 |
Field trip coordinators: Bob Spitzer, (630) 790-4842, , and Ron Skleney, (630) 422-1814, . Contact them if you have questions about the trips or if you would like to lead a trip. Leaders do not have to be birding experts, just familiar with the location. There is no need to register unless otherwise indicated. Visitors are always welcome. |
| Most of the map links (when available) point to the Forest Preserve Districts of Du Page County, Kane County, Cook County, Will County, or Lake County websites. They should open in a separate windown or tab of your web browser. If not, press the "Back" button to return to this page. |
The coming months are the time to see late fall and early winter birds. Some species are only seen this time of year. The Christmas Bird Count is a major event for DBC Birders. We are offering many field trips, including a mid-week extra trip. There are opportunities for all types of birders to participate and enjoy the season. We encourage everyone to enjoy birding in a safe manner, including proper clothing and footwear. Please check with the trip leader and our DBC website for the latest status information.
| Saturday, November 5, 2011, 8:00 a.m. | Miller Beach, Gary (Indiana) |
| We will be looking for Loons, Grebes, Scoters, and hopefully Jaegers. This trip is co-sponsored with COS. Directions: Take I-94 east through Gary, IN, to I-65 north. Take I-65 north to Hwy 12. Go east on Hwy 12 and about 2 miles to Lake St. There is a McDonald's on the corner of Lake St. and Hwy 12 with a bathroom. There are no rest- room facilities at the beach. So we will meet at the McDonald's and depart from there at 7:45 a.m. Scopes will be useful/essential for this trip. Also, dress much warmer than expected as the wind can be very chilling. Map. | |
| Leader: Karen and Bob Fisher, , (630) 985-2956. *Note: To carpool, meet at Bolingbrook Park and Ride just south of I-55 off of Route 53. (Left at Old Chicago Dr.) before 6:30 a.m. Map. | Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, Nov 6th. |
| Sunday, November 6, 2011, 7:00 a.m. | Hennepin, Illinois Area |
| This will be an all-day trip. Target birds will be waterfowl along with other migrants and local specialties. We will be stopping for lunch on the way, but bring plenty of water and snacks. Scopes would be useful. Please register with the leader so arrangements can be made for carpooling. We will meet at the Bolingbrook Park & Ride on Old Chicago Drive east of I-53 just south of I-55 (behind the Ramada Motel). Map. | |
| Leader: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Saturday, November 12, 2011, 8:30 a.m. | Cantigny Park, Wheaton |
| Enter the park through the main entrance on Winfield Road, just south of Roosevelt, and tell the attendant you are with the bird walk. The parking fee will be waived. Meet at the Visitors Center. Cantigny Park website. | |
| Leader: Jeff Reiter, , (630) 545-1838. | |
| Thursday, November 17, 2011, 8:30-10:30 a.m. | Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, Darien |
| This is a short trip looking for late fall migrants. Meet at the service road entrance at the intersection of Bluff Rd. and Cass Ave. From Darien, take Cass Ave. south from I-55 till it ends at Bluff Road. Waterfall Glen Website. | |
| Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, , (630) 964-8277, cell (630) 297-9512. | |
| Sunday, November 20, 2011, noon | Jasper-Pulaski State Fish and Wildlife Area, Medaryville (Indiana) |
| This is a famous staging area for Sandhill Cranes on their winter migration. They gather in the late afternoon at J-P by the thousands prior to roosting for the night. Directions: I-294 east thru Gary to I-65 south to Exit 230, Hwy 10 east. 10 becomes 110. Follow it to J-P, south entrance. It is about a 3 hr. drive from DuPage Co. We will meet at noon to carpool from the north end of the Jewel parking lot on Janes Ave. and 75th Street in Woodridge. Please let Jeff know if you are planning to go. Note: We will not stop for lunch but will stop for dinner on the way home. Website. | |
| Leaders: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Saturday, November 26, 2011, 7:30 a.m. | Morton Arboretum, Lisle |
| Here’s a chance to walk off that turkey dinner while not venturing too far from home. We will check out several sites and habitats in the Arboretum. Let’s all meet at the far northwest corner of the main parking lot. We will visit several sites in the Arboretum. When we finish, we can get a cup of coffee at the Visitors Center. Morton Arboretum website. | |
| Leaders: Bob and Jean Spitzer, , (630) 790-4842. | |
| Saturday, December 10, 2011, 9:00 a.m. | Waterfall Glen and Lemont Area |
| This is a scouting trip for the Christmas Bird Count. We will start at the Waterfall Glen then visit some other local spots along the Des Plaines River. Meet at the corner of Bluff Rd. and Cass Avenue. From I-55, exit Cass south to the stop sign. Waterfall Glen Website. | |
| Leaders: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Saturday, December 17, 2011, 8:30 a.m. | Cantigny Park, Wheaton |
| Enter the park through the main entrance on Winfield Road, just south of Roosevelt, and tell the attendant you are with the bird walk. The parking fee will be waived. Meet at the Visitors Center. Results from this walk will be included in the 2011 Fermilab Christmas Bird Count. Cantigny Park website. | |
| Leader: Jeff Reiter, , (630) 545-1838. | |
| Saturday, December 17, 2011, All Day Event | Fermilab Circle Christmas Bird Count |
| Thousands of birds and over 100 species have been logged in previous Bird Counts. This opportunity to join almost 100 other birders is open to those of all skill levels. We urge you to contact our count compiler to work out your team assignment for the Bird Count. Contact compiler Jeff Chapman for details or to volunteer. | |
| Leader: Jeff Chapman, , (630) 910-8684. | |
| Sunday, December 18, 2011, All Day Event | Lisle-Arboretum Circle Christmas Bird Count |
| Another opportunity to count the birds in another area, birders of all skill levels are welcome on the Lisle-Arboretum CBC. We have a count web site at http://home.comcast.net/~geoffrey.williamson/lislecbc/, which will be updated for 2011 in mid-November. 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 "feeder watcher". | |
| Leader: Geoff Williamson, , (773) 935-8439. | |
Both the Chicago Ornithological Society and the Illinois Ornithological Society welcome non-members on their field trips. Some trips may require a fee. Visit their respective web sites for more information. Trips offered by other clubs may be found on the IOS Calendar of Events.