Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve
Illinois · Midwest
Moderate
April-May, September-October
About This Location
Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve is a productive birding destination in Illinois, with 200 species recorded on eBird. This forest and river/riparian habitat attracts Canada Goose, Mallard, and Hooded Merganser among many others. Spring migration along the Mississippi and Central Flyways makes this a vital stopover for diverse species.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Fish Crow
Corvus ossifragus
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscus
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
Purple Finch
Haemorhous purpureus
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
Neotropic Cormorant
Nannopterum brasilianum
Pine Siskin
Spinus pinus
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Wood Duck
Mallard
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Caspian Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Willow Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Black-capped Chickadee
Tree Swallow
Birding Tips
- 1
Listen for vocalizations to locate canopy-dwelling warblers and vireos.
- 2
Check forest edges and clearings for flycatchers and thrushes.
- 3
Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.
Amenities
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Complete guide to birding in Illinois →