Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-03-27 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
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

Magee Marsh 2026, Toledo, Ohio
2026-05-07 20:00 - 2026-05-10 15:00
Registration with the leader is required.Magee is known around the world as one of the best places to experience the spring warbler migration, but is also notable for the variety of other habitats in close proximity that allow you to see far more than just warblers. This trip is part of our “Special Trips” program, and since space is limited, all potential registrants must have a current membership with the club.
This trip will be less scheduled than last year, with more options to choose your interest and activity level. Matt’s plan is to “Bird ‘til we drop,” which means birding from sunrise-ish to sunset, and maybe beyond if there’s reason to. There will be a club group going throughout each day, and participants will have the option to drop in and out as desired. While we’re able to run the trip with one leader, if someone else is willing to volunteer, that’ll expand our options and variety of activities (plus volunteers are guaranteed entry!).
Potential hotspots we’ll visit include the world-famous Magee Boardwalk, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Metzger Marsh, Howards Marsh, Oak Openings Preserve, East Harbor State Park, and other places nearby (exact itinerary dependent on the birds!). This trip also coincides with the first week of the “Biggest Week in American Birding” Festival, so members who would like to register to attend any part of those events can do so. Here’s the link: https://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/
Additional Logistical Information:– There is no club fee for this trip. However, travel costs are at the participant's expense. We are currently checking into discounted group rates for lodging, feel free to ask if you want to know what to budget for.– The first club event is expected to be the Magee Boardwalk around 7ish on the morning of 5/8. Plan to arrive in the Toledo area on the 7th. Note that the local area is in Eastern Time, so you lose an hour on the way out. – The last club event is expected to be Oak Openings Preserve in the early afternoon on 5/10. From there, it is approximately a 4 hour drive back to the DuPage area. – Last year’s ebird trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/369379. While we cannot guarantee any particular sighting, this is generally representative of what we’ll be aiming to do this year.
In the interest of fairness to all members, registration for this trip will operate on a lottery system. Here’s the lottery information:– You may register yourself and one additional person. – Entries submitted as pairs will be kept together in the drawing. – Exceptions to the pair rule can be made for families traveling with children.– Each registration should include name, email address, phone number for each participant. – You may also include your ebird information if you wish to be included on trip checklists– All entrants must be current members of DBC with dues paid for 2026.– The lottery is open until March 8th. The drawing will be conducted on March 9th and all entrants will be informed of status then. – Lottery entries should be sent to Matt Crisler. You will receive a confirmation of entry.
Any questions, feel free to contact Sherry Courtney, Special Trip Coordinator at the email below.
Leader: Matt Crisler crislermj@gmail.comSpecial Trips Coordinator: Sherry Courtney sherrycourtney10@gmail.com
