Bird Lake County 2024
Lake County Audubon Society invites you to join us at a local birding hotspot each month and stay for socializing afterward. Our series brings together bird and nature enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to experts, with guided walks at birding hotspots in Lake County followed by social gatherings. Each month will feature a different Lake County hotspot and social opportunity, such as visiting local coffee shops, stopping at a brewery, picnicking and enjoying a bonfire together.
As a special incentive, all who bird at least six of the designated locations will receive a special recognition and a gift from 2024 Bird Lake County at our end-of-year celebration in November. Can't make it to the scheduled event? No worries; you can visit our monthly spotlighted location on your own. We will have a ‘Spotlight Guide’ (http://tinyurl.com/Spotlight-on-NPM2) that will help you learn about what’s special at each location and highlight the birds you can expect to see. We will offer opportunities for you to share your photos, experiences and sightings. You don’t need to be an expert birder…just get outside and observe the birds and nature. And of course, we will continue to offer additional bird walks, the Big Sit, a butterfly walk and kayak trips around the county as we have in the past.
Bird Lake County: Birds and Breakfast, Illinois Beach State Park, June 1
Date: Saturday, June 1
Come start summer with a bird walk and breakfast provided by Lake County Audubon Society. All participants must register for this event! Note the varying start times and meeting locations; we will all meet up after the walks for breakfast at the Sand Prairie Day Use Area.
Early Walk: 7:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m., 3 miles
Trip Leaders Early Walk: Charlotte Pavelka (847) 347-8416 and Doug Reitz (847) 549-8814
Location: Sand Pond Parking Lot
Short Walk: 8:00-9:30 a.m.,1 mile
Trip Leaders Short Walk: Don Wilson (224) 639-3158 and Carolyn Lueck (773) 984-2403
Location: Beach Parking Lot-IBSP North
Breakfast–Come just for breakfast or join us before for a walk!
Time: 9:00 –10:00 a.m.
Location: IBSP North–Sand Prairie Day Use Area
BRING YOUR OWN MUG AND CHAIR!
Coffee/tea/muffins/donuts will be provided by LCAS.
Breakfast Hosts: Sandy Hauri (847) 902-9719 and Kathryn Appelbaum (312) 286 -4659
Sale Table – We will have used nature books, nature-related trifold field ID guides and Bird Collision prevention window stickers. Bring your checkbook or credit card for purchases. In case of poor weather, the organizers will notify all participants via email. Rain date is June 2. PLEASE REGISTER TO HELP US PLAN!
Spotlight Link: Planning on visiting on your own? Here’s the link: Spotlight Guide-IBSP North Unit
Bird Lake County: Ryerson Forest Preserve, May 19
Date: Sunday, May 19
Time: 7:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Trip Leaders: Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka (847)347-8416
Ryerson is a very special place with exceptional natural areas leading to its dedication as an Illinois Nature Preserve. The combination of savannas, wetlands and deep mature woodlands along the Des Plaines River attracts a high number of migratory birds (and birders) in the spring. Did you know that 34 species of warblers, 6 vireos, 5 thrushes and many more migrants have been historically recorded at this preserve? This is the place in Lake County to be in the spring to see both tropical migrants plus our resident species including red-headed and pileated woodpeckers.
Directions and parking instructions are given in the registration link.
Spotlight Link: Planning on visiting on your own? Here’s the link: Ryerson Area Description & Map
Bird Lake County: Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve, April 20
Date: Saturday, April 20
Time: 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Trip Leaders: Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka (847)347-8416
Before this area became a forest preserve, it was farmed and mined for sand and gravel. Later it became a wetlands research project with the intent of providing flood control, improving water quality in the Des Plaines River, and improving wildlife habitat. The walk will begin and end at the parking area. It will be about a 3-mile walk. We will walk south on a gravel trail passing by four ponds, along the Des Plaines River, through wetlands, prairies and through an oak-hickory savanna. At Mill Creek we will head east on the gravel trail along Mill Creek and cross the Des Plaines River where Mill Creek joins the river. Then we walk north through a wooded area that is often a warbler hotspot and then loop back to our vehicles. Because of the diversity of the habitat, we may see migrating songbirds, ducks, shorebirds, and wading birds. In addition, we may see other animals such as turtles, muskrats, and beavers.
Planning on visiting on your own? Here’s a link to an area description and map.
Posted In: Nature Walks/Outings, Bird Lake County 2024
Bird Lake County: Fox River Forest Preserve, March 23
Date: Saturday, March 23
Time: 8:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Trip Leaders: Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka (847)347-8416
Winter thaw is on (we hope!) and the waterfowl and eagles will be the first to return! Before the boats are in the water, this is a great location for birders and birders. Ducks, American pelicans and (possible) loon are likely and as a bonus, sometimes the birds are quite close and can be seen fairly easily just with binoculars. (We will have scopes available as needed.) Beginners are always welcome at our events ... an additional LCAS representative will be on hand to help especially for those new to birding.
In the harbor, we may see ducks such as common goldeneye, all three of the mergansers, buffleheads and scaup. Rarities such as long-tailed duck, harlequin duck, snow goose and red-throated loons have all been seen this winter...perhaps we will see an uncommon species as well. Join us after the walk (Optional) for coffee at Honey Hill Coffee in Wauconda. All can share news about birds coming to your feeders and other locations and ask your birding questions. We will share more about upcoming Lake County Audubon events.
Bird Lake County: Waukegan Harbor, Feb. 25
Date: Sunday, February 25
Time: 8 - 10:30 am
Trip leader: Matt Tobin, (847) 951-1483
Continue the inaugural Bird Lake County year with a trip to another popular winter destination for waterfowl! Waukegan Harbor is an attractive location for waterfowl to seek refuge and find food during the cold weather, and its proximity along Lake Michigan brings in many migrating waterfowl for a stopover. Numerous gulls often pack together on the harbor structures, while raptors such as Bald Eagles and American Kestrels may be observed hunting along the lakefront. The walk around the site generally allows for very good views of waterfowl within the harbor, but some birds can be observed farther out on Lake Michigan. Binoculars are fine for most of the close birds, but a scope is useful for more distant birds.
Birders of any experience are always welcome at our walks. Loaner pairs of binoculars will be available, and there will likely be a scope or two on hand. Please dress accordingly for the weather. Depending on how the walk at Waukegan Harbor goes, there may be an add-on trip to Bowen Park or Lyons Woods Forest Preserve, about a 5-minute drive north, to look for some woodland species. After the walk, feel free to join Audubon members at Bob and Anne's Restaurant in Waukegan for coffee and conversation.
Directions and parking instructions for the walk are included in the registration link below.
If you are unable to attend the walk and would like to visit Waukegan Harbor on your own during February, a location spotlight page and bird checklist are available to provide information for your trip.