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TRIP TO JAMAICA: ISLAND ENDEMICS & CARIBBEAN SPECIALTIES

Thursday, January 29, 2026

January 29-February 5, 2026 

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and one of the most endemic-rich. With 28 endemic species and many more endemic subspecies, Jamaica is a great destination for birders to experience the unique ecology of island birds in comfortable settings and at a relaxed pace. We will visit the Blue and John Crow Mountains and unique habitats like coastal scrub, lowland forest, and epiphyte-laden cloud forest. We have a great chance of seeing all of the island’s endemic birds, including difficult ones like Crested Quail-Dove and Jamaican Blackbird and the two iconic species of streamertail hummingbirds. The pace will be relaxed, the Blue Mountain coffee will flow, and the excellent Jamaican food will be a perfect complement to our week of island birding.  

Three spaces open.

 

For more information, contact info@redhillbirding.com

 

 

Field Trip: Gull Frolic

Sunday, February 15, 2026

The Gull Frolic is a unique winter event at Illinois’ premier gull-watching hotspot, North Point Marina. Bring your binoculars, scope and cold weather gear, and join birders outside of the yacht club to enjoy a close study of some of our harder-to-find winter species.

More details to come.

 

 

Field Trip: Jeffrey Sanders Memorial Prairie Woodcock Walk, Air Station Prairie

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Our first opportunity this spring to look for the magical displays of the woodcocks at dusk.

Meet at 6:30 p.m., on the deck of the Tyner Interpretive Center at Air Station Prairie, 2400 Compass Rd., Glenview.

Leader: Tom Lally

 

Field Trip: Looney Trip

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Join David Johnson for another of his special trips around the Lake County lakes looking for loons, pelicans, ducks, and anything else we can find. 

Meeting at 8:30 a.m., Gale Street Inn, parking lot, Mundelein.

Register with David Johnson, djohnsoda@comcast.net and Libby Hill libbyhill@comcast.net

Leader: David Johnson

 

Field Trip: Waukegan Beach

Saturday, May 2, 2026

We will spend the morning birding the beach, swales, and wooded lots of the Waukegan Beach area. On the beach, we will be targeting migrant shorebirds. In the wooded lots and beachfront park, migrant warblers can be abundant on the right day. We will be hiking around 1-2 miles at a birder's pace. Leader will have a scope but you are welcome to bring one. Hiking boots or sneakers are both appropriate, but be prepared for walking on sand. Duration about 3 hours.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. , see pin at https://goo.gl/maps/1QFRdEPAA3J2fEg67

Leader: Adam Sell

Registration is required. Register with Libby Hill at libbyhill@comcast.net

 

Field Trip: West Ridge Nature Park

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

We will look for spring warblers and other migrants, local raptors, etc.. along the trails of this nearly 22-acre restored woodlands, wetlands and pond.

Meet at 7:30 A.M. at the park entrance at 5801 N. Western Ave, just across from where Ardmore dead-ends into Western Ave. from the west. Free street parking on both sides of Western Avenue.

Leader: Scott Judd

 

Field Trip: Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 7, 2026

 

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

 

 

 

Field Trip: Illinois State Spring Bird Count, Ladd Arboretum

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Join in the Illinois State Spring bird count at the Ladd Arboretum count. Beginners welcome.

Meet 7:30 a.m. at the Ladd Arboretum parking lot. 

Leader: Libby Hill

 

 

World Migratory Bird Day

Saturday, May 9, 2026

In cooperation with the Ecology Center. 

Details TBA.

 

Field Trip: Montrose Point

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Join us for a morning at Montrose, an excellent place to observe migration due to its habitat diversity and location along a natural corridor for migrants. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at handicapped parking area. 

Leaders: Libby Hill

Register with libbyhill@comcast.net.  

 

 

Field Trip: Emily Oaks Nature Center, Skokie

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Emily Oaks has wonderful established trails and a pond. We will be looking for warblers and other late spring migrants.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the Emily Oaks Nature Center parking lot, 4650 Brummel Street, Skokie. We will bird outside the Nature Center until it opens at 8:00 a.m.

Leader: John Bates

 

Field Trip: Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 14, 2026

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

 

 

 

Field Trip: Northwestern University South Campus

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Northwestern University has always been a great migrant trap.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the open parking lot at the south end of campus just north of the Visitor Center, off of Sheridan Road. 

Leaders: Sarah Flax and Libby Hill

 

 

Field Trip: Ryerson Conservation Area, Riverwoods

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Ryerson has long been a favorite place to find migrating and resident birds. Look for warblers and other spring migrants, plus Pileated Woodpeckers.

Meet at 7:30 a.m at the Brushwood Center parking lot. 

Leader: John. Leonard.  Register with Libby Hill, libbyhill@comcast.net.

 

Field Trip: The Grove, Glenview

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Look for warblers and other migrating species in this diverse habitat of restored woodland with numerous wetlands scattered throughout.  

Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the second parking lot that leads to the Interpretive Center.  

Leader: TBD

 

 

Field Trip: Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 21, 2026

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

 

 

Field Trip: Northwestern University South Campus

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Northwestern University has always been a great migrant trap.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the open parking lot at the south end of campus, just north of the Visitor Center, off of Sheridan Road.

Leaders: Sarah Flax and Betsy Brill

 

 

Field Trip: Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 28, 2026

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

 

 

Field Trip: Openlands Nature Preserve, Highland Park

Saturday, May 30, 2026

The Openlands Lakeshore Preserve is home to three unique ecosystems - ravines, bluffs, and lakefront.

We will meet at this parking lot at 7:30 a.m. It's the main parking lot for the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve. If the lot fills up, people can park on the street right next to the lot.

Leader: Josh Engel

Register with Libby Hill libbyhill@comcast.net