Events

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 […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Enjoy the winter quiet as we explore the fields and woods along the Thunderbird Trail. The walk will be on grass, gravel, and mulch paths. We’ll look and listen for woodpeckers and whoever else has decided the spend the holidays in our area. As always, new birders are welcome as we’ll take our time to spot the birds and to answer questions. 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 […]

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 Parking Lot #3: drive south on I55 on Lemont Rd. to 101st St. and […]

A reservation with the Morton Arboretum is required (see below). There is no limit to the number of participants.You do not need to register with the DBC Organizers listed below, but they are available to answer questions.Come one, come all to Morton Arboretum to start the new year right! Gather at the north end of the Visitor’s Center parking lot, P1. We will split into several groups to look for birds across the Arboretum. There will be several Organizers that will give a hand with the various groups. We can rendezvous back at the parking lot to compare our sightings.● […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. Call or text only to register. Come check out the resident and wintering birds at this birding hotspot within West DuPage Woods. The walk will be on earthen trails. Meet at the parking lot for West DuPage Woods—Elsen's Hill Area on thenorth side of Gary's Mill Rd., which is west of Winfield Rd. and east of where Gary's Mill & Roosevelt Rd. intersect.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186

This trip has been canceled, refuge is frozen and waterfowl not present. Come check out this refuge for waterfowl and possible other locations nearby for 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. Meet at the main parking lot of the refuge. Start time TBD, but not real early! Dress warmly since we may be at times standing in one exposed location. Trip may be cancelled in the event of bad weather or if the refuge and other nearby open water areas […]

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, pesterbling@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. Call or text to register. 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. 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

This trip has been canceled due to cold weather. 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. We will be walking Centennial Trail along the Des Plaines River in search of waterfowl, Bald Eagles, and winter residents.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net , 630-661-152

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. A short walk to see what birds have settled in for winter in this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, and grass, with lots of edge habitat. New birders welcome. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for woodpeckers, raptors, crows, etc. Trails are mostly gravel, grass, and dirt/mud, with some chip and pavement. We have an option to descend into the beautiful ravine down a somewhat steep slope. Meet at Seager Park at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville 60563. Google Maps link here. Indoor restrooms available.Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. This will be a walk for birders of all levels. We will walk slowly and allow time for all to look at the birds. We will walk along the Salt Creek in the lowland woods with good habitat for birds. Meet at the main parking lot on Spring Road in Oak Brook.Leader: Lesa Hipes, lesahipes@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. A short winter walk at a charming nature sanctuary along Salt Creek. We’ll look for birds in savanna, wetland, pond, and field. New birders welcome. Trails are basically level and are grass/dirt, with some gravel/pavement. Meet at the parking lot on 115 Canterberry Lane, Oak Brook. Google Maps link.Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. A weekday winter walk to the DuPage River confluence, where the east and west branches meet. We’ll look for birds in the woods, fields, and on the water. New birders welcome. Trails are basically level and are grass/dirt, with some paved. Meet at the parking lot on 336 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville. Google Maps link.Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. We will walk through this hilly oak savanna in search of wintering birds. The walk will be on a mixture of gravel road and mowed trails. It is hilly and on uneven terrain. Meet outside of the entrance of the Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Dr., St. Charles. Google Maps link.Leader: Wally and Angela Levernier, wglevernier@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. Call or text only to register. This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us to check out winter birds. 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., located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville. Google Maps link.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 participants. This will be a walk looking for winter birds. We will walk along the Salt Creek in the lowland woods with good habitat for birds and possibly ducks. Meet at the main parking lot on Spring Rd. in Oak Brook. Google Maps link. Trails can be snow covered and often slippery in winter so bring appropriate footwear in case.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 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 Redhead, along with many others are all possible. We will also be on the lookout for songbirds on the wooded side of […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. We’ll explore grassland, edge, and riverside habitat along the east branch of the DuPage River, looking for resident birds and early 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. Map link.Leader: Steve Constantelos, 630-890-8956, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. Meet 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. Due to Covid, 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 it.” Bring a scope if you have one. Bring plenty of water and snacks. More information: http://www.wetlands-initiative.org/dixon-location-and-visitingLeader: Jeff Smith, 331-481-3362, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. Join us for a St. Patrick Day walk. Danada is located in Wheaton 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

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. Actual time to be announced at registration.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

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, approximately 1⁄2 mile to the campground entrance. The walk will NOT be canceled due to weather.Leader: Jeff Smith, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com

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:41.683806, -88.003611. Google Map link. We will be walking Centennial Trail along the Des Plaines River in search of waterfowl, Bald Eagles, early spring migrants, and resident birds.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net, 630-661-1521

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 10 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

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

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 parking lot off of Maple Ave. in Downers Grove.Leader: John Hebert, johnhhebert@yahoo.com

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 becanceled due to weather.Leader: Jeff Smith, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. This morning trip 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. Join us to check out this small preserve on the eastern side of DuPage County, right next to Salt Creek. Meet at the parking lot north of Fullerton Avenue (west of Rt. 83, east of Villa Ave.). Link:https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/cricket-creekLeaders: Andrew and Rebecca Steinmann, 708-533-6604, asteinmann@ameritech.net