Lake County Audubon Society invites you to join us at a local birding hotspot each month and stay for socializing afterward. Our series brings together bird and nature enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to experts, with guided walks at birding hotspots in Lake County followed by social gatherings. Each month will feature a different Lake County hotspot and social opportunity, such as visiting local coffee shops, stopping at a brewery, picnicking and enjoying a bonfire together.

As a special incentive, all who bird at least six of the designated locations will receive a special recognition and a gift from 2024 Bird Lake County at our end-of-year celebration in November. Can't make it to the scheduled event? No worries; you can visit our monthly spotlighted location on your own. We will have a ‘Spotlight Guide’ (http://tinyurl.com/Spotlight-on-NPM2) that will help you learn about what’s special at each location and highlight the birds you can expect to see. We will offer opportunities for you to share your photos, experiences and sightings. You don’t need to be an expert birder…just get outside and observe the birds and nature. And of course, we will continue to offer additional bird walks, the Big Sit, a butterfly walk and kayak trips around the county as we have in the past.

Upcoming Bird Lake County Events

Past Bird Lake County Events

Featured

Bird Lake County: Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve

Apr 20

Apr 20, 2024

Bird Lake County: Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve

Apr 20, 2024

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

Apr 20, 2024

Bird Lake County: Fox River Forest Preserve

Mar 23

Mar 23, 2024

Bird Lake County: Fox River Forest Preserve

Mar 23, 2024

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

Mar 23, 2024

Mar 19

Mar 19, 2024

Bird Walk: Chain O'Lakes State Park

Mar 19, 2024

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.

Mar 19, 2024

Spot Light Locations

Independence Grove Lake County Forest Preserve

Although this forest preserve is mainly focused on recreation, the deep-water lake (a former rock quarry) is a prime site for spring/fall migration of grebes, ducks, and loons which can often be at quite a close distance.

Sedge Meadows Lake County Forest Preserve

This preserve contains restored wetlands and wooded areas along both sides of the Des Plaines River. The trail is outstanding for warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and other spring-migrating passerines.

Rollins Savanna Lake County Forest Preserve

With over 1200 acres and 7 miles of trails, this is one of the largest forest preserves and one of the most important prairie/wetland areas for birds.

Daniel Wright Woods Lake County Forest Preserve

This 750-acre Preserve with 4 miles of trails offers excellent spring birding for migrants. The bridge over the Des Plaines River is a popular area in spring with sightings of up to twenty warbler species such as prothonotary warbler, cerulean warbler, oven birds plus orioles and tanagers.

Ryerson Conservation Area Lake County Forest Preserve

The 552-acre Preserve offers some of Illinois' most pristine bottomland woodlands plus two small prairie areas and offers 6.5 miles of scenic trails that wind through a deep forest to the quiet Des Plaines River.

Illinois Beach State Park and North Point Marina

The 4162-acre state park with 6 miles of sandy beach includes a marina, campground, swimming beach plus the first dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve (which is also a Ramsar wetland site). Illinois Beach State Park has been said to have more plant diversity than any other place in Illinois.

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.

Bird Lake County 2024

Upcoming Bird Lake County Events

Past Bird Lake County Events

Registration Link

Spot Light Locations

Bird Lake County: Waukegan Harbor, Feb. 25

Birdscaping - Plants for Birds