Fall 2008 - Spring 2009 Birding Field Trips
Hi. Our Fall/Spring field trip program has now ended. Resident birds in Northeast Illinois are on their nests and many young birds are beginning to fledge. We hope you get out and continue to enjoy your birding experiences this summer.
Your Lake Cook Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society (IAS) will be busy putting together our 2009 -2010 field trips and programs. We also expect to do some major revisions to this website to improve navigation for additional content about local birding sites we plan to publish.
Lake Cook Audubon will be sponsoring the IAS Fall Gathering September 11 - 13. We encourage you to participate and will publish information about the event when our plans are finalized. Registration is required to participate in this event. But its cheap and you'll pay less if you are a member of the Illinois Audubon Society. So join now.
If you wish to be notified about future field trips, programs as well as the Fall Gathering, we encourage you to register to receive email updates.
Enjoy summer (updated June 27, 2009)
Fall 2008/Spring 2009 Past Program Events
Here is a list of programs that we have held during the 2008 - 2009 program year.
Saturday September 6 @ 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: Geoff Williamson
![[ Yahoo! Maps ]](http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/mp/gr/mplogo.gif)
Map of Montrose and Simonds, Chicago, IL
Saturday & Sunday, September 13, 14 All Day
Whoopers in Wisconsin
Horicon Marsh and Necedah, Wisconsin
Visit the Whooping Cranes on their migration training grounds at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (follow-up to Sept. 2 program) and get a behind-the-scenes refuge tour, with stops at Horicon Marsh and the International Crane Foundation. LIMIT 14 PEOPLE. Contact leaders to sign up.
Leaders: Sonny and Rena Cohen 847-831-0331
Sunday September 21 @ 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.
Saturday October 4 - 8:00 AM
Illinois Beach State Park, North Unit, Zion
First we’ll look for late migrants on land. Then we’ll stop at the Hawk Watch site for migrating raptors.
You are going to the
North Unit
of Illinois Beach State Park. This is considerably north of - and not connected to - the south unit!
Take I-94 (or Rte 41) to Rt. 173 exit and go east 8 miles to Sheridan Rd. Turn north to 17th Street, turn right (east), take the park road into the state park, turn right at the sign for the Sailing Beach. Park in the lot and walk to the shelter adjacent to the lot.
Leader: Donnie Dann 847-266-2222
Saturday October 18 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.
Sunday November 9 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 17 9:30 AM
Field Museum Bird Collection
Field Museum of Natural History
Chicago
Reservations required
The museum’s David Willard will take us behind the
scenes to see bird specimens from other countries, extinct species,
‘flesh-eating’ beetles used to prepare bird skeletons, and more. Meet
at museum’s south entrance, across from parking lot.
Read this article about Dave Willard that appeared 6/15/2009 in online Chicago Tribune
Bring scopes for optional birding in adjacent harbor afterward.
(Carpool if possible; $15 parking in lot, Museum admission is free)
Call 312 665-7731 if you arrive after 9:30.
Organizer: Bonnie Duman 847-542-4468 or email her. Due to capacity limitations, prior RSVP to Bonnie is required for participation.
Saturday, February 21 - From 8 AM to 3:30 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.
A display of Herring Gull Complex specimens will be available to
examine up close and personal, thanks to Doug Stotz of The Field
Museum.
Additionally the fee helps defray facility expenses with any surplus
going to the IOS Grant Program to benefit Illinois birds and birding.
In 2008 IOS awarded five $500 grants.
Afternoon Program:
Thanks to the Chicago Ornithological Society, this year's speaker will
be British born, Texas based Martin Reid. His program will be "The Herring Gull Complex: Demystifying
the Sub-species". This year we will adjourn to the Illinois Beach State
Park Lodge for the program. It's a few minutes drive from the Yacht
Club and has more room for the program attendees. Martin's program will start at 4 p.m. at the Lodge.
Directions to the Lodge will be available at the Gull Frolic.
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 (Caution: Speed Trap!!!) and follow the North Point Marina signs to the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club. See www.illinoisbirds.org for more information.
Saturday March 28 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 18 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
Wednesday April 29 7:00 AM
Ryerson Woods
Lincolnshire, Illinois
Spring is here – so are the early migrants! We expect to see some of the early arriving warblers. Our walk will be led by Nan Buckardt who is the Environmental Education Manager for the Lake County Forest Preserve
From Deerfield Rd., turn north on Riverwoods Rd., and drive to the
Ryerson entrance on the left. Turn left on first access road (yes, onto the forest road) and meet
in Brushwood parking lot by the old Ryerson home.
Leader: Nan Buckardt 847-968-3330
Saturday May 2 7:30 AM
Montrose Harbor/Magic Hedge
Chicago
 The Hedge "A Migrant Magnet" is always a treat, especially in spring. From Lake Shore Dr.
take Montrose Ave. east, turn right (east) at the Bait Shop (Montrose
Harbor Dr.), and park along the bend in the road.
Leader: Nolan Lameka 847-749-0610
Thursday May 7 7:30 AM
Shaw Woods
Lake Forest
Start your day with a (bird)song! From Deerpath Rd, turn north on Green
Bay Rd., then left (west) on Laurel to its end at Hawkweed Lane.
LIMITED PARKING. Leader: Coral Ackerman 847-433-4367
Wednesday May 13 8:30 AM
The Grove, Glenview
See migrants up close and down low! East side of Milwaukee Ave.
just south of Lake Ave. meet in the parking lot. LIMIT 15 PEOPLE.
Contact leader to reserve your spot.
Leader: Lynne Carpenter 312-787-0093 lynne.crpntr@gmail.com
Sunday May 17 7: 00 AM
Daniel Wright Woods, Lincolnshire
Migration is peaking: big warbler day (we hope)! 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: Mike Trahan
Tuesday May 19 7:00 AM
Skokie Lagoons,
Northfield
Last year’s walk here yielded a Golden Winged Warbler and much more.
Meet at the Willow Rd. entrance just east of the Edens Expressway.
Leader: Rena Cohen
Saturday May 23 7:30 AM
Grant Woods North
A new spot to look for late migrants. Park in NORTH parking lot on the
south side of Grand Ave., just east of the intersection of Grand (IL
132) and IL 59. Meet at the trail head.
Leader: Ken Klick
Sunday May 31 7:30 AM
McHenry Dam, McHenry
Look for Prothonotary Warblers, Yellow Throated Vireos and other
nesting species. Bring snacks for long walk. From I-294, exit Rt. 176
and go west about 17 miles to River Road. Turn north on River Rd.,
drive 2.5 miles to McHenry Dam entrance, meet at south end of parking
lot.
Leaders: Cyndi Lubecke 847-255-3772 and Karen Lund
Saturday June 6 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 Atkinson Road on the right at the traffic light.
Leader: Donnie Dann 847-266-2222
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