Festival Schedule
Intro to Birding: North Pond
$10 | 3:00PM - 6:00PM | Leader: CJ Greco
Meeting Location: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Registration Required
North Pond in Lincoln Park, Chicago is a haven for birdwatchers. The 15-acre area, despite being located in the heart of the city, provides a habitat for a surprising variety of birds. Over 238 species have been spotted at North Pond, making it a great destination for both beginner and experienced birders.
Difficulty: Easy
Trip Type: Walk
Trip Distance: Approximately <1.5 miles
Terrain: Grass, Gravel, Pavement
Notes: Trip will take place mostly on wide paved, crushed-gravel, or wood-chip trails that are relatively level with minimal incline. We may leave the trail at times to walk through the grass for a better view of the birds. Any recent rain may create muddy conditions.
Field Sketching Wading Birds with Kelly Ballantyne
$30 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM | Leader: Kelly Ballantyne
Meeting Location: Big Marsh Park
Registration Required
In our field sketching session, we'll turn our attention to the graceful wading birds! These fascinating creatures demand both patience and keen observation. We’ll practice some fun exercise to loosen up our hands and overcome the fear of the blank page, then dive right into sketching whichever birds catch our fancy. Kelly will cover how to see shapes within birds, how to use negative space, and other techniques to capture birds in motion. In this session you will be provided with a sketchbook and a small package of colored pencils to keep, but feel free to bring your own supplies. Birds can be far away at this location so if you have a scope you can bring that too.
Difficulty: Easy
Trip Type: Sit
Trip Distance: Our sketching location is less than 0.25 miles from the parking lot
Terrain: Pavement, gravel
Notes: Paid parking is available in the lot at Big Marsh and bathrooms are available at the visitor’s center.
Afternoon Birding at Northerly Island
$10 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM | Leader: Steve Huggins
Meeting Location: Northerly Island, Parking Lot, 1400 S Linn White Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Registration Required
Northerly Island is a birder's dream come true in the heart of Chicago. This former airport transformed into a vibrant park offers a unique blend of urban oasis and natural habitat. Keep an eye out for soaring raptors, waterfowl gracefully gliding on the lagoon, and a diverse array of songbirds finding refuge in the restored grasslands. Like many of the lakefront parks you never know what you’ll turn up here in migration!
Birds of the Chicago River
$10 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM | Leader: Daniela Herrera
Meeting Location: River Park Field House, 5100 N Francisco Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Registration Required
River Park is a 28 acre park located at the convergence of the Chicago River’s North Branch and the North Shore Channel. This unique location is home to the newly installed Urban Rivers floating gardens and The RiverLab, which is a nature center dedicated to connecting the community with the Chicago River. With close to 200 species recorded, River Park shelters an incredible diversity of wildlife. Both great blue herons and black-crowned night herons are often seen right at the confluence fishing, as well as belted kingfishers zipping back and forth along the river. Truly a wonderful spot to discover the birds of the Chicago River!
Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Type: Walk
Trip Distance: 2 miles approximately
Terrain: Pavement, Mulch, and Dirt
Notes: This area of the river can be a little hilly. We can expect to walk on pavement, mulch trails, and dirt trails if we go South to Ronan Park where we might see some herons and kingfishers - it is a little bit more of a “wild” stretch of the park. The paved trails are shared with bicyclists and other pedestrians. We do expect the field house to be open for restrooms. Parking can be found along Francisco Avenue and Argyle St.
Birds of the South Shore
$10 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM | Leader: Geoff Williamson
Meeting Location: South Shore Cultural Center
Registration Required
Join us for an exciting bird walk at the South Shore Cultural Center! This event is perfect for bird enthusiasts of all ages, and we warmly welcome families to come and experience the beauty of nature together. The southern lakeshore of Chicago is an underappreciated area teeming with birdlife. During our walk, we'll explore this hidden gem and observe a variety of migrant bird species. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a curious beginner, our knowledgeable guides will ensure you have a memorable experience. Come and connect with nature, learn about the local bird species, and enjoy a peaceful afternoon in a beautiful setting.
