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.

February 16, 2012 - Thursday
TRIP TO NEW MEXICO FEB 16-19 Following on last year’s success, this tour will target Black, Brown-capped, and Gray-crowned Rosy-finches, Crissal and Curve-billed Thrashers, Ferruginous Hawks, cranes and waterfowl, Juniper Titmouse and many other winter southwest desert specialties. A list of nearly 100 species is possible (last year we tallied 91 species). Estimated tour cost $550. Easy to moderate hiking. Plan on arriving in Albuquerque by Feb. 15. For further registration and information, email: David B. Johnson, djohnsoda@comcast.net . Leaders: David B. Johnson, Tim Wallace and Raymond Vanbuskirk

February 18, 2012 - Saturday
11th Annual Gull Frolic at Winthrop Harbor FULL Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club at the end of 7th Street near Skipper buds. Bring loaves of bread to chum for gulls. Lots of gulls and lots of people. Directions: To reach the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club, take the I-94 toll road north toward Milwaukee. Exit at Route 173. Turn right (east) and go to Sheridan Road (Rt. 137). Turn left and proceed to 7th Street. Turn right on 7th Street and follow the North Point Marina signs to the yacht club. DO NOT SPEED on 7th Street! It is actively patrolled by the Winthrop Harbor police. PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND LIMITED TO THE FIRST 150 PEOPLE. Sponsor: Illinois Ornithological Society. Contact IOS to get on the waiting list.

March 17, 2012 - Saturday
3rd Annual Ralph Herbst Memorial 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.

March 24, 2012 - Saturday
Air Station Prairie Woodcocks NEW TRIP!!! Come out to see the spectacular aerial displays of the American Woodcock at dusk! The Air Station Prairie in Glenview is a great location for these displays and we may even spot a woodcock on the ground. Meet on the deck of the interpretive center at 6:45pm. Leader: Sulli Gibson.

April 1, 2012 - Sunday
Looney Trip, Lake County A Dave Johnson specialty. Loads of loons and lots of lakes. Expect other birds as well. Meet at 8:30 a.m at Breezewald Park, off Old Rand Rd in Lake Zurich. Watch Bird Calls for directions. Leader: David B. Johnson.

April 14, 2012 - Saturday
North Glenview Better Birding Areas 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 Claire Ct. off of Ravine Way. The trip will last approximately 3 hours but you are welcome to leave at any time. Leader: Sulli Gibson. 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 Claire Ct. off of Ravine Way. The trip will last approximately 3 hours but you are welcome to leave at any time. Leader: Sulli Gibson.

April 22, 2012 - 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 28, 2012 - Saturday
Spring Saturday mornings at 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 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 4, 2012 - 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 5, 2012 - 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 5, 2012 - 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. Leader: Wayne Svoboda.

May 5, 2012 - Saturday
Perkins Woods Garlic Mustard Pull 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 10, 2012 - Thursday
Ryerson Woods Check out the spring migrants and returning breeders at this beautiful Lake County forest preserve. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Brushwood parking lot. Ryerson Woods is on Riverwoods Rd, northwest of Deerfield. Leader: Gary Hantsbarger.

May 11, 2012 - Friday
Fridays at Skokie Lagoons These Friday trips pack a great list of warbler species during spring migration. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Forest Preserve parking lot north of Willow Rd. just east of the Edens Expressway. Leader: Lynne Carpenter

May 12, 2012 - Saturday
Spring Saturday mornings at 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: Sue Robert and Libby Hill

May 17, 2012 - Thursday
Ryerson Woods Check out the spring migrants and returning breeders at this beautiful Lake County forest preserve. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Brushwood parking lot. Ryerson Woods is on Riverwoods Rd, northwest of Deerfield. Leader: Gary Hantsbarger.

May 18, 2012 - Friday
Fridays at Skokie Lagoons These Friday trips pack a great list of warbler species during spring migration. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Forest Preserve parking lot north of Willow Rd. just east of the Edens Expressway Leader: Joel Greenberg.

