One of the ways Lake County Audubon connects our community with nature is by offering guided bird and nature walks throughout Lake County. Take a peek at some of our past bird walk locations.
2022
CANCELLED: Bird and Nature walk - Chain of Lakes State Park Thursday, March 31, 7:30 - 10:30 a.m. Leader: Don Wilson
Early Spring Bird Walk – Rollins Savanna FP Sunday, April 10, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Leader: Beau Schaefer
Bird and Nature walk - Ryerson Conservation Area Saturday, April 16, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Trip Leaders: Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka
Bird and Nature walk - Sedge Meadows FP Thursday, April 21, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.Trip Leader: Don Wilson
CANCELLED DUE TO FLOODING: Bird and Nature walk - Libertyville (Butler Lake & Oak Springs) Saturday, April 30, 7:00 - 9:30 a.m. Leaders: Doug Reitz and Charlotte Pavelka
Bird and Nature walk - Illinois Beach State Park – South Unit Thursday, May 5, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Leaders: Don Wilson, Doug Reitz and Charlotte Pavelka
Bird and Nature walk – Ryerson FP Saturday, May 14, 7:00 - 9:30 a.m. Leaders: Doug Reitz and Charlotte Pavelka
Bird and Nature walk – Daniel Wright FP Sunday, May 22, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Trip Leader: Donna Kenski (847) 347-3474
Bird and Nature walk - Sedge Meadows FP Thursday, May 26, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Trip Leaders: Don Wilson (224) 639-3158, Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka
Birds & Breakfast – A Special Event for All Members! Illinois Beach State Park – North Unit Saturday, June 4, 7-9:15 or 8-9:15(short walk) 9-10 Breakfast
Bird and Nature Walk - Chain of Lakes State Park Saturday, June 11, 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. Leader: Mark Fritzmann
Bird & Nature Walk Glacier Park McHenry County Conservation District Saturday, June 25, 7:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Bird Walk - Rollins Savanna Thursday, July 7, 7:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Butterfly & Bird Walk - Grant Woods South Saturday, July 17, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Bird Walk – Waukegan Beach Thursday, August 4, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.
2021
Bird and Nature walk at North Point Marina and nearby, January 23, 8:30 - 10:30 am
Bird and Nature walk - Ryerson Conservation Area
Saturday, April 17, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Trip Leader: Doug Reitz (847) 347-8416
Bird and Nature walk - Daniel Wright FP
Saturday, May 15, 7:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Trip Leader: Trip Leader: Doug Reitz (847) 549 - 8814
Bird and Nature walk - Ryerson Conservation Area
Sunday, May 23, 7:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Trip Leader: Donna Kenski
Contact: Doug Reitz (847) 549-8814
Bird and Nature walk - Sedge Meadows FP
Thursday, May 27, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Trip Leader: Don Wilson (224) 639-3158
Birding Field Trip - Goose Lake Natural Area - Hebron, IL
Saturday, June 5 - 7:30 - 10:30
Trip Leaders: Doug Reitz (847) 549-8814 & Charlotte Pavelka
Bird Walk - Ray Lake FP
Sunday, June 13, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Trip Leaders: Doug Reitz (847) 549-8814 & Charlotte Pavelka
Bird & Dragonfly Walk - Raven Glen East
Wednesday, June 23, 7:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Trip Leader: Don Wilson (224) 639-3158
Bird Walk - Rollins Savana
Wednesday, July 7, 7:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Trip Leader: Donna Kenski
Butterfly & Bird Walk - Grant Woods South
Saturday, July 17, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Trip Leader: Carla Schmakel
Bird Walk - Pine Dunes Thursday September 16, 7:30 - 9:30 Trip leader Don Wilson
Bird Walk - IL State Beach Park North October 9, 2021 Trip Leaders Char Pavelka and Doug Reitz
Bird Walk/Sit - Independence Grove Thursday, November 11, 2021 7:30 - 10 Trip Leaders: Don Wilson Charlotte Pavelka and Doug Reitz
2020
Independence Grove Bird Walk, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7:30 am
We will meet in the river bridge parking area. Questions? Email Don Wilson, wilsondonaldm@gmail.com; Text or call 224-639-3158 or Doug Reitz, Text 847-549-8814.
Birdwalk at llinois Beach St Park North/Camp Logan, Oct. 22, 2020 7:30am
We will meet in the Sand Pond parking area. The walk will go around Sand Pond and to the path which crosses over Kellogg Creek and goes north through a prairie where we will stop by the Hawk Watch site.
If you have questions or to register for this walk email Don Wilson, wilsondonaldm@gmail.com; texting or calling Don at 224-639-3158. Your registration will be confirmed.
BIRD WALK: Illinois Beach State Park - South Unit, Wednesday, September 2 at 7:30am
Join us on a two mile walk through this unique lakeshore habitat. Migrating shorebirds, possible Blue Grosbeak and herons and kingfisher will be our target species. Illinois Beach State Park encompasses the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in the state.
