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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.
| Friday, September 10, 8:30-10:30 a.m. | Waterfall Glen F.P. (Darien) |
| This is a short trip for beginners to focus on confusing fall warblers. Meet at the service Rd. entrance at the intersection of Bluff Rd. and Cass Ave. From Darien, take Cass Ave. south from I-55 till it ends at Bluff Rd. Contact the leader for warbler study guide suggestions. Waterfall Glen Website. | |
| Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, , (630) 964-8277. | |
| Saturday, September 11, 7:30 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 information desk. Cantigny website. | |
| Leader: Jeff Reiter, , (630) 545-1838. | |
| Sunday, September 12, 7:00 a.m. | Montrose (Chicago Lakefront) |
| Exit Lakeshore Drive at Montrose going east towards the lake; turn right at the bait shop, and after a block or so park along the side of the road. We will meet at the entrance of the "magic hedge" path at the sidewalk, which is across from the boat harbor. Note that parking meters are now in place (the rate is $1/hr). You can pay by credit card. For details on how the new metered Chicago Park District parking works, see www.chicagoparkdistrictparking.com. Map. | |
| Leaders: Bob and Karen Fisher, , (630) 985-2956. | |
| Friday, September 17, 10:00 a.m.-noon | Greene Valley F.P. (Darien) |
| Hawk identification for beginners. Meet at the trail head parking on Greene Rd. south of 79th St. Bring a sack lunch, water, hat, lawn chair and scope (if you have one). It can be 10-15 degrees cooler, and windy, on the hill, so bring clothing to layer. We will have handouts to use and take home. Please note: during mid-September we may have large numbers of Broad-winged Hawks migrating over the hill if this happens, you may want to plan on staying later in the afternoon. Contact the leader for hawk study guide suggestions. Greene Valley Website. | |
| Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, , (630) 964-8277. | |
| Saturday, September 18, 7:30 a.m. | Lincoln Marsh (Wheaton) |
| Join Liz for a stroll through Lincoln Marsh, located just northwest of the downtown area of Wheaton. There should be fall migrants and the first appearance of winter residents as well. Follow Roosevelt Rd. to County Farm Rd., head north, staying in the right lane. Follow the binocular signs to Harrison St., which ends at the north side parking lot of the marsh. Lincoln Marsh Website. | |
| Leader: Liz Timmer, , (312) 304-7000. | |
| Wednesday, September 22, 7:30 a.m. | Herrick Lake F.P. (Wheaton) |
| We'll be looking for migrating birds and local birds at this site. Since we will be covering a variety of habitats and could well be on foot paths, as well as main trails, long pants are advisable. Meet at the entrance to the south parking lot on Herrick Rd. south of Butterfield. Herrick Lake Website. | |
| Leader: Jim Hedges, , (630) 469-5811. | |
| Saturday, September 25, 8:00 a.m. | Fullersburg Woods F.P. (Oak Brook) |
| Join us along Salt Creek at Oak Brook's Fullersburg Woods as we look for waterfowl and warblers. We'll meet at the main parking lot at Fullersburg Woods on Spring Rd. west of York Rd. in Oak Brook. Fullersburg Woods Website. | |
| Leaders: Linda Padera & Lesa Hipes , (708) 870-5385. | |
| Sunday, September 26, 7:30 a.m. | East Branch F.P. (Glendale Heights) |
| Target birds are prairie migrants. Meet at the parking lot on the west side of Swift Rd., approximately one mile north of North Avenue (IL-64) and two blocks south of Fullerton Ave. We will mainly be birding in the eastern (and larger) portion of East Branch Preserve. If time permits, we can also check out the western portion of this preserve. East Branch Website. | |
| Leader: Jim Green, , (630) 960-4177. | |
| Sunday, September 26, 7:30 a.m. | Springbrook Prairie F.P. (Naperville) |
| Meet at the Model Airplane Field Parking Lot on Plainfield-Naperville Rd. south of 75th St. in Naperville. We will look for Nelson's (Sharp-tailed) Sparrow around the marsh area as well as other fall migrants. Wear waterproof boots since the area around the marsh and early morning vegetation is likely to be wet. Springbrook Prairie Website. | |
| Leader: Joe Suchecki, , (630) 369-5570. | |
| Friday, October 1, 7:30 a.m. | Danada F.P. (Wheaton) |
| We'll meet at the parking lot of the main building of the DuPage Forest Preserve District Office located at 3 S. 580 Naperville Rd., Wheaton. We'll be looking for late fall migrants. Danada Website. | |
| Leaders: Margie and Alan Busic, , (630) 789-3628. | |
