Lyman Woods Nature Center, Downers Grove
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email, limit 15 participants. After meeting in the parking lot (901 31st St.), we will explore the varied habitats of Lyman. We will be looking for late summer residents and early migrants. Lyman’s trails are known for being very muddy. If a rainy spell occurs, be prepared with appropriatefootwear. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521
Greene Valley Shorebirds
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. Meet at Greene Road parking lot. We will walk east to the 83rd Street Fluddle to look for shorebirds, birding on the way. Scopes recommended here–leader will have one. To prepare for fall shorebird migration (that begins mid-July or so, please consider enrolling in Cornell’s Shorebirds Class, and definitely review shorebird ID with Denis Kania’s mini-tutorials: “Yellowlegs and Similar Waders,” and “Peeps” on the DBC YouTube channel.Some bushwacking on overgrown grass trails or thru tall grass is necessary here so please prepare for ticks and mosquitoes.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, vsroczynski@comcast.net or text […]
Wood Dale Reservoir
Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 12 participants.On this trip we will be exploring one of the premier shorebird spots in DuPage County. We will focus on finding and identifying migratory shorebirds such as Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers and both species of yellowlegs. There’s even the chance for something rarer like a Stilt or Baird’s Sandpiper. Please meet in the parking lot at the end of School St.Leader: Henry Meade, kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com
Knoch Knolls Park, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. We'll visit a few spots that highlight the park's variety of habitats, staying within about 1/3 mile of the parking lot. New birders welcome. We'll seek summer residents, youngsters, and early migrants along the DuPage River, in the woods, at a field's edge, and among shade trees by the nature center. Trails are level and are grass/dirt/paved. Meet at the parking lot on 336 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville.Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com
Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville/Bolingbrook
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. We’ll be looking for summer residents, youngsters, and early migrants as we explore the fields and woods along the Thunderbird Trail. New birders are welcome as we will take a fairly leisurely pace to see (and listen to) the birds and to answer questions. If conditions are good, we’ll do a little bonus walk at the end. NOTE: The entrance is located on the south side of 79th Street, about 0.5 miles west of Greene Road. Meet in the parking lot at the south end of Thunderbird Road, aka “Greene Valley […]
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.This field trip will search for early fall migrant species. Meet in the main parking lot off of Raymond Road, just south of I-88. Registration is required. You are not registered for the filed trip unless you receive an email acknowledgement from the field trip leader.Leader: Joe Suchecki, DBCsec2020@gmail.com
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 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 McDowell Rd. where there is a stoplight.Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com
Waterfall Glen, Sawmill Creek Area
No RSVP needed.Park in the large lot just east of Cass off Bluff Rd, north side of Bluff Rd. Meet at the west end of the parking lot. We’ll be looking for all of the fall migrants. Expect hilly and rocky trails. If you like, please bring a sack lunch or snack, so we can eat in the picnic shelter afterwards.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, 630 297-9512, vsroczynski@comcast.net
Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.Elsen’s Hill is another great site for migrants, especially warblers passing through on their way to their wintering grounds. Take Winfield Rd. to Gary’s Mill Rd. west to the preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road. Bring boots as needed for muddy trails.Leaders: Ann Haverstock and Diann Bilderback, diann.bilderback@yahoo.com
Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.This field trip will search for fall migrants. Meet the leader at the gravel parking lot on the east side of Plainfield-Naperville Road about 0.5 miles south of 75th Street at Springbrook Prairie. We will work the eastside of the preserve looking for migrants. You are not registered for the field trip unless you receive an email acknowledgement from the field trip leader.Leader: Joe Suchecki, DBCsec2020@gmail.com
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 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 McDowell Rd. where there is a stoplight.Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com
Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.This field trip will look for fall migrants at one of the best preserves for migratory warblers in the County. Meet at the preserve parking lot off of Garys Mill Road west of Winfield Road. You are not registered for the field trip unless you receive an email acknowledgement from the field trip leader.Leader: Joe Suchecki, DBCsec2020@gmail.com
Danada West, Wheaton
Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 12 participants.September is easily one of the best months of the year to see migrating species in DuPage County. On this trip we will mainly be focusing on finding migrant warblers, along with raptors and possibly some earlier returning fall and winter residents, such as white-crowned sparrows. The diverse habitat at Danada West always provides the chance to find something unusual as well, so we’ll keep a lookout for rarer species. Meet in the forest preserve parking lot.Leader: Henry Meade, kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com
Elsen’s Hill/West DuPage Woods, Winfield
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 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 at the preserve parking lot off of Garys Mill Road west of Winfield Road.Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com
Bird Sit at Herrick Lake West Shelter, Wheaton
Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 10.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 be birding at the Herrick Lake West Shelter. Meet at the parking lot located on the east side Herrick Road south of Butterfield (Hwy 56). Drive all the way to the end of the parking lot, the shelter is on the right. The lot for the West […]
Chautauqua and Emiquon National Wildlife Refuges
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit of 10 attendees.Chautauqua and Emiquon National Wildlife Refuges are located in central Illinois, just south of Peoria. Target species include shorebirds, waterfowl, and other fall migrants that can be seen at these incredible sites. We will meet in a predetermined spot and drive down south together, spending the morning at Chautauqua, having lunch, and then exploring Emiquon after lunch. Please bring comfortable shoes, hat, an umbrella for shade if it’s hot, a scope (if you have one), a packed lunch, bug spray, and ofcourse binoculars. We are expecting to return home in the […]
