’s Mill Rd. Go west on Gary’s Mill Rd. to the Preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and boots for muddy trails.Leader: Mike and Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com

Lincoln Marsh, Wheaton

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Between 1979 and 1992 more than 100 parcels of land were assembled to form the core of this park. Today it is one of the most accessible natural areas in DuPage County, having wood chip trails and a floating boardwalk. There is a small prairie and an oak forest besides the marsh. The walk should be between one hour fifteen minutes and two hours and cover approximately a mile. Directions: The entrance to Lincoln Marsh is on the west side of the park, at the corner of Harrison St. and Pierce Ave. […]

Bird Sit: Lyman Woods Nature Center & Preserve, Downers Grove

Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 10. Join us at this new location to look for spring migrants. This is a field trip foranyone 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 in the parking lot off 31st Street and sit near the Nature Center. Lyman Woods is located at 901 31st St. Downers Grove, about one block east of Highland Ave. Lyman Woods website Dress […]

Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield

Pre registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Elsen’s Hill is known for spring migrating birds and is traditionally an excellent spot for warblers. Take Winfield Rd. to Gary’s Mill Rd. Go west on Gary’s Mill Rd. to the Preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and boots for muddy trails.Leader: Diann Bilderback, 630-272-5746, diann.bilderback@yahoo.com

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