2025 Field Trips

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Contact Roger Boyd at rboydbird69@gmail.com or 785-424-0595 for more information.

In general, field trips last two hours, but participants are free to come and go any time. All trips are subject to change due to weather or scheduling conflicts.​​ Check our Facebook page for last-minute changes.

 

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MARCH FIELD TRIPS:

March 5 (Wed.)  |  Clinton Lake Dam (Outlet Tower) and Model Airplane Field  |  8 a.m.

Meet on the dam at the pullout by the outlet tower. Focus will be on the identification of numerous waterfowl (geese, ducks, scoters, & loons) and potentially gulls. Once we have seen what we can we will travel to the south end of the dam and scope that area of the lake. Depending on cloud cover and wind the species diversity and abundance can vary greatly from one day to the next. From there we will go below the dam to the model airplane field and those wetlands.  We will look primarily for a variety of sparrows and possibly wrens. We will check the airfield for possible American and Sprague’s Pipits. Flyovers by Smith’s Longspurs are also possible. We are likely to be able to see and hear both Eastern and Western Meadowlarks on the runway edges.

 

March 22 (Sat.)  |  Clinton Lake – East Bloomington  |  8 a.m. 

Meet at the parking lot east of the Wakarusa Museum, not the swim beach. We will scope the lake from the parking lot and then walk across grass to the swim beach. Dress warm as it is likely to be cold and windy! Some winter species could still be in the trees to the west. Along the beach we should find several species of gulls as well as shorebirds heading to Canada. Possibility of a variety of ducks and if lucky we will find scoters, loons, and grebes. 

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APRIL FIELD TRIPS: 

April 9 (Wed.)  |  Lawrence Water Treatment Plant and East of Baker Wetlands  |  8 a.m.

Meet at the intersection of N. 1175 and E. 1660 Rd. (GPS N. 38.909918, W -095.205105) From Lawrence the easiest access is south on Haskell Ave. past the Baker Wetlands and over the Wakarusa River. Once over the river take an immediate left on N. 1175, ½ mile there is a jog to the right, after 100 yards turn left back onto N 1175.  Go east ½ mile to E. 1600 rd. There are usually several pools and/or strips of water that attracts shorebirds. If dry we will go to the Wetlands, otherwise, after 30-45 min. we will travel back west and north to N. 1250 Rd. We will turn right and travel along N. 1250 making several stops as needed. We will most likely continue east on N. 1250 Rd to O’Connell road with the hopes of late waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, Horned Larks, and longspurs or pipits in the fields on either side of the road.

 

April 26 (Sat.)  |  Baker Wetlands (Joint trip with Lawrence Public Library)  |  8 a.m. 

Meet at the west parking lot at the Discovery Center (1365 N. 1250 Rd).  Spring migration should be close to full swing so many species of birds will likely be present. We will walk the diagonal trail down to the low water crossing. Then we will walk the center trail east along the old N. 1250 Rd alignment to the Naismith Canal, cross on the bridge and continue east. Our intent is to walk to the center intersection and Grebe Pond blind which is 1.5 miles round trip. Warblers, vireos, and buntings should be in full migration mode as well as several rail and wader species. This is the height of migration for the next 10 days. Weather will be a major factor in what we look for and how far east we go. We will probably be there 2-3 hours but you would be able to return to the parking lot at any time. You can usually anticipate some of the trails will be wet or muddy.  

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MAY FIELD TRIPS:

May 7 (Wed.)  |  Burcham Park  |  8 a.m.

Meet in the main parking lot near the river. We will walk the road and trails in the park south and north. We should see a variety of early warblers, vireos, thrushes and other spring migrants. The river may have some waterfowl and gulls present and possibly some early swallows over the water. It is a little early for the bulk of the warblers but easier to view as most leaves won’t be out yet. Bring layers in case there is a chilly breeze.

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May 14 (Wed.)  |  Fitch Natural History Reservation  |  8 a.m.  

