Lincoln Park Zoo Tuesday and Sunday Bird Walks - Regular bird walks are scheduled every Tuesday and Sunday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. during the months of April, May, September and October, meeting at the Lincoln Park Zoo Bird House.  If the zoo is still closed at 8:30, meet at the Lincoln Park Conservatory.  The Zoo is expected to be closed until 10:00 through April. Leaders: Tuesdays, Nancy Casper; Sundays, Mark Luscombe, Susan Sullivan, or other members of Fort Dearborn Chapter. Contact: Nancy Casper, 773-405-4108; Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928. 

April 11, 2020

Montrose and Magic Hedge

Cancelled due to temporary closure of Lincoln Park.

May 1, 2020

IAS Spring Gathering, Emiquon/Chautauqua Area

Cancelled due to Coronavirus restrictions on large meetings.

May 2, 2020

Northwestern University Landfill

Meet at the top of parking garage at south end of Northwestern University, Evanston at 8:30 a.m. Led by Evanston North Shore Bird Club Members. CANCELLED.

May 9, 2020

Spring Bird Count, Chicago River – Montrose to North Avenue turning basin

Meet at Richard Clark Park just south of Addison and just east of the north branch of the Chicago River at :30 a.m. We will also plan to do the east side of river south of Diversey, and North Avenue turning basin. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

May 23, 2020

Rosehill Cemetery and West Ridge Nature Preserve

Meet at East Entrance to Rosehill Cemetery (Rosehill Drive) at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928. CANCELLED.

July 11, 2020

Butterfly Count at North Park Village

Meet at Nature Center o North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m. Leader: Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622.

August 8, 2020

Dragonfly Count at North Park Village

Meet at Nature Center o North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m. Leader: Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622.

September 12, 2020

Wooded Island

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot to the east of Darrow Bridge behind the Museum of Science and Industry. The island is open again although the Darrow Bridge is closed. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928

October 10, 2020

LaBagh Woods

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot on Foster Ave. just east of the Edens Expressway. Should the parking lot be closed, please park on one of the streets just south of Foster and meet in the parking lot. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

December 20, 2020

Annual Christmas Bird Count at North Park Village and Emily Oaks Nature Centers

This is a Sunday trip! Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 North Pulaski. Leader: Wayne Svoboda, 837-675-3622.

January 9, 2021

Bald Eagle Weekend at Starved Rock State Park

Cancelled

February 6, 2021

Search for Wintering Ducks in Chicago

Cancelled due to lack of vehicular access to Montrose Harbor, double-digit negative wind chill temperatures, and deep snow.

February 20, 2021

Annual Gull Frolic at North Point Marina

Cancelled

March 20, 2021

Montrose Point

Welcome spring with a look for early migrants at Montrose Point. Meet at the Magic Hedge at 8:30 a.m. If it appears that vehicular access to Montrose will be restricted during that time, we will send an email discussing an alternative meeting site. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-3 07-3928.

April 10, 2021

Montrose and Magic Hedge

Meet at south end of Magic Hedge at 8:30 a.m. Depending on conditions, we will probably also do a car caravan to the Jarvis Bird Sanctuary following birding at Montrose. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

April 24, 2021

Wooded Island

Meet at the parking lot south of the Museum of Science and Industry at 8:30 a.m. (Exit South Shore Drive at Science Drive). Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928

May 1, 2021

IAS Virtual Spring Gathering: Big Day Competition and Evening Program

The day starts with a Big Count Competition where you can register on the IAS website to count as many birds as possible in Illinois from midnight to 4:00 p.m. Registration costs $10 and you can designate Team Fort Dearborn as the competition includes a competition among the IAS chapters as well as an individual competition. There will be both a winning chapter and an individual winner designated. Registration also includes a link to an evening Zoom program at 6:00 p.m. on May 1st with a presentation by Scott Robinson, Ordway Professor of Ecosystem Conservation at the University of Florida on “Balancing Science and Birdwatching: A Personal Journey.” Registration is now open on the IAS website: illinoisaudubon.org.

May 8, 2021

Spring Bird Count, Chicago River – Montrose to North Avenue turning basin

Meet at parking lot in Homer Park at the corner of Montrose and California at 8:30 a.m. (entrance off California). We will also plan to do California Park, Richard Clark Park, east side of river south of Diversey, and North Avenue turning basin. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

May 29, 2021

Rosehill Cemetery and West Ridge Nature Preserve

Meet at East Entrance to Rosehill Cemetery (Rosehill Drive) at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

July 17, 2021

Butterfly Count at North Park Village

Meet at Nature Center o North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m. Leader: Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622.

