Field Trips

The Evanston North Shore Bird Club sponsors more area field trips than any other birding or nature organization in the area. What's even better, is that most, if not all, are FREE! Car pooling is encouraged on all field trips. Always check the current Bird Calls for possible changes in dates, times, locations, leaders, etc. Contact the individual leader or the Field Trip Chairman if you need more details on specific trips, or looking for someone to carpool with -- numbers are listed in the membership directory pages.

Beginners are encouraged on all ENSBC trips. Most trips are half-day excursions but check individual trip descriptions for those trips that might be all day or even over a weekend. Reservations with the leader may be required. If you have an idea for a possible future trip, or would like to lead a future trip, please contact the Field Trip Chairman.

Most of the locations of field trips are on level, well drained ground, but a few take you to some muddy areas, or it may have recently rained and the trails may be waterlogged. A successful birding trip is a well planned trip; please bring along boots and rain gear as necessary, as well as snacks and water or something to drink to make every outing an enjoyable one. A final tip to good Chicagoland birding: the indispensable Chicago Tribune Map. This map features almost all the sites seen on ENSBC tours and is a must for novice birders and drivers alike.

It is strongly recommended that birders carpool on all ENSBC field trips; in addition, the leaders of the field trips strongly encourage the use of family radios or talkabouts tuned into channel 11/22 while traveling in car caravans and when separated in the field. This is also the national communication birding policy of the American Birding Association. Talkabouts are available at Best Buy, ABT, Circuit City, etc. The radio must have two channels.

September 12, 2010 - Sunday
Waukegan and Illinois Beach State Park Meet at 7:30 a.m. at McDonald’s at Rt. 132 and Sheridan Rd. in Waukegan to see a variety of land and lake migrants. Leaders: Ari Rice and Joel Greenberg.

September 25, 2010 - Saturday
Northwestern Lakefill and Sailing Beach This area has long been a stopover for migrants of all kinds headed south. Park on the lakeside of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Sue Robert, Ray Pershing, Libby Hill

October 2, 2010 - Saturday
Northwestern Lakefill and Sailing Beach This area has long been a stopover for migrants of all kinds headed south. Park on the lakeside of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Sue Robert and Wayne Svoboda.

October 23, 2010 - Saturday
The Grove, Glenview Expect later warblers and other passerines. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at The Grove: east side of Milwaukee Ave., just south of Lake Ave., in the second parking lot that leads to the Interpretive Center. Leader: Ari Rice.

November 21, 2010 - Sunday
Jeff Sanders’ Fall Specialty Trip! North Shore Lakefront 41st Annual Jeff Sanders’ Fall Specialty Trip! North Shore lakefront – Northwestern, Gillson Park, Maple Park, Tower Road Park, Park Ave., Rose Beach in Highland Park, and other areas as time permits. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Northwestern University beach. Go east on Lincoln St. from Sheridan Rd., turn south past the giant fitness center, then turn east (left) and go almost to the end. Bring scopes and dress for cold lake wind. Leader: Jeff Sanders.

March 19, 2011 - Saturday
2nd Annual Memorial Ralph Herbst Duck Trip, Palos region. Bird the lakes and ponds of the Palos region for a variety of spring waterfowl. Meet at 7:30 a.m. From I-55, exit south on to US Rte. 45/LaGrange Rd. Head straight south to the McGinnis Slough parking lot on the west side of LaGrange Rd. Leader: Jeff Sanders.

April 16, 2011 - Saturday
North Glenview A tour through the better birding areas that North Glenview has to offer by local birder, Sulli Gibson. We will most likely bird Techny Basin Conservation Area, Lake Glenview, and The Air Station Prairie for early migrants and lingering waterfowl. Techny Basin is located west of Waukegan Rd., south of Willow Rd., and east of Ravine Way in Glenview. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the gravel parking lot on Ravine Way. The trip will last approximately 3.5 hours but you are welcome to leave at any time. Leader: Sulli Gibson.

