Birding Events
Birding
- Events
- Birding
Woodcock Watch
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us for an evening on the prairie to enjoy male woodcock’s arial sky dance. Ages 10 & up.
Woodcock Walk at Wolf Road Prairie
Wolf Road Prairie • Cook County, IL 60154 (near Westchester)Witness the amazing spring courtship flight of the male woodcock bird.
Woodcock Watch
Country Lane Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Join us as we listen and watch the magical courtship display of the male woodcock.
Prime Real Estate
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Watch our stewardship of cavity-nesting birds, then observe tree swallows compete for their homes.
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Animal Origami
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Observe bird feeder activity as we make origami animals such as bunnies, insects and birds, including your own favorite animal!
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Family Bird Walk
Erickson Woods • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Start with a DIY binoculars craft then try it out while on a guided bird walk.
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Be a Better Birder: Intermediate Bird ID
Zoom PresentationStep up your birding game by learning how to identify the complexities of birds.
Bird Walk
Burnham Prairie • Burnham, IL 60633Join a naturalist as we explore this preserve while looking for local birds.
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Be a Better Birder: Beginner Field ID
Maple Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Take the skills you learned in the virtual sessions into the Preserves. Bring a chair, as we will be staying […]
Friends of the Forest Preserves: Bird Walk
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Join a naturalist as we explore this preserve while looking for local birds.
Book Discussion: Conversations with Birds
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy a shared love of reading and birds as we discuss this book by Priyanka Kumar.
Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Banding at Sagawau is beginning its 27th year. See birds up close while learning about this scientific study method.
Spring Festival
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy interactive programs, kids’ tree climb, guided wildflower walks, bird banding, kid’s nature crafts, gardening info and much more!
Tuesdays are for the Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out spring migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
World Migratory Bird Day
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for activities dedicated to our feathered neighbors! Bird Walk: 8 am Little Sit: 10 am Bird Feeder Craft: […]
Morning Bird Walk for World Migratory Bird Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate migrating birds on guided bird walks. All birding levels welcomed; binoculars available to lend.
World Migratory Bird Day
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Celebrate migratory birds and watch bird banding demonstrations while learning how insects affect bird populations.
World Migratory Bird Day Big Sit
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Drop-in for a bird watch from a fixed location.
Migratory Bird Day: Birding Basics
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn the basics of bird watching. Ages 8 & up.
Migratory Bird Day: Raptor Encounter
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Get up close with live birds of prey.
Event Locations
Nearly all Forest Preserves events are free; some require registration and/or a low fee. Residents may qualify for free admission opportunities at our partners: Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Event Categories
- All Events
- Adaptive
- Animal Encounter
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Food & Beverage
- Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Storytelling
- Volunteer
- Wellness in the Woods
- Yoga
Events Guide
Printed copies of our quarterly Events Guide are available at our Nature Centers and General Headquarters. They may also be available at your local city hall or library. Know a location that should have our Events Guide? Contact us.
Events Guide (PDF)Nature Express Bus
Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreMonthly Newsletter
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Sign UpEvent Accessibility
The Forest Preserves is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Nature Center hosting your event or program 72 hours in advance to request reasonable accommodations or inquire about site accessibility.
Please contact Experience.Nature@cookcountyil.gov or 708-771-1573 about accommodations for specific camping and outdoor recreation activities.