It is with great excitement that IOS announces an international trip to the tropical forests of Panama!  IOS will be traveling down to Panama June 26th – July 5th, 2018 (Click Here for Itinerary).  IOS is partnering with Josh Engel and his new tour company, Red Hill Birding, for what is going to be a trip that delights birders whether it’s your first trip to the tropics or your tenth (Register here).  

We will be staying in the Canopy Family’s now famous eco-lodges, the Canopy Tower in the central lowlands, and the Canopy Lodge in the foothills of El Valle de Antón.  Due to the varied habitats we will visit, 260+ species can be expected, including members of some the most dynamic Neotropical families, like motmots, puffbirds, manakins, cotingas, antbirds, toucans, and many, many more!  Oh, and over 20 species of hummingbird are possible!  

A post-trip extension (July 5th – July 11th, 2018) will have us traveling to the Canopy Camp, the Canopy Family’s newest location in the heart of Eastern Panama’s Darién Province!  Here, we will enjoy a new host of birds, including many that are endemic to Panama or the Chocó biological region.  It is at the Canopy Camp where we have the greatest chance of seeing a Harpy Eagle.  We will devote an entire day to searching for Panama’s national bird!  

This is an exclusive IOS members trip, and we look forward to seeing many of you in wonderful Panama next summer!  

See the full itinerary, cost, and trip details HERE.

If you would like to register for the trip or have any other questions, you may contact Red Hill Birding and register HERE.

Join us for our annual LOONAPALOONZA with veteran “Loon Ranger,” David B. Johnson, as we travel in style on a mini-coach bus in search of migrating loons on the glacial lakes of Lake and McHenry Counties. Fee is $30/person. Space is limited to 24 participants.

REGISTER FOR LOONAPALOONZA 2017!

February 11, 2017

Start Time – 9:30 a.m. (please note the later start time).

The Gull Frolic is a unique winter event at Illinois’ premier gull-watching hotspot: North Point Marina. Bring your binoculars, scope and cold weather gear, and join birders outside of the yacht club to enjoy close study of some of our harder-to-find winter species such as Thayer’s, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls!  A variety of waterfowl typically make an appearance too (scoters and other diving ducks), along with the occasional raptor, owl, or winter finch. Birders wearing bright orange hats will be available to help answer questions along the “boardwalk”.

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