Field Trips - April 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009 - 06:45 PM
Woodcocks at Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve
Leader: Craig Taylor 708-579-1622 or tnemec1 [at] ameritech [dot] net
We will meet in the early evening to see the American Woodcocks display at dusk. Save your appetite for dinner afterwards at Paul’s http://www.pauls-pizza.com/home.html.
Directions: You can park in one of three lots along the north side of 31st Street, just west of Wolf Road.
Saturday, April 04, 2009 - 07:00 AM
Montrose Harbor, Magic Hedge and Jarvis
Leader: Dave Antieau dkantieau [at] sbcglobal [dot] net and Alex Bloss alex_bloss13[at] msn [dot] com
Begin spring at Chicago’s famous Magic Hedge and surrounding areas. Bird this world class location in search of shorebirds, sparrows, early warblers and other spring migrants.
Directions: Exit Lakeshore Drive at Montrose east towards the lake, turn right at the bait shop and park along the harbor, near the signs for the Magic Hedge. We will meet at the sign near the Montrose volunteer parking area.
Saturday, April 04, 2009 - 07:30 AM
Give Back to Birds - Field Trip and Workday, West DuPage Woods – Elsen’s Hill
The Bird Conservation Network is sponsoring its second Give Back to the Birds – Field Trip/Workday at the West DuPage Forest Preserve’s Elsen’s Hill in West Chicago. The bird walk is from 7:30am to 9:00am, followed by a snack at 9:00 am, and then the workday from 9:30am to noon. Elsen’s Hill is located on the wooded banks of the DuPage River and contains a variety of habitats which makes it an attractive stopover for migratory birds and home to many nesting species. It was recently named an Illinois Important Bird Area.
On this early spring workday, with the help of our Elsen’s Hill birding experts, we will look for early migrants such as kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Eastern Phoebe, and Louisiana Waterthrush. This site is known for its early arriving spring migrants.
After the early morning bird walk, we will enjoy a complimentary snack before we begin to clear invasive brush. We will also plant seeds of native wildflowers and shrubs which will help provide more habitat for migrating and breeding shrubland birds. Attempts to restore native shrublands in this region are in their infancy. Join in this pioneering work to provide more desirable habitat for the birds.
This Saturday trip/workday will take place rain or shine. People aged 13 and over who are reasonably fit will be able to find a way to help. Dress in layers, with sturdy waterproof boots. Tools and work gloves will be provided. But, bring work gloves if you have them.
Bring a sack lunch if you would like to picnic with the other volunteers after the workday.
BCN would like a count of the volunteers for that day. Please RSVP to Joan Bruchman at pjbruchman@yahoo.com or 847-687-3108. Also let Joan know if you would like to be part of a carpool.
Directions: The entrance to the Elsen’s Hill parking lot is located on the north side of Gary’s Mill Road between Roosevelt Road (Route 38) and Winfield Road in West Chicago, IL.
Saturday, April 25, 2009 - 06:30 AM
Willow Slough FWA and TNC Kankakee Sands, Newton County, Indiana
Leader: Jed Hertz 815/937-9530 or jhh_60910 [at] yahoo [dot] com
This popular trip is getting to be an annual event. Venture to NW Indiana to Willow Slough FWA, The Nature Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands Preserve, and Pembroke Twp, Kankakee Co to view a wide variety of birds from many families, possibly including American Bittern, rails, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, Sandhill Crane, American Golden Plover, Upland Sandpiper, Lark Sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow and Lapland and Smith’s Longspurs. Bring your scopes, snacks, walkie-talkies and boots (16”) if you have them. Latecomers should look for birders at HQ Bldg – we will check back at about 7:30 a.m.
Directions: Meet at Willow Slough FWA which is ~3.5 miles south of 7000S Rd on Stateline Rd., then East on entrance Rd. to the Parking Area east of the HQ Bldg.
Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 06:30 AM
Eggers Woods/Lake Calumet Area
Leader: Walter Marcisz 773/646-3034 or wmarcisz [at] att [dot] net
Join Walter Marcisz for an early morning tour of the Lake Calumet area wetlands & Eggers Woods in search of marsh birds & migrants. Target birds will include Little Blue Heron, Yellow-headed Blackbird (Eggers Woods) and other wetland birds.
Scopes will be helpful for the trip, and sturdy boots/waterproof footwear are recommended.
Meet at O’Brien Lock & Dam.
Directions: Take I-94 to 130th Street. Exit eastbound on 130th and turn right just before the steel bridge into the drive for O’Brien Lock & Dam. Turn left after the railroad underpass and proceed to the parking lot.