Difficulty: Easy
Trip Type: Walk
Trip Distance: about a half mile
Terrain: paved walkways and dirt paths
Birding in the Heart of Humboldt
Humboldt Park, a sprawling green space on Chicago's West Side, is a vibrant urban park featuring lagoons, meadows, and woodlands.
Local Birding in Lincoln Park
$10 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM | Leader: Hazem Alkhan
Meeting Location: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Registration Required
Meet at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to explore Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park includes some of the best areas to observe migrant birds in Chicago. There are many places in the park for all types of migratory birds: areas like North Pond and South Pond offer migratory waterbirds places to touch down, prairie habitat patches can attract migrant grassland birds, and the numerous trees provide refuge for migratory birds as they move through the park.
Difficulty: Hard
Trip Type: Walk
Trip Distance: 2-5 miles approximately
Terrain: Pavement, Dirt, Mud
Notes: Portable and indoor restrooms are available. Free parking on Cannon Dr. and Stockton Dr. when available. This walk can be very long, but there will be many places to sit as the walk goes through Lincoln Park Zoo and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The walk is mostly on paved paths or sidewalks. and is mostly even.
Migrant Traps of South Shore with Indigo Birding
$10 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM | Leader: David Rupp
Meeting Location: Park 566, 7901 S Farragut Dr, Chicago, IL 60649
Click Here for Google Maps
Registration Required
Join us in birding this grassland oasis at the headwaters of the famed Route 66, just eight miles south of downtown Chicago. The 70-acre park is on the site of the former steel mill that made the girders that form the skeletons that support the skyscrapers that define Chicago's skyline. Stunning vistas, fascinating history, amazing birds. Parking is available along the road on Farragut.
Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Type: Walk
Trip Distance: 2.0-3.0 miles approximately
Terrain: Gravel, Pavement, Grass
The Best of Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and Dunes
$10 | 2:00PM - 5:00PM | Leader: Jeff Bilsky
Meeting Location: Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary Entrance
Registration Required
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, located along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Chicago, is a renowned haven for birders. Known for its diverse habitats, including dunes, woodlands, and grasslands, the sanctuary attracts a wide array of bird species. During migration seasons, visitors can spot warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and shorebirds, along with occasional rarities. Year-round residents such as cardinals, woodpeckers, and chickadees make their home here, making Montrose Point a dynamic spot for birding enthusiasts.
¡Vamos a la playa a ver aves!
$10 | 3:00PM - 6:00PM | Leader: Em De Blas
Meeting Location: Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary Entrance
Registration Required
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, located along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Chicago, is a renowned haven for birders. Known for its diverse habitats, including dunes, woodlands, and grasslands, the sanctuary attracts a wide array of bird species. During migration seasons, visitors can spot warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and shorebirds, along with occasional rarities. Year-round residents such as cardinals, woodpeckers, and chickadees make their home here, making Montrose Point a dynamic spot for birding enthusiasts.
El Santuario de Aves en Montrose Point, ubicado a lo largo de la costa del Lago Michigan en Chicago, es un paraíso famoso para los observadores de aves. Conocido por sus diversos hábitats, que incluyen dunas, bosques y pastizales, el santuario atrae a una amplia gama de especies de aves. Durante las temporadas de migración, los visitantes pueden observar chipes, gorriones, zorzales y aves playeras, junto con rarezas ocasionales. Los residentes permanentes, como cardenales, carpinteros y carboneros, tienen su hogar aquí, lo que convierte a Montrose Point en un lugar dinámico para todos los entusiastas de la observación de aves.
Difficulty: Easy
Trip Type: Walk/Sit
Trip Distance: 1.5 miles
Terrain: Mostly pavement, with some warping and gaps. Little to some dirt, possible mud.
Notes: Bathrooms available in portapotties on Simmons Dr. and public restrooms in the beach house. Free parking on Simmons Dr. and paid street parking.
Dificultad: Fácil
Tipo de viaje: Caminata/Sentado
Distancia del viaje: 1.5 millas
Terreno: Principalmente pavimento, con algunas deformaciones, hoyos y desniveles. Poca o algo de tierra, lodo es posible.
Notas: Baños portátiles disponibles en Simmons Dr. y baños públicos en la orilla de la playa. Estacionamiento gratuito en Simmons Dr. y estacionamiento de paga en la calle.