Potential tour locations include Goose Lake, North Branch and Glacial Park with Randy Schietzelt (President, Illinois Board of Directors and McHenry County Audubon Society) as we travel in and around the boundary of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 2012, it is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and was created as the first federal wildlife refuge within 100 miles of Chicago. Discover more here.
Expected highlights awaiting birders on this tour are yellow-headed blackbird, common gallinule (sometimes heard only), black tern, willow flycatcher, pied-billed grebe, ruddy duck, sandhill crane, bobolink, dickcissel, grasshopper sparrow, Henslow’s sparrow, plus other savanna and prairie species. Also possible are American bittern, least bittern, sedge wren, vesper sparrow, clay-colored sparrow, Bell’s vireo, king rail, and Virginia rail.
The group will meet at 7:00 am in Hebron, Illinois, and proceed by caravan. Overall, attendees on this trip should be prepared to hike 5 miles on level ground in search of species. Scopes are recommended so please be prepared to carry your gear and other necessities with you at times.
Trip Leaders: Randy Schietzelt
Cost of trip includes lunch, snacks and water
Maximum Field Trip Capacity: 15
Cost: $35