Birding in Illinois

Explore 275 birding hotspots across urban park, coastal, forest, lake, grassland, wetland, dune, riparian, river/riparian, mountain habitats in Illinois.

275

Locations

137+

Notable Species

10

Habitat Types

3

Peak Seasons

Complete Illinois Birding Guide

Top locations, species, seasonal tips, and more

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Birding Locations in Illinois

The Magic Hedge at Montrose Point with Lake Michigan in background

Illinois

Easy

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary

Chicago's top birding spot where the Magic Hedge traps migrating songbirds.

Urban ParkCoastalSpringFall
Wooded Island and lagoon at Jackson Park in Chicago

Illinois

Easy

Jackson Park / Wooded Island

Chicago South Side migrant trap on a historic Wooded Island with 250+ species and outstanding warbler fallouts.

Urban ParkForestLakeSpringFall
Lake Michigan beach and dune grass at Illinois Beach State Park

Illinois

Easy

Illinois Beach State Park

Illinois' last natural Lake Michigan shore with 300+ species, shorebird migration, and grassland birds.

CoastalGrasslandWetlandFallSpring
North Pond and restored native plantings in Lincoln Park Chicago

Illinois

Easy

Lincoln Park / North Pond

Chicago lakefront glacial pond with restored habitat, migrant songbirds, and quiet urban birding.

Urban ParkWetlandLakeSpringFall
Trees along the Chicago River near LaBagh Woods forest preserve

Illinois

Easy

LaBagh Woods

Reliable Chicago-area migrant trap along the North Branch with excellent spring warbler diversity.

ForestRiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
Shaded forest path through deciduous trees at Palos Forest Preserves in Cook County

Illinois

Moderate

Palos Forest Preserves

14,000-acre forest preserve complex in Cook County with breeding Pileated Woodpeckers and rich spring migration.

ForestWetlandGrasslandSpringSummer
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Afton Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 253 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Allerton Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 228 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Almond Marsh Forest Preserve

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 216 recorded species.

WetlandForestSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 201 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Arcola Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 219 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Bakers Lake - Ron Beese Park

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 225 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Ballard Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 201 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Banner Marsh FWA - Bell's Landing

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 213 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Banner Marsh FWA - East Access

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 227 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Banner Marsh FWA - Main Access

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 200 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Bartel Grassland

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 210 recorded species.

GrasslandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Beall Woods State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 214 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Bensenville Ditch

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 202 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Big Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 233 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Big Rock Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 213 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Black Walnut Creek Preserve

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 224 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Blackwell Forest Preserve - McKee Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 251 recorded species.

WetlandForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Blackwell Forest Preserve - Silver Lake area

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 227 recorded species.

ForestLakeSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Boone Creek Conservation Area

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 222 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Braidwood Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 238 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 200 recorded species.

ForestRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Burnham Park - Promontory Point

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 255 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 234 recorded species.

GrasslandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Burnidge Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 231 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Burning Star Mine

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 205 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Busey Woods, Urbana

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 208 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Busse Woods (Ned Brown Forest Preserve)

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 237 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Cache River State Natural Area

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 205 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 210 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Calumet Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 239 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Carbondale Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 218 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Carlyle Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 317 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Carlyle Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 215 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Carlyle Lake - Coles Creek

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 218 recorded species.

LakeRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Carlyle Lake - James Hawn Access

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 247 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Carlyle Lake - Parking Area 3

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 252 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Carlyle Lake - West Access Marina and Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 249 recorded species.

CoastalLakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Carlyle Lake - Whitetail Access

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 264 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Carlyle Lake FWA

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 231 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Carlyle Lake FWA - Patoka Access

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 212 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Centennial Park, Orland Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 200 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Centennial Trail - Schneider's Passage

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 203 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Centennial Trail - West of Rt. 83

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 231 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Chain of Rocks Bridge area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 203 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Chain-o-Lakes State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 244 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 288 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge - Eagle Bluff

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 268 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Mountain birding habitat

Illinois

Challenging

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge - Goofy Ridge

Mountain birding hotspot in Illinois with 240 recorded species.

MountainWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 262 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 221 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area - Peninsula Day Use Area

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 203 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area - Radio Tower Access

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 222 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Coal Miner's Trail, Minonk

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 219 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Columbus Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 210 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Cooper Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 205 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 278 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge - Visitor Center Pond Trail

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 211 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge - Wolfcreek Causeway

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 219 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Crabtree Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 247 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 214 recorded species.

WetlandForestSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge - Bellrose Tract

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 225 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Danada Forest Preserve - West

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 221 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 201 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Deer Grove Forest Preserve - East

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 233 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Des Plaines SFWA

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 239 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Des Plaines SFWA - Widewaters

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 233 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Detweiller Riverside

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 201 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Mountain birding habitat

Illinois

Challenging

Dixon Waterfowl Refuge - Marquis Oak Ridge Trail

Mountain birding hotspot in Illinois with 206 recorded species.

MountainSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 285 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Douglas-Hart Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 214 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Douglass (Anna & Frederick) Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 213 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

East Cape Girardeau

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 216 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

East Fork Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 206 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Eggers Grove Forest Preserve (Chicago)

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 254 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Eldon Hazlet State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 287 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Elsen's Hill, West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 220 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Emiquon Preserve - southern pullovers

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 205 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Emiquon Preserve - Visitor's Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 285 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Evergreen Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 260 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Evergreen Lake - Shady Hallow Area

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 230 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Fabyan Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 207 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Ferguson Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 204 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
A snow covered field with a blue sky in the background

Illinois

Moderate

Fermilab

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 292 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Fermilab

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 229 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Fort Massac State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 200 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 257 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Four Lakes Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 214 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Fox Creek SFWA/Bailey Wetlands

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 234 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Fox Creek SFWA/Bailey Wetlands

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 204 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Mountain birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Fox Ridge State Park

Mountain birding hotspot in Illinois with 201 recorded species.

MountainSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Fox River Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 208 recorded species.

ForestRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Fox River Shores Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 211 recorded species.

ForestRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 207 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Gillson Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 273 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Glacial Park Conservation Area

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 260 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Goose Lake Natural Area

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 222 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 260 recorded species.

LakeGrasslandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Grant Park - Museum Campus

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 267 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Green River State Wildlife Area

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 233 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
a colorful bird sitting on top of a tree branch

Illinois

Moderate

Greene Valley Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 268 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Gremel Wildlife Nature Preserve/Green Wing Environmental Laboratory

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 221 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Hastings Lake Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 201 recorded species.

ForestLakeSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Helmick Nature Preserve / Butterfield Creek Wetlands

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 241 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Henderson Creek SFWA

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 211 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Challenging

Hennepin Canal - Big Island and Lock 31

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 222 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Heron County Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 215 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Homer Lake Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 240 recorded species.

ForestLakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Hoover Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 209 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 228 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Horseshoe Lake State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 310 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Humboldt Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 232 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Illinois Beach State Park - Hawkwatch

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 255 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Illinois Beach State Park - North Unit/Camp Logan

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 305 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
a forest filled with lots of green trees

Illinois

Easy

Illinois Beach State Park - South Unit

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 319 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Independence Grove Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 224 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Izaak Walton Preserve, Homewood

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 208 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
a flock of birds standing on top of a lush green field

Illinois

Easy

Jackson Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 305 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
the mountains are reflected in the still water of the river

Illinois

Easy

Jackson Park - Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 284 recorded species.

CoastalGrasslandUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Johnson Sauk Trail State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 231 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 224 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Judson University

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 203 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Kankakee River State Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 214 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Challenging

Kaskaskia Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 206 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Kennekuk Cove County Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 209 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Kickapoo State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 212 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Kidd Lake Marsh State Natural Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 239 recorded species.

WetlandLakeSpringFall
A large tree in the middle of a forest

Illinois

Moderate

LaBagh Woods Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 219 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Arispie/Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 251 recorded species.

WetlandLakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Bloomington

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 225 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Calumet area

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 285 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Lake Calumet area - Big Marsh/Park #564

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 256 recorded species.

WetlandLakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Calumet area - Hegewisch Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 211 recorded species.

WetlandLakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Charleston

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 256 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Jacksonville

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 207 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Kakusha

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 223 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Petersburg

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 202 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Rawson

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 230 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 223 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lake Springfield

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 235 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lakewood Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 230 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

LaRue-Pine Hills Ecological Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 217 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

LaSalle Lake SFWA

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 215 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Lincoln Memorial Garden Park, Lake Springfield

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 225 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Lincoln Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 306 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 246 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lock and Dam 13 (Illinois)

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 245 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 202 recorded species.

GrasslandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lone Point Shelter, Illinois River

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 211 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Loyola Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 225 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Lyman Woods Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 218 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Mallard Lake Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 226 recorded species.

ForestLakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Marshall SFWA - Marshall Unit

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 204 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Mautino SFWA

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 208 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Mauvaise Terre Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 224 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

McDowell Grove Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 224 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

McGinnis Slough Forest Preserve

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 258 recorded species.

WetlandForestSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Meadowbrook Park, Urbana

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 210 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Melvin Price Lock and Dam 26, Alton

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 204 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 264 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Mermet Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 263 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 238 recorded species.

ForestRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Middle Fork River FP - Point Pleasant Wetland

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 208 recorded species.

WetlandRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 234 recorded species.

ForestGrasslandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 204 recorded species.

GrasslandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Iron Bridge Trailhead

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 201 recorded species.

GrasslandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Miller Meadows Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 216 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Mississippi Palisades State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 214 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Monee Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 216 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Montrose Harbor

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 279 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
a view of a city from across the water

Illinois

Easy

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Lincoln Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 353 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Moorman Swine Research Unit, Champaign

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 203 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Moraine Hills State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 222 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Moraine Hills State Park - McHenry Dam/Black Tern Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 255 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Moraine View State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 238 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Morton Arboretum - East Side

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 263 recorded species.

ForestUrban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 239 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Nachusa Grasslands

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 231 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Nelson Lake Marsh Nature Preserve/Dick Young Forest Preserve

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 267 recorded species.

WetlandForestLakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Newton Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 218 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Calm water with distant shore and cloudy sky

Illinois

Moderate

North Point Marina/State Line Beach, Winthrop Harbor

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 284 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Challenging

Northerly Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 269 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Northwestern University (Main Campus and Lakefill)

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 288 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Nygren Wetlands

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 257 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Oakhurst Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 216 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Oakwood Bottoms - Big Muddy Levee Road

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 219 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Olive Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 219 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Orland Grassland

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 240 recorded species.

GrasslandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Park No. 566

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 270 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Challenging

Paul Douglas Forest Preserve (Grassy Ridge Meadow)

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 229 recorded species.

ForestMountainGrasslandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Peabody River King SFWA

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 205 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 219 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Pembroke Savanna

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 212 recorded species.

GrasslandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Perry Farm Park, Bourbonnais

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 255 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Pine Dunes Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 217 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Pleasant Valley Conservation Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 214 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Poplar Creek Prairie/Carl R. Hansen (Shoe Factory) Woods

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 217 recorded species.

ForestRiver/RiparianGrasslandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Prairie Green, Geneva Park District

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 222 recorded species.

GrasslandUrban ParkSpringFall
Mountain birding habitat

Illinois

Challenging

Prairie Ridge State Natural Area

Mountain birding hotspot in Illinois with 213 recorded species.

MountainGrasslandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 236 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Pyramid State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 224 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Rainbow Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 263 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Rend Lake - Nason Observation Tower

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 206 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Rend Lake - Northern Section

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 216 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Rend Lake - South

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 212 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Rend Lake - Ward Branch

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 220 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Rend Lake Spillway

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 210 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

River Bend Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 232 recorded species.

ForestRiver/RiparianSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

River Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 204 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Rock Cut State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 255 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Rock Springs Conservation Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 217 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 252 recorded species.

ForestGrasslandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Rosehill Cemetery

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 214 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Ryerson Conservation Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 226 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Sand Bluff Bird Observatory

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 219 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Mountain birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Sand Ridge Nature Center

Mountain birding hotspot in Illinois with 203 recorded species.

MountainSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Challenging

Sand Ridge State Forest

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 209 recorded species.

ForestMountainSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Sanganois State Wildlife Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 240 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Sangchris Lake State Park - Access Area 1

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 205 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Santa Fe Bottoms

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 260 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Saw Wee Kee Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 203 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Schroeder Wildlife Sanctuary

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 218 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve (Wadsworth Wetlands)

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 228 recorded species.

ForestGrasslandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Shabbona Lake State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 245 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Shelbyville SFWA (Kaskaskia Unit) - Fish Hook Waterfowl Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 233 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Silver Creek Preserve

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 205 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Silver Springs SFWA

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 206 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Skokie Lagoons Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 241 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Songbird Slough Forest Preserve

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 207 recorded species.

WetlandForestSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

South Shore Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 253 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Spring Bluff Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 250 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Spring Creek Forest Preserve - Penny Road Pond

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 202 recorded species.

ForestLakeRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Spring Lake Bottoms

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 206 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Spring Lake SFWA

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 251 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 246 recorded species.

ForestGrasslandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Spunky Bottoms

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 241 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Starved Rock State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 245 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Stephen A. Forbes State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 209 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Stump Lake Fish and Waterfowl Management Area

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 207 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Techny Basin - north of Willow Road

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 223 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 203 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Three Oaks Recreation Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 204 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 240 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 204 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge - Calhoun Wetlands

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 217 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge - Swan Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 231 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Union County Conservation Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 220 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Union County Wildlife SFWA

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 204 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Universal/Peabody Strip Mine Illinois

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 201 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge - Lost Mound (Carroll County, public areas)

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 237 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge - Spring Lake Unit

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 226 recorded species.

LakeRiver/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge - Thomson Causeway

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Illinois with 219 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 217 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Volo Bog State Natural Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Illinois with 220 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Washington County State Recreation Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 208 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Washington Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 236 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 214 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve - Sawmill Creek Area

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 209 recorded species.

ForestRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Watershed Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 211 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
a body of water surrounded by tall dry grass

Illinois

Moderate

Waukegan Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Illinois with 312 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 205 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Weldon Springs State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 209 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

West Branch Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 236 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Whalon Lake Forest Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in Illinois with 257 recorded species.

ForestLakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

White Oak Park, Bloomington

Urban Park birding hotspot in Illinois with 209 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Easy

Willowhaven Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 248 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 248 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Wood Dale Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 232 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Woodford SFWA

Grassland birding hotspot in Illinois with 232 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Illinois

Moderate

Worley Lake, Pekin Lake FWA

Lake birding hotspot in Illinois with 228 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall

Notable Species

Key species found across birding locations in Illinois:

Connecticut WarblerOlive-sided FlycatcherCommon NighthawkNelson's SparrowWhimbrelAmerican WigeonGreater ScaupRed-breasted MerganserDouble-crested CormorantRed-winged BlackbirdProthonotary WarblerCape May WarblerSwainson's ThrushPhiladelphia VireoBlack-crowned Night-HeronPiping PloverGrasshopper SparrowSnowy OwlUpland SandpiperShort-eared Owl

Habitats & Best Seasons

Habitat Types:

Urban ParkCoastalForestLakeGrasslandWetlandDuneRiparianRiver/RiparianMountain

Best Seasons:

