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Field Trips and Events
Winging It: A Brief History of Humanity's Relationship with Birds
Jun 20
Newberry Library
Winging It: A Brief History of Humanity's Relationship with Birds
Newberry Library

Head on over the Newberry Library for Winging It: A Brief History of Humanity’s Relationship with Birds, a COS-sponsored exhibit.

Newberry Library
Nighthawk Watch at Horner Park
Aug 24
Horner Park
Nighthawk Watch at Horner Park
Horner Park

RSVP Required

Join COS for a nocturnal twist on the classic hawk watch, our third annual Nighthawk Watch!

Horner Park
Humboldt Park Sunday Social Bird Walk
Aug 31
Humboldt Park
Humboldt Park Sunday Social Bird Walk
Humboldt Park

RSVP Required

Join us as we explore Humboldt Park as migratory birds flock to this incredible green oasis in the surrounding urban environment.

Humboldt Park
Nighthawk Watch at Northerly Island
Aug 31
Northerly Island
Nighthawk Watch at Northerly Island
Northerly Island

RSVP Required

Join COS for a nocturnal twist on the classic hawk watch, our third annual Nighthawk Watch!

Northerly Island
North Pond Wednesday Bird Walks
Sep 3
North Pond Casting Pier
North Pond Wednesday Bird Walks
North Pond Casting Pier

In cooperation with Third Coast Birding and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, COS is proud to continue our long tradition of Wednesday morning bird walks at North Pond!

North Pond Casting Pier
Montrose Bird Sanctuary Stewardship Workday
Sep 6
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Montrose Bird Sanctuary Stewardship Workday
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary

Join the stewards of Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary (Magic Hedge) for a workday at one of the top bird watching spots in the country!

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Sunrise Birding at Montrose Point
Sep 7
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Sunrise Birding at Montrose Point
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary

RSVP Required

Join COS for an early morning bird outing at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary.

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Beginner Birding at Jarvis Bird Sanctuary
Sep 7
Bill Jarvis Bird Sanctuary
Beginner Birding at Jarvis Bird Sanctuary
Bill Jarvis Bird Sanctuary

RSVP Required

Join COS for a beginner bird walk at Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

Bill Jarvis Bird Sanctuary
Sunset Birding at McKinley Park
Sep 7
McKinley Park
Sunset Birding at McKinley Park
McKinley Park

RSVP Required

End the daylight hours with a COS bird walk at McKinley Park.

McKinley Park
COS in the Suburbs: Carl R. Hansen Woods
Sep 8
Carl R. Hansen Woods
COS in the Suburbs: Carl R. Hansen Woods
Carl R. Hansen Woods

RSVP Required

Explore the prairie, woodland, and wetland habitats of this northwest suburban forest preserve during fall migration.

Carl R. Hansen Woods
North Pond Wednesday Bird Walks
Sep 10
North Pond Casting Pier
North Pond Wednesday Bird Walks
North Pond Casting Pier

In cooperation with Third Coast Birding and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, COS is proud to continue our long tradition of Wednesday morning bird walks at North Pond!

North Pond Casting Pier
The Urban Birding Festival
Sep 12
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Urban Birding Festival
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Chicago Ornithological Society is proud to present, in association with our many birding partners, The Urban Birding Festival! Taking place in and around Chicago on September 12-14, 2025 this festival highlights the extraordinary bird diversity present in the area with over 400 recorded species in the Chicago region.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The Chicago Birder Blog

 
Blog
Field Trip Recap: Horner Park
Field Trip Recap: Horner Park

COS member Joann Umeki recaps the field trip at Horner Park on Aug. 23, the first one led by COS board member Chris Cochrane.

Field Trip Recap: Borbs and Forbs at Columbus Park
Field Trip Recap: Borbs and Forbs at Columbus Park

COS member Steve Whitman recaps the monthly Borbs and Forbs walk, this time at Columbus Park on Aug. 16.

Recap and More Actions: Bird-friendly Chicago
Recap and More Actions: Bird-friendly Chicago

Kris Hansen reports on the July Department of Environment subject matter hearing on the need for a Bird-Friendly Design Ordinance in Chicago.

Results of the 2025 Nighthawk Monitoring Season
Results of the 2025 Nighthawk Monitoring Season

Read the recap of the Common Nighthawk Project’s 2025 monitoring season.

Field Trip Recap: Sunday Social with an American Bittern
Field Trip Recap: Sunday Social with an American Bittern

COS member Kris Hansen recaps the Sunday Social American Bittern hunt at Humboldt Park on Aug. 17, 2025.

Field Trip Recap: Douglass Park Walk for Families and Beginners
Field Trip Recap: Douglass Park Walk for Families and Beginners

Trip leader Sammy Cabindol recaps the beginner’s walk at Douglass Park on June 27.