BIRD WALK: Ray Lake Forest Preserve, Thursday, August 20 at 7:30am
Join us on a two mile walk through this blooming prairie. Great spot for Bobolinks and Dickcissel plus many sparrow species including possible twelve species of sparrows. Within Ray Lake are three wetlands, woodlands with predominantly bur oak, hickory and cherry trees, and sprawling grasslands. Parking Lot off of Erhart Road in northwest Mundelein. Note: The walk is limited to ten participants with pre-registration and mask/physical distancing requirements.
Bird Walk: Green belt Forest Preserve - August 4 7:30-9AM
Lake County Audubon Society is re-starting its bird walk program with a prairie/savanna loop trail walk (1.5 miles) at Greenbelt Forest Preserve, 1215 Greenbay Rd, North Chicago. Meet at southeast end of Greenbelt Cultural Center parking lot near trailheads.
2019
Woodpecker Walk: Captain Daniel Wright Woods - March 18
Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve was named for one of Lake County’s first settlers, Captain Daniel Wright. DWWFP is located along the Des Plaines River and supports a rich oak and maple woodland. This preserve has a footbridge over the Des Plaines River which is a great location to see migrating songbirds in spring and fall. With large stands of maples found at few other places in Lake County, Wright Woods is also a great place to view autumn colors. The walk will be on trails through the woodlands looking for woodpeckers. There are increasing numbers of Red-headed Woodpeckers at this preserve. Pileated Woodpeckers are also sighted regularly.The entrance is on Saint Mary’s Road at Everett Road, south of Route 60. We will meet in the main parking area for a 7:30am start. Click here for the eBird Hotspot list of bird species sighted at this preserve.
Ducks: Independence Grove - April 8 Centered around a 115-acre lake, this preserve offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education. Surrounding prairie and woodlands provide a picturesque backdrop for hiking, biking, picnicking and other fun activities. There are 6.25 miles of trails. The preserve's rolling prairies, open fields and woodlands offer the perfect environment for a variety of wildlife like owls, muskrats, beavers, minks, raccoons, possums and deer. It is one of Lake County’s best locations to view the many species of ducks that can be seen in Lake County and that will be the focus of our walk.The entrance is on Buckley Road. We will meet in the parking area to the north which is highlighted in yellow with a red star on this map for a 7:30am start. Click here for the eBird Hotspot list of bird species sighted.
Early Spring Migrants: Illinois Beach State Park South Unit - April 26
Stretching 6.5 miles along the sandy shore of Lake Michigan in northern Illinois - one of the most unique and beautiful natural settings in America. Illinois Beach is the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in the state, with dunes and swales, sprawling marshes, forests of oak and vast arrays of animal life and vegetation. More than 650 species of plants have been recorded in the dunes area alone, including dozens of types of colorful wildflowers. Prickly pear cactus thrives in large colonies in the dry areas, and the wet prairies are carpeted with a wide variety of grasses and sedges. Large expanses of marsh in the swales support dense stands of cattail, grasses, big bluestem and sedges. The sandy ridges are crowned by black oak forests with an open, savanna-like appearance. Several kinds of fragrant pines, introduced a century ago, also prosper in the southern area. Just north of the pines is the Dead River, a stream blocked by sandbars much of the year, features an abundance of aquatic plants and fish that belie its name.Meet at the Nature Center Parking Lot for an 7:30am start. Click here for the eBird Hotspot list of bird species sighted.
Warblerpalooza Part 1: Ryerson Woods - May 9
Lake County’s first European settler, Captain Daniel Wright, owned property within the preserve. In the 1920s, a small number of families, purchased land here and built log cabins as weekend retreats. The area was a weekend getaway for businessman Edward L. Ryerson, who built a cabin there in 1928 built three other cabins for friends, and had a country house built in 1942. From 1966 to 1970, 12 families and the Ryersons donated/sold land and cabins to the LCFPD. The preserve's rich natural and cultural history is recognized by its dual designation as an Illinois Nature Preserve (a selection saved for ecologically high quality land) and as a Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places. Rare species, rare communities and exceptional natural areas combine to make this a very special preserve. Ryerson Woods supports some of Illinois' most pristine woodlands and several state threatened and endangered species. It is one of the best examples of a northern flatwoods forest, a rare northern Illinois landscape, and most of the floodplain forest left in northeastern Illinois can be found here. The preserve supports a variety of state threatened and endangered species. More than 200 bird species and nearly 600 species of flowering plants have been seen at Ryerson Woods. Springtime brings special wildflower magic and many migrating birds that use the Des Plaines River flyway.In addition to beautiful trails there is a small farm, Ryerson’s house Brushwood, and visitors center. Ryerson Woods Conservation Area is in Riverwoods. The entrance is on west side of Riverwoods Road between Half Day Road (Route 22) and Deerfield Road, just west of the Interstate 94. Meet at 7:30am in the main parking lot by the visitor’s center.Click here for the eBird Hotspot list of the 211 bird species sighted. Last Spring we had an amazing experience on our bird walk when we saw 60 species including 19 species of warbler! The walk lasted for over 4 hours! Click here for the eBird checklist for that walk.