Greene Valley Overlook, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is requested.Drive up to the overlook parking lot south of 79th Street off Greene Rd and meet the hawk watch volunteers to scan the skies for raptors. Hawk ID handouts provided and discussed. Review buteos by watching the club’s Hawk Watch talk on YouTube . Please bring layers (it can be much colder up on the hill than at ground level) and a hat for sun (no shade). Bring lunch, extra water, and a lawn chair. Leader: Bob Fisher, bfisher928@aol.com
Greene Valley, Woodridge
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participantsWe will be looking for late migrants and fall residents. Meet at the Thunderbird Youth Camp Parking Lot. Go west on 79th about ½ mile, the entrance is on the south side of 79th street, west of Greene Road.Leaders: Karen and Mike Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, 630 640-2450
Bemis Woods South Forest Preserve (Cook County), near Western Springs
Preregistration via text or phone with the leader is required, limit 10 people. Welcome to this wonderful nature spot. We will start the walk from the parking lot, meeting in the open area. We will walk mostly on natural trails, so hiking boots with solid treads are advised. Jeans or long pants are recommended to minimize any bug exposure. We can expect to see Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Nuthatch, and have a good opportunity to see Fall migrants including American Redstarts, Magnolia, and Black-throated Green Warblers. The warblers in Fall plumage will be on their way south to Mexico and Central America […]
Waterfall Glen Poverty Prairie (8am-10:30am) and Waterfall Glen BorrowPit/Centennial Trail (10:30am-11:30am)
No RSVP needed. We’ll be looking for fall migrants while enjoying the resident birds and grand oaks here, walking from the parking lot to Musk Turtle Pond, and back. For those interested in looking for waterfowl and others, we’ll then caravan for a short drive south to the Borrow Pit on the Des Plaines River. (A scope is useful at the Borrow Pit, but the leader will have one.) Meet at the Waterfall Glen Lemont Road parking lot. (Waterfall Glens Parking lot #3.) Drive south on Lemont Road past I55 and turn left (east) into signed entrance road across from […]
Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email please, limit 15 participants. Join Joe Suchecki for our annual club fall trip to locate Nelson's and LeConte's sparrows at Springbrook Prairie. We also will be looking for other late migrant species of the wetlands and grasslands. This trip requires that we go off-trail through uneven terrain, so this is not for those who want/need to stay on wide, flat groomed trails. The vegetation and footing will likely be wet as we walk along the edge of wetlands looking for the sparrows, so rubber boots are recommended. Meet at the Model Aircraft […]
McKee Marsh, Warrenville
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. Join us on a morning walk to the marsh for fall migrants, including shorebirds and waterfowl. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. 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. and be prepared for some dirt trails, possibly muddy if wet. Located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 inWarrenville.Leader: Kathy and Steve Mineck, cell: 630-254-4077 (day of), kmineck@yahoo.com (RSVP to email)
Danada Forest Preserve (west side), Wheaton
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email please, limit 15 participants. On this trip we will be exploring the western part of Danada Forest Preserve searching for passerine migrants such as some of the more uncommon sparrows that can be found in DuPage County. We will also check several different ponds to look for migrantwaterfowl. Please meet on the west side of the Forest Preserve HQ parking lot at 8am.Leader: Henry Meade, Please register with henrymm21@icloud.com
Bird Sit at Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook
Pre-registration with the leader required: Limit 10 participants. 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, field guides, bug spray, and water. We will sit on the Nature Center balcony where we will be able to observe the river and surrounding woods. Meet in the main parking lot at 3609 Spring Rd. Fullersburg WoodsLeader: Natalie McFaul, natcatcher7@gmail.com
Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Wheaton
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. This field trip will include the areas around the east side of the lake, some wooded areas and open grasslands. We will look for some late migrants and early winter birds. Meet at the east side of the main parking lot off of Butterfield Road in Wheaton.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net
Hawkwatch: Greene Valley Overlook, Naperville
Bad weather on the 28th? We'll switch to the 29th, weather permitting; sign ups will be notified. Note: 10/29 is the last weekend day the overlook is open to the public this year. Pre-registration with the leader is requested. Drive up to the overlook parking lot south of 79th Street off Greene Rd (gates open at 11 a.m.) meet the hawk watch volunteers and scan the skies for raptors. Hawk ID handouts provided and discussed. You can review buteos by watching DBC's Hawk Watch talk on YouTube. Please bring extra layers (it can be much colder up on the hilltop […]
McKee Marsh, Warrenville
No registration required. Most of the 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. and be prepared for some dirt trails, possibly muddy if wet. Located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186
Danada West, Wheaton
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants.On this trip we will be exploring the diverse habitats at one of my personal favorite locations in the county. Target species include many species of migratory ducks, migrant raptors such as Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Lapland Longspurs. Expect grass trails and dress for the weather. Meet in the forest preserve headquarters parking lot.Leader: Henry Meade, kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com
Greene Valley, Woodridge
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.This morning trip, oriented toward fall migration and 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. Go west on 79th about 1/2 mile, the entrance is on south side of 79th Street, west of Greene Road in Naperville/Woodridge. Leader: Bonnie Graham 630-204-8750, coye72112@gmail.com
McKee Marsh, Warrenville
Registration not required. This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Join our morning walk around the marsh to check out late fall migrants and wintering birds. Northern Shrike and many other species of birds regularly winter at this site. There should be some late fall migrants present as well. 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 Preserve limestone and earthen trails; wear appropriate shoes and clothing.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186