DuPage Birding Club

Seager Park, Naperville
2026-01-16 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
No registration required. New birders welcome. An afternoon walk to see what birds have spent the winter with us in this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, and edge habitat. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for woodpeckers, raptors, crows, etc. With luck, we may see an owl stirring at dusk. Trails mixed. Dress warmly! Meet at the Seager Park parking lot at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville. Indoor restrooms available!https://maps.app.goo.gl/h36m17FE7ShTtiL79Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com (630) 890-8956

Whalon Lake-Boat Parking Lot, Naperville-CANCELED
2026-01-18 08:00 - 10:00
This trip Has been canceled.Registration with the leader is required. No limit on participants.We’ll walk along the paved trail around the lake looking for waterfowl and winter residents. The leader will provide updates in case of bad weather.https://maps.app.goo.gl/eTDfs3E3QgBJqufZ7Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, Oak Brook
2026-02-11 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on February 1.Let’s visit Fullersburg Woods for a morning of winter birding. This location can be good for winter birds and has a nice trail system with wooded areas and open water most of the winter. Plan on snow and/or ice on the trails and use footwear accordingly.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@gmail.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenvillle
2026-02-14 08:00 - 10:30
No registration required.Join us for a walk around one of DuPage county’s premier birding hotspots to look for resident and wintering birds. Hopefully, some waterfowl should be around. This approximately 3-mile walk will be on crushed 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bj3NzyY2zZiJ4L5X6Leader: Kyle Wiktor, (708) 506-5186

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-02-15 15:30 - 18:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on February 1.We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We will conclude the trip with a brief search for the resident Great Horned Owls around and after sunset. Dress warmly as we may be stationary at times. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended.https://maps.app.goo.gl/tY5mCcKSims6dzF8ALeader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Chautauqua and Emiquon National Wildlife Refuges on the Illinois river near Havana, IL
2026-02-21 10:30 - 15:30
Registration with the leader is required.Snow Geese Spectacular! Chautauqua NWR (and Emiquon NWR across the Illinois River) typically hold tens of thousands of Snow Geese as a stopover point for these waterfowl as they journey northward for their spring migration in mid to late February. Other waterfowl, Gr. White-fronted Geese for example, are also likely to be present in very large numbers. The trip starts at Chautauqua, then crosses the river in Havana to visit Emiquon NWR. The trip may also include a short meeting with Forbes Biological Station personnel to learn more about their work at Chautauqua. Lodging is available in Havana for those who wish to stay over. Little walking will be needed; bring warm clothes! Spotting scopes will be useful.Note: The date is subject to change given information on waterfowl presence from the on site IL Natural History Survey’s Forbes Biological Station and weather conditions.
Given the distance from DuPage County (an approx. 3 hour drive) CAR POOLING IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Meet at the entrance to Center Dike Rd off of N. Buzzville Rd. at Chautaqua NWR.https://maps.app.goo.gl/sPbWUdLfkDEcRPbM8Leader: BOB FISHER, bfisher928@aol.com, (630) 985-2956February 21, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PMNOTE: Date subject to change dependent on weather conditions and the arrival of the Snow Geese. The trip leader will keep registrants informed as the scheduled date approaches.

Lake Renwick Preserve, Plainfield
2026-02-28 08:00 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on February 1.We’ll be looking for migrating waterfowl and early nest builders (herons, cormorants and egrets) on the last day before they close the trail for the rookery’s breeding season. There’s also a pair of nesting eagles. Bring a scope if you have one. We’ll be walking a couple miles on easy, flat gravel and paved trails along Lake Renwick and Turtle Lake.https://maps.app.goo.gl/vuVA4cvKFfFtRzxo6Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76@gmail.com

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-03-08 16:30 - 19:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We will conclude the trip with a brief search for the resident Great Horned Owls around and after sunset. Dress warmly as we may be stationary at times. A red flashlight or headlamp is recommended.
Note that DST kicks in on the day the trip – check your clocks!https://maps.app.goo.gl/vUbvGeMD7Kyb2mHq6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Urban Stream Research Center Tour and Blackwell Forest Preserve
2026-03-13 09:00 - 11:00
Pre-registration is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for members only.In this first-of-its-kind event, DBC members will get a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Urban Stream Research Center. This 60-minute tour will help participants better understand the work done at the USRC and the importance that freshwater mussels provide to DuPage County’s ecosystem. The USRC was opened in 2012 and is the cornerstone of the Forest Preserve District’s commitment to preserving aquatic habitats. To this date, nearly 38,000 sub-adult mussels have been propagated, reared, and released into area waterways to boost declining populations.
After the tour, participants will go for a short birding walk around Mount Hoy in Blackwell Forest Preserve. Targets will include resident species and early spring migrants. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and will have the opportunity to change into warmer clothes after the tour. We will meet at the Urban Stream Research Center in Blackwell Forest Preserve, next to the archery range.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Urban+Stream+Research+CenterLeader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.com, (630) 724-7534

