It’s shorebird migration time, and the Techny Basin Conservation Area can have excellent shorebird habitat under the right conditions. We’ll begin at “Techny North” – located on the North branch of the Chicago River – which is among the best non-lake shorebird spots in the area. It also offers grassland habitat to the east, where species like Dickcissels nested two summers ago (thanks in part to initiatives by local birders to prevent mowing during the breeding season), and a view of the Willowhill Golf Course to the west that can yield raptors and other species.
After birding Techny North, time permitting, we’ll drive five minutes to the second Techny Basin area – just south of Willow Road – to look for other shorebirds and landbirds.
Join us for coffee/breakfast afterward.
Scopes are helpful to view the shorebirds – please bring scopes if you have them.
Directions: Drive west on Willow Road past Waukegan Road and turn right (north) at the light at Pinstripes, which is Founders Drive. Turn left at the Sheraton Chicago Northbrook and park in the farthest west lot overlooking the basin.
Leader: Kerry Swift 847-323-6878
Please register for the Techny North walk here so that we can get a head count and contact you in the event of a date change due to weather conditions.
Whether it’s a group of Sanderlings scurrying along the beach, Wilson’s Snipe lurking in a wet area of the dunes, or flocks of fall warblers staging at the inland park on the same property, the Waukegan Beach area is a favorite birding destination just after Labor Day with great habitat for migrating shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds. A surprise Whimbrel even showed up on a field trip one year.
Be prepared to walk on sand, and bring a spotting scope to scan the beach and lake if you have one.
Directions: Follow Route 120 EAST (Belvidere Rd.), drive to the lake, turn left on Market St/Pershing Rd. right on E Clayton, left on Sea Horse Drive, and bear right to beach parking lot.
Leader: Adam Sell (847) 910-7813
Please register for Waukegan Beach and Pines here so that we can get a head count and contact you in the event of a date change due to weather conditions.