by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Birding Sites, Nesting Species, Spring Migrating Songbirds, Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds, Stephenson County
Jane Addams Trail – Duck’s Misery
Backwaters/wetlands/ponds (some recreated) near where Richland Creek empties into the Pecatonica River. Trail walking gives views to the west; road walking gives views to the south. Access trail from Winneshiek Rd. going west from HWY 26 about 2 miles north of Freeport. Songbirds on trail edges and in woods to the south. Reliable site for Sandhill Cranes (nests have been seen from the trail). NOTE ON JANE ADDAMS TRAIL: Above sites most diverse, but birds can be found entire length of trail, especially migrating songbirds.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds (Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds)
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
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 | Nesting Species, Spring Migrating Shorebirds, Spring Migrating Songbirds, Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds, Stephenson County
Jane Addams Trail – Orangeville Wetlands
The trail is an abandoned railroad right of way, so typical brushy/some woods edges with trail bordering intermittent small wetlands of Richland Creek which parallels trail. Larger “Orangeville Wetland” is a mitigation re-creation by the IDOT. Access from trailhead in Orangeville just east of BP gas station. Walk south to wetland areas – be sure to cross HWY 26 to smaller often more productive wetlands. Depending on water levels, variety of shorebirds can be present. Virginia Rail, Barred Owl, Sandhill Cranes also have been sighted there.
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)
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, Nesting Species, Ogle County, Spring Migrating Songbirds
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
A 50 acre area that is mostly brushy woods, with 15 acres of recreated prairie plantings. A branch of Silver Creek flows through the north section. Off of Leaf River Rd. about 1 miles south of Leaf River. Park in (gravel) lot – some trails. One of the better birding areas is where trail goes north from west field down to the creek. Songbirds, especially warblers, attracted to streamside vegetation. Less common sightings include Red-headed Woodpeckers, Wood Thrush, Carolina Wren, Mourning Warbler. Over 102 species recorded. Be sure to observe boundary posts/signs to avoid 5-acre private property to the north of the parking area. Northwest Illinois Audubon Society preserve.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
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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