Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area

Illinois · Midwest

ModerateView on eBird Directions

Habitat

Grassland

Best Seasons

Spring Fall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area is a productive birding destination in Illinois, with 204 species recorded on eBird. This grassland habitat attracts a wide variety of species 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

Eastern Meadowlark Dickcissel Grasshopper Sparrow Northern Harrier Bobolink

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

4/14/2026Rural Morris IL1 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

4/13/2026Kankakee River Trail, Bourbonnais, Illinois, US (41.198, -87.975)1 observed

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

4/11/202614825 Greenbriar Drive, Plainfield, Illinois, US (41.612, -88.238)1 observed

Eastern Warbling Vireo

Vireo gilvus

4/9/2026Kankakee River Trail, Bourbonnais, Illinois, US (41.198, -87.975)1 observed

Palm Warbler (Western)

Setophaga palmarum

4/7/2026Goose Lake Prairie SNA1 observed

Northern House Wren

Troglodytes aedon

4/6/2026I & M Canal--Cemetery Rd. Trailhead1 observed

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

4/4/2026Lake Renwick Preserve--Copley Nature Park2 observed

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

4/3/2026Hickory Creek Forest Preserve2 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

24/14/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

14/14/2026

American White Pelican

104/14/2026

Red-tailed Hawk

14/14/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

24/14/2026

Northern Flicker

14/14/2026

Eastern Phoebe

14/14/2026

Blue Jay

14/14/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

34/14/2026

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

14/14/2026

Carolina Wren

24/14/2026

European Starling

44/14/2026

Eastern Bluebird

14/14/2026

American Robin

154/14/2026

House Sparrow

64/14/2026

American Goldfinch

34/14/2026

Eastern Towhee

14/14/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

104/14/2026

Brown-headed Cowbird

54/14/2026

Common Grackle

64/14/2026

Birding Tips

1
Scan fence posts and utility wires for perching raptors and kingbirds.
2
Walk field edges at dawn when sparrows and grassland species are most vocal.
3
Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in Illinois

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Illinois Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in Illinois →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area for birding?▼

The best months to visit Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area?▼

Notable species at Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area include Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Grasshopper Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Bobolink. The area supports grassland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area?▼

Birding at Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area?▼

Midewin Natl Tallgrass Prairie - Explosives Road area offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.