August 14, 2021

Dragonfly Count at North Park Village

Meet at Nature Center o North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m. Leader: Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622.

September 25, 2021

Wooded Island

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot south of the Museum of Science and Industry, entrance at Science Drive off of South Lake Shore Drive. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

October 23, 2021

Montrose Point and Jarvis Bird Sanctuary

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the entrance to the Magic Hedge. After Montrose, we can carpool to Jarvis. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

December 19, 2021

Annual Christmas Bird Count at North Park Village and Emily Oaks Nature Centers.

This is a Sunday trip! Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 North Pulaski. Leader: Wayne Svoboda, 837-675-3622.

February 12, 2022

Search for Wintering Ducks in Chicago

Meet at the Magic Hedge at Montrose Harbor at 8:30 a.m. We will check out the lakefront, beach, and harbor at Montrose. We will then move on to the Chicago River just south of Diversey. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

February 19, 2022

Annual Gull Frolic at North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor

Come and join a team of gull experts to see some of the less common winter gulls in the Chicago area. Speaker will be Dr. Geoffrey Hill, curator of Birds at Auburn University, speaking on The Search for the Genes that Underlie Bird Coloration. Starts at 9:30 a.m. There is a $35 fee which includes breakfast and lunch. Advance registration is required. Register on the Illinois Ornithological Society’s website. Bring your scopes and dress with plenty of layers. Masks will be required. Take I-94 North; exit Route 173, East to Sheridan Road (Route 137); Left to 7th Street; Turn right and follow signs to North Point Marina. Fort Dearborn Audubon will have a booth at the gull frolic.

March 19, 2022

Montrose Point

Welcome spring with a look for early migrants at Montrose Point. Meet at the Magic Hedge at 8:30 a.m. There is now a fee to park on the street leading out to the Magic Hedge but no fee to park on the main drive through the park. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-3 07-3928.

July 9, 2022

Butterfly Count at North Park Village

Meet at Nature Center o North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m. Leader: Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622.

August 6, 2022

Dragonfly Count at North Park Village

Meet at Nature Center o North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m. Leader: Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622.

September 10, 2022

Wooded Island

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot to the east of Darrow Bridge behind the Museum of Science and Industry. Leader:  Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

October 8, 2022

Montrose Harbor and Jarvis Bird Sanctuary

Our fall trip to check out the fall migrants at Montrose.  Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Magic Hedge.  Leader:  Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928

December 18, 2022

Annual Christmas Bird Count at North Park Village and Emily Oaks Nature Centers.

This is a Sunday trip!  Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the North Park Village Nature Center, 5901 North Pulaski, Chicago.  Leader:  Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622.

January 28, 2023

Bald Eagle Weekend at Starved Rock State Park

Also includes programs at the lock and dam visitors center.

February 11, 2023

Search for Wintering Ducks in Chicago

Meet at the parking lot at the southeast corner of South Shore Drive and Hayes Drive at Jackson Park at 8:30 a.m. We will check out the inner Jackson Park harbor, the outer Jackson Park harbor and the lakefront. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928
CANCELLED DUE TO SCHEDULE CONFLICT

February 18, 2023

Annual Gull Frolic at North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor

Come and join an team of gull experts to see some of the less common winter gulls in the Chicago area. Speaker will be Josh Engel, founder of Red Hill Birding, a birding tour company, talking on Global Birding -- Stepping Away from "Home." Starts at 9:30 a.m. There is a $35 fee which includes breakfast and lunch. Advance registration is required at they now have to limit attendance due to fire code restrictions -- the event usually sells out. Register on the Illinois Ornithological Society''s website. Bring your scopes and dress with plenty of layers -- the lakefront can be chilly in February. Take I-94 North; exit Route 173, East to Sheridan Road (Route 137); Left to 7th Street; Turn right and follow signs to North Point Marina. Fort Dearborn Audubon will have a booth at the gull frolic.

March 18, 2023

Montrose Point

Welcome spring with a look for early migrants at Montrose Point. Meet at the Magic Hedge at 8:30 a.m. There is now a fee to park of the street leading out to the Magic Hedge, but no fee to park on the main drive through the park. Leader: Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

April 15, 2023

Wooded Island

Meet at the parking lot south of the Museum of Science and Industry at 8:30 a.m.  Leader:  Mark Luscombe, 312) 307-3928

May 6, 2023

Spring Bird Count, Chicago River -- Montrose to Belmont Ave.

Meet at parking lot in Horner Park at the corner of Montrose and California at 8:30 a.m.  We will also plan to do California Park and Richard Clark Park, on the east side of the river to Belmont, and may do the river just south of Diversey,  Leader:  Nancy Casper, 773-405-4108.

