Birds & Where to Find Them
A wide variety of waterfowl and shorebirds can be seen on or around lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands in the preserves. At River Bend, Sunset Lake typically stays unfrozen in winter because it is so deep; as a result it is a great place to see migrating waterfowl in late winter.
Photo: Jeff Bryant
Sandhill Cranes are a common migrant through Champaign County in early spring, and sometimes a pair nests in the area. Some years, even Whooping Cranes migrate through this area and stop over at remote habitats in the preserves.
Photo: Dan McHale
These secretive birds have been observed at both Homer Lake and Sangamon River Forest Preserves, and are likely present at others as well.
Photo: Courtney Celley/USFWS
These birds have been heard singing at Sangamon River Forest Preserve.
Osprey have been spotted fishing at Homer Lake Forest Preserve outside of the nesting season. There is a nesting platform at the north end of the lake intended for Osprey, and we hope that someday a pair will choose to use it.
Photo: Jeff Bryant
Our nation’s symbol is now fairly common in Champaign County, with several pairs nesting in east-central Illinois. They have been observed at all six forest preserve sites.
Photo: Jeff Bryant
Several owl species can be found in or near Forest Preserve properties, particularly in wooded areas and pine tree stands. Great-Horned Owls, Barred Owls, and Screech Owls nest in this area. In the winter, Saw-whet Owls, Short-Eared Owls, and occasionally Long-eared or Snowy Owls can be found in or near the preserves.
Photo: Jeff Bryant
These birds are more often heard than seen – listen for their unique hollow, wooden-sounding ‘song’ in forested areas.
Photo: Jeff Bryant
These vibrant birds are common visitors at the Homer Lake Interpretive Center’s birdfeeders at Homer Lake Forest Preserve.
Photo: Jim Hudgins/USFWS
These birds can be found in any mature forested areas. They have been recorded during the breeding season at River Bend and Homer Lake, and are likely present at other preserves as well.
Photo: Jim Hudgins/USFWS
Chimney Swifts can be found at all Forest preserve sites, but perhaps the most reliable place to see them is around the Museum of the Grand Prairie at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. Listen for their distinctive, high-pitched chattering calls as they forage on the wing.
Photo: Shawn Taylor
Cliff Swallows build their mud nests each year under the spillway bridge at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. Bank Swallows nest at River Bend. Barn Swallows, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, and Tree Swallows can be seen at any of the forest preserves.
Photo: Don DeBold
Look for these beautiful birds during the breeding season near the nest boxes at Homer Lake, Lake of the Woods, River Bend, and Middle Fork River Forest Preserves. Some years, they can be found even in winter at the preserves.
Photo: Jeff Bryant
These beautiful singers are often heard around the Elks Lake Pavilion at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, as well as any other wooded area at the preserves.
Photo: Nate Rathbun/USFWS
These birds are rare and declining, but they have occasionally been sighted in shrubby areas at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve.
Photo: Diana Robinson
Spring and fall migration season is a great time to see warblers. Some of our favorite spots are: Homer Lake Forest Preserve (the Walnut Hill shelter area, and below the spillway nearby along the river), and at River Bend (where Yellow-breasted Chats have been observed).
Photo: Jeff Bryant
Blue Grosbeaks have been spotted at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve (Buffalo Trace Prairie), River Bend Forest Preserve, and Sangamon River Forest Preserve. They are a bird of shrubby habitats, and can be hard to find unless you hear them singing first. They look similar to Indigo Buntings, so if you see a flash of blue take a closer look! (Photo: Jeff Bryant)
These birds can be found in prairie areas at any of the preserves. Listen for their distinctive song to help spot them.
Photo: Grayson Smith/USFWS