Lake birding habitat

Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area

Illinois · Midwest

Habitat
Lake
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area is a productive birding destination in Illinois, with 248 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Canada Goose, Mute Swan, and Mallard 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

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

6/2/2026Douglass Park2 observed

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

6/2/20267859 S South Shore Dr, Chicago US-IL 41.75317, -87.548211 observed

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

6/2/2026Lincoln Park Zoo1 observed

Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga cerulea

6/2/2026Cap Sauers Holdings Forest Preserve1 observed

Ring-necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

6/2/2026Helmick Nature Preserve/Butterfield Creek Wetlands1 observed

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

6/2/2026Glenwood Woods Forest Preserve1 observed

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

6/1/202657-80 Warehouse Campus Retention Ponds1 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

5/31/2026Ogden Plaza Park1 observed

Wild Turkey

Meleagris gallopavo

5/30/2026Burnham Park--Burnham Nature Sanctuary1 observed

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

5/30/2026Thorn Creek Headwaters Preserve--east side1 observed

Dark-eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

5/30/2026Jackson Park--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area1 observed

Cape May Warbler

Setophaga tigrina

5/30/2026Orland Grassland1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

565/27/2026

Mute Swan

135/27/2026

Mallard

125/27/2026

Mourning Dove

15/27/2026

Killdeer

15/27/2026

Greater Yellowlegs

15/27/2026

Ring-billed Gull

65/27/2026

Caspian Tern

25/27/2026

Green Heron

15/27/2026

Great Egret

15/27/2026

Great Blue Heron

25/27/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

15/27/2026

Downy Woodpecker

25/27/2026

Northern Flicker

15/27/2026

Eastern Wood-Pewee

25/27/2026

Willow Flycatcher

15/27/2026

Great Crested Flycatcher

25/27/2026

Eastern Kingbird

15/27/2026

Eastern Warbling Vireo

95/27/2026

Red-eyed Vireo

15/27/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area for birding?
The best months to visit Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area?
Notable species at Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area include Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Canvasback, Redhead. The area supports lake habitats.
How difficult is birding at Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area?
Birding at Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area?
Wolf Lake/William Powers State Recreation Area offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.