April 24, 2011 - Sunday
Jackson Park and Lakefront – Wooded Isle A perennial favorite among club members, this trip is excellent for early migrants. Meet at 7:30 a.m. Park south of the Museum of Science and Industry after driving on the east side of the building. Leader: Dick Young.

April 30, 2011 - Saturday
Perkins Woods Garlic Mustard Pull and Birding Help rid the woods of this aggressive non-native weed. Perform a good deed, be among friends, and enjoy birds and wildflowers. Come for an hour or a morning, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Perkins Woods is at Colfax and Ewing between Central St. and Golf Rd. in Evanston. Leader: Libby Hill.

April 30, 2011 - Saturday
Spring Saturday mornings at Northwestern Lakefill and Sailing Beach This area has long been a stopover for migrants of all kinds headed nouth. Park on the lakeside of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Sue Robert and Libby Hill

May 1, 2011 - Sunday
Perkins Woods Garlic Mustard Pull and Birding Help rid the woods of this aggressive non-native weed. Perform a good deed, be among friends, and enjoy birds and wildflowers. Come for an hour or a morning, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Perkins Woods is at Colfax and Ewing between Central St. and Golf Rd. in Evanston. Leader: Libby Hill.

May 6, 2011 - Friday
Fridays at Skokie Lagoons These Friday trips pack a great list of warbler species during spring migration. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Forest Preserve parking lot north of Willow Rd. just east of the Edens Expressway. Leader: Lynne Carpenter

May 7, 2011 - Saturday
Spring Saturday mornings Northwestern Lakefill and Sailing Beach This area has long been a stopover for migrants of all kinds headed north. Park on the lakeside of the upper deck of the south parking lots off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Libby Hill and Wayne Svoboda.

May 7, 2011 - Saturday
Illinois State Spring Bird Count Contact Joel Greenberg for Lake Co. assignments (630-725-6660). Contact Alan Anderson for Cook Co. assignments (casresearch@comcast.net or 847-390-7437).

May 8, 2011 - Sunday
The Grove, Glenview Expect warblers and other passerines. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at The Grove: east side of Milwaukee Ave., just south of Lake Ave., in the second parking lot that leads to the Interpretive Center. Leader: Ari Rice

May 10, 2011 - Tuesday
The Evanston Express (and Skokie Swift): Perkins Woods 5:30 PM A series of trips for when you don’t have much time and can’t go far from home. Each trip starts at a different location and the leader may decide to go to more than one park. Meet at Perkins Woods at 5:30 pm. Perkins is located at the corner of Grant and Ewing. Park on the street and meet at the southwest corner. Leader: Eleonora diLiscia.

May 13, 2011 - Friday
Fridays at Skokie Lagoons These Friday trips pack a great list of warbler species during spring migration. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Forest Preserve parking lot north of Willow Rd. just east of the Edens Expressway. Leader: Lynne Carpenter

May 14, 2011 - Saturday
Spring Saturday mornings at Northwestern Lakefill and Sailing Beach This area has long been a stopover for migrants of all kinds headed nouth. Park on the lakeside of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Sue Robert and Libby Hill

May 15, 2011 - Sunday
Gillson Park The Illinois shoreline juts farthest into the lake at this Wilmette park and is an excellent spot to observe migrant passerines in the tall trees and wildflowers in the park and shorebirds on the beach. This trip is co-sponsored by ENSBC and Go Green Wilmette. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the top of the Wallace Bowl, near the Lakeview Center. From Sheridan Rd. just north of Wilmette Harbor, turn east at the Gillson Park sign. Take the immediate right turn onto Harbor Dr. At the fork in the road, go left onto Middle Dr toward Lakeview Center. Park along Middle Dr. The Wallace Bowl is to the north of Lakeview Center. Leaders: TBA. Leaders TBA

May 17, 2011 - Tuesday
The Evanston Express (and Skokie Swift) Harbert Park 5:30 PM “The Evanston Express (and Skokie Swift)” A series of trips for when you don’t have much time and can’t go far from home. Each trip starts at a different location and the leader may decide to go to more than one park. Meet at Harbert Park at 5:30 p.m. The parking lot is east of the North Shore Channel on McDaniel off of Main. Leader: Eleonora diLiscia.

