If you enjoy birding, these eight peaceful places across the state will give you the best chances of seeing some of the most amazing birds the Land of Lincoln has to offer. From eagles to hummingbirds to ducks to cardinals, Illinois is home to a wide array of birds.
While you’re at it, stretch the legs and get in a good walk. Nature lovers adore these bird watching hot spots for the views and more. Check them out:
- The Morton Arboretum
Facebook/The Morton Arboretum Owls, White-winged and Red Crossbills, Eastern Bluebirds, Hooded Warblers, and many other birds make their home at this astounding place that is home to more tree species than anywhere else in the state. Some guests search for hours looking for certain birds, and they get a good walk on the way.
- Mississippi Palisades State Park
Flickr/GoddessOfRocks More than 180 species of birds use this area throughout the year, 100 of which breed at the state park. Waterfowl use it for migration. Chances are, you might see pelicans, hawks, eagles, warblers, herons, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and much more.
- Montrose Point
Flickr/CheepShot The bird sanctuary at this spectacular attraction boasts 300 different birds. It is home to waterfowl like gulls as well as songbirds and owls.
- Starved Rock State Park
Flickr/Golo Home to 225 bird species, this popular state park’s most recognized bird species is the eagle. Though few Illinoisans know that this beautiful bird comes to roost here each year, those who have seen it try to get a glimpse of one each year.
- Illinois Beach State Park
Flickr/Mike Steele Gulls, geese, woodpeckers, cardinals, robins, sparrows, wrens, goldfinches, and many other birds grace this excellent state park right on Lake Michigan. Any bird lover will be pleased by the wildlife found here.
- Carlyle Lake
Flickr/Wildreturn Waterfowl such as ducks and gulls as well as cuckoos, orioles, sparrows, warblers, and more call the area around this lake home. It is a beautiful area that is ideal for walking, fishing, and more.
- Dixon Waterfowl Refuge
Flickr/David Wilson Of the 900 plant, animal, and insect species that have been spotted at this neat place, at least 100 of them are bird species. Guests will find Mourning Doves, Killdeer, Mallards, Great Blue Herons, American Coots, Sandhill Cranes, and much more.
- Lake Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
Pixabay/schelliw Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl make this place their paradise. Birding can be enjoyed for hours if you enjoy Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, American White Pelicans, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plovers, Black-bellied Plovers, and more.
Where else do you like to go birding in Illinois? Share your favorite places with us below in the comments.
Facebook/The Morton Arboretum
Owls, White-winged and Red Crossbills, Eastern Bluebirds, Hooded Warblers, and many other birds make their home at this astounding place that is home to more tree species than anywhere else in the state. Some guests search for hours looking for certain birds, and they get a good walk on the way.
Flickr/GoddessOfRocks
More than 180 species of birds use this area throughout the year, 100 of which breed at the state park. Waterfowl use it for migration. Chances are, you might see pelicans, hawks, eagles, warblers, herons, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and much more.
Flickr/CheepShot
The bird sanctuary at this spectacular attraction boasts 300 different birds. It is home to waterfowl like gulls as well as songbirds and owls.
Flickr/Golo
Home to 225 bird species, this popular state park’s most recognized bird species is the eagle. Though few Illinoisans know that this beautiful bird comes to roost here each year, those who have seen it try to get a glimpse of one each year.
Flickr/Mike Steele
Gulls, geese, woodpeckers, cardinals, robins, sparrows, wrens, goldfinches, and many other birds grace this excellent state park right on Lake Michigan. Any bird lover will be pleased by the wildlife found here.
Flickr/Wildreturn
Waterfowl such as ducks and gulls as well as cuckoos, orioles, sparrows, warblers, and more call the area around this lake home. It is a beautiful area that is ideal for walking, fishing, and more.
Flickr/David Wilson
Of the 900 plant, animal, and insect species that have been spotted at this neat place, at least 100 of them are bird species. Guests will find Mourning Doves, Killdeer, Mallards, Great Blue Herons, American Coots, Sandhill Cranes, and much more.
Pixabay/schelliw
Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl make this place their paradise. Birding can be enjoyed for hours if you enjoy Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, American White Pelicans, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plovers, Black-bellied Plovers, and more.
For more like this, check out these 12 places in Illinois with the most spectacular views.
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Address: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USAAddress: Mississippi Palisades State Park, 16327A IL-84, Savanna, IL 61074, USAAddress: Illinois Beach, 1 Lake Front Dr, Zion, IL 60099, USAAddress: Chicago, IL 60640, USAAddress: Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes, Hennepin Township, IL 61327, USAAddress: Lake Chautauqua, Quiver Township, IL, USAAddress: Carlyle Lake, Carlyle Township, IL 62231, USAAddress: Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
