The Evanston North Shore Bird Club

Field Trips

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Field trips sponsored by the Evanston North Shore Bird Club are open to everyone.  Beginners are encouraged on all ENSBC field trips. What's more, all local field trips are FREE! Car pooling is encouraged on all field trips. Always check the website for possible changes in dates, times, locations, leaders, etc. Contact the individual leader or the Field Trip Chairman if you need more details on specific trips, or are looking for someone to carpool with -- numbers are listed in the membership directory pages.

Most local trips are two-hours long and require no reservations.  For trips that might be half-day, all day or even over a weekend. reservations with the leader are required. If you have an idea for a possible future trip, or would like to lead a future trip, please contact the Field Trip Chair.

Most of the locations of field trips are on level, well drained ground, but a few take you to some muddy areas, or it may have recently rained and the trails may be waterlogged. A successful birding trip is a well planned trip; please bring along boots and rain gear as necessary, as well as snacks and water or something to drink to make every outing an enjoyable one. A final tip to good Chicagoland birding: a reliable local map is indispensable, whether an actual map or on your iphone.

Carpooling is strongly recommended on ENSBC field trips.

Field Trip: Canal Shores Community Golf Course birdwalk

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Meet at 7:30 a.m. on Maple Ave. in Wilmette, just west of the Canal, by the 10th hole tee.  Free parking on the street. 

FIELD TRIP: Kankakee Sands, Morocco, Indiana

Sunday, May 19, 2019

3rd trip Kankakee Sands.  Near Morocco, Indiana, this 8,000-acre prairie and wetland restoration was originally part of the 500,000-acre Grand Marsh of the Kankakee River.  The site is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, which describes it as a “birders' paradise” with over 200 species recorded since restoration began in 2001. The destination is a two-hour drive from Evanston and carpooling is recommended and may be arranged through the trip leader. Details TBA.  RSVP to Leader: Mark Vaughan, markvaughan60201@gmail.com. 

 

FIELD TRIP: Gillson Park

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Bird Walks in Gillson Park are sponsored by our partner Go Green Wilmette, Meet at 8 a.m. at the beach by the dog park. Parking is available for non-residents of Wilmette through May. For more information, contact kglennemeier@gmail.com.

 

FIELD TRIP: Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Look for warblers and other migrants (and also a great display of spring wildflowers. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Ewing Ave. and Grant St. Park along Ewing Ave.  Leader: John Bates or Josh Engel. 

FIELD TRIP: Fridays at Skokie Lagoons

Friday, May 24, 2019

These Friday 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 the parking lot from Willow Rd. just east of the Edens Expressway. Leader:Lynne Carpenter.

 

FIELD TRIP: Gillson Park

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Bird Walks in Gillson Park are sponsored by our partner Go Green Wilmette, Meet at 8 a.m. at the beach by the dog park. Parking is available for non-residents of Wilmette through May. For more information, contact kglennemeier@gmail.com.

FIELD TRIP: Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 30, 2019

 Look for warblers and other migrants (and also a great display of spring wildflowers. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Ewing Ave. and Grant St. Park along Ewing Ave.  Leader: John Bates or Josh Engel. 

FIELD TRIP: Plum Creek Forest Preserve

Saturday, June 29, 2019

6th Annual trip! Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the forest preserve parking lot on the east side of Burnham Rd., about 1 mile south of Sauk Trail. We'll spend the morning at Josh's favorite local summer birding spot, looking especially for grassland and shrubland birds that are otherwise rare so close to Chicago. Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows, Dickcissel, Yellow-breasted Chat, and White-eyed Vireo all breed there. Leader: Josh Engel. Limit of 10, RSVP to Josh at josh@redhillbirding.com.

Field Trip: CALUMET MARSHES BIRD WALK

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Explore the extensive marshes and wetlands of the Lake Calumet area with local expert Walter Marcisz. We will look for breeding marsh birds like Least Bitterns, Common Gallinules and other rails as well as early migrant shorebirds and wandering waders like Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons, and Yellow-crowned Night Herons.

Meet at O'Brien Lock & Dam at 8:00 am. From there we can visit various wetlands like Hegewisch Marsh, Indian Ridge, Big Marsh, and Burnham Prairie.

 Directions to O'Brien Lock & Dam:

Take I-94 (Bishop Ford Expressway) to

 130th Street and exit eastbound on 130th. As you head east

 on 130th Street, you will pass one stoplight. After the

 stoplight, turn right (south) into the O'Brien Lock

 & Dam entrance immediately west of the Calumet River

 bridge. Follow the entrance road south along the west bank

 of the Calumet River. The entrance road terminates at a

 parking lot with bathrooms on the west side of the river

 & locks. We will meet there.

 

 Contact Leader Walter Marcisz with questions: wmarcisz@att.net

 or 312-206-9889

FIELD TRIP: Calumet Sewage Ponds

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the region’s premier shorebird site. Combined trip with Chicago Ornithological Society. Meet at Sewage Ponds at 7:30 a.m., Trip ends at 11 a.m. Limit: 25 people. 

Advance sign-up for this trip is required. Registration forms available from Walter Marcisz, wmarcisz@att.net or 773-646-3034 or 312-206-9889 (cell). Completed form must be turned in by July 10.  Send forms by snail mail to Walter Marcisz,

13416 S. Mackinaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60633. 

No cameras but  scopes and binoculars OK.  Directions will be provided by Walter Marcisz.