This field trip to our closest state park is a great migratory stopover for southbound migrants. Plus, as a bonus, we will look for wetland species.
Limit 20. Member Priority. Register (required) at renabird3@gmail.com
Directions:
From I-94 tollway, exit IL-173/Rosecrans Rd, turn left on Rosecrans, drive 13 mi, turn left on Wilmot Rd.. then left into park. Follow signs to Park Office/Goldfinch Trail lot.
Everyone’s favorite migrant hotspot! Join us to search for late warblers, early sparrows and shorebirds from the Magic Hedge to the beach.
Directions:
From Lake Shore Dr. take the Montrose Ave. exit east, turn right at the Bait Shop at Montrose Harbor Dr., and park along the bend in the road.
Travel to Sand Bluff Bird Observatory near Rockford to see bird banding, with optional birding nearby afterward.
Located within Colored Sands Forest Preserve in Northwest Winnebago County, Illinois, Sand Bluff Bird Observatory is one of the largest small-bird banding operations in the country that is open to the public. Originally purchased in 1964 as a working farm, it has been converted back into prairie over many years.
Co-sponsored with Heller Nature Center, Park District of Highland Park.
Local magnet for migrating songbirds and more.
Directions:
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.
Multiple sparrow species, possible Pine Siskins and other fall migration goodies. We’ll also be looking for late songbirds, early waterfowl, migrating raptors and whatever else we can find in this diverse habitat of savanna, wetlands, woodlands and prairie.
Directions:
From Rt. 60, take Rt. 43 north to Westmoreland Dr./Middlefork Dr. Turn left to the parking lot
Late fall migrants and early waterfowl.
Directions
Meet at McDonald Woods on Grass Lake Road just west of Rt. 45 and east of Rt. 83.
Here ducky ducky! Multi-stop driving trip begins at Diamond Lake in Mundelein. This is mostly a driving trip visiting various inland lakes in Lake County. Specific itinerary will be distributed at starting point based on prior day’s scouting observations. Binoculars mandatory. Bring a scope if you have one.
Directions:
From Rt. 22, take Rt. 83 north to Diamond Lake Rd., turn right, drive ½ mile to Gale Street Inn parking lot on right.
SPECIAL OFF-SITE PROGRAM – MEMBER PRIORITY. 30 PERSON MAXIMUM
From stranded sea lions to endangered African penguins threatened by oil spills and marine animals endangered by single-use plastic, the Shedd Aquarium’s Response Team rescues and rehabilitates animals in danger. Tim Binder, the aquarium’s EVP of Animals, will discuss the team’s work. Limit 30. Member priority.
Register (required) at renabird3@gmail.com.
17th annual Illinois Ornithological Society event.
Pre-registration required. Watch the Lake Cook Audubon email or visit www.illinoisbirds.org for details. Attendance is limited to first 150 registrants. Members of Illinois Ornithological Society get advance opportunity to register.
Duck migration spectacle at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area in Linton, IN.
Locally known as the Goose Pond and Bee Hunter Marsh, this 8,034-acre State Fish and Wildlife Area is located along SR 59 just south of Linton. Since 2005, it has grown to become one of the largest and most successful wetland restoration projects in the United States. This huge expanse of wetlands includes over 30 miles of earthen dikes, 1,400 acres of prairie, and nearly 4,000 acres of shallow water. Today, the area is becoming a significant destination for Midwestern birders and hunters; and home to many migrating bird species, attested by the impressive Sandhill Crane fly-in each spring, as well as many endangered species such as the Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Short-Eared Owl, Wilson’s Phalarope, King Rail, Sedge Wren, Henslow’s Sparrow, Whooping Crane, and American and Least Bitterns.
Registration is Required: renabird3@gmail.com
Our annual search for migrating loons and other waterfowl will begin at Diamond Lake in Mundelein and proceed to other lakes in the area. This is mostly a car driving field trip and not much walking for the entire morning. 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 Gale Street Inn parking lot on the right.
Afternoon birding for waterfowl on Lake Glenview, dinner at Whole Foods, and American Woodcock watching at Air Station Prairie at dusk. Dress for ticks which are possible along the paths at Air Station Prairie.
For dinner we will gather at Whole Foods located near the corner of Willow and Waukegan Roads in the Willow Festival shopping center on the north side of Willow Road. Whole Foods has an extensive hot and cold prepared foods selection, a comfortable area to eat with seating for about 70 people and rest rooms.
Directions:
Meet at Glenview Park District Park Center. Turn East from Patriot Blvd. Travel to the southeast corner of the development. You will see Lake Glenview and parking lot adjacent.
All-day trip for early passerines and lingering waterfowl. Register (required) renabird3@gmail.com
Contact Joel Greenberg for Lake County assignments(630-725-6660) or Alan Anderson for Cook County assignments (casresearch@comcast.net or 847-390-7437).
Early spring migrants.
Directions:
LaBagh is on the corner of Cicero and Foster Ave., park in Irene Hernandez Picnic Grove lot on Foster, just east of Cicero.
‘Warbler Alley’ should be hopping with migrants.
Two separate field trips begin at 6:45AM and 7:15AM. You must register for the trip of your choice. Limit 18 per time slot. To register (required): email renabird3@gmail.com
Directions:
From Deerfield Rd., turn north on Riverwoods Rd., and turn into the Ryerson entrance on the left. Follow signs to Welcome Center parking lot.
Warblers before work!
Directions
North Pond is behind the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr. Street parking on Cannon or Stockton. Meet at casting pier in southeast corner of the pond.
Spring migration is in full swing – warblers and more await!
Directions:
From Lake Shore Dr. take the Montrose Ave. exit. Continue east toward the lake. Turn right at the Bait Shop (Montrose Harbor Dr.) and park on the street along the bend in the road. We will meet at the entrance to the sanctuary.
NEW TRIP at a newer county forest preserve
Directions:
From US-41 N, exit west on IL-173, drive 1.5 miles to Hunt Club Rd., turn north. Preserve is on east side.
NEW!
New trip along newly restored preserve on the Des Plaines River Trail.
Directions
Entrance is on the south side of Dundee between Milwaukee Ave. and Portwine Rd. Drive to far south end of long parking lot.
Details at IllinoisAudubon.org as they are available.
Who’s migrating today? The Grove is a favorite spring stop with both land and water habitat. See warblers and other migrants up close and personal.
Directions:
East side of Milwaukee Ave., south of Lake St. Follow the road into the preserve. Meet in the east parking lot by the Redfield Estate (this is the second parking lot).
Expect a Bobolink bonanza and more at Lake County’s best spot for grassland and marsh birds.
Directions:
From I-94, exit Grand Ave. west to Rollins Rd., then left (west) on Rollins and south on Drury Lane .3 mile to parking lot on left.
Southwest Michigan Sojourn
Multi-day 2-night trip to southwest Michigan.
Cerulean, Yellow-throated, Hooded & Prothonatary Warblers & more. Details forthcoming.
Registation is required. Participation limits. Illinois Audubon Society members have priority.
Register at renabird3@gmail.com
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is the place for grassland birds and specialties like Blue Grosbeak, Bell’s Vireo and Loggerhead Shrike.
Watch email for specific date. (Date noted on calendar is NOT the date of this event!)
Meet at Midewin Welcome Center
Leader: John Baxter 815-644-2984