Park at Roth Trailhead and meet there. We will eventually cross the road to the east to enter Fitch.  (See KU Field Station for directions or GPS is 39.038524, -95.206304). We will walk on the established trails. Easy walking along the woods. Early portion is gravel turning to well-worn dirt or mowed grassy paths. Expect thrushes, vireos, warblers, tanagers, flycatchers, all the migrants and residents from the tropics.  It could be wild, depending on movement of fronts and current weather. If we hit a good day of migration we could have over 15 species of warblers. Chiggers shouldn’t be an issue but plan to use spray on clothing for ticks.  We will plan to frequently rotate positions on the trail so that everyone has a chance to be at the front. We will probably be on the trails for several hours and walk up to 2 miles. This is one of the premier woods that are available to the public for birding, so we are doing multiple field trips during migration.

 

May 17 (Sat.)  |  Fitch Natural History Reservation  |  8 a.m.  

See description above for May 14 field trip. 

 

May 21 (Wed. EVENING)  |  Rice Woods and Douglas State Fishing Lake  |  8:30 p.m.

Meet at 8:30 p.m. for evening birds. Park at the intersection of N 500 and E 1750 Rd. (2 miles N of Baldwin and ½ mi E). We will walk on E 1750 Rd about ¼ mile south. Easy walking on compacted gravel road through the woods. Expect a variety of woodpeckers (Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Pileated and Flicker), Carolina Wren, possibly Red-tailed, Cooper’s, and Red-shouldered Hawks. Some migrant flycatchers, warblers, and thrushes are likely. Our main targets, however, will be Chuck-wills-widow and Whip-poor-will. We will arrive before sundown so other birds will be active. At or about dusk is when we can expect the nightjars to sing.  These birds could be close and with (amazing) luck, could come out on the road! You might want to spray for mosquitoes, or stand next to someone they like better! Eventually we will go to the south end of the lake for more opportunities.

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JUNE FIELD TRIPS:

June 7 (Sat.)  |  Burcham Park  |  9 a.m. 

Birdability field trip, accessible to everybody and every body. Meet at the parking lot next to the river. We will be traveling along the wide, flat concrete sidewalk to the south along the river. Expect a variety of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, swallow, and a number of resident birds.

 

June 14 (Sat.)  |  Clinton Lake, Overlook Park (Near Mutt Run Dog Park)  |  7:30 a.m.

Address is 1330 E 902 Rd. Meet on the turnoff north to Sesquicentennial Park just west of the Dog Park. Look for people without dogs and with binoculars! Our main target will be Painted Bunting. Many other birds are in the area as well.  Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, several orioles, and Indigo Buntings. We will walk the roads and then head north to Sesquicentennial Park up the hill. Our main target there will be Blue Grosbeak. 

 

June 25 (Wed.)  |  Baker Wetlands East Gate  |  7:30 a.m.

Meet at the east parking lot off of Haskell Ave. (E. 1500 Rd and N 1250 Rd). We will walk west along N. 1250 Rd.  We will focus on a variety of warblers, chat, wrens, vireos, and flycatchers. There may be a few nesting waterfowl as well as waders in the area. Distance we walk will largely depend on weather and bird activity. Our goal will be to reach the center intersection and Grebe Pond. For those interested, we will conclude the field trip by driving east along N 1250 Rd and north on O’Connell road primarily looking for birds in the North Canal, north of the South Lawrence Trafficway.

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JULY FIELD TRIPS:

July 12 (Sat.)  |  Lone Star Lake with Globe Prairie Area (optional)  |  7:30 a.m. 

Meet at the east end of Lone Star Lake dam. We will plan to drive the perimeter road to the east with periodic stops with possible short walks at some of the stops. Waterfowl to be expected are Canada Geese and Wood Ducks. Raptors should include Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, and perhaps Cooper’s Hawks. Most bird activity will be in the woods around the lake with woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches, vireos and a variety of flycatchers possible. About 9:30 we will depart for the Globe area to the south and west.  Here we hope to find meadowlarks, Horned Larks, Grasshopper and possibly Henslow’s Sparrows and of course Upland Sandpipers. We will also be on the lookout for Loggerhead Shrikes which nest in the area. This is the best expanse of prairie that remains in Douglas County.  Plan to wrap up the field trip by 10:30 or 11 a.m.

