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Kane County Birding Spots
Here is a list of good places to bird in Kane
County.
Bird Habitats | Acknowledgments |
Contact Us
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Kane County
Nelson Lake Marsh: Nelson Lake Marsh, also called Dick Young F.P., is one of the best wetlands in Kane County. Just walking to the platform you can see a variety of species. In the early spring and late fall you can often see about twenty species of ducks as well as Greater White-Fronted Geese, Snow Geese, and occasionally a Ross's Goose. In late spring through early fall herons, egrets, and cormorants can be seen regularly. Other good marsh birds like Coots, Common Moorhen, American Bitterns, Least Bitterns, Soras, and other rails can be found along the reeds. Sandhill Cranes can also often be heard and seen along the edge of the marsh. Yellow-Headed Blackbirds have also been seen here in the past. Further back on the west end of the preserve the grasslands attract a variety of birds including Eastern Meadowlarks, Dickcissels, and many sparrow species. Brewers Blackbirds, Rusty Blackbirds, Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, and Snow Buntings have also been seen at this end. Back towards the woods you can see some warbler species and some of the rarer epid. flycatchers.
Nelson Lake Marsh is located on Nelson Lake Road. It can be reached by taking Randall Road (or Route 31) to Main Street in Batavia. Then turn west onto Main Street and follow it south about 1.5 miles to Nelson Lake Road. Turn left onto Nelson Lake Road and look for the preserve on the right. Follow the trail west to the platform for a good view of the marsh. Go left from the platform to reach the fields west of the marsh. The trail goes all the way around the marsh, but can be quite overgrown on the west end. The 594 acre preserve is open from 8am to Sunset.
Pillsbury Pond (aka Jane's Pond): This little retention pond has become an excellent little spot for shorebirds. When water levels are low Spotted Sandpipers, Killdeer, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semi-Palmated Plovers, and peeps can be seen here. Other good birds seen in the past have included Dunlin, Wilson's Phalaropes, Short-Billed Dowitchers, and a Willet. Apart from shorebirds, the pond also attracts Marsh Wrens, Sparrows, and an occasional Yellow-Headed Blackbird.
Pillsbury Pond is located on Kautz Road. It can be reached by taking Roosevelt Road to West Chicago and turning north onto Kautz Road or by taking North Avenue and turning south onto Kautz Road. The pond is on the west side of the road just south of the DuPage Airport. The road leading to the Power Packaging Plant (which has since taken over the building previously owned by the Pillsbury Company) parking lot provides excellent views of the pond. This road is posted, but the bike path through the site is regularly traveled. However, If you don't want to trek into this area, you can also park along the road on the south end of the pond (away from the fire hydrants).
Braeburn Marsh: Braeburn Marsh is a small but productive marsh along the busy corner of Randall Road and Fabyan. The water levels are often high in recent years, but during dry periods the mud banks can attract a variety of shorebirds including occasional sightings of Upland Sandpipers, Baird's Sandpipers, and other rare shorebirds. Grebes, Herons, Ducks, and even Greater White-Fronted Geese have also been seen here.
Braeburn Marsh is located at the corner of Fabyan and Randall Road. It can be reached by taking Roosevelt Road through West Chicago to Fabyan Road. Turn left (South/SW) onto Fabyan and follow it across the river and through Geneva to Randall Road. To park and view the marsh. Turn left (south) onto Randall Road. Then turn left at the first stop light. Go back into the parking lot for the movie theater and park along the north end.
BIRD HABITAT: Endangered
New buildings along the corner backing up right next to
the marsh may have negative effects. Developments here and across the
street on Randall Road may also have a severe impact on the marsh water levels
putting the entire marsh at risk of becoming a full year goose pond instead of a
shorebird hotspot.
Tekakwitha Woods: This small but well wooded preserve is a good spot to look for warblers in the spring. The trail that runs along the river (often muddy after rain) and the Fox River Bike Trail are good spots to look for warblers and other birds. From the bridge over the river you can often see swallows including Cliff Swallows and Purple Martins. The area near the visitor center is also good for a variety of woodland birds in the winter and spring. In the winter the bridge also provides good views of Goldeneye, Mergansers, and other ducks on the Fox River, but watch out for bikers too! In the summer very close up views of shorebirds can be obtained from the bridge when the river is low and mudflats are exposed. You can also visit the nature center on site. Check the links below for the hours of operation.
