by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Birding Sites, Fall Migrating Shorebirds, Fall Migrating Songbirds, Fall Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds, Nesting Species, Spring Migrating Shorebirds, Spring Migrating Songbirds, Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds, Stephenson County
Espenscheid Forest Preserve
Owned by Jane Addamsland Park Foundation; located at 8500 E Farm School Rd; parking lot is small fenced in grass area; trail starts at information sign; area contains a variety of habitat types including oak savanna and riparian; a good variety of summer nesting, as well as spring and fall migrant passerines can be seen here; waterfowl can also be observed along the creek that runs through the area; also a very scenic location.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds (Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds)
Spring Migrating Shorebirds (Mid-April through Mid-May)
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November)
Fall Migrating Shorebirds (Mid-July through August)
Fall Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds (September through November)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
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by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Birding Sites, Fall Migrating Songbirds, Nesting Species, Spring Migrating Songbirds, Stephenson County
Evangeline Forest
Owned by, and located adjacent to, village of Davis; parking at 212 W McKimmy St (Faith Community Church); walking trail starts on south end of large parking lot at kiosk; area is former farm field which is being encouraged to return to a natural state; watch for spring and fall migrant passerines as well as summer nesting passerines.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
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by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Birding Sites, Fall Migrating Songbirds, Nesting Species, Ogle County, Spring Migrating Songbirds
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve
A 43-acre preserve owned and managed by the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society. Diverse landscape with sandy hill prairies, small woods and numerous wetlands/seeps. Also small stream flows into Elkhorn Creek at center of property. Numerous trails. Three miles southwest of Forreston off of West Grove Rd, about 2 miles west of HWY 26. Parking lot in northeast corner. Primarily songbirds including less common species such as Willow Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Dickcissel, and Bobolink. American Woodcocks usually present last half of March. Over 132 species have been sighted here.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
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by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Birding Sites, Fall Migrating Songbirds, Nesting Species, Ogle County, Spring Migrating Songbirds
Castle Rock State Park
Diverse riparian habitat from high bluff to riverside. About 2 miles south of Oregon off of HWY 2. Park on the river side of the HWY in the lot by the “Castle Rock” boardwalk. Bird from boardwalk or trail going south from the parking lot. Can be very good for warblers, including the Cerulean Warbler; sometimes waterbirds in river.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
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by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Birding Sites, Fall Migrating Songbirds, Nesting Species, Ogle County, Spring Migrating Songbirds
Lowden-Miller State Forest
Mostly forested area including native hardwood species and pine plantings. East of Oregon take Daysville Rd. south about 1 mile then veer right onto Lowden Rd. for 1 mile then right on Nashua Rd. A series of parking lots and trails are accessed from Nashua Rd. Trails go to Rock River where waterbirds can sometimes be seen.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
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by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Birding Sites, Fall Migrating Songbirds, Nesting Species, Ogle County, Spring Migrating Songbirds
White Pines State Park
Mostly wooded area (some pine plantings) through which Pine Creek flows. Some mowed area. About 3 miles east of Polo on Pines R. Good birding along Pine Creek, especially at the north end (where road ends). Good for warblers in early May.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
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