Chicago Park Nature Tours and Bird Walks 2017
Give Back to Birds Day: Rainbow Beach
Aug. 26, 2017
Rainbow Beach, Chicago
7:00 a.m. Bird walk/nature tour
9:00 a.m. Habitat work day
Cosponsored by Bird Conservation Network, Chicago Ornithological Society, Sierra Club Chicago Group
Chicago’s South Side is home to great birding hotspots and natural areas but Rainbow Beach is one of the least visited. The early morning walk will show bird and nature watchers the wonderful dunes habitat that has developed at this south side Chicago park.
Rainbow Beach is big with a natural area that often hosts large numbers of birds, especially fall sparrows (think Nelson’s Sparrow). The rest of the park also is heavily used by migrant birds. We’ll also see lots of migrating dragonflies, butterflies and possibly an interesting mammal or two.
We’ll break for coffee and snacks at 9:00 a.m. and join an established group of habitat stewards who need help with seed collection in the dunes and a trash sweep before winter.
What to bring and wear: Binoculars are essential if you want to watch birds, butterflies and wildlife (there are a few pairs available to borrow); dress for the weather; wear sunscreen, a hat and sturdy boots or shoes; bring insect repellent; and carry water to drink. Bring a spotting scope if you have one to check the offshore sea walls and Lake Michigan for gulls and aquatic birds.
To RSVP or for more information, please contact Christine Williamson at birdchris@aol.com. If you need help on the day of the trip, call Christine’s cell phone at 773/415-5217.
Directions:
Meet in the southernmost pay parking lot at Rainbow Beach (the 1st lot you will encounter on Farragut Road which runs north into the park) south of the field house at 7:00 a.m. for the bird walk and at 9:00 a.m. for the workday.
The parking ticket machines take quarters and credit cards. You can also pay online using the ParkMobile app: http://us.parkmobile.com/.
A map and information about Rainbow Beach is available here: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/rainbow-beach-park/