Fermilab Workday, Batavia, IL
2026-03-14 08:30 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required.Join a morning workday to restore a degraded shrubland at Fermilab and make a difference for birds. We will help clear invasives and restore habitat for Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown Thrashers, and other shrubland birds. All that is required for Fermilab entry is a REAL ID or passport for each person in the vehicle. Further meet-up instructions will be provided at registration. All supplies will be provided as well as snacks. Bring your favorite work gloves and water. Activities will include using hand saws or loppers to cut down invasive shrubs with a maximum diameter of 3 inches, hauling brush, and stacking brush. No experience is necessary and there will be Fermilab wildlife specialists on hand to answer questions and advise us.Let’s turn out in force and show how DBC members put their love of birds to work!https://maps.app.goo.gl/qq45tvw31Geoztq59Leader: Denis Kania, djkan36@gmail.com

Seager Park, Naperville
2026-03-15 07:30 - 09:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.Get an early, birdy start to your Sunday. New birders welcome! We’ll be looking for some of our “basic” resident birds (and hopefully a few spring surprises) in this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, and grass, with lots of edge habitat. Trails are a mix of surfaces, and there could be mud. Bathrooms available. Meet at Seager Park at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Seager+Park/Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Knoch Knolls Park, Naperville
2026-03-20 08:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.The first day of spring! A morning walk to the DuPage River confluence, where the east and west branches meet. We’ll look for migrants and residents emerging from the doldrums of winter in the water, fields, and woods. Trails are a mix of surfaces, and it could be muddy, so wear boots. Meet at the parking lot on 336 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville. Bathrooms available at trail head.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Knoch+Knolls+Park/Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Mississippi River Trip, Fulton, IL
2026-03-21 06:30 - 19:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on March 1.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 National Wildlife Refuge will be visited to search for Western Meadowlark and Northern Mockingbird. We will meet in Woodridge in the Jewel-Osco parking lot and caravan together.https://maps.app.goo.gl/dFzsVPsMrSN6XXee8Leader: Jeff Chapman, jeffchapman948@gmail.com, (847) 456-2784

DuPage River Greenway Trail, Bolingbrook, Will County
2026-03-25 08:00 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required.We will meet at the DuPage River Greenway Trailhead parking lot. It is just off Royce Road, as soon as you make the turn west off Rt 53. It is a nice asphalt path and we will follow that along the DuPage River to Whalon Lake and back. We will look for returning migrants- both passing through and the ones sticking around. Just text me if your are interested in joining. https://www.google.com/maps/place/DuPage+River+Greenway+TrailLeader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net, text (630) 661-1521

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-03-27 17:00 - 20:00
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

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-04-10 17:30 - 20:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 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/zLxxAF1AM4WPMCS37Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Greene Valley Bike & Bird, Naperville
2026-04-12 08:30 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Greene Valley has a lot of great habitats in it, but you can’t really cover more than one in a typical field trip due to distance. We will bike around the preserve to hit as much as possible in one run. Expect to ride about 5 miles with a few light hills (no overlook). We will be sticking to the limestone/paved trails. Meet at the north end of the Greene Road parking lot near the information sign & trailhead.https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZB9rGJRvgfAHamTT6Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2026-04-15 07:30 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Early Spring Field Trip for migrants, waterbirds, and early grassland species. Meet at the model aircraft field parking lot on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road about 0.5 miles south of 75th Street in Naperville, https://maps.app.goo.gl/25ZqUpfN1DUrcrB48. We will bird in wetland, grassland, and some forest patches for migrants and early-returning summer residents. Dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots since we will be going off-trail to look for some species. Use insect repellent for ticks and mosquitos. Field Trip to last about 2.5-3 hours.Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com, (630) 842-4921

DuPage River Park, Bolingbrook
2026-04-17 07:30 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.We’ll explore grassland, edge, and riverside habitat along the east branch of the DuPage River, looking for resident birds and, of course, 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.https://maps.app.goo.gl/kkmoXY6N3KFrPUWH7Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Deer Grove, Palatine, IL
2026-04-18 07:30 - 11:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Deer Grove, Cook County’s first forest preserve, features nearly 2,000 acres of diverse habitat such as rolling upland forest, wooded ravines, wetlands and prairie. Following years of dedicated restoration work, two areas within Deer Grove are recognized by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission as some of the highest quality natural areas in the state.
We’ll start by walking to the bottom of the sledding hill to check out the waterfowl and rookery on Deer Grove Lake. Then we’ll walk over 3 miles on dirt trails with roots through Deer Grove West Woodland and Wetland Nature Preserve looking for early migrants and returning breeders.https://maps.app.goo.gl/kHRaa6GYLJTSubWe9Leader: Elena Nelson, ladylena76[at]gmail[dot]com

