Rainbow Beach
Illinois · Midwest
About This Location
Rainbow Beach is a productive birding destination in Illinois, with 263 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, and Ring-billed Gull among many others. Spring migration along the Mississippi and Central Flyways makes this a vital stopover for diverse species.
Location
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Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Brewer's Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus
Sanderling
Calidris alba
Black-and-white Warbler
Mniotilta varia
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Chimney Swift
Spotted Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Caspian Tern
Great Blue Heron
Downy Woodpecker
American Kestrel
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern House Wren
European Starling
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal
Canada Goose
Birding Tips
- 1
Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.
- 2
Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.
- 3
Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.
Amenities
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.
Illinois Beach State Park
Illinois' last natural Lake Michigan shore with 300+ species, shorebird migration, and grassland birds.
Illinois Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Illinois →