SpringSummerFall

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots in Illinois?
The top birding locations in Illinois include Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Jackson Park / Wooded Island, Illinois Beach State Park, Lincoln Park / North Pond, LaBagh Woods, Palos Forest Preserves, Afton Forest Preserve, Allerton Park, Almond Marsh Forest Preserve, Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve, Arcola Marsh, Bakers Lake - Ron Beese Park, Ballard Nature Center, Banner Marsh FWA - Bell's Landing, Banner Marsh FWA - East Access, Banner Marsh FWA - Main Access, Bartel Grassland, Beall Woods State Park, Bensenville Ditch, Big Lake, Big Rock Forest Preserve, Black Walnut Creek Preserve, Blackwell Forest Preserve - McKee Marsh, Blackwell Forest Preserve - Silver Lake area, Boone Creek Conservation Area, Braidwood Lake, Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve, Burnham Park - Promontory Point, Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve, Burnidge Forest Preserve, Burning Star Mine, Busey Woods, Urbana, Busse Woods (Ned Brown Forest Preserve), Cache River State Natural Area, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Calumet Park, Carbondale Reservoir, Carlyle Lake, Carlyle Lake, Carlyle Lake - Coles Creek, Carlyle Lake - James Hawn Access, Carlyle Lake - Parking Area 3, Carlyle Lake - West Access Marina and Beach, Carlyle Lake - Whitetail Access, Carlyle Lake FWA, Carlyle Lake FWA - Patoka Access, Centennial Park, Orland Park, Centennial Trail - Schneider's Passage, Centennial Trail - West of Rt. 83, Chain of Rocks Bridge area, Chain-o-Lakes State Park, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge - Eagle Bluff, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge - Goofy Ridge, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area - Peninsula Day Use Area, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area - Radio Tower Access, Coal Miner's Trail, Minonk, Columbus Park, Cooper Park, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge - Visitor Center Pond Trail, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge - Wolfcreek Causeway, Crabtree Nature Center, Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve, Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge - Bellrose Tract, Danada Forest Preserve - West, Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve, Deer Grove Forest Preserve - East, Des Plaines SFWA, Des Plaines SFWA - Widewaters, Detweiller Riverside, Dixon Waterfowl Refuge - Marquis Oak Ridge Trail, Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes, Douglas-Hart Nature Center, Douglass (Anna & Frederick) Park, East Cape Girardeau, East Fork Lake, Eggers Grove Forest Preserve (Chicago), Eldon Hazlet State Park, Elsen's Hill, West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve, Emiquon Preserve - southern pullovers, Emiquon Preserve - Visitor's Center, Evergreen Lake, Evergreen Lake - Shady Hallow Area, Fabyan Forest Preserve, Ferguson Forest Preserve, Fermilab, Fermilab, Fort Massac State Park, Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, Four Lakes Forest Preserve, Fox Creek SFWA/Bailey Wetlands, Fox Creek SFWA/Bailey Wetlands, Fox Ridge State Park, Fox River Forest Preserve, Fox River Shores Forest Preserve, Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, Gillson Park, Glacial Park Conservation Area, Goose Lake Natural Area, Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area, Grant Park - Museum Campus, Green River State Wildlife Area, Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Gremel Wildlife Nature Preserve/Green Wing Environmental Laboratory, Hastings Lake Forest Preserve, Helmick Nature Preserve / Butterfield Creek Wetlands, Henderson Creek SFWA, Hennepin Canal - Big Island and Lock 31, Heron County Park, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Hoover Forest Preserve, Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area, Horseshoe Lake State Park, Humboldt Park, Illinois Beach State Park - Hawkwatch, Illinois Beach State Park - North Unit/Camp Logan, Illinois Beach State Park - South Unit, Independence Grove Forest Preserve, Izaak Walton Preserve, Homewood, Jackson Park, Jackson Park - Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area, Johnson Sauk Trail State Park, Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve, Judson University, Kankakee River State Park, Kaskaskia Island, Kennekuk Cove County Park, Kickapoo State Park, Kidd Lake Marsh State Natural Area, LaBagh Woods Forest Preserve, Lake Arispie/Marsh, Lake Bloomington, Lake Calumet area, Lake Calumet area - Big Marsh/Park #564, Lake Calumet area - Hegewisch Marsh, Lake Charleston, Lake Jacksonville, Lake Kakusha, Lake Petersburg, Lake Rawson, Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve, Lake Springfield, Lakewood Forest Preserve, LaRue-Pine Hills Ecological Area, LaSalle Lake SFWA, Lincoln Memorial Garden Park, Lake Springfield, Lincoln Park, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Lock