Travel by van through Lee and Ogle Counties in north-central Illinois which lie along the junction of the Rock River Hill Country and Grand Prairie Natural Divisions. This junction offers a variety of woodland and prairie habitats.
The trip will begin at the Ruth Edwards Nature Center at Lowell Park near Dixon, Illinois, home to breeding Cerulean and Yellow-throated Warblers, Yellow-throated Vireo, Acadian Flycatcher and other woodland birds.
Next stop is Nachusa Grasslands with a species list at 246 and counting. Possibilities include: Blue Grosbeak, Bell’s Vireo, Henslow’s Sparrow, Bobolink and Summer Tanager to name a few. Final stop will be either Franklin Creek State Park (home to Black-billed Cuckoo and Scarlet Tanager) or Lowden-Miller State Forest (where 15 warbler species have been recorded during summer). Decisions will depend on recent sightings and group consensus. We will return to the Ruth Edwards Nature Center by 2:00 p.m.
NOTE: We will meet at the boat ramp parking lot by the Ruth Edwards Nature Center at Lowell Park (2114 Lowell Park Road, Dixon, Illinois, 61021) at 7:00 a.m.
The van will leave the parking lot of the Illinois Audubon Society Headquarters (2315 E Clear Lake Ave., Springfield, Illinois, 62703) at 4:00 a.m. Those wishing to leave their cars at IAS HQ and board there may do so.
Trip Leaders: Tom Doig, Matt Hayes
Cost of trip includes transportation by van, lunch, snacks, and water
Maximum Field Trip Capacity: 12
Cost: $60