Seager Park, Naperville
2026-04-19 07:30 - 09:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 10 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Get an early, birdy start to your Sunday. New birders welcome! We’ll be looking for birds settling into and birds passing through this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, and grass, with lots of edge habitat. Trails are a mix of surfaces, and there could be mud. Bathrooms available. Meet at Seager Park 1163 Plank Road, Naperville, https://maps.app.goo.gl/wah4DsoWXksaSfRv5.Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Lyman Woods Forest Preserve, Downers Grove
2026-04-21 07:30 - 10:30
Registration with the leaders is required. Limit 12 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Lyman Woods has many habitats which attract a wide variety of birds. At the time of the trip we would expect to find spring migrants, including some early warblers and woodland birds. The lake area usually attracts a variety of waterfowl while the marsh areas have several different species of sparrows. Up to two miles of walking; expect to walk on some muddy paths. Meet in the parking lot for a fun and informative morning.https://maps.app.goo.gl/EvuYT9k2hvAtph2E6Leader: Mike and Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, (630) 640-2450 Please register via email.

Greene Valley Thunderbird Area, Naperville
2026-04-22 08:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.We will be looking for migrants and returning residents. Easy walking on a gravel road and a mulch trail. It will about 2 hours. Meet at the Thunderbird parking lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oc7GWihKD4pHKiZC8. Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net, (630) 661-1521 (text preferred)

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove
2026-04-24 17:45 - 20:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Warblers (and other spring migrants) after work! Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. We’ll conclude the trip with some dusk birding looking for the resident Great Horned Owls. 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/zLxxAF1AM4WPMCS37Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Naperville
2026-04-25 07:30 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Field trip to Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville to look for a variety of spring migrants with the long-time Steward and Bird Monitor, Joe Suchecki. We will bird in wetlands, grasslands, and patchy forest habitats. Good opportunity to find rails, waterfowl, several grassland sparrows and migrants such as vireos and warblers. We will be going off-trail on this trip so footing will be unlevel and possibly wet. Wear water-proof shoes or boots and dress for weather. Use insect repellent since ticks and mosquitos will be active. Expect field trip to last 2-3 hours depending on whether migrants are present. Meet at the model aircraft field parking lot on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road about 0.5 miles south of 75th Street in Naperville, https://maps.app.goo.gl/25ZqUpfN1DUrcrB48.Leader: Joe Suchecki, dbcsec2020@gmail.com, (630) 842-4921

Change of Location Due to Flooding - New Location: Lyman Woods, Downers Grove.
2026-04-25 08:00 - 10:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.This walk will be geared towards new birders, but any level of birder is invited. Our walk will focus on early migratory birds, including warblers and thrushes. Lyman Woods can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear. We will meet in the parking lot by the Lyman Woods Nature Center, 901 31st St. Downers Grove.Leader: Bonnie Graham, coye72112@gmail.com, (630) 204-8750

Goose Lake Natural Area, Hebron, McHenry County
2026-04-26 08:30 - 10:30
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 15 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.This unique spot in northern McHenry County is a great spot for sought after marsh birds. The walk will focus on finding the site’s nesting Yellow-headed Blackbird population, as well as species such as Black Tern, King Rail, Marsh Wren, and others. There is roughly a mile walk on a straight gravel path before we hit the marsh area. We may venture off trail into tall grass, so dress appropriately and bring bug spray and sun protection. The parking lot is behind the Hebron Township Building in Hebron, Illinois (10206 Seaman Rd, Hebron, IL 60034).https://maps.app.goo.gl/BENbuwH9mN7e6rHe7Leader: Robert Perez, robertperez787@gmail.com, (630) 724-7534

Moraine Hills State Park - McHenry Dam Loop, McHenry, IL
2026-05-02 08:00 - 11:00
Registration with the leader is required. Limit 8 participants. Registration for nonmembers opens on April 1.Moraine Hills State Park is comprised of 2,200+ acres of glacier-formed park nearly half of which are wetlands & lakes. The McHenry Dam trail is an easy two-mile crushed gravel loop through forest and wetlands with two observation decks. We can expect to see waterfowl, shorebirds, warblers, and returning summer residents. Bring bug spray.https://maps.app.goo.gl/rEkc1xaJkhekfN6y6Leader: Elena N Nelson, ladylena76[at]gmail[dot]com
