2019 Spring Gathering & Field Trips

Multi-stop trip along Chicago’s lakefront begins at Montrose Beach/Magic Hedge, with habitats attracting passerines, shorebirds, terns and gulls. There is an additional $15 charge for this field trip which includes van transportation. Maximum 30.

This 1,200+-acre preserve offers Lake County’s best grassland birding as well as prairie, marsh and pond birds, potential shorebird habitat, and an open oak savanna for warblers and other passerines. Target birds include Henslow’s Sparrows and Bobolinks. Maximum 20.  See map for trip location.

Linked together by a footbridge over the Des Plaines River, these twin preserves are popular hotspots for migrating warblers, vireos, flycatchers and thrushes. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Diverse habitats including oak woodlands, dune/swale trails and the Lake Michigan shoreline offer a wide variety of species from warblers and shorebirds to Sandhill Cranes. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

One of the last remaining ravine and bluff ecosystems in Chicagoland, this restored 77-acre preserve along Lake Michigan hosts warblers, sparrows and other migrants as well as nature-oriented art installations along paved ravine roads and in the open woodland/ prairie/savanna. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

This large park’s rich mix of prairie, bog, upland forest, lakes and streams can hold everything from warblers and waterfowl to Bobolinks, Northern Harriers and breeding Osprey. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Easiest walking trip of the weekend combines woodland and river habitat for leisurely looks at land and water birds along the Des Plaines River Trail. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Located along the Des Plaines River corridor, this preserve is an inland migrant magnet that includes a woodland trail abutting the river as well as forest and meadow habitats. It’s historically one of the best spots for warblers in Lake County with near-yearly appearances by Connecticut Warbler and an occasional local rarity such as Western Kingbird and White-eyed Vireo. See map for trip location.

Accessed from the fisherman’s parking lot at North Point Marina, the IBSP North Unit South Trail is a haven for migrating passerines with woodland, shrubland, marsh and grassland areas. Beach viewing also offers opportunities for waterfowl. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

This 1,200+-acre preserve offers Lake County’s best grassland birding as well as prairie, marsh and pond birds, potential shorebird habitat, and an open oak savanna for warblers and other passerines. Target birds include Henslow’s Sparrows and Bobolinks. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Linked together by a footbridge over the Des Plaines River, these twin preserves are popular hotspots for migrating warblers, vireos, flycatchers and thrushes. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Diverse habitats including oak woodlands, dune/swale trails and the Lake Michigan shoreline offer a wide variety of species from warblers and shorebirds to Sandhill Cranes. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Beach, dune and harbor habitat on Lake Michigan can yield shorebirds, gulls, terns, waterfowl and sparrows, with a section of trees on the same property attracting warblers and other land migrants. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Located along the Des Plaines River corridor, this preserve is an inland migrant magnet that includes a woodland trail abutting the river as well as forest and meadow habitats. It’s historically one of the best spots for warblers in Lake County with near-yearly appearances by Connecticut Warbler and an occasional local rarity such as Western Kingbird and White-eyed Vireo. See map for trip location.

With bird feeders, an exhibit building, a blind to view waterfowl, and trails winding through woodland, wetland and prairie, this site serves up species from songbirds, sparrows and shorebirds to Black-crowned Night Herons and an occasional Summer Tanager. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Enjoy an up-close-and-personal visit with wounded birds and their keeper in a rehabilitation facility located in a private house and grounds. Indoor field trip with no walking.  Maximum 15.  See map for trip location.

Offering open water as well as marsh, woodland and meadow, this location provides relatively easy warblering, sparrowing and waterfowling along with the occasional hoot of a Great-horned Owl. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

With grassland, wetland and oak savanna as well as a heron rookery, this Cook County forest preserve can host specialties including Yellow-headed Blackbird, Henslow’s Sparrow, Bobolink and Least Bittern plus songbirds and waterfowl. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

This 1,200+-acre preserve offers Lake County’s best grassland birding as well as prairie, marsh and pond birds, potential shorebird habitat, and an open oak savanna for warblers and other passerines. Target birds include Henslow’s Sparrows and Bobolinks. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Linked together by a footbridge over the Des Plaines River, these twin preserves are popular hotspots for migrating warblers, vireos, flycatchers and thrushes. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Diverse habitats including oak woodlands, dune/swale trails and the Lake Michigan shoreline offer a wide variety of species from warblers and shorebirds to Sandhill Cranes. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

One of the last remaining ravine and bluff ecosystems in Chicagoland, this restored 77-acre preserve along Lake Michigan hosts warblers, sparrows and other migrants as well as nature-oriented art installations along paved ravine roads and in the open woodland/ prairie/savanna. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

This large park’s rich mix of prairie, bog, upland forest, lakes and streams can hold everything from warblers and waterfowl to Bobolinks, Northern Harriers and breeding Osprey. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Easiest walking trip of the weekend combines woodland and river habitat for leisurely looks at land and water birds along the Des Plaines River Trail. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Beach, dune and harbor habitat on Lake Michigan can yield shorebirds, gulls, terns, waterfowl and sparrows, with a section of trees on the same property attracting warblers and other land migrants. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

A National Historic Landmark that includes a small interpretive center, this Glenview Park District gem has trails that wind through oak-hickory savanna and a series of wetlands to create a local migration hotspot. Maximum 20. See map for trip location.

Check this option if you are only purchasing meals.