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.

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.

Difficulty: Easy

Trip Type: Birding on-site in the sewage treatment plant 

Trip Distance: 2 miles approximately
Terrain: gravel roads around the sewage plant ponds

Discover the natural wonders of Eggers Grove, a beautifully restored gem within the Cook County Forest Preserves. This vibrant area boasts lush woodlands, serene wetlands, and expansive open meadows, creating a haven for a diverse array of bird species.

Thanks to a transformative 240-acre restoration project by Audubon Great Lakes and the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Eggers Grove now offers enhanced habitats for migrating birds and elusive marsh birds that thrive in wetlands with a blend of open water and dense vegetation. You’ll spot colorful warblers, sparrows, and woodpeckers and in the wetlands, keep an eye out for waterfowl and wading birds. Eggers Grove is also highlighted in Audubon’s innovative Illinois Coastal Stopover Tool, an interactive platform that provides valuable insights into migratory stopover habitats. This cutting-edge tool offers essential habitat management recommendations and helps raise awareness about the unique needs of birds on their epic migration journeys across our region.

Difficulty: Moderate

Trip Type: Walk

Trip Distance: 1.5-2 miles

Terrain: Dirt, Mud

Notes: Indoor restroom facilities and portable restrooms available. Transportation service is available to this location from CTA bus #100 (112th St) which has connecting service to the Red Line (95th St Terminal). Benches are available near the parking areas.

The Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, nestled within the Cook County Forest Preserves, offers a picturesque setting with prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. This diverse environment attracts a variety of bird species, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers. Visitors can enjoy sightings of warblers, woodpeckers, and hawks, along with waterfowl in the center's ponds and marshes. The nature center's trails and educational programs provide a rich experience for both novice and seasoned bird enthusiasts.

Difficulty: Moderate

Trip Type: Walk

Trip Distance: About 2 miles

Terrain: Dirt & gravel

Note: This parking lot opens right at 8 am, so if you arrive a little early it might still be closed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Trip Type: Walk

Trip Distance: maximum 3 miles; anyone needing to cut the outing short can easily return to the parking area at any point during the trip via the park’s center paved trail.

Terrain: paved walkway; mowed trails

Notes: We will limit ourselves mostly to the paved and mowed walkways, but footing can be uneven, so be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes. Park 566 is a lakefront park, so wind off the lake can be strong and temperatures more extreme than at inland parks. Please dress in layers appropriate for the location and season. Free street parking is available on Farragut just past the CTA bus terminal.

There are no bathrooms at this park.

Difficulty: Moderate distance, easy terrain

Trip Type: Walk

Trip Distance: Approximately 2 miles

Terrain: Paved, asphalt walking/biking trail

Habitat preservation and restoration have made Big Marsh an oasis for wetlands birds in Chicago. Wading birds, rails, terns, and waterfowl are drawn here throughout the year - uncommon wetland birds for the city such as Caspian Tern, Common Gallinule, and Osprey frequent the marsh during the breeding season and may linger here through September. In addition to the late-staying summer residents more than 10 species of waterfowl and 20 species of shorebird have been recorded stopping over during Fall migration as well. During the Fall, Big Marsh even has a history of attracting some of the area’s rarest vagrant wetland birds such as Snowy Egret and Little Blue Heron!

LaBagh Woods, located on the north side of Chicago, is a lush forest preserve known for its rich biodiversity. This urban oasis offers a mix of wooded areas, a unique slough wetland, and open fields, making it a prime spot for birdwatching.

An oxbow slough is a water body formed when a meander from a river is cut off, creating a wetland. These sloughs provide rich habitats for a variety of wildlife, including fish, amphibians, and numerous bird species.

LaBagh hosts a variety of bird species, particularly during migration seasons. Common sightings include warblers, thrushes, vireos, and woodpeckers. The preserve is also home to year-round residents like cardinals, chickadees, and nuthatches.

Dificultad: Fácil

Tipo de excursión: Caminata

Distancia del recorrido: Aproximadamente 2 millas

Terreno: Grava y Aspalto

Notas: Hay estacionamiento gratuito disponible en el estacionamiento de la Casa de Barcos. Esperamos que los baños estén abiertos en la Casa de Campo. El terreno será mayormente pavimentado con algunos senderos de grava fina.

Difficulty: Easy

Trip Type: Walk

Trip Distance: 2 miles approximately

Terrain: Gravel and Pavement

Notes: Free parking is available at the Boat House Parking Lot. We expect the restrooms to be open at the Field House. The terrain will be mostly paved with some fine gravel trails.

The Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park, Chicago is a 10-acre sanctuary that offers a surprising haven for birds where over 150 species have been observed. With a walking path circling the fenced sanctuary and a bird viewing platform, you can easily observe a variety of feathered friends. We’ll look for warblers flitting through the trees, listen for the calls of herons and sparrows, and keep our eyes to the sky for hawks soaring overhead.

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Trip Type: Walk

Trip Distance: 2.0 miles approximately

Terrain: Gravel, Pavement, Grass

Notes: Crushed gravel paths circle the sanctuary. The viewing platform has a ramp. Walking will be simple as we move at a slower pace. Metered parking is available at Jarvis in the Waveland Parking Lot at the east end of W Addison.

Located southwest of the city in Tinley Park, Orland Grasslands is over 750 acres of former agricultural land that has undergone thorough restoration over the past 20+ years. The results have led to an impressive return to native habitats that truly characterize the ‘Prairie State’. Many quintessential grassland species such as Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, and Sedge Wren breed here and can still be found during fall migration. In addition to the prairie habitat, Orland Grassland also boasts areas of wetlands, shrublands, and oak savanna which draw in many other migrating birds including waders, warblers, and waterfowl!

Difficulty: Easy

Trip Type: Walk

Trip Distance: 1.5 miles

Terrain: Paved and gravel paths, as well as grassy lawn

Notes: Bathrooms available at Lincoln Park Zoo and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

Situated along Lake Michigan, right on the border of Indiana and Illinois, this is a large park that offers a variety of habitat which attracts a variety of birds. A great location to scan Lake Michigan for interesting ducks, grebes, and loons. The sprawling green space caters to all species of geese in migration. And true highlight for many birders is the chance to spot the charismatic and noisy Monk Parakeets, an exotic species that has made Calumet Park and the nearby Chicago Skyway its home.