2008 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 Travis Mahan.
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 Research Grant Program, which provides up to $500 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 Research Grant 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, January 12
*Winter Owls at Carlyle Lake
Looking for something to do after the CBC period? Why not learn how to find Northern Saw-whet Owls and Long-eared Owls in one of the best winter owl locations in the state? We will work our way through several spots near Carlyle Lake that have reliably held these species in recent years. Participants will learn how and where to look for these species - skills that can be utilized in one's own local patch. Daytime birding will focus on locating Northern Saw-whet Owls and Long-eared Owls, which will take patience and quiet walking over long distances. Some of this walking will take us through scrubby areas that may require frequent bends of the back to pass through thick brush; accordingly, those with back troubles should consider this warning prior to registering.
Saturday, February 9
Seventh Annual Gull Frolic
The Seventh Annual IOS Gull Frolic will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club at the North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor, IL. Registration begins at 8AM. A program on "Winter Bird Visitors" by Geoff Williamson will be presented in the morning and afternoon. A display of winter bird specimens will be available to examine up close and personal, thanks to Doug Stotz of The Field Museum. Our renowned Gull experts will again be available to answer questions.
Saturday, April 12
*Yellow Rail Walk
Join us for a tromp through a large wetland near to search for the elusive Yellow Rail. Trekking through the marsh requires moderate physical effort with difficult walking through wet marsh vegetation; however, previous years' participants have been rewarded with excellent looks at this rare species in what has proven to be one of the best locations in the state to find Yellow Rail.
Other marsh denizens likely to be encountered on this trip include American Bittern, Virginia Rail, Sora, Wilson's Snipe, and Le Conte's Sparrow.
We will also visit sites around Clinton Lake to scan for waterfowl, loons, and grebes, as well as hike nearby woodland areas for songbirds.
2008 Yellow Rail Walk Trip List
Saturday, April 19
*Smith's Longspur Trip
So you want to see a Smith's Longspur? Well, how do you like the sound of a 100% success rate? Steve Bailey has had just that - a 100% rate of success! He will yet again serve as your guide to find Smith's Longspurs in the vast expanse of agricultural fields in central Illinois. You'll not only get great looks at Smith's Longspurs, but he'll lead you on an outstanding trip full of other great birds.
2008 Smith's Longspur Trip List
Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27
IOS Annual Meeting in Southern Illinois
The 2008 IOS Annual Meeting will be held in the Shawnee National Forest.
Saturday, May 31
*St. Louis and surrounding areas
This trip, led by Dan Kassebaum, will begin with a search for Painted Bunting along the East St. Louis riverfront where the buntings have been found every year since 2000. Western Kingbirds have also nested in this same area in recent years, though several other locations for this species are present nearby. Bell's Vireo and Blue Grosbeak may also be encountered while searching for the Painted Buntings.
Pied-billed Grebe, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, and Common Moorhen are among the long list of species likely to be encountered at Horseshoe Lake State Park following the search for the buntings. We will also spend time looking for Eurasian Tree Sparrows, which are typically found in good numbers around Horseshoe Lake.
Saturday, June 14
*Iroquois County Conservation Area and Pembroke Township
This trip, led by Geoff Williamson, will visit several habitat types in southeast Kankakee County and northeast Iroquois County that support a diverse set of species that are found more easily here than in most other places in northeast Illinois. We'll visit sandy-soiled black oak savannas, prairie marsh, and riparian woodlands, and we'll travel through the mix of oak savanna and agricultural fields of Pembroke Township. Target birds include Blue Grosbeak, Bell's Vireo, Lark Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, and Summer Tanager. Red-headed Woodpeckers are plentiful, and we should see several Northern Mockingbirds. Northern Bobwhite occurs throughout the area and can be heard early in the day and sometimes seen. In addition to the Lark Sparrow, we'll look for Grasshopper, Henslow's, and Vesper Sparrows. In the woods along the Kankakee River, we'll find Prothonotary Warblers, American Redstarts, and possibly Acadian Flycatcher, Brown Creeper, and Pileated Woodpecker. Yellow-throated Warblers have also summered in this area. Other species of interest that we'll see along the way are Orchard Oriole, Yellow-breasted Chat, Dickcissel, and Sedge Wren.
Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10
Illinois River Valley Shorebird Spectacular
IOS will once again host a workshop in the Illinois River Valley to enrich your skills in shorebird identification. Past trips have offered views of thousands of shorebirds composed of up to 20 different species. Side-by-side comparisons of those hard to ID species will be accompanied by tips from skilled shorebird enthusiasts to help you in your quest for shorebird enlightenment.
For more information and to register, see the 2008 Chautauqua Shorebird Spectacular page on this Web site.
Saturday, September 20
Carlyle Lake Pelagic
One of most popular events offers a boat ride onto Illinois' largest lake. Past trips have yielded amazing looks at Sabine's Gull, Long-tailed Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger, and Red Phalarope, to name a few. Landbirds are sure to please as well. The boating portion of this trip is limited to available seating. For more information, please contact Keith McMullen.
Saturday, October 25
*Sprague's Pipit Walk at Pyramid State Park
Following the success of last year's trip, Dan Kassebaum will again lead eager birders through the grasslands of Pyramid State Park in search of the elusive Sprague's Pipit. Why not take the opportunity to potentially add a new bird to your state list? For more information, please contact Travis Mahan.
[Back to Top]Note: All IOS field trips marked with an asterisk (*) will include a $5 charge for IOS members and a $25 charge for non-members.