May 20, 2011 - Friday
Fridays at Skokie Lagoons These Friday trips pack a great list of warbler species during spring migration. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Forest Preserve parking lot north of Willow Rd. just east of the Edens Expressway. Leader: Joel Greenberg

May 21, 2011 - Saturday
Spring Saturdays at Northwestern Lakefill and Sailing Beach This area has long been a stopover for migrants of all kinds headed nouth. Park on the lakeside of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Libby Hill other TBD

May 22, 2011 - Sunday
Jackson Park and Lakefront – Wooded Isle Look for migrating passerines at this park. Meet at 7:00 a.m. Park south of the Museum of Science and Industry after driving on the east side of the building. Leader: Brian Herriott.

May 24, 2011 - Tuesday
Emily Oaks Nature Center (Skokie) 5:30 PM Meet at Emily Oaks Nature Center (Skokie)at 5:30 in the parking lot. Turn north on Knox (east of Skokie Blvd.) and make a left at the T intersection to the Emily Oaks parking lot. Leader: Eleonora diLiscia.

June 5, 2011 - Sunday
Swallow Cliff Woods, Palos NEW TRIP! This half-day walk will target summer specialties such as hooded, blue-winged, and chestnut-sided warblers in addition to Acadian flycatchers, white-eyed vireos, and summer tanagers. The entrance is on LaGrange Rd. (Route 45) south of the intersection of LaGrange and Route 83. Meet at 7:00 a.m. in the first parking lot as you enter the park. Leader: Amar Ayyash.

July 24, 2011 - Sunday
Rollins Savanna. This area is one of Lake County's hottest birding spots and is home to many nesters such as bitterns, Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolinks, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. There also may be early shorebirds. Meet at 6:30 a.m. at the Washington Road parking area. The trip will last 4 hours and water and sun protection are good ideas. Leader: Beau Schaefer.

August 21, 2011 - Sunday
Lake Calumet Sewage Ponds Sunday! Don’t miss this special opportunity to visit the region’s premier shorebird site. Meet at Sewage Ponds at 7:15 a.m. Directions: From I-94, exit at 130th St. Go west about ¼ mile to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District sign. Turn right on the paved road and proceed to the guard house. Trip ends around 11 a.m. Limit: 20. Sign-up for this field trip is required. Registration forms will be available through Libby Hill, 847-475-2096 or libbyhill@comcast.net. Completed forms must be turned in by July 10. Forms must be sent by snail mail to 2715 Woodland Rd, Evanston, IL 60201 and must include a copy of a government-issued photo ID.

Christmas Bird Counts

Christmas bird counts are the largest volunteer effort in the world to monitor birds and changes over the years. They have been going on nationally since 1900. Get involved! Call the compiler for information and assignments.

December 12, 2010 - Sunday: Chicago Urban Christmas Count
45th Chicago Urban Count. Compiler: Jeff Sanders, 847-657-6431.

December 25, 2010 - Saturday: Christmas Count: Chicago Lakefront Count
Compiler: Joel Greenberg, 630-725-9416

December 26, 2010 - Sunday: Chicago-North Shore Christmas Count
Sunday. 50th Chicago-North Shore Count. Compiler: Tim Wallace, 847-548-2654.

January 1, 2011 - Saturday: Waukegan Christmas Count
Compiler: Joel Greenberg, 630-725-9416.

We can always use help. If you don't want to go out in the cold, contact the compiler about feeder watches. You can also help out with the Count Dinner. Watch Bird Calls for details.

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