Illinois Beach State Park
Illinois · Midwest
Easy
August-October
Free
Dawn to dusk daily
About This Location
Illinois Beach State Park in Zion is the only remaining stretch of natural Lake Michigan shoreline in the state, protecting over 4,000 acres of beach, dune, wetland, and prairie habitats. The park has recorded more than 300 bird species, reflecting its diversity of habitats and strategic position along the western Lake Michigan migration corridor.
The Dead River mouth area and the North Unit beach are premier shorebird spots during fall migration, while the dune grasslands support nesting Grasshopper Sparrows and Dickcissels. Winter brings Snowy Owls, Snow Buntings, and Lapland Longspurs to the barren beach, and spring hawk migration can be observed from the lakeshore. The park is a reliable site for uncommon species that follow the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Location
Loading map...
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritus
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritus
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
Redpoll
Acanthis flammea
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
Wilson's Snipe
Gallinago delicata
Wilson's Snipe
Gallinago delicata
Wilson's Snipe
Gallinago delicata
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianus
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
Birding Tips
- 1
The Dead River area in the South Unit is the best spot for migrating shorebirds
- 2
Check the North Unit beach for Snowy Owls and longspurs in winter
- 3
The prairie trails in the Nature Preserve section host grassland breeding birds in summer
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Waukegan Harbor
- Chain O'Lakes State Park
More in Illinois
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Chicago's top birding spot where the Magic Hedge traps migrating songbirds.
Jackson Park / Wooded Island
Chicago South Side migrant trap on a historic Wooded Island with 250+ species and outstanding warbler fallouts.
Lincoln Park / North Pond
Chicago lakefront glacial pond with restored habitat, migrant songbirds, and quiet urban birding.