It’s hard to beat Waukegan Beach in September.  Shorebirds are moving through in good numbers and migrant warblers begin to reach their peak.  We will spend the morning birding the beach, swales, and wooded lots of the Waukegan Beach area.  On the beach, we will be targeting

migrant shorebirds, where a good morning could include Baird’s and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Sanderling, and others.  In previous years, more specialties have shown up including Whimbrel and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, so we will be ever-vigilant.  In the swales, we will keep our eyes peeled for early waterfowl and lingering Least Bitterns which breed amongst the reeds.  In the wooded lots and beachfront park, migrant warblers can be abundant on the right day, and we hope to find Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Wilson’s and Magnolia Warblers among the 20+ that could be present.  We will be hiking the beach and wooded lots, which will total around 1-2 miles of walking at a birder’s pace. The Leader will have a scope, but if you enjoy carrying your own, you are more than welcome to bring one. Hiking boots or sneakers are both appropriate for this walk,

but please be prepared for walking on sand.  Duration: ~3 hours

Meet at 7:30 a.m. , see pin at https://goo.gl/maps/1QFRdEPAA3J2fEg67

Leader: Adam Sell

Registration is required and space is limited to 12 participants. Register

with libbyhill@comcast.net

Enjoy birding on Friday mornings at Jarvis Bird Sanctuary from 7:30a.m.-9:30a.m.

Park in the metered Waveland Parking Lot  (map here: https://goo.gl/maps/ovFmu2P21ewTXiAF7) and meet on the viewing platform on the east side of the fenced-in bird sanctuary (map here: https://goo.gl/maps/fgSgGEx75wEP3X7M6). 

Leaders: from Red Hill Birding, will be on the platform from 7:30a.m.-9:30a.m., so you can come any time. Coffee and fixings are provided.

The Calumet WRP has been a long-time favorite August field trip to look for migrating shorebirds plus other migrants in the ponds at the Plant.

The trip will be from 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Waiver forms are due August 11 and will require a copy of your driver's license. 

Leader: Isoo O'Brien

Register with Libby Hill libbyhill@comcast.net

The Openlands Lakeshore Preserve is home to three unique ecosystems - ravines, bluffs, and lakefront.

We will meet at this parking lot at 7:30 a.m. It's the main parking lot for the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve. If the lot fills up, people can park on the street right next to the lot.

Leader: Josh Engel

 Register with Libby Hill libbyhill@comcast.net

Many spring migrants can be found along the trail in the wooded and open habitats near the canal.

We will walk the north birding loop of the golf course at Canal Shores, located at 1030 Central St., Evanston.

The walk will start at 7:30 a.m.  

Meet by the 10th hole tee on Maple Ave, Wilmette, just west of the canal.

There is four hours of free parking on Maple in that area. 

Please dress for the weather, recognizing that the ground can be wet.

Bring binoculars and, if you have one, a field guide.

So, we can properly plan for the walks, please register with Matt Rooney,

matthewarooney@gmail.com, ahead of time. If you have any questions,

please reach out to Matt.

These trips pack a great list of warbler species during spring migration.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Erickson Woods Forest Preserve parking lot. Turn north into parking lot from Willow Road, just east of the Eden’s Expressway.

Leaders: Ed and Rebecca Rice

Northwestern University has always been a great migrant trap. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the open parking lot at the south end of campus just north of the Visitor Center, off of Sheridan Road. 

Leaders: Libby Hill and Betsy Brill

Every Thursday morning in May we'll look for spring migrants in the woods.  Meet at the corner of Ewing and Grant at 7:30.

Leaders: John Bates and sometimes Josh Engel