May 19, 2012 - Saturday
Spring Saturdays at 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. Leader: TBA.

May 20, 2012 - Sunday
Jackson Park and Lakefront – Wooded Isle We will be looking 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 22, 2012 - Tuesday
Emily Oaks Nature Center (Skokie) 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: Sulli Gibson

May 24, 2012 - Thursday
Ryerson Woods Check out the spring migrants and returning breeders at this beautiful Lake County forest preserve. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Brushwood parking lot. Ryerson Woods is on Riverwoods Rd, northwest of Deerfield. Leader: Gary Hantsbarger

June 2, 2012 - Saturday
Illinois Beach State Park Whip-poor-wills NEW TRIP! This unique trip will allow you a great chance to see Whip-poor-wills, a bird in serious decline, after hours in the South Unit of the State Park. Meet at 7pm at the Nature Center parking lot to bird the area for local nesters prior to looking for the Whip-poor-wills. The Nature Center entrance is just west of the Illinois Beach Resort in the South Unit. Leader: Sulli Gibson and Joel Greenberg.

June 5, 2012 - Tuesday
SOUTHERN MANITOBA & CHURCHILL, CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS JUNE 5 - 18, 2012, SOUTHERN MANITOBA & CHURCHILL, JUNE 11 - 17, 2012, CHURCHILL-ONLY OPTION Tentative ENSBC & Kim Eckert MBW 2012 itinerary*.... June 5 meet in Winnipeg for those doing full tour June 6-7 SW Manitoba, nights in Brandon June 8-9 Riding Mountain, nights in Wasagaming June 10 drive to Thompson June 11 meet Churchill-only people in Thompson, afternoon/overnight train to Churchill June 12-13-14-15 Churchill June 16 last day in Churchill, overnight/morning train to Thompson June 17 Churchill-only trip ends in Thompson in afternoon June 18 return drive to Winnipeg for those doing full tour * Dependent on the Canadian Railway schedule which comes out in November 2011, but probably will be a similar schedule… Estimated cost of the entire 2010 tour is $1905 double-occupancy, $2545 single. The cost of Churchill-only is estimated at $1350 double-occupancy, $1759 single. Not included is food or your transportation to/from Winnipeg (or Thompson if Churchill-only). The more people that attend, the lower the overall cost will be. $100 deposit required. Call or email Leader David B. Johnson ENSBC co-leader at 224-567-9650,djohnsoda@comcast.net for more details.

June 10, 2012 - Sunday
Swallow Cliff Woods, Palos 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, Louisiana Waterthrush, 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 22, 2012 - Sunday
Rollins Savanna This area is one of Lake County's hottest birding spots and is home to many nesters such as Least Bitterns, Sedge Wrens, Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows, and Bobolinks. 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 19, 2012 - Sunday
Calumet Sewage Ponds Calumet Sewage Ponds. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the region’s premier shorebird site. Combined trip with Chicago Ornithological Society. 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: 25. Sign-up for this field trip is required. Registration forms will be available from Walter Marcisz, wmarcisz@att.net or 773-646-3034 or 312-206-9889 (cell. Completed form must be turned in by July 10. Send forms by snail mail to Walter Marcisz , 13416 S. Mackinaw Ave, Chicago, Il, 60633. Forms must include a copy of a government-issued photo ID. No cameras but scopes and binoculars OK.

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 18, 2011 - Sunday: Chicago Urban Christmas Count
Sunday. 46th Chicago Urban Count. Compiler: Jeff Sanders, 847-657-6431.

December 25, 2011 - Sunday: Chicago Lakefront Christmas Count
Sunday. Compiler: Joel Greenberg, 630-725-9416

December 26, 2011 - Monday: Chicago-North Shore Christmas Count
Monday. 51st Chicago-North Shore Count. Compiler: Tim Wallace, 847-548-2654.

January 1, 2012 - Sunday: Waukegan Christmas Count
Sunday 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.

Back to Home