Events

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at the Lemont Rd. parking lot, south of I55 at 101st Street. We’ll start in the Kettle Pond Woods and walk to the prairie.Leader Vicky Sroczynski, RSVP to vsroczynski@comcast.net or text 630-297-9512

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Meet at the main parking lot, 1163 Plank Rd. We will be in search of migrants, especially fall warblers and other woodland birds.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This morning’s walk will take us through some prairie and woods. We’ll be looking for resident birds as well as early migratory birds. We’ll be walking approximately 2 miles on mostly easy terrain. We will meet in the parking lot off on Winfield Rd, just north of Butterfield Rd.Leader: Bonnie Graham, 630-204-8750, coye72112@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. 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 Vicky Sroczynski, RSVP to vsroczynski@comcast.net or text 630-297-9512

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. This morning trip will be oriented toward fall migration. We will be at a leisurely pace to provide as much time as desired to look at each bird and to answer questions for any new birders. Meet in the parking lot in front of Lyman Woods Interpretive Center, located one block east of Highland Avenue on 31st Street. Boots are recommended if it's been raining recently. Some areas are muddy.Leader: Lisa Gaylord, lisarae59@icloud.com, cell phone:630-740-0911. Please leave a message or text along with your name & email.

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 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 in Warrenville.Leader: Kathy Mineck, cell: 630-254-4077 (day of), kmineck@yahoo.com (RSVP toemail)

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 Field […]

Pre-registration 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 migrant waterfowl. Please meet on the west side of the Forest Preserve HQ parking lot at 8am.Leader: Henry Meade, Please register with kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

Pre-registration 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 Field Parking Lot on […]

Pre-registration is required by email please, limit 15 participants.Explore the woodlands of this preserve looking for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other fall and winter birds. We will also check out the open spaces for grassland birds and the skies for migrating raptors. Be prepared for some dirt trails, possibly muddy if wet. Meet at the parking lot off Winfield Road.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Pre-registration with the leader is required by email, limit 12 participants. After meeting in the parking lot, we will explore the varied habitats of Lyman. We will be looking for late migrants and birds that winter in our region. Lyman’s trails are known for being very muddy. If a rainy spell occurs, be prepared with appropriate footwear. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street.Leaders: Mike & Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. This morning trip, oriented toward early fall and late summer 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.Leader: Bonnie Graham, 630-204-8750, coye72112@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Let’s walk off our Thanksgiving and see what birds have decided to spend the winter here. Beginning birders welcome. We’ll explore the woodlands along Salt Creek on pretty easy, level trails. Afterwards, if weather permits, we might continue to the Graue Mill area or nearby Dean Nature Sanctuary. Meet in the main parking lot at 3609 Spring Road. Fullersburg Woods info.Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com, 630-890-8956

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

Pre-register please, it helps in determining the number of handouts needed. This is a 2nd opportunity for DBC birders unfamiliar with hawkwatching to learn techniques for spotting and identifying distant (hopefully some at close range too!) raptors as they fly by the hilltop. Briefing on techniques and handouts will be provided from the regulars at the Greene Valley Hawkwatch (our 17th year of operation from 9/1 through 11/30). Bring a scope if you have one. Dress warmly and bring extra layers – it’s always colder and windier up on the hilltop, especially in late fall. We also hope to count […]

DBC Planting day. Please join us to plant shrubs and saplings. The DBC is partnering with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County on a project to improve habitat for our forest birds. The Club provided a $2,000 grant to the District to purchase native shrubs and saplings to plant in an area of McKee Marsh where nonnative, invasive shrubs and trees were removed. Restoring the understory vegetation will improve the habitat for woodland nesting birds such as thrushes and warblers.Anyone can volunteer to help on this important and unique fall activity to improve bird habitat in DuPage County. Plan […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required by email please, limit 15 participants.On this trip we will be exploring the western side of Danada Forest Preserve searching for uncommon sparrows, migrating waterfowl, and raptors. Please meet on the west side of the Forest Preserve HQ parking lot.Leader: Henry Meade, Please register with kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

Pre-registration with the leader is NOT required for this trip.Join our morning walk around the marsh to check out late fall migrants and wintering birds. Northern Shrike, American Black Duck, 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, 708-506-5186

