Field Trips - January 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 04:00 PM
Bartel Grasslands - Short Eared Owls and More
Leader: Dick Riner, dickriner [at] gmail [dot] com
Winter is prime time to see Short-eared owls. They appear at dusk, but Northern Harriers put on a good show before that. Come on out and join Dick, who monitors Bartel practically daily.
Directions: From I-57, exit at Vollmer Rd and head west. Turn right (north) at Central Ave, then left (west) on Flossmoor Rd. Parking is on the south side of Flossmoor Road just west of Central Avenue in a new lot with a sign for Bartel Grassland.
Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 07:30 AM
Chicago Lakefront Gulls, Ducks, and Winter Birds
Leader: Geoff Williamson 773/935-8439 or geoffrey [dot] williamson [at] comcast [dot] net
Winter gulls, waterfowl and possibly a Snowy Owl or two are targets of a lake front morning of birding. This trip will provide an opportunity to practice gull identification skills in preparation for the IOS Gull Frolic. In January, the Chicago lake front can be frigid, so you must dress for extreme weather from your boots to the top of your head. Today is THE day to pull out your neoprene face mask and actually wear it! Bring food and a thermos of a hot beverage to keep your body temperature up. Telescopes will be useful. Bring your walkie-talkies. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Montrose Harbor in Chicago’s Lincoln Park.
Directions: Meet at Montrose Harbor across the park drive from the Magic Hedge. Enter the park on Montrose Ave. going east from Lake Shore Drive. Follow the park entrance road as it curves slightly northeast and turn east/right at the first opportunity onto Montrose Harbor Drive (right next to the bait shop). Follow the drive as it starts to curve to the south and park on the curve. Look right towards the harbor for the birders and scopes.