Wednesday May 14   7: 00  AM 
Daniel Wright Woods, Lincolnshire

Who’s migrating today? Come for an early-morning hunt for the latest arrivals. From Waukegan Rd., turn west on Everett Rd. in Lake Forest, drive to the end (St. Mary’s Rd), and turn left (south) into the parking lot. 

Leader: Rena Cohen 847-831-0331

Saturday May 17   7:30  AM
Skokie Lagoons, Northfield

Migrating songbirds love this oasis in the middle of the northern suburbs, showing off their colorful breeding plumage to prospective mates and appreciative birders. Meet at the Willow Rd. entrance just east of the Edens Expressway. 

Leader: Joel Shoolin 847-835-3591 

Saturday May 24   7:30 AM
Illinois Beach State Park
South Unit/Nature Center, Zion

This is a wonderful spot to look for late migrants and early nesters, and we have a Lake County Forest Preserve environmental educator to guide us. Take I-41 north toward Wisconsin, turn east on Wadsworth Rd., and drive 2 miles past Sheridan Rd. into the park. Follow the signs to the Nature Center and turn right into the parking lot. 

Leader: Mark Hurley 847-276-5375 

Sunday June 1   7:30 AM
McHenry Dam, McHenry

Prothonotary Warblers nest here, along with many other species. Get a jump on your summer birding! Second stop at adjacent Moraine Hills State Park if time permits. From I-294, exit Rt. 176 and go west about 10 miles to River Road. Turn north on River Rd., drive 2.5 miles to the McHenry Dam entrance, and meet at the south end of the parking lot. 

Leader: Cyndi Lubecke 847-255-3772 

Sunday June 8   7:30AM
Rollins Savanna, Grayslake


Yellow-Headed Blackbirds, Sedge Wrens, Bobolinks, oh my! One of Lake County’s best spots for grassland and marsh birds. From the northern suburbs, take I-94 north toward Wisconsin, merge onto I-120/Belvidere Rd., turn right (north) on Rt. 45, then left (west) on Washington St. Entrance is on the right at the traffic light.

Leader: Donnie Dann 847-266-2222

Saturday September 8  @ 7:30AM
Montrose Harbor/"Magic Hedge" Chicago

Migrating warblers, sparrows, shorebirds and more stop at the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary on their way south; come see the ‘magic’ in the Hedge and on the lakefront. From Lake Shore Drive take Montrose Ave. east, turn right (east) at the Bait Shop (Montrose Harbor Drive), and park along the bend in the road.

Leader: Nolan Lameka 847-749-0610 

Map of Montrose and Simonds, Chicago, IL

Sunday September 23  @ 8AM
Ryerson Woods, Lincolnshire

This perennial Lake County favorite along the Des Plaines River is a good spot to hunt for fall migrants and residents. From Deerfield Rd., turn north on Riverwoods Rd., and drive to the Ryerson entrance on the left. Turn left on the first access road and meet in the south parking lot by the Ryerson home. 

Leader: Dan and Irene Weinman 847-967-9385
 

Saturday October 20    7:30 AM
Middlefork Savanna, Lake Forest

Take a walk with this preserve’s steward to look for migrating waterfowl, late shorebirds and more. From Rt. 60, take Rt. 43 north to the traffic light at Westmoreland Dr. and turn left onto Middlefork Dr. Go to the end and turn left into the parking lot where the street turns right onto Jensen Dr.

Leader: Denis Bohm 847-235-2738 

Sunday November 4     7:30  AM
Ducks on Lake Michigan, Wilmette

We’ll start at Gillson Park in Wilmette and then go north to Park Avenue Beach in Glencoe, Rosewood and Fort Sheridan in Highland Park, and beyond. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. Gillson is located on Sheridan Rd. just south of Lake Ave. and north of the Bahai Temple. Enter the park at the south end and meet in the south beach parking lot. 

Leader: Jeff Sanders 847-657-6431

Saturday, February 9
IOS Gull Frolic, Winthrop Harbor

Hundreds of gulls and ducks “attend” the Illinois Ornithological Society’s annual Gull Frolic, and you can warm up inside between viewings. 8AM-early afternoon. Small registration fee includes food. Take the I-94 toll road north toward Milwaukee, exit at Route 173, turn right (east) and go to Sheridan Rd. (Rt. 137). Turn left on Sheridan, then right on 7th Street and follow the North Point Marina signs to the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club.  See www.illinoisbirds.org for more information.

Saturday  March 29   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. 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 19   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 Highwood on Lake Michigan. 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

Thursday May 1   7:00 AM
Ryerson Woods, Lincolnshire

The spring migration is on! Start your day with a hunt for early migrants. From Deerfield Rd., turn north on Riverwoods Rd., and drive to the Ryerson entrance on the left. Turn left on the first access road and meet in the south parking lot by the Ryerson home. 

Leader: Rena Cohen 847-831-0331

Sunday May 4    7:30 and 8:00 AM
Bird Banding at Shaw Woods, Skokie River Nature Preserve, Lake Forest

Get bird-in-the-hand looks at migrants being banded in a Lake Forest College project under the direction of Lake Forest College Professor Caleb Gordon , then walk the woods. Enjoy the melodic call of the Wood Thrush and many others.

If it rains, program will be rescheduled. Call 847-735-6051  that morning to check status.

Can't make the walk or rained out?Bird banding is conducted EVERY day in May, weather permitting.  Show up to observe or to help with the bird banding process. Volunteers are needed and welcome. NO experience required for many tasks.

Read Professor Gordon's open invitation to participate in this research.

Directions:
From Deerpath Rd., turn north on Green Bay Rd., then left (west) on Laurel to its end at Hawkweed Lane. Parking is limited and permitted in designated spots only. Do not park on Hawkweed Lane. Carpool if possible.  Or ride your bike.

Time: We are offering a staggered start for the field trip to provide smaller groups in the bird banding area. If you are not at the entrance at 7:30 AM, we will hold the next group to walk in at 8 AM. Your understanding is appreciated.

Leader: Coral Ackerman 847-433-4367

Wednesday May 7 through Saturday May 10
Magee Marsh/Lake Erie, Ohio


One of the best spots in the Midwest for spring warblers and other migrants, who stop here before crossing Lake Erie on their way north. Arrive in Port Clinton, Ohio, Wednesday night, start birding Thursday morning, leave by noon on Saturday.

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Port Clinton (Ohio) Holiday Inn Express(419-732-7322).  The price is $81 for Wednesday and Thursday nights and $109 for Friday night, which includes an excellent express breakfast.  Be sure to mention that you are with the Lake-Cook Audubon group to get this discounted rate.  All rooms are non-smoking with two double beds.  The rooms will be released on April 7, so reserve now to hold your spot!  Room reservations may be cancelled  up to 24 hours before.

Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area is about 20 miles east of Toledo on Lake Erie.  

Leaders: Sonny and Rena Cohen 847-831-0331