Field Trips

Upcoming Field Trips

We offer a variety of field trips, with opportunities for all types of birders to participate and enjoy each season.  There is special support for new birders on some trips. Participants are welcome to contact the trip leader if they have any questions.

NOTE: For trips with a participant limit, registration with the trip leader is required. In those cases, you are NOT registered until you receive a confirmation from the trip leader.

Field Trips will observe a few guidelines to ensure that our birding is safe and comfortable for all.

  • Field trips are open to nonmembers.
  • Anyone not feeling well should stay home.
  • Attendees of DBC field trips and other events who are under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
  • All field trip attendees should be aware of and follow the ABA Code of Birding Ethics.

Note: When possible last-minute changes or cancellation of field trips will be posted on this page.

Lyman Woods, Downers Grove

Pre-registration with the leader is required by email, limit 10 participants
We will be looking for common woodland wintertime residents. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street. While the trip will wrap up at sunset, for those who would like, we can do a shorter walk after sunset to see if there's any owl activity. If you want to do this, a red flashlight/headlamp is recommended.
Leader: Matt Crisler, crislermj@gmail.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville

Registration not necessary.
Join us for a morning walk around one of DuPage County’s premier birding hotspots. This trip will be about three miles long on limestone and earthen trials. This site often has a good selection of wintering species including the Northern Shrike, American Black Duck and other waterfowl, various raptors, and other birds. Meet at the visitor parking lot located on the north side of Mack Road, east of Route 59, and west of Winfield Road.
Leader: Kyle Wiktor. 708-506-5186 (text or call if you have questions regarding weather cancellation).

Save the Date! DBC Members Magee Marsh, Ohio Field Trip

Joe Kubal and Sherry Courtney are organizing a Spring migration field trip to “The Biggest Week in American Birding.” https://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/

We are excited that Matt Crisler has volunteered to lead one of our groups on this field trip. We are hoping to accommodate two groups of 10 members each, if we have a second leader step up to volunteer. If you are interested, please contact Joe or Sherry.

Magee Marsh is a 4 ½ hour drive from Naperville, and is one of the best locations in the country to see a wide variety of warblers. In the surrounding areas, we are also likely to see terns, eagles, swallows, waterfowl and shorebirds, and perhaps Lapland Longspurs, Black-necked Stilts, pipits, Orchard Oriole, titmouse, Carolina Wrens, and many more.

This trip will include 4 nights, each morning beginning on the Boardwalk at Magee Marsh, where we will be able to see a variety of birds up close, followed by day trips to nearby birding areas which will include: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Metzger Marsh, Howards Marsh, East Harbor State Park, along with some off the beaten path places and stops.

Our special thanks to Denis Kania for helping us plan this trip.

Notice:
We plan to open registration in early February. Keep an eye out for a special email notification to DBC members for the date and time when registration begins. The first 20 members to email Joe Kubal at that time will be registered for this trip.


Helpful Information

Please remember these guidelines:

  • Preregistration with the trip leader is required; you are NOT registered until you receive a confirmation from the trip leader.
  • Field trips are open to nonmembers.
  • It is expected that all field trip participants will follow the CDC’s recommendations regarding masks and social distancing.
  • Anyone not feeling well should not attend.
  • Attendees of DBC field trips and other events who are under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
  • All field trip attendees should be aware of and follow the ABA Code of Birding Ethics.

Field trip participants

Participants, please remember that the weather can be variable, and trails can be muddy, slippery, or even snow covered, so dress accordingly. Also, depending on weather, bring protection for biting insects, ticks, sun, rain, or winter cold. We expect everyone to enjoy birding in a safe manner. Visitors are always welcome! We do not charge fees for birding trips.

Field trip coordinators

Sherry Courtney (Sherrycourtney10@gmail.com) and Stephanie Cullerton (stephcullert@yahoo.com) manage the DBC calendar of trips. Contact them if you have questions or if you would like to lead a trip. Leaders do not have to be birding experts, just familiar with the location.

TOP BANNER: Northern Parula. Photo by Joe Suchecki.

Membership
Membership
Scroll to Top