DuPage Birding Club invites guests on field trips

Bird watchers of all skill levels will have plenty of opportunities to hone their craft early this year in and around DuPage County. Daily Herald file photo

The public is invited to join DuPage Birding Club members on the following winter field trips. All skill levels are welcome, including beginners and children ages 10 and up. For more information, birders should contact the trip leader or visit the club's website, dupagebirding.org.

Jan. 5, 8:30 a.m., Lyman Woods, Downers Grove

This site can be rewarding thanks to multiple habitats that attract birds. Meet in the parking lot in front of Lyman Woods Interpretive Center, one block east of Highland Avenue on 31st Street. Leader: Joan Campbell, (630) 337-2605 or peachjmc@gmail.com

Jan. 6, 7:30 a.m. Des Plaines River in Will County

This is our traditional January tour of the Des Plaines River between Romeoville and Joliet. We will be looking for waterfowl in particular. Meet at the park lot on Old Chicago Drive just east of Route 53 (behind the Ramada) about one-fourth mile south of Interstate 55 in Bolingbrook. Carpooling will be available. Leader: Urs Geiser, (630) 515-1712 or ugeiser@comcast.net

Jan. 12, 8:30 a.m. Cantigny Park, Wheaton

The park is officially closed in January but open this day for birders. Enter through the main gate on Winfield Road (just south of Roosevelt Road). Parking is free. Meet inside the Visitors Center. Leader: Jeff Reiter, jreiter@wordsonbirds.com

Jan. 20, 8 a.m. Southern DuPage birding tour

We will bird along the edge of DuPage County from Waterfall Glen to Springbrook Prairie and places in between. We may even sneak south of the border looking for local winter specialties such as shrikes, owls and finches. Meet at Waterfall Glen at the intersection of Bluff and Cass Roads (Cass Road south of Interstate 55). Leader: Jeff Smith, mrqmagoo@comcast.net

Jan. 26, 8 a.m., Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Warrenville

We'll be looking for winter visitors as well as year-round residents in the woodland, savanna and grassland habitats of this designated Important Bird Area. Meet at the south parking lot on Herrick Road (south of Butterfield Road). Leader: John Cebula, (630) 858-3767 or joceb2005@sbcglobal.net

Feb. 3, noon, "Superb Owl Sunday" (location TBA)

Join this annual search for local and maybe not-so-local owls. We could venture from our local forest preserves all the way to rural La Salle County (if a snowy owl is present) or anywhere within 75 miles of DuPage County. We will stop to look for short-eared owls at dusk. Dinner afterward for those interested. We will define the trip starting point as we gain information about bird sightings. This trip requires advance communication with the trip leader. Please contact him by Jan. 30 for information. Leader: Jeff Smith, mrqmagoo13@gmail.com

Feb. 9, 8:30 a.m., Cantigny Park, Wheaton

Cantigny started a birding program in 2008 and offers monthly walks. Enter through the main gate on Winfield Road (just south of Roosevelt Road) and tell the attendant you are with the bird walk. Parking is free. Meet at the Visitors Center. Leader: Jeff Reiter, jreiter@wordsonbirds.com

Feb. 10, 7 a.m., Mississippi River eagles & more

This will be an all-day trip to visit several sites along the Mississippi River to see eagles, other raptors, gulls and waterfowl. Meet at 7 a.m. in the parking lot west of the main building of Yorktown Mall (facing Highland, near the Carson Pirie Scott store) in Lombard. This trip is limited to 20 people (six cars). Register with the leader after Jan. 15. Leader: Urs Geiser, (630) 515-1712 or ugeiser@comcast.neta

Feb. 23, 7:30 a.m., McKee Marsh, Warrenville

This site remains one of DuPage County's premier birding spots. Meet at the parking lot on the north side of Mack Road, about a mile west of Winfield Road. Leader: Fillmore Dryden, fillmore1983@yahoo.com

Feb. 24, 9 a.m. Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County

We will check the Illinois Waterways Lock 7 Dam for eagles, gulls and waterfowl. If conditions are right, we will check the surrounding area for possible snowy owls, gyrfalcons, field birds, longspurs and snow buntings. Directions: Take Interstate 80 west, exit Utica (Illinois 178 south). Go through Utica to Dee Bennett Road (just before the river) and turn left (east) and continue to the Visitor Center for the dam on your right. Leaders: Bob and Karen Fisher, (630) 985-2956 or KFisher928@aol.com.