Pre-registration with the leader is required.Join us as we check out this refuge for waterfowl and other wintering birds. This 3,000 acre restored wetlands is one of the premier natural areas in the state. It is approximately a 90-minute drive from the western suburbs. We will view the lake with scopes and walk through the woods along the lake. Plan to be at the refuge for about 4 hours (8:30-12:30). We will meet at a central location at 7:00 and carpool from there or you can meet us there at the main parking lot.Pack a lunch, snacks, and water. Bring […]

Pre-registration is required, limit 10 participants. Let’s explore Mallard Lake for late fall birds and waterfowl. We will meet at the main parking lot on Schick road just west of Gary Avenue. There are a few water areas to check and some woodland edges and shrub areas. If we have time we can continue on to West Branch Forest Preserve nearby for some more possibilities. Plan on walking trails including crushed limestone and dirt and even some grassy trails.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 10 participants. This will be the last bird sit for 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 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 […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. We will look for late migrants, waterfowl, and winter residents. The DuPage Greenway Trail is a paved trail in Bolingbrook that runs alongside the East Branch of the DuPage River. The trailhead is on Royce Rd just west of Rt. 53. It is about a mile and a half walk to Whalon Lake.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521.

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Let’s walk off our Thanksgiving and see what birds have decided to spend the winter here. Beginning birders welcome. We’ll explore the woodlands along Salt Creek on pretty easy, level trails. Afterwards, if weather permits, we might continue to the Graue Mill area or nearby Dean Nature Sanctuary. Meet in the main parking lot at 3609 Spring Road. More info.Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com, 630-890-8956

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. We’ll look for waterfowl, gulls, and others at the Centennial Trail Borrow Pit and ponds, Lemont Quarries, and Saganashkee Slough. Depending on conditions and sightings, other stops may include Sag Quarries, Long John Slough, and Maple Lake.Meet at the Lemont Rd. parking lot of Waterfall Glen (at the portable toilet). We will then caravan to the Borrow Pit. The trip will be canceled if waterfowl are scarce or the weather is poor. Directions to Waterfall Glen: drive south on Lemont Rd., past I-55 to 101st St., and turn left at the […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required by email or text, limit 15 participants. After meeting in the parking lot, we will explore the varied habitats. We will be looking for fall/winter birds; cardinals, blue jays, juncos & whatever decides to hang around for our colder weather. Take Winfield Rd. to Garys Mill Rd. west to the preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road (245 Garys Mill Road). If it rains or snows prior to trip please wear appropriate footwear for it could be muddy & layer-up for the cold temperatures.Leader: Lisa Gaylord, lisarae59@yahoo.com, 630-740-0911

This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us to check out winter birds, as well as possible late migrants. Northern Shrike and American Black Duck are among the several species of birds known to regularly winter here. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd. (Mack is south of Roosevelt and north of Butterfield), located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville. Be sure to dress for the weather.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186

Pre-registration with the leader is required. This field trip will include some good winter birding in wooded areas as well as some open water sections. Join us to look for a good variety while walking about 2 miles on uneven trails. Prepare for possible snow and/or ice depending on current weather. Meet in the main parking lot on Spring Road.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Pre-registration is not required for this walk. Come out for a Birding/Nature Walk at a local forest preserve. St. James Forest Preserve is a 595-acre preserve that contains more than 100 acres of woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. We will be looking for winter birds and enjoying the pristine winter landscape. Paths are gravel. Dress for the cold. The main entrance is on Winfield Rd. just north of Butterfield Road. Meet at the Horse Statue in the parking lot.Leader: Pat Sterbling, 630-235-5001

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. On this field trip 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, and is unmarked, so turn at this pin: 41,683840, -88.003541. Google Map link. Feel free to ask questions on how to get there after you RSVP. On this field trip our main targets will be waterfowl. Common Goldeneye and American Coots, along with Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Canvasback, and Northern Pintail are all possible. Centennial Trail in the past has been […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Join Joe Suchecki at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville to look for Short-eared Owls. Short-eared Owls frequently winter at Springbrook Prairie and can be seen as they come out to hunt over the preserve at dusk. Meet at the Model Aircraft Field parking Lot on Plainfield-Naperville Rd., south of 75th St. in Naperville. 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 […]