and Dam 13 (Illinois), Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve, Lone Point Shelter, Illinois River, Loyola Park, Lyman Woods Forest Preserve, Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, Marshall SFWA - Marshall Unit, Mautino SFWA, Mauvaise Terre Lake, McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, McGinnis Slough Forest Preserve, Meadowbrook Park, Urbana, Melvin Price Lock and Dam 26, Alton, Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge, Mermet Lake, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, Middle Fork River FP - Point Pleasant Wetland, Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve, Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area, Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Iron Bridge Trailhead, Miller Meadows Forest Preserve, Mississippi Palisades State Park, Monee Reservoir, Montrose Harbor, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Lincoln Park, Moorman Swine Research Unit, Champaign, Moraine Hills State Park, Moraine Hills State Park - McHenry Dam/Black Tern Marsh, Moraine View State Park, Morton Arboretum - East Side, Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, Nachusa Grasslands, Nelson Lake Marsh Nature Preserve/Dick Young Forest Preserve, Newton Lake, North Point Marina/State Line Beach, Winthrop Harbor, Northerly Island, Northwestern University (Main Campus and Lakefill), Nygren Wetlands, Oakhurst Forest Preserve, Oakwood Bottoms - Big Muddy Levee Road, Olive Park, Orland Grassland, Park No. 566, Paul Douglas Forest Preserve (Grassy Ridge Meadow), Peabody River King SFWA, Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve, Pembroke Savanna, Perry Farm Park, Bourbonnais, Pine Dunes Forest Preserve, Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, Poplar Creek Prairie/Carl R. Hansen (Shoe Factory) Woods, Prairie Green, Geneva Park District, Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve, Pyramid State Park, Rainbow Beach, Rend Lake - Nason Observation Tower, Rend Lake - Northern Section, Rend Lake - South, Rend Lake - Ward Branch, Rend Lake Spillway, River Bend Forest Preserve, River Park, Rock Cut State Park, Rock Springs Conservation Area, Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve, Rosehill Cemetery, Ryerson Conservation Area, Sand Bluff Bird Observatory, Sand Ridge Nature Center, Sand Ridge State Forest, Sanganois State Wildlife Area, Sangchris Lake State Park - Access Area 1, Santa Fe Bottoms, Saw Wee Kee Park, Schroeder Wildlife Sanctuary, Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve (Wadsworth Wetlands), Shabbona Lake State Park, Shelbyville SFWA (Kaskaskia Unit) - Fish Hook Waterfowl Area, Silver Creek Preserve, Silver Springs SFWA, Skokie Lagoons Forest Preserve, Songbird Slough Forest Preserve, South Shore Park, Spring Bluff Forest Preserve, Spring Creek Forest Preserve - Penny Road Pond, Spring Lake Bottoms, Spring Lake SFWA, Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, Spunky Bottoms, Starved Rock State Park, Stephen A. Forbes State Park, Stump Lake Fish and Waterfowl Management Area, Techny Basin - north of Willow Road, Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve, Three Oaks Recreation Area, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge - Calhoun Wetlands, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge - Swan Lake, Union County Conservation Area, Union County Wildlife SFWA, Universal/Peabody Strip Mine Illinois, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge - Lost Mound (Carroll County, public areas), Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge - Spring Lake Unit, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge - Thomson Causeway, Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve, Volo Bog State Natural Area, Washington County State Recreation Area, Washington Park, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve - Sawmill Creek Area, Watershed Nature Center, Waukegan Beach, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, Weldon Springs State Park, West Branch Forest Preserve, Whalon Lake Forest Preserve, White Oak Park, Bloomington, Willowhaven Nature Center, Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area, Wood Dale Reservoir, Woodford SFWA, Worley Lake, Pekin Lake FWA. Each offers unique habitats and species.
When is the best time to go birding in Illinois?
The best seasons for birding in Illinois are Spring and Summer and Fall. Spring migration brings diverse species through the area.
What birds can I see in Illinois?
Notable species in Illinois include Connecticut Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Common Nighthawk, Nelson's Sparrow, Whimbrel, American Wigeon, Greater Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser, and more. The state supports urban park, coastal, forest, lake, grassland, wetland, dune, riparian, river/riparian, mountain habitats.

Plan Your Birding Trip

Get the most out of your birding adventure in Illinois with our expert guides.