2010 Field Trips
For more information, look for announcements in Wings Over the Prairie and e-mail flashes to the IOS membership. The current IOS Field Trip Chairman is Michael Retter.
Note: All IOS field trips marked with an asterisk (*) will include a $5 charge for IOS members and a $25 charge for non-members. These contributions will be used to fund the Grant Program, which provides up to $1000 to awarded applicants working on a project relating to birds and/or birding in Illinois. IOS proudly supports ornithological projects that advance the knowledge of birds and how they are impacted by environmental changes. Please visit the Grant Program page for more information.
Other field trips may include charges to offset expenses (i.e. the Carlyle Lake Pelagic trip requires rental of pontoon boats and purchase of gasoline).
Saturday, February 20
Ninth Annual Gull Frolic
Looking for gulls at the Gull FrolicBring binoculars, scope and cold weather gear. Experts will help ID and answer questions. The $10 registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch (including sea gull stew, vegetarian chili, drinks and more) as well as coffee, tea and hot chocolate all day. The fee helps defray facility expenses, with any surplus going to the IOS Grant Program to benefit Illinois birds and birding.
Sheryl DeVore's article on the IOS Gull Frolic is published in the December issue of Outdoor Illinois. Vic Berardi and Bob Hughes supplied the photos. Here's a link to Outdoor Illinois Web site: Outdoor Illinois.
The featured speaker, sponsored by the Chicago Ornithological Society, at 9:30am and 11:30am, is Alvaro Jaramillo, a Field Guides Chile specialist guide from Half Moon Bay, California. He'll speak about the Slaty-backed Gull, a bird that regularly occurs in Illinois.
Lunch will be served at 12:30pm.
Directions: To reach the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club, take the I-94 toll road north toward Milwaukee. Exit at Route 173. Turn right (east) and go to Sheridan Road (Rt. 137). Turn left and proceed to 7th Street. Turn right on 7th Street and follow the North Point Marina signs to the yacht club. DO NOT SPEED on 7th Street! It is actively patrolled by the Winthrop Harbor police.
$10 registration fee at the door.
Sponsored by many local bird clubs, organizations and individuals. Private, business or organizations sponsorships are gratefully welcome. Surplus funds go to the IOS Grant Program to benefit Illinois birds and birding.
Sunday, March 28
Nelson Lake*
For the past 10 years, American White Pelicans have been stopping at Nelson Lake in Kane County during their migration north. Over 200 of these birds have been seen at one time at this 150 acre marsh. Please join us as we enjoy one of the great sights of spring.
Other target species for this outing are waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, and early passerines. Over 10 species of ducks should be seen. This would also be a wonderful outing for younger participants. There is a large viewing platform, spotting scopes will be present, and most of our target birds are large and readily visible. It should be a great introduction for any newcomer to birding.
We plan to meet at 8:00 in the parking lot by the silo. The entrance to the preserve is on Nelson Lake Road about .75 mile south of Main Street and 1.5 miles west of Randall Road in Batavia. For answers to any questions regarding this walk, please call Scott at 847-651-9891.
Saturday, April 17
Yellow Rail Search in Marion County*
Details to come.
Friday, May 21 through Sunday, May 23
Annual Spring Birding Weekend: Kankakee Area
Accomodations
We will be based out of the Quality Inn & Suites at 800 N. Kinzie Ave. (Rt. 50) in Bradley, Illinois, Phone: 815-939-3501, Fax: 815-929-1065.
The hotel will hold 30 rooms, at $79.99 , double occupancy, and 2 suites, at $109.99, for IOS members until April 21, 2010. Members should ask for the IOS rate when making reservations.
A complimentary hot buffet breakfast will be served, starting at 5:00am, for the IOS members staying at the hotel. IOS members, staying elsewhere, may partake of the breakfast at a cost of $9.00 each.
Saturday Night Banquet and Raffle, May 21
Saturday night dinner will be held in the Delta Banquet room of the Quality Inn and Suites.
Raffle prizes include a beautiful Peregrine Falcon sculpture and an opportunity to accompany Mary Hennen, Director of the Chicago Peregrine Project, on a banding trip to one of the Chicago loop Peregrine nests! The winner will also be able to name one of the peregrine nestlings!
Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26
Lake Carlyle Pelagic
Details to come.
Saturday, November 21
Miller Beach Lakewatch and Jasper-Pulaski Sandhill Cranes*
Come join us in Northwest Indiana for a day of lakewatching, and ending with the spectacle of thousands of Sandhill Cranes coming to roost at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area. We'll start lakewatching at 7:30 a.m. at the traditional pavilion spot in Miller Beach's Marquette Park at the end of Montgomery Street. You'll need a telescope to participate in the lakewatch. We may move to other Indiana Lakefront spots during the day. The afternoon with the Sandhill Cranes is the family friendly portion of the trip. Those who aren't with us all day should meet us at 3 p.m. at the Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area Headquarters near Clarks, Indiana. Be prepared for cold conditions all day. Contact Michael by e-mail or by phone at 309-824-7317 to sign up.