- Unless otherwise noted, there is no charge for participation. Some trips have participation limits with prior registration required and are identified as such. At times, members may receive priority due to participation limitations. But you do not have to be a member of Illinois Audubon Society or the Lake Cook Chapter to participate in most of our events. Good deal, huh? If you like our field trip programming, here are ways to support our organization.
- Young people who can participate without supervision are welcome. For field trips and programs geared for budding young birders and naturalists we recommend investigating the Illinois Young Birders
- Learn about membership in the Lake Cook Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society here.
- If you wish to be notified about upcoming field trips and programs please register to receive email updates. Field trip details listed on this website are subject to change.
- Please! Leave your pets at home.
In the calendar below, please click the “+” to expand the view. Once expanded, click “Read More” for more event detail and map.
Flash trip! Third Lake and Rollins Savanna were bursting with waterfowl last week, including all three swan species, more than 10 duck species with large quantities of many of them, a Northern Shrike and a nice assortment of landbirds. Hoping for a repeat!
Dress warm and bring scopes if you have them. Optional coffee and breakfast afterward.
Directions: Park at the Linden Avenue bus circle just east of the Washington Avenue entrance to Rollins Savanna. Third Lake is at the end of this road.
Leader: Beau Schaefer 847-337-3602
Email renabird3@gmail.com to register.
Please join us in the beautifully crisp fall weather for an easy restoration activity at Carruthers Nature Preserve in Lake Forest. We are continuing our collaboration with Lake Forest Open Lands Association, transitioning this property into a bird-friendly habitat along the north-south greenway of a branch of the Chicago River. Today we will distribute the native plant seeds that we collected on last month’s workday so they settle in for spring growth.
Please wear sturdy footwear and consider bug repellent as we will walk a small distance off the trail/boardwalks. The ground is dry at present. Snacks and hot drinks will be provided.
Directions: If you are heading north of Route 41, turn left (west) on Westleigh Rd and drive 1/2 mile to Wallace Rd. Turn right and park on the street. If you are on Waukegan Rd (Route 43), turn east onto Westleigh Rd, pass the West Skokie River entrance, turn left (north) and park along Wallace. The sign for Carruthers is on the corner. https://maps.app.goo.gl/RGFAG74a9zKFtm3C6?g_st=i&utm_campaign=ac-im
Registration: Please email Maureen Marsh at firefeats@hotmail.com to let her know you will participate.
Join us at the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club and surrounding area to look for migrating waterfowl, interesting gulls and possible winter landbird arrivals like Snow Buntings. We’ll check the slips and open water on the south side of the harbor, the waterfront and grassy areas by the Yacht Club, and adjacent State Line Beach – then head to the nearby donut emporium for coffee and arguably the best donuts in Lake County.
Bring binoculars and spotting scopes if you have them – and dress warmly.
Note: There is no access to the Yacht Club so plan your bathroom stop before arriving.
Directions: From Sheridan Road, turn east on 7th Street. Drive to the end of the road, then turn left and follow the service drive to the Yacht Club sign. Turn right at the stop sign and park in the lot near the Yacht Club.
Leader: Pieter Bonin (540) 454-9394
Please register here so that we can get a head count and contact you in the event of a date change due to weather conditions.
Southern California: Sea, Mountains & Desert
Led by Red Hill Birding’s Steve Huggins, this trip will begin in Los Angeles, end in San Diego and take us out of the cold Chicago winter to varied (and much warmer!) habitats including the Pacific Ocean Coast, high mountains, vast deserts and bird-rich wetlands. We’ll see many of the common and widespread specialties of California like California Scrub-Jay, California Condor, LeConte’s Thrasher and Mountain Quail; endangered species like California Gnatcatcher; endemic species like Yellow-billed Magpie and Island Scrub-Jay; uncommon species like Lawrence’s Goldfinch; coastal Pacific specialties like Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Bran’s and Pelagic Cormorants, and Pacific Loon; and much more. We’ll also look for pelagic species on our boat ride to Santa Cruz Island. Maximum 7 participants.
Priority to Lake/Cook Chapter members.
Email renabird3@gmail.com if you are interested in a complete itinerary and cost.
North Carolina: Six Days from Raleigh to the Outer Banks
Led by Ron Martin, the leader on our 2023 North Dakota trip who has since relocated to North Carolina, this trip will take us from Raleigh to Hatteras for a pelagic trip to the Outer Banks. Target species range from landbirds like Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Swainson’s Warbler, Brown-headed Nuthatch and Bachman’s Sparrow to coastal specialties such as Sandwich and Gull-billed Terns as well as multiple pelagic shearwater and storm-petrel species. We will also include stops of historic significance at The Wright Brothers Memorial and the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Maximum 14 participants.
Priority to Lake/Cook Chapter members.
Email renabird3@gmail.com if you are interested in a complete itinerary and cost.
Keep checking back for updates to our field trip schedule.