Trip leaders: Doug Reitz & Charlotte Pavelka (847) 347-8416

Before this area became a forest preserve, it was farmed and mined for sand and gravel. Later it became a wetlands research project with the intent of providing flood control, improving water quality in the Des Plaines River, and improving wildlife habitat. The walk will begin and end at the parking area. It will be about a 3-mile walk. We will walk south on a gravel trail passing by four ponds, along the Des Plaines River, through wetlands, prairies and through an oak-hickory savanna. At Mill Creek will head east on the gravel trail along Mill Creek and cross the Des Plaines River where Mill Creek joins the river. Then we walk north through a wooded area that is often a warbler hotspot and then loop back to our vehicles.

Because of the diversity of the habitat, we may see migrating songbirds, ducks, shorebirds, and wading birds. In addition, we may see other animals such as turtles, muskrats, and beavers.

Planning on visiting on your own? Here’s the link to an area description and map.

Registration Link

Leaders: Doug Reitz and Charlotte Pavelka, (847) 347-8416.

Winter thaw is on (we hope!) and the waterfowl and eagles will be the first to return! Before the boats are in the water, this is a great location for birders and birders. Ducks, American pelicans and (possible) loon are likely and as a bonus, sometimes the birds are quite close and can be seen fairly easily just with binoculars. (We will have scopes available as needed.) Beginners are always welcome at our events ... an additional LCAS representative will be on hand to help especially for those new to birding.

In the harbor, we may see ducks such as Common Goldeneye, all three of the mergansers, buffleheads and scaup. Rarities such as long-tailed Duck, harlequin duck, snow goose and red-throated loons have all been seen this winter...perhaps we will see an uncommon species as well. We will begin at the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club parking lot and then drive to Stateline Beach and the south end parking. We will also walk to see some land birds such as woodpeckers, blue birds and sparrows.

Join us after the walk (Optional) for coffee at Honey Hill Coffee in Wauconda. All can share news about birds coming to your feeders and other locations and ask your birding questions. We will share more about upcoming Lake County Audubon events.

Register here

Come join us for a walk along the Goldfinch Trail on the Fox River as the snow moves out of the county. We hope to see Bald Eagles, American White Pelicans and Trumpeter Swans as they move through Lake County from their wintering grounds. Teals, shovelers, wigeons, scaups and ring-necked ducks and coots should also be in abundance. Red-wing blackbirds and perhaps even a rusty will also be possibilities.

Leader: Matt Tobin, (847) 951-1483

Continue the inaugural Bird Lake County year with a trip to another popular winter destination for waterfowl! Waukegan Harbor is an attractive location for waterfowl to seek refuge and find food during the cold weather, and its proximity along Lake Michigan brings in many migrating waterfowl for a stopover. Numerous gulls often pack together on the harbor structures, while raptors such as Bald Eagles and American Kestrels may be observed hunting along the lakefront. The walk around the site generally allows for very good views of waterfowl within the harbor, but some birds can be observed farther out on Lake Michigan. Binoculars are fine for most of the close birds, but a scope is useful for more distant birds.

Birders of any experience are always welcome at our walks. Loaner pairs of binoculars will be available, and there will likely be a scope or two on hand. Please dress accordingly for the weather. Depending on how the walk at Waukegan Harbor goes, there may be an add-on trip to Bowen Park or Lyons Woods Forest Preserve, about a 5-minute drive north, to look for some woodland species. After the walk, feel free to join Audubon members at Bob and Anne's Restaurant in Waukegan for coffee and conversation.

Directions and parking instructions for the walk are included in the registration link below.

If you are unable to attend the walk and would like to visit Waukegan Harbor on your own during February, a location spotlight page and bird checklist are available to provide information for your trip.

Spotlight Page

Illustrated Bird Checklist

Register for Waukegan Harbor

Kick off your year at this popular winter birding location! As inland water bodies (and sometimes even Lake Michigan) freeze up, this harbor generally continues to be a place of quiet refuge for waterfowl and gulls. And as a bonus, sometimes the birds are quite close and can be seen fairly easily just with binoculars.