Events & Outings
Program Meetings:
Current plans are for all LCAS program meetings to use the hybrid format, with Zoom and in-person attendance as options.
The in-person portion of meetings is held at Cook Memorial Library in downtown Libertyville. Children accompanied by an adult are welcome.
View recordings of past presentations on our YouTube page.
Bird & Nature Outings:
Unless noted otherwise, registration is mandatory for all outings (see included registration links). It helps us know how many participants to expect and allows for easier communication with you in case of potential changes. Be sure to check your email before heading out!
Bird Walk: Greenbelt Forest Preserve West
Birding by Ear in Spring
Trip Leaders: Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka (847) 347-8416
An under-birded preserve with easy access for most Lake County residents. Our easy two mile loop will take us past several small ponds, through savanna and then through a more wooded area.
The area has wide trails and is more open which makes viewing somewhat easier. A special focus of this walk will be Birding by Ear. We will practice using Merlin to help us recognize some of the singing species as well as discuss mnemonics and tips to make remembering these songs easier. This is particularly good habitat for vireo species. We will practice listening to the difference in their calls and then observing them high in the treetops.
Bird Lake County: Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve
Trip leaders: Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka (847) 347-8416
Before this area became a forest preserve, it was farmed and mined for sand and gravel. Later it became a wetlands research project with the intent of providing flood control, improving water quality in the Des Plaines River, and improving wildlife habitat. The walk will begin and end at the parking area. It will be about a 3-mile walk. We will walk south on a gravel trail passing by four ponds, along the Des Plaines River, through wetlands, prairies and through an oak-hickory savanna. At Mill Creek will head east on the gravel trail along Mill Creek and cross the Des Plaines River where Mill Creek joins the river. Then we walk north through a wooded area that is often a warbler hotspot and then loop back to our vehicles.
Because of the diversity of the habitat, we may see migrating songbirds, ducks, shorebirds, and wading birds. In addition, we may see other animals such as turtles, muskrats, and beavers.
Planning on visiting on your own? Here’s the link to an area description and map.
Registration Link
Bird Walk: Independence Grove
CALLING ALL NEW BIRDERS! Have you been thinking that bird-watching might be a fun activity to try? This is your chance! Join us for a beginner bird walk at Independence Grove. This is a great opportunity to learn about the birds that live in our area and meet other birders who enjoy this wonderful hobby. No experience is necessary and binoculars will be available for loan to those who need them. All birders and bird lovers are welcome. Independence Grove is a picturesque preserve with a large lake, areas of reclaimed prairie and mature woodlands. It attracts a variety of waterfowl and songbirds during migration, which is just getting started.
Bird Lake County: Fox River Forest Preserve
Leaders: Doug Reitz and Charlotte Pavelka, (847) 347-8416.
Winter thaw is on (we hope!) and the waterfowl and eagles will be the first to return! Before the boats are in the water, this is a great location for birders and birders. Ducks, American pelicans and (possible) loon are likely and as a bonus, sometimes the birds are quite close and can be seen fairly easily just with binoculars. (We will have scopes available as needed.) Beginners are always welcome at our events ... an additional LCAS representative will be on hand to help especially for those new to birding.
In the harbor, we may see ducks such as Common Goldeneye, all three of the mergansers, buffleheads and scaup. Rarities such as long-tailed Duck, harlequin duck, snow goose and red-throated loons have all been seen this winter...perhaps we will see an uncommon species as well. We will begin at the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club parking lot and then drive to Stateline Beach and the south end parking. We will also walk to see some land birds such as woodpeckers, blue birds and sparrows.
Join us after the walk (Optional) for coffee at Honey Hill Coffee in Wauconda. All can share news about birds coming to your feeders and other locations and ask your birding questions. We will share more about upcoming Lake County Audubon events.
Bird Walk: Chain O'Lakes State Park
Come join us for a walk along the Goldfinch Trail on the Fox River as the snow moves out of the county. We hope to see Bald Eagles, American White Pelicans and Trumpeter Swans as they move through Lake County from their wintering grounds. Teals, shovelers, wigeons, scaups and ring-necked ducks and coots should also be in abundance. Red-wing blackbirds and perhaps even a rusty will also be possibilities.
Bird Lake County: Waukegan Harbor
Leader: Matt Tobin, (847) 951-1483
Continue the inaugural Bird Lake County year with a trip to another popular winter destination for waterfowl! Waukegan Harbor is an attractive location for waterfowl to seek refuge and find food during the cold weather, and its proximity along Lake Michigan brings in many migrating waterfowl for a stopover. Numerous gulls often pack together on the harbor structures, while raptors such as Bald Eagles and American Kestrels may be observed hunting along the lakefront. The walk around the site generally allows for very good views of waterfowl within the harbor, but some birds can be observed farther out on Lake Michigan. Binoculars are fine for most of the close birds, but a scope is useful for more distant birds.
Birders of any experience are always welcome at our walks. Loaner pairs of binoculars will be available, and there will likely be a scope or two on hand. Please dress accordingly for the weather. Depending on how the walk at Waukegan Harbor goes, there may be an add-on trip to Bowen Park or Lyons Woods Forest Preserve, about a 5-minute drive north, to look for some woodland species. After the walk, feel free to join Audubon members at Bob and Anne's Restaurant in Waukegan for coffee and conversation.
