Events

Pre-registration is not required. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is one of the premier grassland birding spots in the area. The area is littered with abandoned munitions bunkers, as well as fantastic grassland species such as Henslow's Sparrow, Bell's Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Blue Grosbeak. This walk will primarily take place on old asphalt roads but may venture into tall grass. Dress appropriately and bring bug spray and sun protection. We will meet at the Iron Bridge Trailhead on Route 53 in Elwood, Illinois. The entrance to the trailhead parking lot is about two miles south of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery […]

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants.On this two-mile field trip our main target will be looking for late migrant warblers and returning summer residents.  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. Please call if you have any problems with directions.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521

Pre-registration is not required.We’ll be looking for shrubland/grassland birds on a walk of 2.5-3 miles on limestone trails only, through the prairie and savanna. Optional continuation through the oak woodland-kettle pond area for later migrants. Hat, water bottle and snack highly recommended. Meet at the Lemont Rd parking lot at 101st Street (Google Maps Waterfall Glen Parking Lot #3.) No reservation is needed but please text or call leader with any questions.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski 630-297-9512

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). Although there is no limit to […]

Pre-registration not required.New birders welcome on this trip at a modest, but sometimes mighty, preserve! We’ll see who's decided to take up summer residence in this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, ravine, and grass, with lots of edge habitat. Trails are a mix of grass, wood chip, dirt/mud, and pavement. Meet in the parking lot at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville 60563. No reservation is needed but feel free to email the leader with any questions. Leader: Steve Constantelos,  steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Pre-registration not required.Join us for a longer (4+ mile) hike around a forest preserve that has a wide variety of habitat types and a diverse selection of breeding birds to go along with it.  Meet at the secondary parking lot that is off of Herrick Rd. about a quarter mile south of Butterfield Rd. Herrick Lake FP   (not the main entrance on Butterfield Rd.) Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186

Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 12 participants. New birders welcome on this trip at a modest, but sometimes mighty, preserve! We’ll see who's decided to take up summer residence in this 30-acre patch of woods, ephemeral wetland, ravine, and grass, with lots of edge habitat. Trails are a mix of grass, wood chip, dirt/mud, and pavement. Meet in the parking lot at 1163 Plank Road, Naperville 60563Leader: Steve Constantelos,  steve.constantelos@gmail.com

Pre-registration not required.Danada is located 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 be looking for passerines, grassland birds and scan the lake for waterfowl. This is an approximately 2 mile walk mostly on limestone paths with some dirt paths.Leaders: Karen and Mike Warner,  mwarner2543@gmail.com  630-640-2450

Pre-registration is required (please email), limit 10 participants.Please note that Fermilab is a government research facility and has strict access requirements: All participants aged 18 and over must have a REAL-ID compliant state ID or passport to enter the site. When on site, you must remain in public areas at all times, have a visitor’s tag visible, and leave the same way you came in. When arriving at Fermilab, present your ID and let the security guard know you are here for bird watching; they will provide a visitors tag for you to wear. Full details on public access to […]

Pre-registration not required.This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us, approximately 3.25 miles, to check out resident species. We hope to see Red-headed Woodpeckers, Henslow's Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, and some marsh & woodland species. 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.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, cell: 708-506-5186