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Field trip coordinators: Jeff Smith, (630) 719-1604, , and Wendolyn Tetlow, (630) 898-3175, . 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. When they work, they should open in a separate window of your web browser. If not, press the "Back" button to return to this page.
These early spring field trips are designed to cover areas where we hope to see migrating waterfowl, raptors, early passerines and shorebirds. As has been the club's long tradition, we once again set aside a few dates for watching American Woodcocks displaying in the last light of day. Participants, please remember the weather can still be rather cold, and trails can be muddy, so dress accordingly.
| Sunday, March 7, 2010, 7:00 a.m. | Will County Tour |
| We will begin in southern Will Co. and bird our way north, looking for waterfowl and winter passerines. We will meet and carpool from the Park & Ride parking lot on Old Chicago Drive, on the east side of IL-53 about 1/4 mile south of I-55 in Bolingbrook (behind the Ramada Inn). Pack a lunch or dine at one of the fine eating establishments along the way. We should be back in time to attend the Willowbrook fundraiser. Please register with the leader by March 5. Map. | |
| Leader: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Saturday, March 13, 2010, 8:30 a.m. | Cantigny Park, Wheaton |
| Cantigny, the 500-acre former estate of Robert R. McCormick, offers bird walks on the second Saturday of each month. The property is not "wild" like a forest preserve — our birding takes place among museum buildings, formal gardens, and paved pathways. Occasionally we venture onto the golf course. So it's a different brand of birding, but good habitat diversity makes Cantigny an excellent place to see birds. Enter through the main gate on Winfield Road (just south of Roosevelt) and tell the attendant you are with the bird walk. You will not be charged for parking. Meet at the Visitors Center. Cantigny Park website. | |
| Leader: Jeff Reiter, , (630) 545-1838. | |
| Saturday, March 13, 2010, 6:00 a.m. | Mississippi River |
| This is an all-day trip. Large numbers of waterfowl will be seen as well as eagles, hawks, and the usual array of late winter/early spring birds. The trip will be limited to 20 people. Note: You must pre-register with the trip leader. Meeting and carpooling information will be given upon registration. | |
| Leader: Jeff Chapman, , (630) 910-8684. | |
| Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 6:30 p.m. | Woodcocks, Greene Valley F.P. |
| These outings offer the opportunity to view the woodcock's twilight courtship flight, which begins with a spiral ascent and ends with a zigzag fall. Accompanying flight sounds and calls are a spring event to remember. Greene Valley Forest Preserve is known for its displaying woodcocks which can be enjoyed from the parking lot. If conditions are adverse (high wind, rain), these trips may be canceled. Meet at the main entrance parking lot, on the south side of 79th St., west of Greene Rd. in Naperville/Woodridge. Greene Valley Website. | |
| Contact: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Sunday, March 21, 2010, 6:30 a.m. | Lake County Tour |
| We will meet at Yorktown Mall and carpool to Lake County to bird both lakefront and inland sites. Expect the trip to last most of the day. Please register with the leader by March 19 so additional information can be disseminated. Map. | |
| Leader: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Friday, March 26, 2010, 7:00 p.m. | Woodcocks, Greene Valley F.P. |
| See March 16 trip. | |
| Contact: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Saturday, March 27, 2010, 7:30 a.m. | Lincoln Marsh, Wheaton |
| Enjoy a leisurely walk looking for resident and early migratory birds. Directions: From Roosevelt Rd. go north on County Farm Rd to Harrison Ave. and turn right. Follow the binocular signs to the end. Lincoln Marsh Website. | |
| Leader: Liz Timmer, , (630) 668-2743. | |
| Sunday, March 28, 2010, 8:00 a.m. | Bemis Woods FP- South Unit, Western Springs |
| Early migrants and resident passerines are targeted. Meet in the parking area for the toboggan slide. The parking road is accessed from Ogden Ave, half way ( about 1/4 mile) between Wolf Rd. and I-294 in Western Springs, and is nearly opposite Woodland Ave., which is the road on the south side of Ogden. The tollway has an exit at Ogden. If time permits, we may visit another birding spot, either Bemis Woods North Unit, Fullersburg Woods, or the Wolf Road Prairie. Map. | |
| Leader: Lesa Hipes, , (630) 689-7463. | |
| Saturday, April 3, 2010, 8:00 a.m. | Little Red Schoolhouse, Palos |
| We will be in search of Tufted Titmouse, various sparrows, waterfowl, and any unusual birds that often show up in the Palos area. From LaGrange Rd., take 95th St. west to 104th Ave. Go south to the parking lot on the west side of 104th Ave. Map. | |
| Leader: Donnalyn Quint, , (708) 354-1227. | |
| Saturday, April 10, 2010, 7:30 a.m. | Cantigny Park, Wheaton |
| See March 13 trip. | |
| Leader: Jeff Reiter, , (630) 545-1838. | |
| Monday, April 12, 2010, 7:00 p.m. | Woodcocks, Greene Valley F.P. |
| See March 13 trip. | |
| Contact: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Sunday, April 18, 2010, 7:00 a.m. | Goose Lake Prairie, Grundy Co. |
| We may see bitterns, rails, waterfowl, and more. For those who want to make a day of it, we can try other sites in Will Co. and beyond. Contact the leader if you would like more information. We will meet and carpool from the Park & Ride parking lot on Old Chicago Drive, on the east side of Rte. 53 about 1/4 mile south of I-55 in Bolingbrook (behind the Ramada Inn). Map. | |
| Leader: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Thursday, April 22, 2010, 6:00 p.m. | Whalon Lake F.P., Naperville/Bolingbrook |
| This evening, we will concentrate on the marsh, where we hope to see or hear rails and bitterns. Meet at the dog park lot, which is on Royce Rd. between IL-53 and Weber Rd. where Naperville meets Bolingbrook. Website. | |
| Leader: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Friday, April 23, 2010, 7:30 a.m. | Waterfall Glen F.P. |
| Meet at the main parking lot off Cass Ave. (turn west on Northgate Rd.) just south of I-55 near Darien. Waterfall Glen Website. | |
| Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, , (630) 964-8277. | |
| Saturday, April 24, 2010, 7:30 a.m. | Campton Hills Park, Kane Co. |
| We will be looking for early spring migrants and some wetlands secrets. To get to Campton Hills Park (now also known as West Side Community Park) starting from the intersection of Randall Road and IL-64 in St. Charles, go west on IL-64 to the next light which is Peck Road. Take a left on Peck Road and go to the next light which will be Campton Hills Road. Take a right on Campton Hills Road. On your left you will go past an entrance for soccer fields. The next entrance will be for the Illinois Youth Corrections Facility. Turn left here, and you will see a pavilion on your right. Park near the pavilion. Bring waterproof footwear. We will be doing a long walk to the far reaches of this park (it will be worth the trip!). Website. | |
| Leader: Denis Kania, , (630) 961-5364. | |
| Sunday, April 25, 2010, 7:30 a.m. | Waterfall Glen |
| Early Warblers such as Pine, as well as other passerines, are the targets for this trip. Meet at the main parking lot off Cass Ave. (turn west on Northgate Rd.) just south of I-55. Be advised that this parking lot is extremely popular on weekends, and some extra time may be needed. Waterfall Glen Website. | |
| Leaders: Bob and Karen Fisher, , (630) 985-2956. | |
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.