Warblerpalooza Part 2: Captain Daniel Wright Woods - May 23
See earlier walk for description of the preserve. This preserve is one of Lake County’s best spots for sighting migrating warblers. We will continue our warbler walks looking along the river for some of the many warbler species that can be seen here.Meet in the parking lot for a 7:30am start.
Plants for Birds Art Show POSTPONED DUE TO COVID 19. WILL BE RESCHEDULED
The Adler Center Exhibition Series.
Artists have long had a fascination — and deep respect — for the planet on which we exist. The Adler Center’s April exhibition will highlight the Audubon’s “Plants for Birds” project and complement The Adler Center’s Earth Day events throughout the month. The show will feature a select collective of artists who are either affiliated with the Lake County Audubon Society or the Nature Photography group from the Chicago Botanic Gardens.With a mission of education, conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife and their habitats, the Lake County Audubon Society has partnered with the David Adler Music & Arts Center to restore the historic property’s landscape and create a birdscaping project. Highlighting the “Plants for Birds” project through a variety of mixed media, Artists' works in this show will explore humans’ relations to nature.
Captain Daniel Wright Woods - September 11
Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve was named for one of Lake County’s first settlers, Captain Daniel Wright. DWWFP is located along the Des Plaines River and supports a rich oak and maple woodland. This preserve has a footbridge over the Des Plaines River which is a great location to see migrating songbirds in spring and fall. With large stands of maples found at few other places in Lake County, Wright Woods is also a great place to view autumn colors. The walk will be on trails through the woodlands to the footbridge. There are several other trails into the woodlands and also along a small lake and stream. This preserve is one of Lake County’s best spots for sighting migrating warblers.The entrance is on Saint Mary’s Road at Everett Road, south of Route 60. We will meet in the main parking area for a 7:30am start. Click here for the eBird Hotspot list of bird species sighted at this preserve. Click here for the eBird checklist of birds seen on the day.
Heron Creek Forest Preserve - September 28
Heron Creek Preserve features a rolling landscape of scenic woodlands, a sedge meadow, open fields, and the Indian Creek Basin which flows through the site. It offers exceptional wildlife habitat and plant communities. More than 116 species of birds have been observed, including a resident population of waterfowl and herons. 6 state endangered bird species, Black Tern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Forster's Tern and 3 state threatened bird species, Brown Creeper, Pied-billed Grebe and Red-shouldered Hawk, have been found in the area. The walk will be on trails that allow the different habitats to be observed.The entrance is on Old McHenry Road, south of Route 22 adjacent to the Long Grove Park District's Reed Turner Nature Preserve. We will meet in the parking area off of Old McHenry Road for a 7:30am start. Click here for the eBird Hotspot list of bird species sighted. Click here for the eBird checklist of birds seen on the day.
Illinois Beach State Park South Unit - October 5
This wall will be co-hosted by Lake County Audubon Society and Audubon Great Lakes. Meet at the Nature Center Parking Lot for an 8am start. Click here for the eBird Hotspot list of bird species sighted. Click here for the eBird checklist of the 35 species seen on the walk.
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve - October 19
We gather to celebrate Oaktober and to participate in the eBird Global Big Day. Fort Sheridan is a historical site but is also known for its pristine natural areas and excellent lakefront birdwatching. Rolling terrain, mature trees, and ecologically sensitive bluffs and ravines on the Lake Michigan shoreline make a scenic destination. There are 3 scenic observation areas, including a 70-foot overlook of Lake Michigan. Fort Sheridan is located in one of North America’s busiest flyways for migratory birds and is also a Hawkwatch observation site which will be active on our visit. Over 140 species of birds follow the shoreline of Lake Michigan as they migrate north in the spring and south in the fall. Almost 60 other bird species are year-round residents. The Preserve’s ecosystems include ravine, prairie, savanna, lakeshore, and Lake Michigan. They provide diverse habitats for a great variety of wildlife and plant species some not found elsewhere in the region. Our walk will be on trails along the ravine and through the woodland ending at an overlook of the lake and prairie. The Main entrance is on Gilgare Lane and leads to a new 45-vehicle parking lot. We will meet in the parking lot. Fort Sheridan is a great site to sit and observe. Bring a chair if you would like to sit and observe. Meet for a 7:30am start. Click here for the eBird Hotspot list of the 236 bird species sighted.
Owls and Owlcohol: Monday December 9, 6:30pm
Join us at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville for an owl prowl. There may be a chance to see or hear Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls. After looking for owls we will have a social event at O’Tooles in Libertyville where we can warm up with some owlcohol! Meet in the main parking lot at Old School and please car pool if possible. Bring a flashlight and binoculars