Waukegan Lakefront

 

Due to the diverse habitat of a deep-water harbor, sandy beach, a pocket of trees and a marsh/dune area along Lake Michigan (and despite its busy urban environment), this location has recorded sightings of over 300 species. 

The main harbor can be viewed from the canoe launch and by walking out several hundred yards on Government Pier. The area is excellent for migrating waterfowl and attracts many ducks/gulls in deep winter when inland lakes are frozen.  In addition, wintering birds sometimes feed at the small river outlet out from the south pier. 

At the swimming beach, you can walk north along the beach to a marshy area where many Marsh & Sedge Wrens and Common Yellowthroats are found. Also nesting at times are both American and Least Bitterns and all the local herons/egrets are common.  This is a favored location for shorebirds including sandpipers, plovers, willets, and possible purple sandpiper. 

The endangered Piping Plovers have attempted nesting at this site and others in migration have been observed. In summer, Caspian Terns can be seen on most days with less frequent sightings of Forster’s and common tern. The small area of trees just north and south of the parking lot is a migrant trap with 32 warbler species sighted over the years! There is a self-guided walk in English and Spanish. Self-Guided Walk for General Public.

Note: There is a fee for parking in the beach area on weekends in the summer. 

Location:  Waukegan (Northeast Lake County)
Best Time of Year:   Year-round
Key Species:   Migrating ducks, shorebirds, warblers/vireos, possible Snowy Owls, Peregrine Falcon, Piping Plover, bitterns.
Official webpage