Directions and parking instructions for the walk are included in the registration link below.
If you are unable to attend the walk and would like to visit Waukegan Harbor on your own during February, a location spotlight page and bird checklist are available to provide information for your trip.
Bird Walk: North Point Marina Area
Kick off your year at this popular winter birding location! As inland water bodies (and sometimes even Lake Michigan) freeze up, this harbor generally continues to be a place of quiet refuge for waterfowl and gulls. And as a bonus, sometimes the birds are quite close and can be seen fairly easily just with binoculars.
Waukegan Harbor- Bird Walk
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.
Birds & Art - Overnight Trip
Join us as we travel up to Wausau, Wisconsin, to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum to view the 2023 Birds in Art Exhibit and do some birding along the way.
Pine Dunes FP - Bird Walk
Pine Dunes is one of the newest forest preserves in the north central part of Lake County. Nestled in the rolling hills and savannas are several small ponds/wetland areas.
Cuba Marsh FP - Bird Walk
Travel to southwestern Lake County to visit this sprawling preserve with extensive wetlands and savanna to take in the fall colors. Green-winged teal, pintails, and shovelers are some of the ducks that may be found at this location in fall.
Fort Sheridan FP - Bird Walk
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, on the shore of Lake Michigan, is a great location for migrating warblers in wooded areas, sparrows in the extensive grasslands and migrating hawks soaring overhead. Sparrows are the real highlight with twenty species, including specialties like Nelson’s, Vesper and Harris being seen most years in October.
Big Sit - Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve
Join birdwatchers throughout the day at a scenic spot in Middlefork Savanna to count birds and enjoy some birding camaraderie. LCAS and Lake Forest Open Lands invite you to drop in and spend some time with us as we participate in the annual Big Sit sponsored by the New Haven Birding Club.
IL Beach State Park - North
Why do we love Illinois Beach in the fall? Noisy Yellow-bellied sapsuckers and Red-headed woodpeckers, soaring northern harriers and broad-winged hawks, twittering brown creepers and red-breasted nuthatches, four thrush species, kinglets, white-crowned, white-throated, fox and Lincoln’s sparrows and late fall warblers like Tennessee and Blackpolls.
Fall Warblers Walk - Daniel Wright Woods FP
Migration should be in full swing for this walk. Daniel Wright Woods is an easy gravel trail along the Des Plaines River and through oak-hickory forest, attracting plenty of migrants passing through.
Glacial Park Conservation Area – McHenry County
Travel to McHenry County for a great mix of both early migratory and resident birds in woodland, prairie and wetland habitats with over 100 species on eBird for September.
Spring Bluff Forest Preserve- Bird Walk
Shorebird migration should be at its peak in mid-August! It is fun as you never quite know what will turn up on any given day.
Nippersink Forest Preserve - Birdability
This is a special event designed especially for individuals with low mobility and/or other disabilities to enjoy birds and nature with others.
Rollins Savanna - Birds & Bikes
Learn tips from Beau Schaefer about both biking and birding in Lake County and find out why he is a champion for birding by bike.
Grant Woods FP North - Birds & Butterflies *RESCHEDULED*
Join local butterfly monitor, Carla Schmakel, as we walk the prairie paths to learn more about butterfly ID, habitats, and status. We will also keep our eyes out for breeding birds as well.
Rollins Savanna - Bird Walk
Join LCAS board member, Donna Kenski, to visit this special prairie. Over sixty species have been observed in the past two weeks, including Bobolinks and Orchard Orioles.
Lakewood Forest Preserve - Bird Walk
Stephen Hurst is an outstanding younger birder and photographer, who will lead a walk for us for the first time. Last year, as he conducted the breeding bird survey for the forest preserve and BCN, he was able to observe 90 species!
Middlefork Savanna FP - Bird Walk
It’s time for Raising Bird Families! Donna has been the breeding bird monitor at this location for LCFPD and the Bird Conservation Network for the past two years. This preserve has a great mix of small ponds, wetlands, savanna and woodlands so lots of different species call it home.
Birding by CANOE at Chain of Lakes State Park
Join us as we boat the Fox River Waterway and bird from a different angle. Egrets, Green & Great Blue Herons, Black Terns, Kingbirds and Flycatchers, Marsh Wrens, and Common Yellowthroats are all possible in this area of cattails and lilypads.
Birds & Breakfast Special Event
Come just for breakfast or join us before for a walk! Coffee, tea, muffins, and donuts will be provided by LCAS.
Sedge Meadow - Bird Walk
Sedge Meadow is one of the best warbler and spring migrant sites in Lake County. It has a good mix of habitat with river edge, oak hardwoods, willow thickets, and wetland ponds.
Double Header for Spring Migrants - Bird Walk
Come for just the first or second part of this outing, or for both parts.
6:30 - 7:30 am - Bowen Park
7:30 - 9:30 am - Lyons Woods
Ryerson Conservation Area - Bird Walk
Come explore 'warbler alley' and the banks of the Des Plaines River for colorful warblers and spring songbirds.
Warblers and Wildflowers - Bird & Nature Walk
Join us at one of the best places in Lake County for the variety of warblers and other spring migrants.
Pop Up Bird Walk: Chain O' Lakes State Park (Copy)
Trip Leader: Beau Schaefer
Trail: 3.5 miles, flat, crushed gravel.