Fall 2010 - Summer 2011 Birding Field Trips
Following is our Fall 2010 - Summer 2011schedule of field trips. You may also want to explore our monthly programs, many of which complement our field trip schedule.
Unless otherwise noted, there is no charge for participation. Some trips have participation limits and are identified as
such. You do not have to be a member of Illinois Audubon Society or the
Lake Cook Chapter to participate in our events. Good deal, huh?
If you wish to be notified about upcoming field trips and programs please register to receive email updates.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Half Day Preserve, Lincolnshire at 7:30 AM
Kick off the fall birding season at Half Day's woods, prairie and Des Plaines River habitats.
Directions:
From north suburbs, take Rt. 22 (Half Day Road) west to Rt. 21 (Milwaukee Ave.) and turn north to the light at Woodlands Parkway. Meet in parking lot A.
Leader: Jeff Sanders 847-657-6431
Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Ryerson Woods, Riverwoods
 "Confusing" fall warblers and other migrants await – many in the parking lot!
Don't miss our August program on "confusing fall warblers."
Directions:
From Deerfield Rd., turn north on Riverwoods Rd., and turn into the Ryerson entrance on the left. Turn left on first access road and meet in the Brushwood parking lot by Ryerson home.
Leader: Adam Sell 847-910-7813
Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 8:00 AM
SPECIAL FIELD TRIP AND PROGRAM
The Grove
Glenview, Illinois
Search for fall migrants from 8 - 10 AM, then optionally stay for a special program and exhibit on explorerer /naturalist Robert Kennicott who lived on the property.
Note: Registration is required for the program due to space limits. No registration is required for the bird walk.
Directions:
East side of Milwaukee Avenue, just south of Lake Street. Meet in west parking lot by Redfield Estate.
Leader: Rena Cohen 847-831-0331
Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 7:00 AM 
Rollins Savanna, Grayslake
Our first fall walk here! Expect migrating sparrows, waterfowl and possibly shorebirds.
Learn more about birding Rollins Savanna here.
Directions:
From north suburbs, take I-94 north, merge onto I-120/Belvidere Rd., turn right (north) on Rt. 45, then left (west) on Washington. Entrance on Atkinson Rd. on right at traffic light.
Leader: Beau Schaefer 847-265-9067
Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Winthrop Harbor to Illinois Beach State Park North Unit
Winthrop Harbor, Illinois
NEW! We’ll walk south from Winthrop  Harbor toward Illinois Beach State Park North Unit to search the trail for migrating sparrows and more. Optional stop at Hawk Watch afterward.
Directions:
From I-94, exit at Route 173, turn right (east) and go to Sheridan Rd. (Route 137). Turn left on Sheridan, then right on 7th Street. Park in the lot south of the main harbor building at the end of 7th.
Leader: Donnie Dann 847-266-2222
Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Middlefork Savanna
Lake Forest, Illinois
 Our annual search for migrating waterfowl, late land migrants and more at this mix of Oak savanna, woodlands, prairie, meadows and marshes.
Directions:
From Rt. 60, take Rt. 43 north to the traffic light at Westmoreland Dr./Middlefork Dr. Turn left to the end of Middlefork and turn left into the parking lot.
Leader: Denis Bohm 847-235-2738
 Sunday November 7, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Ducks on Lake Michigan,
Evanston
This
car tour along the lakefront through Chicago's North Shore reveals
arriving winter ducks and other waterfowl. Some land species will be
seen as well. We will follow the Lake Michigan lakefront starting at
Northwestern University in Evanston and heading north to Gillson Park,
Park Avenue Beach, Rosewood, Fort Sheridan and beyond as time permits
and interest remains. Bring spotting scopes and dress for wind coming
off the lake. Join or leave when you want. To locate the tour enroute,
call 847 971 1101.
Directions:
From
Sheridan Road in Evanston, go east on Lincoln St., turn south past the
Fitness Center, turn east (left) and drive almost to the end.
