DuPage Birding Club

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2020-12-07 07:30 - 09:30 (America/Chicago)
Preregistration is required. Join another morning walk at the marsh to check out resident and winter birds, at one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. 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. Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186

Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
2020-12-10 16:10 - 16:50, 2020-12-12 04:10 - 16:50
Pre-registration is required. 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 and often appear just as the light is failing, so this trip does not offer a photo-op. The trip will last about 30-40 min. Contact Joe if you plan on attending. The owls do not always winter at Springbrook and the trips will be cancelled if they are not around or in the event of inclement weather. Leader: Joe Suchecki, 630-369-5570

Christmas Bird Count, Fermilab Circle
2020-12-19 00:00 - 23:59
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s count will be quite a bit different than year’s past. First, there will be no countdown dinner this year, as it’s unclear that open dining will be possible or advisable. In addition, we will have a Zoom countdown instead of an in-person countdown. Details are still being worked out, but the countdown will likely be a scaled down version of our typical program.

If you counted in the last year or two, each area captain will reach out regarding count details, as Audubon is advising that no carpooling, large group meet-ups or counting in groups more than necessary should be incorporated into every circle. In addition, it is looking that Area 1 (Fermilab grounds) will likely be off limits this year. If this occurs, Area 1 participants may be rerouted to other areas needing additional counters. If you have not counted before, or haven’t counted in several years, but would like to, please let me know and I can put you on the list. Note that the deadline for new counters is Friday, December 4, 2020, since late decision participation throws off area captain plans and coverage strategies.

Let’s work together to make this count a safe and successful one!

Contact: : Jeff Chapman, jchapman@dupagebirding.org

Christmas Bird Count, Lisle-Arboretum Circle
2020-12-20 00:00 - 23:59
Birders of all skill levels are welcome on the Lisle-Arboretum CBC. The Chicago Ornithological Society (www.chicagobirder.org) sponsors this count where sub-teams are assigned to various locations. A map of the circle is on this webpage: http://geoffwilliamson.info/lislecbc/lisle_files/circle.htm. Even if you cannot go out in the field, there is another way to contribute: DBC members who live in the count circle can participate as a “feederwatcher.” For details and signup:

Contact: Carl Giometti, chicagiometti@gmail.com
