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 current Bird Calls and 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 trips are half-day excursions but check individual trip descriptions for those trips that might be all day or even over a weekend. Reservations with the leader may be 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.

It is strongly recommended that birders carpool on ENSBC field trips.

ADDED TRIP: Perkins Woods

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Perkins Woods.  Look for fall migrants.  Meet at 7:30 am at the corner of Grant and Ewing in Evanston.  Leader:  Josh Engel

FIELD TRIP: Perkins Woods

Thursday, September 28, 2017

 Look for fall warblers, thrushes and other migrants. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at corner of Ewing Ave. and Grant St. Leader: John Bates.

FIELD TRIP: The Grove

Friday, October 13, 2017

Expect sparrows, a few late warblers and other late passerines, maybe a hawk or 2 if the winds are right. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at The Grove: east side of Milwaukee Ave., just south of Lake Ave., in the second parking lot that leads to the Interpretive Center.  Leader: Jeff Sanders.

FIELD TRIP: Jeff Sanders’ Fall Specialty Trip! North Shore Lakefront

Sunday, November 19, 2017

48th Annual Jeff Sanders’ Fall Specialty Trip. North Shore lakefront – Northwestern, Gillson Park, Maple Park, Tower Road Park, Park Ave., Rose Beach in Highland Park, and other areas as time permits. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Gillson Park Beach House in Wilmette, off of Sheridan Road. We will carpool from there. Bring scopes and dress for cold lake wind. Leader: Jeff Sanders, yellowstart@yahoo.com. 847-657-6431.

Cuba! TRIP FULL WITH WAITING LIST!

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

ENSBC goes to Cuba! Led by Josh Engel and local guide Freddy Garcia.  February 20-March 3. This trip is designed to see most of the 28 (and counting) species of birds endemic to Cuba, enjoying the sights, sounds, and select cultural sights of the country along the way, with a full day at the end to explore Havana, its capital and largest city.  For more information, contact Libby Hill, libbyhill@comcast.net.

 

FIELD TRIP: Air Station Prairie and North Techny Basin

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Look for early migrating passerines and perhaps Woodcocks. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Air Station Prairie/Tyner Center, 2400 Compass Drive, Glenview in the parking lot across the street. Leader: Mark Vaughan.

FIELD TRIP: PERKINS WOODS

Thursday, May 3, 2018

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 Avenue and Grant Streets. Park along Ewing Avenue.  Leader: John Bates or Josh Engel.

FIELD TRIP: Skokie Lagoons

Friday, May 4, 2018

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:Northwestern University Campus

Saturday, May 5, 2018

This area is a stopover for migrants of all kinds heading north. Park on the lake side of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Libby Hill and Nancy Halliday.

FIELD TRIP: Gillson Park

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Bird Walks in GillsonPark are sponsored by our partners Go Green Wilmette. Meet at 8 a.m. at the top of the Wallace Bowl amphitheater. Street parking. For more information, contact kglennemeier@gmail.com.

FIELD TRIP: The Grove

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Expect warblers and other passerines. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at The Grove: east side of Milwaukee Ave., just south of Lake Ave., in the second parking lot that leads to the Interpretive Center.  Leader: Nancy Halliday.

FIELD TRIP: Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 10, 2018

 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 Avenue and Grant Streets.  Park along Ewing Avenue. Leader: John Bates or Josh Engel.

FIELD TRIP: Skokie Lagoons

Friday, May 11, 2018

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: Northwestern University Campus

Saturday, May 12, 2018

This area is a stopover for migrants of all kinds heading north. Park on the lake side of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Leaders: Libby Hill and TBA.

FIELD TRIP: Gillson Park

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Bird Walks in Gillson Park are sponsored by our partners Go Green Wilmette. Meet at 8 a.m. at the top of the Wallace Bowl amphitheater. Street parking. For more information, contact kglennemeier@gmail.com.

 

FIELD TRIP: Jackson Park and Lakefront; Wooded Isle

Sunday, May 13, 2018

We will be looking for migrating passerines at this park. Meet at 7:00 a.m. Park south of the Museum of Science and Industry after driving on the east side of the building. Leader: Dick Young.

FIELD TRIP: Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Join us for a spring morning at Montrose. Meet at 8:30 a.m. by the handicapped parking at the entrance to the sanctuary on W. Montrose Harbor Drive. Leader: Wayne Svoboda

 

FIELD TRIP: Perkins Woods

Thursday, May 17, 2018

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 Avenue and Grant Streets. Park along Ewing Avenue. Leader: John Bates or Josh Engel.

 

FIELD TRIP: Skokie Lagoons

Friday, May 18, 2018

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: Northwestern University Campus

Saturday, May 19, 2018

The NU campus has long been a stopover for migrants of all kinds headed south. Park on the lakeside of the upper deck of the south parking lot off of Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., north of Clark St. beach, at 8:30 a.m. Evanston. Leaders: Libby Hill and Isoo O’Brien.  

 

FIELD TRIP: Willow Slough and Kankakee Sands, Indiana

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Willow Slough and 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. Last year we spotted 62 different species on the trip.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