(Map)
Leader: Jeff Sanders 847-657-6431
Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 10 AM
Behind the Scenes Butterfly Tour
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N. Cannon Drive (Map & Directions)
Chicago, Illinois
Get close to 50+ species of exotic butterflies in the museum's Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, PLUS tour the Butterfly Conservation Lab and learn about the rearing and reintroduction of several rare and endangered species of native Lepidoptera from Vincent Olivares, Director of Anthropod Conservation.
Note: All museum and parking fees apply. Registration is required due to space limitations.
Contact: Kate Weber 847-212-7763
 Saturday, February TBD
From 8 AM to early PM
IOS Gull Frolic
Winthrop Harbor, Illinois
Hundreds of gulls and ducks “attend” the Illinois Ornithological Society’s (IOS) annual Gull Frolic, and you can warm up inside between viewings.
The $10 registration fee will include:
 Breakfast with muffins, doughnuts, fruit, coffee and tea.
Lunch with the world famous Sea Gull Stew, Vegetarian Lasagna, pizza, a drink, salad, and a nice cookie for dessert.
Free coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be available all day.
Additionally the fee helps defray facility expenses with any surplus
going to the IOS Grant Program to benefit Illinois birds and birding.
Visit our Gull Frolic page for more information and complete directions.
Saturday - Sunday, March 19 - 20 , 2011
Waterfowl Overnighter:/Hennepin/Hopper Lakes & Other Points South
Journey south with us to look for migrating waterfowl, including possible Snow and Greater White-fronted Geese, with Saturday stops tentatively including Starved Rock and Sunday birding at the Wetland Initiative’s Hennepin-Hopper Lakes approximately 2-1/2 hours from home.
Registration required
Contact: Rena Cohen 847-831-0331
 Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Loons of Lake County
Our annual search for migrating loons and other waterfowl will begin at the Gale Street Inn parking lot and proceed to other lakes in the area. Bring a spotting scope if you have one.
Directions:
From Rt. 22, take Rt. 83 north to Diamond Lake Rd., turn right, and drive ½ mile to the parking lot on the right.
Leader: Fred and Cheri Thompson 847-681-1356
 Saturday April 23, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Beginners Birding
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, Fort Sheridan
Bring your binoculars for a
Birding 101 lesson and walk at this site
just north of downtown Highwood on Lake Michigan. Experienced birders will help find and identify birds with you.
This is a moderate walk along
some asphalt and bark trails. Mostly wheelchair accessible. It is a moderate
grade down path to lake. While children are welcome, this walk is best enjoyed by those who are
old enough to use binoculars.
Please bring binoculars. None will be provided.
Directions:
Take Sheridan Rd. north of
Highwood to Old Elm Rd/Simonds Way, enter on Simonds Way, turn left on
Leonard Wood Drive North, then left on Gilgare Lane to parking area.
Leader: Sonny and Rena Cohen 847-831-0331
Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Deer Grove Forest Preserve
Palatine, Illinois
NEW Join us to search for early migrants at this recently restored Cook County forest preserve. Preserve is located on Dundee Rd. between Quentin and Hicks. Take Dundee to the entrance that is east of Smith St. and west of Hicks Rd. Turn north into the preserve and meet at the first parking lot, just inside the entrance at the bike trail.
Leader: Cyndi Lubecke 847-255-3772.
Wednesday May 4, 2011 at 6:00 AM
NOTE EARLY START TIME
Ryerson Woods
Riverwoods, Illinois
On a good day, the trees are alive with early migrants at 6 am.
Directions:
From Deerfield Rd., turn north on Riverwoods Rd., and drive to the
Ryerson entrance on the left (west). Turn left (south) on first access road (yes, onto the forest road) and meet
in Brushwood parking lot by the old Ryerson home.
Please drive slow on access roads being alert for deer.
Leader: Nan Buckardt 847-968-3330
Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 7:00 AM
The Grove
Glenview, Illinois
A favorite spring stop with both land and water habitat yielding a surprise Yellow-crowned Night Heron a few years ago along with many warbler species. See warblers and other migrants up close and personal.
Directions:
East side of Milwaukee Ave., just south of Lake St. Meet in west parking lot by Redfield Estate.
