- 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.
Join us as we travel just a few hours north to Horicon Marsh and then to Lake Michigan lakefront hotspots including Manitowoc Impoundment, Sheboygan North Park and Indian Mound, Lion’s Den and Coal Harbor Park. Fall migration will still be at peak volume with opportunities for 15 – 20 species of ducks and both Trumpeter and Tundra Swans. We will also search for snipe, yellowlegs and other shorebirds, grebes, cranes, herons, and some late sparrows. Rarities like Whooping Crane and American Bittern and other recent eBird/Discord sightings can be worked into a flexible schedule.
Exclusive for Lake/Cook members. Register early – limited space and only 10 hotel rooms available. Email chardoug@sbcglobal.net for details.
Leaders: Charlotte Pavelka and Doug Reitz (847) 347-8416
Rescheduled from our rained-out October trip! Note the early start time (we know it’s fall LOL) – we want to be there before the waterfowl leave for the day.
With 1,216 uninterrupted acres, Rollins Savanna is one of Lake County’s largest forest preserves. The habitat ranges from prairie and wetland to an oak grove that plays host to migrating passerines. Fall birding here can include Trumpeter Swans, migrating waterfowl and occasional shorebirds in the largest wetland as well as nearly every fall sparrow that passes through the Chicago area, along with raptors and the occasional Rusty Blackbird or Short-eared Owl.
Bring a spotting scope to scan the large wetland if you have one.
Directions: Meet at the Drury Lane parking lot on the north side of the preserve. From I-94, exit Grand Ave. west to Rollins Rd., then turn left (west) on Rollins and south on Drury Lane Drive .3 mile to the parking lot on left.
Leader: Beau Schaefer 847-337-3602
Please register for the Rollins Savanna trip here so that we can get a head count and contact you in the event of a date change due to weather conditions.
A former golf course connected to the now-shuttered Highland Park Country Club, this preserve opened to the public in June 2022 and is rapidly becoming a popular north suburban birding destination. Mature trees, pond and wetland overlooks, a trail along the North Branch Chicago River watershed, and the adjacent Skokie River Woods property with a Great Blue Heron rookery provide a variety of bird-friendly habitats with easy walking.
Directions: The preserve is accessed from the parking lot of the Park Fitness (formerly called the Recreation Center of Highland Park) at 1207 Park Avenue West, just east of Route 41. Meet in front of the Recreation Center building.
Leader: Josh Engel (224) 213-2280
Please register for The Preserve of Highland Park trip here so that we can get a head count and contact you in the event of a date change due to weather conditions.
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.