No. We’re not having a field trip on New Year’s Day. Although maybe….

January birding can yield great winter specialties such as Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs, Horned Larks and Rough-legged Hawks. But the seasonal weather determines everything. We will communicate this Flash birding event, if it happens, via our Lake Cook Audubon email list. To insure you are on this notification list, subscribe here.

Our annual search for migrating loons and other waterfowl will be a multi-stop tour that begins at Diamond Lake in Mundelein and proceeds to other lakes in the area based on scouting reports.

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 to Diamond Lake:
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. If you only want to join us for Woodcock viewing, arrive at Air Station Prairie at 7PM. 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 onto Chestnut from Patriot Blvd. Travel to the southeast corner of the development. You will see Lake Glenview and parking lot adjacent.

NEW!

Orland Grassland is the sister preserve to Orland Grassland South, where Lake Cook chapter has birded in late April for the last several years. We will be looking for early migrants with possibilities including Henslow’s Sparrow and Smith’s Longspur.

Directions:

Take I-55 to Exit 279A, Route 45-LaGrange Rd. south; turn west on 167^h St., Then left/south into grassland parking lot.

First wave of passerine arrivals gets us in the swing of spring migration. This is the first of two spring field trips to Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, everyone’s favorite Chicago birding hotspot.

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.

Early Spring arrivals may include warblers, vireos, Black-crowned Night Heron and a possible King Rail.

Directions:

Take Willow Rd./Palatine Rd. west, turn north into preserve (Stover Rd.) one mile west of Barrington Rd. Meet at the Nature Center building parking lot.

Leader: Maureen Marsh (352) 317-5130

Warblers and vireos, oh my! One of the jewels of Chicago birding. Early spring migrants.

Directions:

Enter LaBagh on Cicero north of Foster. We will meet in Picnic Grove #3.

(Do NOT go to the Irene Hernandez Picnic Grove lot on Foster)

NEW!

Bird on Des Plaines River in Libertyville.

Local magnet for migrating songbirds and more. One of Lake County’s best migratory warbler locations.

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.

Leader: Maureen Marsh (352) 317-5130

Spring migration is at its peak. Last year’s early May walk here was highlighted by a Cerulean Warbler at eye level as well as many other migrants.

Directions:

From Deerfield Rd., turn north on Riverwoods Rd., drive to Ryerson entrance on left and turn left at first driveway to Brushwood Center.

Leader: Rena Cohen (847) 971-1107

An underbirded migrant hotspot with good possibilities for many warblers, vireos, flycatchers and other passerines.

Directions:

Preserve is located on north side of Rte. 173 just east of Hwy. 41. Turn into the preserve, take the first road on the right to the parking lot.

More migrant fun.

Directions:

Chicago Botanic Garden entrance is on Lake/Cook Road between Green Bay Rd. and the Edens Expressway/US 41. Meet at Visitors Center.

Arrive early or carpool with Garden members to ensure free parking. There is a steep parking fee for non-members but kiosk is not generally staffed before 7AM.

Woodland trail loops around through multiple habitats that can be filled with songbirds, savanna birds and water birds. Last year’s walk here included Hood Warbler and a Brewster’s Warbler, which is a hybrid Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warbler.

Directions:

Preserve is on Wadsworth Rd., just east of US 41. Park at Canoe Launch entrance.

Spring migration is winding down, but late migrants like Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Mourning Warbler can be here at this time along with other spring beauties.

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.

Leader: Dave Antieau (312) 937-1974

NEW!

Great spot for lingering migrants and nesters, including tanagers, warblers, vireos, flycatchers and more.

Directions:

The entrance is on Blanchard Road, just west of Sheridan Road, north of Bowen Park and south of Yorkhouse Road.

Target birds include Prothonotary, Yellow-throated and Pine Warblers along a looped trail.

Directions:

From I-294, exit Rt. 176 and go west 17 miles to River Rd. Turn north, drive 2.5 miles to entrance on left, meet at south end of parking lot.