May 13, 2023

Illinois Audubon Society Big Day

Sign up at Illinois Audubon Website -- illinoisaudubon.org. -- for the Fort Dearborn Chapter group.  See as many birds as possible in Illinois during the 24 hour period on May 13th.  Bird individually or as a group.  Individual and group awards will be announced.  Birders signing up to bird for Fort Dearborn Chapter turn in results to Mark Luscombe, mark.alan.luscombe@gmail.com, by May 16, 2023.

May 19, 2023

IAS Spring Gathering, McHenry County, May 19-21

Make reservations on the Illinois Audubon website:  illinoisaudubon.org.  Includes Friday night social at Crystal Lake Brewing, birding field trips Saturday and Sunday, Saturday night banquet and program at Loyola University Retreat & Ecology Campus in Woodstock with Rev. Stephen Mitten speaking on Birds of Belize and a Natural History, and a silent auction.

May 27, 2023

Rosehill Cemetery and West Ridge Nature Preserve

Meet at east entrance to Rosehill Cemetery (Rosehill Drive) at 8:30 a.m.  Leader:  Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928

July 8, 2023

Butterfly Count at North Park Village

Meet at Nature Center of North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m.  Leader:  Wayne Svoboda

August 5, 2023

Dragonfly Count at North Park Village

Meet at Nature Center of North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m.  Leader:  Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622

September 23, 2023

Wooded Island.  Meet at 8:30 at the parking lot to the east of Darrow Bridge behind the Museum of Science and Industry.  The island is open again although the Darrow Bridge remains closed.

October 7, 2023

Montrose Harbor and Jarvis Bird Sanctuary.  Our fall trip to check out the fall migrants at Montrose.  Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Magic Hedge.  Leader:  Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

December 17, 2022

Annual Christmas Bird Count at North Park Village and Emily Oaks Nature Centers.  This is a Sunday Trip!  Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 North Pulaski.  Leader:  Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622.

January 27, 2024

2024 Eagle Watch Weekend at Starved Rock State Park

Saturday and Sunday, January 27 and 28. Activities and presentations at the Starved Rock Lodge and at the Lock & Dam Visitors Center.  Starved Rock Audubon will be on hand at the lock and dam with scopes to help spot Bald Easges..

February 10, 2024

Search for Wintering Ducks in Chicago

Meet at the Magic Hedge at Montrose Harbor at 8:30 a.m.  We will check out the lakefront, beach, and harbor at Montrose.  We will then move on to the Chicago River just south of Diversey and the Chicago River North Avenue Turning Basin.  Leader:  Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

February 17, 2024

Annual Gull Frolic at North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor

Come and join a team of gull experts to see some of the less common winter gulls in the Chicago area and other waterfowl.  Starts at 9:30 a.m.  There is a $35 fee which includes breakfast and lunch as well as a birding presentation with a guest speaker.  Advance registration is required as they now have to limit attendance due to the fire code.restrictions - the event usually sells out.  Register on the Illinois Ornithological Society's website.  Bring your scopes and dress with plenty of layers -- the lakefront can be chilly in February.  Take I-94 North, exit Route 173, East to Sheridan Road (Route 137); Left to 7th Street;  Turn right and follow signs to North Point Marina.  Fort Dearborn Audubon will have a booth at the full frolic.

March 23, 2024

Montrose Point

Welcome spring with a look for early migrants at Montrose Point.  Meet at the Magic Hedge at 8:30 a.m.  Leader:  Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928.

April 13, 2024

Wooded Island

Meet at the parking lot south of the Mseum of Science and Industry at 8:30 a.m.  Leader:  Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928

May 4, 2024

Spring Bird Count, Chicago River- Montrose to Belmont Avenue

Meet at parking lot in Horner Park at the corner of Montrose and California at 8:30 a.m.  We will also plan to do California Park, Richard Calrk Park, on the east side of the  river to Belmont Ave.  Leader:  Nancy Casper, 773-405-4108

May 10, 2024

IAS Spring Gathering, Savannah, Illinois

Details at Illinois Audubon website:  illinoisaudubon.org

May 25, 2024

Rosehill Cemetery and West Ridge Nature Preserve

Meet at East entrance to Rosehill Cemetery (Rosehill Drive) at 8:30 a.m.  Leader:  Mark Luscombe, 312-307-3928

July 6, 2024

Butterfly Count-North P:ark Village Nature Center

Meet at Nature Center of North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m.  Leader:  Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622

August 3, 2024

Dragonfly Count at North Park Village Nature Center

Meet at Nature Center of North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski, Chicago, at 9:00 a.m.  Leader:  Wayne Svoboda, 847-675-3622