 

July 23 (Wed.)  |  Baker Wetlands  |  7:30 a.m.

Meet at the southwest parking lot, which is down by the river, south of the Discovery Center, just east of E 1400 Rd. We will walk the River Trail to the center road. If it is good birding we will walk north to the center road and back west.  Indigo Buntings and Common Yellowthroats should be common as well as Dickcissels. We will also be looking for Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Willow Flycatcher and Eastern Wood Pewee. Both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles should be around as well as Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak and Bell’s Vireo.  If we go north to Grebe Pond we will look for Common Gallinule, King Rail, Pied-billed Grebe, and Least Bittern.

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AUGUST FIELD TRIPS:

August 6 (Wed.)  |  Burcham Park  |  7:30 a.m. 

We will meet in the parking lot next to the river. This is late summer and early migration. Many birds are quiet and possibly molting this time of year. We should see eagles, Red-tailed and possible Red-shouldered Hawks. Chimney Swifts and a few swallows may still be around. Burcham is always good for woodpeckers including Red-bellied, Downy, and Pileated as well as flickers. A few flycatchers may still be around as well vireos and fall warblers. Waxwings and bluebirds may be present. Typical woodland residents like titmice, chickadees, nuthatch, and Carolina Wren are likely to be there but often overlooked this time of year due to their lack of calls. Plan to wrap up the field trip by 9 to 9:30 a.m. 

 

August 23 (Sat.)  | Clinton Lake – East Bloomington  |  7:30 a.m.

Meet at the parking lot east of the Wakarusa Museum, not the swim beach. We will take an easy walk around the parking lot and edge of the lake primarily for swallows. Also a good chance for Scissortail Flycatchers and a host of other flycatchers and kingbirds in the area. We will then walk to the beach where we should find several species of gulls, and early shorebirds returning from breeding in Canada. Forster’s, Black and Caspian terns are often here. Buntings, grosbeaks, orioles, even warblers and tanagers are possible as fall migration is under way.  Plan to wrap up the field trip by 9 or 9:30 a.m. 

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SEPTEMBER FIELD TRIPS:

Sept. 10 (Wed.)  |  Rice Woods and Douglas State Lake  |  8 a.m.  

Park at the intersection of N 500 and E 1750 Rd. (2 miles N of Baldwin and ½ mi E).   We will walk on E 1750 Rd about ¼ mile south and/or E & W on N 500 rd. Easy walking on county roads along the woods. Expect a variety of woodpeckers (Red-headed, Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Pileated and Flicker), Carolina Wren, creeper, nuthatch, kinglets, possibly Red-tailed, Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned, and Red-shouldered Hawks. Some migrant flycatchers, warblers, and thrushes likely. We will then travel to Douglas State Lake less than 2 miles east. Here we might have early migrating waterfowl and possibly kingfishers, ospreys or eagles. At the south end of the lake is a good location for White-eyed Vireo and Olive-sided Flycatcher.

 

Sept. 20 (Sat.)  |  Fitch Natural History Reservation  | 8 a.m.  

Park at Roth Trailhead. We often see quite a few birds from there in the big open space. We will then cross the road to the east to meet at Fitch. (See KU Field Station for directions or GPS is 39.038524, -95.206304).  We will walk on the established trails. Easy walking along the woods. Early portion is gravel turning to well-worn dirt paths. Expect a few late vireos, fall warblers, tanagers, a few late flycatchers, all the migrants moving thru on their way to the tropics as well as residents. It won’t be as wild as spring but fall migrants and juveniles can be a challenge to ID and they generally are quiet. Chiggers shouldn’t be an issue but still plan to use spray on clothing for ticks. We will plan to frequently rotate positions on the trail so that everyone has a chance to be at the front.  We will probably be on the trails for several hours and walk up to 2 miles.