Leaders: Dan and Irene Weinman 847-967-9385
Friday - Sunday May 13- 15, 2011
Illinois Audubon Society Spring Gathering
McHenry County Audubon
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Explore McHenry County at the height of migration in the Illinois Audubon Society (IAS) Spring Gathering. Members and non-members alike are invited to this birding weekend. Detailed information will be posted on the IAS website.
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 7 AM
Skokie Lagoons
Erickson Woods
Northfield, Illinois
A perennial favorite for warbler viewing. We will navigate the areas on the west side of the Skokie Lagoons. The varied habitat ranges from wooded to scrub brush to open field.
Directions:
Meet at the Willow Rd. entrance just east of the Edens Expressway (the sign says Erickson Woods). From the north you should take Edens X-way south exiting at Tower Road. Turn left (south) on the Frontage road to Willow Road. Turn left (east) on Willow over the Edens to Erickson Woods entrance.
Leader: Rena Cohen 847-831-0331
Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 7:00 AM
McDonald Woods
Lake Villa, Illinois
NEW! Ten minutes north of Rollins Savanna, this Lake County Forest Preserve can be teeming with warblers.
Directions:
Grass Lake Road just west of Route 45 and east of Route 83.
Leader: Adam Sell 847-835-3591
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 7:00 AM
Shaw Woods, Lake Forest
Start your day with a (bird)song at this gem of a preserve
Directions:
From Deerpath Rd, turn north on Green
Bay Rd., then left (west) on Laurel to its end at Hawkweed Lane.
LIMITED PARKING. Carpool if possible.
Leader: Coral Ackerman 847-433-4367
Sunday May 29, 2011 at 6:00 PM
NEW EVENING FIELD TRIP!
Picnic/Evening Birding
Spring Bluff and Stateline Beach
Winthrop Harbor, Illinois
BYO picnic dinner, then look for bitterns, rails and other marsh and land birds PLUS Whip-poor-wills as night falls.
Directions:
From I-94, exit at Route 173, turn right (east) and go to Sheridan Rd.
(Route 137). Turn left on Sheridan, then right on 7th Street. Park in
the lot south of the main harbor building at the end of 7th.
Leader: Tom Lally 773-844-3766
Saturday June 4, 2011 7:00 AM
Rollins Savanna Grayslake
Expect a Bobolink bonanza and more at Lake County’s best spot for grassland and marsh birds.
Directions:
From north suburbs, take I-94 north, merge onto I-120/Belvidere Rd., turn right (north) on Rt. 45, then left (west) on Washington. Entrance on Atkinson Rd. on right at traffic light.
Leaders: Donnie Dann 847-266-2222 and Beau Schaefer 847-265-9067
Friday - Sunday, June 10 - 12, 2011
St. Louis Special Weekend Field Trip
Join Jane Fitzgerald of the American Bird Conservancy on a private tour of her home-state habitats, including nesting Cerulean, Worm-eating and Prairie Warblers. Details to come. Registration required
Contact: Rena Cohen 847-831-0331
Completed Fall 2010 Spring 2011 Birding Field Trips
Following are the bird walk field trips we held during the 2010 - 2011 program year.
Sunday, July 25 7:30 AM
Bonus Birdwalk at Fort Sheridan
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
Highwood, Illinois
Luckily for us, the prairie at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Highwood has just opened for public access. Since this property may soon be turned into a golf course, we decided to have a bonus birdwalk at 7:30 am next Sunday, July 25. Join us for a rare, and perhaps last, chance to walk this magnificent site on Lake Michigan.
In recent days, we have spotted Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, Savannah and Song Sparrows, and Rough-winged Swallows hanging out on the prairie; Orchard Orioles and Eastern Kingbirds on the adjacent savannah loop; and Great Blue Herons, Caspian Terns and Red-tailed Hawks overhead. There should be Red-headed Woodpeckers and many resident species nearby as well.
Meet at the parking lot and bring binoculars, water and sun protection. There are mowed trails but ground is uneven in spots.
Directions:
The entrance to Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve is located on
Sheridan Road at Old Elm Road and Simonds Way near Highland Park. Enter
on Simonds Way, left on Leonard Wood Drive North, left on Gilgare Lane
to parking area. View on Google Maps.
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