More than 200 species of birds have been identified at LaBagh Woods, making it one of the area's best places to see migrating birds. Located at the southern point of the popular North Branch Trail, LaBagh is host to a thriving bird-focused habitat restoration project. Be prepared for mud! Meet 7:30 a.m. at the Grove 3 parking lot near the bike trail crossing. (Enter off Cicero and turn right at the T.)

Leader: Judy Pollock

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

Leader: John Bates and Josh Engel

This 7.84-acre nature area with paths and viewing platforms attracts local and migratory birds. Meeting directions to be provided.

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

John Bates: Birds of Bermuda

Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave. Evanston, 7:30

Bermuda is 54 square miles of islands in the Atlantic Ocean and is a destination for tourists lying 650 miles east of North Carolina and is about the same distance from Massachusetts and Puerto Rico.  Despite its isolation, almost 400 bird species have been recorded here.  In April 2023, John Bates, Curator of Birds, Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum, and University of Chicago graduate student Louise Bodt organized a trip to study and sample European Goldfinches which have been living on the island for over 100 years.  Working with local experts they visited multiple sites on the island.  They will present on the birds of Bermuda based on their ongoing research and what they learned on their trip.

Canal Shores is a great place to see spring migrants. Meet on Maple Avenue in Wilmette just west of the Canal and walk the golf course’s birding loop. Free street parking. Participation limited to 15 people. Register with Matt Rooney at matthewarooney@gmail.com.

Look for warblers and other migrants (and a great display of spring wildflowers). 

Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Ewing Avenue and Grant Street.  Park along Ewing Avenue.  Leaders: John Bates and Josh Engel.

Sunday – May 21, 6:00 a.m.- all day

The Kankakee Sands trip is back!.  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. 

Plan on an all-day trip. Meet at the Old Orchard Parking lot at 6:a.m. for carpooling and return no later than dinner hour, depending upon the birding. We will enjoy a bountiful continental breakfast, courtesy of leader Mark Vaughan, at the picnic shelter at the 10,000 acre Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area adjacent to Kankakee Sands. (The last trip in 2019 was a 2-hour breakfast because of the abundance of Red-headed woodpeckers, flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, bluebirds and warblers.)  Lunch will be in a nearby local restaurant in Morocco. Leader: Mark Vaughan.

Register with libbyhill@comcast.net.

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 the parking lot from Willow Road just east of the Eden’s Expressway. Leaders: Ed and Rebecca Rice.