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OCTOBER FIELD TRIPS:

Oct. 8 (Wed.)  |  Burcham Park  | 8 a.m.

Meet in the main parking lot near the river. We will walk the road and trails in the park and to the north. Should be a variety of late warblers, perhaps a flycatcher and vireos and should be some early winter migrant sparrows. This area is also good for a variety of resident birds. We usually can see a variety of waterfowl and gulls along the river during this time. Since it is late in fall migration it is difficult to predict what we might find. Bring layers in case there is a chilly breeze.

 

Oct. 25 (Sat.)  |  Clinton Lake Dam and Model Airplane Field  |  8 a.m.

Meet on the dam at the pullout by the outlet tower. Focus will be on the identification of numerous waterfowl (geese, ducks, grebes, and loons) and gulls.  Once we have seen what we can we will travel to the south end of the dam and scope that area of the lake. Depending on cloud cover and wind the species diversity and abundance can vary greatly from one day to the next. From there we will go below the dam to the model airplane field and those wetlands. We will look primarily for a variety of sparrows and wrens. This is often a good time and location for LeConte’s, Nelson’s, Savannah, Song and Swamp Sparrows and possible American and Sprague’s Pipits. Both Marsh and Sedge Wrens should be present as well as Sora and Virginia Rails.

 

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NOVEMBER FIELD TRIPS:

Nov. 5 (Wed.)  |  Baker Wetlands Discovery Center  |  8 a.m. 

Meet in the parking lot at the Discovery Center.  We have a variety of directions to walk. We might walk the loop trails west of the Discovery Center or down the diagonal trail to the SW parking area, or we might start out east on the N. 1250 Rd trail.  The direction we take will largely depend on what has been seen recently, water levels, and the current weather, primarily the wind speed and direction.  We will focus on sparrows, blackbirds, wrens, finches and keep an eye to the sky for eagles, falcons, gulls and anything else that might be in the area. We expect to finish the field trip around 9:30 a.m.

 

Nov. 28 (Fri.)  |  BLACK FRIDAY ESCAPE at Clinton State Park  |  8 a.m. 

While some are searching for great buys in the stores we will take advantage of free entrance to the Clinton State Park. Meet at the Clinton Lake Visitor’s Center (872 N. 1402 Rd) parking lot. This is north of the dam, just south of the RV and boat storage.  There are many pine trees in the area and we will search for crossbills while waiting for others to arrive. When everyone has arrived we will go to the marina first to look for wintering ducks, gulls, possibly loons and grebes.  From the marina we will return to the main road and head west, perhaps stopping along the way but eventually ending up at the far west boat ramp. This is an excellent place for more wintering ducks, loons, and grebes, and occasionally gulls.

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DECEMBER FIELD TRIPS: 

Dec. 6 (Sat.)  |  Clinton Lake Dam and Model Airplane Field  |  8 a.m.  

Meet on the dam at the pullout by the outlet tower. Telescope available.  Focus will be on the identification of numerous waterfowl (geese, ducks, grebes, and loons) and potentially gulls. Once we have seen what we can we will travel to the south end of the dam and scope that area of the lake. Depending on cloud cover and wind the species diversity and abundance can vary greatly from one day to the next. From there we will go below the dam to the model airplane field and those wetlands. We will look primarily for a variety of sparrows, pipits and wrens.  This is often a good time and location for LeConte’s, White-crowned, Harris’s, Savannah, Song and Swamp Sparrows and possible American and Sprague’s Pipits. Both Marsh and Sedge Wrens could be present.

 

Dec. 14 (Sun.)  |  Baldwin Christmas Bird Count  |  All Day

Contact Calvin Cink: 

785-594-6546  ccinkbird76@gmail.com 

 

Dec. 16 (Tues.)  |  Linn County Christmas Bird Count  |  All Day 

Contact Roger Boyd: 

785-424-0595 rboydbird69@gmail.com

 

Dec. 20 (Sat.)  |  Lawrence Christmas Bird Count  |  All Day 

Contact Galen Pittman: 

785-760-3572 galenpitt@gmail.com