Scarlet Tanager, Matt Tobin

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Stephen Hurst

Warbling Vireo

Palm Warbler: Matt Tobin

Blackburnian Warbler, Stephen Hurst

Caspian Terns, Waukegan Beach

Great Lakes Endangered Piping Plover, Carolyn Lueck

Stephanie Beilke and Leo Gaskins

Marsh Birds and Muskrats

If you are unable to attend in person, please join us via Zoom using the link below:

Meeting ZOOM

Situated in southwest Lake County, Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve is a wonderful yet under-birded site containing a nice mix of wetland, woodland, and prairie habitats that attract many bird species.

Directions to the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve parking lot are included in the registration link below.

Register for Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve Bird Walk

Trip Leader: Charlotte Pavelka, 847-347-8416

 With its large area and wide-ranging habitats, Chain O’ Lakes State Park is a wonderful place to visit year-round for a diversity of birds and scenic views. Countless birds stop here for a rest during the spring migration including common loons, American white pelicans, and all manner of waterfowl.

(Sunday, March 23 will be used as a backup date for this walk in case of inclement weather on March 22.)

Directions about where to meet the trip leader for the start of the walk are included in the registration link below.

Register for Chain O’Lakes

Trip Leader: Matt Tobin, 847-951-1483

 Come out to western Lake County for a trip along the Fox River and see the important role it plays during spring migration for a wide variety of species. Visitors are treated to expansive vistas of the river, where bald eagles are often observed flying overhead and American white pelicans have been known to consistently stop for a rest during their northward migration.

 Directions to the specific parking lot where we’ll meet at Fox River Forest Preserve are included in the registration link below.

Register for Fox River Forest Preserve Bird Walk

Trip Leader: Beau Schaefer
Trip Coordinator: Matt Tobin, 847-951-1483

Join us as we look for a variety of waterfowl at this Lake County hidden gem that serves as an essential spring migratory stopover for many species. Massive gatherings of 1000+ ring-necked ducks have been seen here in previous seasons. The trip will be led by long-time Lake County expert birder Beau Schaefer. Space for this trip will be limited to 10 participants.  Directions to the parking lot are included in the registration link below. 
Register for Redwing Slough Bird Walk

It is estimated that more than a billion migratory birds die in North America each year from collisions with buildings.  From residential structures to high-rise buildings, collision deaths are ranked as one of the greatest threats to bird populations after habitat loss.

Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (CBCM) is a conservation project working since 2003 to address the problems that lights and building designs pose to birds that pass through urban areas. Volunteers recover thousands of dead and injured birds from more than 200 different species each spring and fall.  The project raises awareness, educates and advocates for bird safety measures.  Learn about efforts and methods to protect migratory species from the hazards of lights and glass at our homes and in our communities.

Annette Prince has worked on local and national conservation projects as well as wildlife education and rehabilitation programs over the last thirty-six years.  She joined the non-profit conservation project – Chicago Bird Collision Monitors twenty years ago and became its director in 2005 helping to advance its mission to rescue, educate and advocate for the protection of birds impacted by urban hazards.  Annette is on the board of the Chicago Bird Alliance and chairs the Bird Friendly Chicago collaboration of bird conservation groups working to promote bird-friendly building design requirements in Chicago.

If you are unable to attend in person, please join us via Zoom using the link below:

Meeting ZOOM

Spring is nearly here, and our minds shift away from Snowy Owl and Northern Shrikes and towards warblers, vireos, shorebirds and more. This talk seeks to help the novice birder best understand the dynamics of spring migration in Chicago and help them make the most important decision in spring - "Where should I go birding today?" This talk will cover the basics of migration timing and expected species, weather and its effects on birds/birding, and how to make the most of birding in spring. 

Adam doesn't remember a time when a pair of binoculars wasn't around his neck.  He was mentored by his father and other local birders in north Texas and later by the incredible birding community of the Chicagoland area. He is deeply involved in his local birding community, including time spent on the board of the Illinois Ornithological Society and as a member of the Illinois Ornithological Records Committee.

A former middle school teacher, Adam is a natural teacher and has found guiding clients to be his preferred classroom.  He joined Red Hill Birding full-time in 2022 after spending summers guiding across Central and North America. He now both organizes and guides tours around the globe, and works alongside Josh on the day-to-day operations of Red Hill Birding. Adam sets out to ensure that both the novice birder and world lister have an incredible experience in the field. When not birding, you can find Adam enjoying all other aspects of nature and relaxing outdoors with his wife Tiffany, and son Ian.

If you are unable to attend in person, please join us via Zoom using the link below:

Meeting ZOOM

Vic Berardi, founder of the all-volunteer Illinois Beach State Park Hawkwatch and well known raptor photographer, will discuss wintering raptors of Illinois and neighboring Indiana and Wisconsin. His emphasis will be on raptor descriptions and possible locations to find these birds in the winter months. Vic spends a great deal of time in the winter searching for raptors and photographing them. His photographs have been used by several conservation organizations and in raptor field guides. He is also the Chair of the Winter Raptor Survey program for the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) and has been conducting a survey the past few winters in southeastern Wisconsin.

Waukegan Harbor draws a surprising number of ducks and other waterfowl throughout the winter, due to its protective breakwaters and sheltering docks.  Interesting sparrows often lurk in the trees and shrubs bordering the harbor parking lots.

At present Lake County is home to three owl species that are year-round residents—the great horned, barred and screech—as well as several others that visit during the cold weather months. We’ll take a look these birds’ adaptations, as well as their life histories and the roles they play in local ecosystems. Spoiler alert: Species profiles will include an Illinois owl success story!

Presenter: Pam Otto is the outreach ambassador for the naturalist department at the St. Charles Park District. She received a master’s degree in outdoor education from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb in 2001, and a bachelor’s degree in Foods in Business from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1985. Although she has been chasing snakes since the age of three, she worked in the field of trade publishing for 15 years before starting work as a naturalist in 1999. Since that time she has worked at the Kane County Forest Preserve District’s Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center and at the Fox Valley Park District’s Red Oak Nature Center in North Aurora. She joined the naturalist staff at St. Charles in September 2007.

If you are unable to attend in person, please join us via Zoom using the link below: (TBD)

Trip leaders: Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka, 847-347-8416

Independence Grove is one of the largest and deepest of the inland lakes in Lake County and usually attracts a large number of waterfowl migrating in the fall. Hundreds of geese are joined by Pied-Billed and Horned Grebes, Trumpeter Swans, Coots, Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, Ruddy Ducks, and Wigeons. The peninsula trail often allows close views but we will have a scope available if needed. We will also be on the lookout for Northern Harriers and Bald Eagles which are often seen here in the fall.

After viewing the waterfowl, we will cross over the bridge to the west side of the Des Plaines river and look for fall migrants in the prairie and savanna area. Possible winter-arriving migrants may include Brown Creepers, Purple Finches, Winter Wrens, and Pine Siskins.

Make sure to register as location may change based upon waterfowl migration progress and/or event may be cancelled for inclement weather.

Register