February 18th, 2023
Start Time – 9:30 a.m.
Gull Frolic is a unique winter event at Illinois’ premier gull-watching hotspot, North Point Marina. Bring your binoculars, scope, and cold weather gear to join birders outside the yacht club for a close study of some of our harder-to-find winter gull species, including Iceland (Thayer’s and Kumlien’s), Glaucous, Great Black-backed, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls! An assortment of waterfowl are also typically in attendance, such scoters, goldeneye, and other diving ducks, along with the occasional raptor, owl, or winter finch. IOS volunteers will be available to help answer questions along the “boardwalk”.
Whenever you need a break from the cold, retreat indoors to the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club that’s just a few feet away from the shore. Birders from all corners of our state come to mingle, relax, and drive away the winter doldrums. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate will be available all day to help us warm up. There will be a presentation in the conference room that’s offered twice (Session A & Session B).
Speaker: Josh Engel, Red Hill Birding
Global Birding… Stepping Away from “Home”
The $35 registration fee ($25 for IOS members) includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and more. Any surplus money raised will go to the IOS Grant Program, which provides money to local researchers and projects that benefit Illinois birds and birding.
COVID Policy
Anyone experiencing symptoms on the day of the event should not attend, notify us and we will give you a full refund. We want this to be a safe event and comfortable for everyone attending.
REGISTRATION:
Click here to register on Eventbrite
SPONSORS: The Gull Frolic is hosted by the Illinois Ornithological Society, with sponsorship help from many local bird clubs, organizations and individuals. If your organization or club is interested in sponsoring, please contact Amar. There are a limited number of information tables for sponsoring organizations.
If you would like to help IOS keep the Gull Frolic, and other events and programs running, please consider adding a donation to your registration:
DIRECTIONS: To reach the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club take the I-94 toll road north toward Milwaukee. Exit east (turn right) at Route 173. Continue east and turn left on Sheridan Road (Rt. 137). Proceed north and turn right on 7th Street. Follow the North Point Marina signs to the yacht club. There is plenty of parking and parking is always free!
Registration fills fast so don’t delay. All are invited. We look forward to seeing you at this fun and enjoyable annual event!