Sunday – May 14, 7:00 a.m.

Jackson Park and Lakefront – Wooded Isle.  Park south of the Museum of Science and Industry after driving on the east side of the building. Register with libbyhill@comcast.net. Leader: Dick Young. 

A World Migratory Bird Day event!

The NU campus 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 Sheridan Road and Clark Street, north of Clark Street beach, at 8:00 a.m.  Leaders: Libby Hill and Sarah Flax.

Look for warblers and other migrants (and a great display of spring wildflowers). 

Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Ewing Avenue and Grant Street.  Park along Ewing Avenue.  Leader: John Bates.

Join us for morning migration at Montrose. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at handicapped parking. Leaders: Libby Hill and Nancy Halliday.

Sunday – May 7, 7:30 a.m.

Techny North

This site has a combination of water and grasslands and a birdy woods. Look for shorebirds and other migrants and whatever else we an find. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot behind the “Sheraton Hotel, facing Techny Basin.  We have seen Eastern Meadowlarks and hawks in the grasslands. Turn north at Founders Drive off of Willow Rd. Leader: Owen Woodhouse.

The lakeshore in Chicagoland during spring migration can be one of the more dynamic birding experiences.  When conditions are right, migrant warblers, vireos, sparrows, and more can be concentrated along precious lakeshore habitat.  In Lake County, the top location for early morning lakeshore birding must be Waukegan Beach.  We will search for migrant shorebirds and waterbirds along the beach before heading to bird the adjacent woods and park.  After finishing up at Waukegan, we will then head to Illinois Beach State Park to continue our search for migrants.  At the south unit of Illinois Beach State Park, we will look for Virginia Rail and Sora, Sandhill Crane, and we could even spot a roosting Whip-poor-will if we are lucky.  

Registration is required and space is limited to 10 participants.  Register with libbyhill@comcast.net.  Leader:  Adam Sell. Note: we will start at Waukegan Beach https://goo.gl/maps/RcupVYBNAQfZezr48 at 7:00 a.m. and then proceed to Illinois Beach State Park https://goo.gl/maps/hXFN5WV8UGtBR7tT7.  The rain date for this trip will be Monday, May 8.

Waukegan Beach: Local Birding Hotspot: Adam Sell

For bird watchers in the Chicago area, Waukegan Beach is a familiar name. Waukegan beach has been a favorite birding spot for ENSBC for decades.  Both new and veteran birders know Waukegan Beach as a migration hotspot in both fall and spring for warblers, shorebirds, and waterfowl.  In winter, the harbors and open water of Lake Michigan host overwintering specialty ducks, gulls, and if luck is on your side, a Snowy Owl.  Waukegan Beach is also renowned as a location for vagrants, with some highlights over the years including Gyrfalcon, Reddish Egret, and Arctic Tern. 

In his presentation, Adam Sell, a guide and tour manager for Chicago-based Red Hill Birding who has called Waukegan Beach his "local patch" for over 15 years, will attempt to distill this knowledge into a thoughtful and engaging presentation on how to make the most of your visit to the Waukegan Beach area. 

This talk is the second in our series about local birding hotspots, following last year’s presentation on Big Marsh in Calumet.

Saturday – April 8, 7:30 a.m.  Meet by the Coast Guard Station to look for ducks and loons, as well as early warblers, sparrows and thrushes.  Enter the south entrance of Gillsson from Sheridan Road and park on Middle Drive or Michigan Ave. A scope is recommended for the first part of the trip.  Leader:  Owen Woodhouse.