2026 Annual Gull Frolic
at
Winthrop Harbor
February 15, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT
Sponsored by
Kowa American Corp
Bird Conservation Network
DuPage Birding Club
Evanston North Shore Birding Club
Fort Dearborn Chapter
Lake-Cook Audubon Society
Red Hill Birding
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, including Iceland (Thayer’s and Kumlien’s), Glaucous, Great Black-backed, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A variety of waterfowl typically make an appearance too (scoters and other diving ducks), along with the occasional raptor, owl, or winter finch. Expert spotters will be available to help answer questions along the “boardwalk”.
Whenever you need a break from the cold, retreat indoors to the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club that’s just a few feet away from the shore. Birders from all corners of our state come to mingle, relax and drive away the winter doldrums. Coffee, tea and hot-chocolate will be available all day to help us warm up.
Tickets are limited:
$35 per person includes
Continental Breakfast, Hearty Lunch, Programs, Book Sale, Exhibits and
GULLS
Dexter Patterson
2026 Featured Speaker
Two Sessions: 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Dexter Patterson is the co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, an organization dedicated to making birding more accessible and inclusive for people of color. In addition, he is the CEO of operation Bird Joy, a venture aimed at spreading joy and encouraging people to enjoy the wonders of bird watching. He has been featured in several prominent birding publications, including Birds & Blooms, Sierra Club, and National Audubon magazines.
Dexter’s will present his new book Birds of the Great Lakes. Autographed copies will be available for purchase during the Gull Frolic.
Iceland Gull photo by Amar Ayyash