| Saturday, October 2, 7:30 a.m. | McKee Marsh (Blackwell F.P., Warrenville) |
| We'll be looking for fall migrants and local birds. Meet at the McKee Marsh parking lot off Mack Rd. about 1/2 mile east of IL-59. Blackwell Website. | |
| Leader: John Cebula, , (630) 858-3767. | |
| Wednesday, October 6, 7:30 a.m. | Morton Arboretum (Lisle) |
| We will be looking for sparrows, warblers and other migrating passerines. Meet at parking lot No.8 on the east side. The Arb is located just north of I-88 off IL-53 in Lisle. The Arboretum has a per-person charge for nonmembers. On Wednesdays it is $7 for adults, or $6 for seniors over 65.= Note: the Arb does not open its gates until 7 a.m. Morton Arboretum website. | |
| Leaders: Marcia & Lee Nye, , (630) 605-6373. | |
| Thursday, October 7, 8:30 a.m. | Whalon Lake F.P. (Naperville, Will Co.) |
| This will be a short trip for beginners to focus on sparrow identification. Meet at the parking lot on the south side of Royce Rd., between IL-53 and Naperville Rd. (well south of 75th St if coming on IL-53). If the hawk watch is active, we will also visit nearby Greene Valley Forest Preserve, for Part 2 of this trip, to learn about hawk identification. For the hawk watch, please bring a hat, lawn chair, water, a sack lunch, and extra layers of clothing, depending on weather. Whalon Lake website. | |
| Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, , (630) 964-8277. | |
| Saturday, October 9, 7:30 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. We will start our walk from the Visitors Center. Cantigny website. | |
| Leader: Jeff Reiter, , (630) 545-1838. | |
| Sunday, October 10, 7:30 a.m. | Lake County Lakefront |
| We will visit several areas along the shore of Lake Michigan for waterfowl, late passerines, and shorebirds. If conditions are right, we will spend some time at the Illinois Beach State Park Hawkwatch. Warm clothing, scopes, and a folding chair (for the hawkwatch) are suggested. Meet at the Waukegan Beach parking lot. I-294 to I-94 north, exit east Belvidere Rd (IL-120), continue until it ends at Pershing Rd. Turn left (north) for a few blocks, turn right at Clayton St., and immediately turn left onto Sea Horse Drive. Follow it through two right turns to the end at one of the beach parking lots. Map. | |
| Leader: Urs Geiser, , (630) 515-1712. | |
| Saturday, October 16, 7:30 a.m. | Oakhurst F.P. (Kane Co.) |
| Oakhurst F.P. is a 450-acre island on the east side of Aurora. Its varied habitats include a 70-acre lake-marsh complex, a mature forest, and sections of old field succession of varying ages. It is on the Kane-DuPage line, four miles south of Fermilab and three miles from Big Woods Forest Preserve. Come west on New York St., past the mall to Eola Rd. Go south on Eola to McCoy Drive, then west on McCoy, which becomes 5th in Kane County, to the entrance of the Preserve on the north side of the St. A Greek Church is south of the Preserve, which you do not want to go past. Most of the driving described above is through subdivisions, so when you find trees, you are at the Preserve. Oakhurst website. | |
| Leader: Terry Murray, , (630) 896-3219. | |
| Sunday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. | Hawk Watch at Greene Valley F.P. (Woodridge/Naperville) |
| Join the Hawk Watch Team in recording raptor observations from DuPage County's second highest point. The entrance to the hill is on Greene Rd. south of 71st St. Meet outside the locked gate leading up to the hill at 8:45 to get in early. Or wait until the gate is officially open at 11 a.m. to join us. Bring snacks, water, hat, lawn chair and scope. It can be 10-15 degrees cooler, and windy, on the hill, so bring clothing to layer. For more information on hawk watching go to www.hmana.org. Greene Valley Website. | |
| Leader: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
| Saturday, October 23, 7:30 a.m. | Lincoln Marsh (Wheaton). |
| Join Liz for a stroll through the Lincoln Marsh, located just northwest of the downtown area of Wheaton. There should be fall migrants and the appearance of winter residents as well. Follow Roosevelt Rd. to County Farm Rd. and head north, staying in the right lane. Follow the binocular signs to Harrison St. and turn onto it. It ends at the north side parking lot of the Marsh. Lincoln Marsh Website. | |
| Leader: Liz Timmer, , (312) 304-7000. | |
| Sunday, October 31, 7:00 a.m. | Hennepin Area (Putnam Co.) |
| 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 IL-53 just south of I-55 (behind the Ramada Motel). Map of meeting place. | |
| Leader: Jeff Smith, , (630) 719-1604. | |
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.