Tekakwitha Woods is located on Villa Marie Road. It can be reached by
taking North Avenue or Army Trail to Route 25. From Route 25 make a sharp
turn west onto Pinelands Road just south of Army Trail Road and go downhill to
Weber. Turn right at Weber. Take Weber all the way to the end where Weber
intersects with Villa Marie. Cross Villa Marie into parking lot with Forest
Preserve District sign. (This route is not recommended for buses, or in winter
when roads are slippery.)
Alternate Route: Take Route 25 north to Courier. Turn west on Courier and
proceed to Illinois Street. Turn left on Illinois Street. Take Illinois to Villa
Marie. Turn right onto Villa Marie, then right again at Forest Preserve District
sign, into Tekakwitha Woods parking lot. The 64 acre preserve is open from
8am to Sunset.
Kane County F.P. Description and Map
Nature Center Hours
of Opperation
Blackhawk F.P: Like Tekakwitha Woods, this small but well wooded preserve is a good spot to look for warblers in the spring. The trail that runs along the river and the Fox River Bike Trail are good spots to look for warblers and other birds. From the bridge over the river you can often see swallows including Cliff Swallows and Purple Martins. In the winter the bridge also provides good views of Goldeneye, Mergansers, and other ducks on the Fox River, but watch out for bikers too! In the summer very close up views of shorebirds can be obtained from the bridge when the river is low and mudflats are exposed. In the fall of 2003 a Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper was even present on the river here.
Blackhawk Forest Preserve is located on Route 31 south of South Elgin. Take Route 64 to Route 31 in St. Charles (just west of the Fox River. Go north on Route 31 a few miles and look closely for the entrance sign on the right side of the road. The 284 acre preserve is open from 8am to Sunset.
Kane County F.P. Description and Map
Settler's Hill: Settler's Hill is not an attractive spot to bird. Actually, it's a landfill. However, in the winter it often attracts a variety of rare gulls. Among the many Herring Gulls and Ring-Billed Gulls have been found Thayers, Glaucous, Iceland, Lesser Black-Backed, Greater Black-Backed, and California Gulls. The winds, fumes, and desolate scenery do not help the gull watching, but if you are looking for gulls then this is the spot to be. A scope is almost a must, but an occasional Thayers Gull will fly close overhead. Note: that in late 2002 redesign of the terrain at the landfill has made gull viewing practically impossible.
Settler's Hill Take I-88 and turn north onto Farnsworth
Road (also called Kirk Road). Then turn left (west) onto Cherry Lane just
a short ways past Fabyan Road. Drive back and park in the SW corner of the
parking lot for a decent view of the landfill. Note that this lot is used
from Kane County Cougars games and other special events and may be busy some
days, usually in the afternoon or evening though.
BIRD HABITAT: Endangered
Well, what can you expect at a landfill. This site has
never really had "habitat" for birds beyond the garbage that attracts the gulls
to the site. The landfill was recently resloped which had a negative impact on
the gulls, but may be beneficial in the far future when the landfill is no
longer in use.
Kane County Events
Center
Settler's Hill
Golf Course
Burnidge F.P: Burnidge F.P., also known as Paul Wolff, is a great spot for spring and fall warblers. The woods south of the Coombs Road parking area is an excellent spot to start. In the summer the marsh near Coombs Road is also a good spot for Common Moorhen, Swallows, Herons, and in the past Yellow-Headed Blackbirds. There are also extensive fields on the south end of the preserve where a variety of grassland birds can be seen including Dickcissels, Grasshopper Sparrow, Orchard Oriole, and occasionally Henslow's Sparrows. Many woodland birds also summer including Eastern Towhees, Yellow-Breasted Chats, White-Eyed Vireos, Scarlet Tanagers, and on rare occasion Summer Tanager. Red-Shouldered Hawks have been known to frequent the preserve and even a Gray Partridge has showed up once or twice.
Burnidge F.P. is located on Coombs Road. It can be reached by taking Route 59 north and turning west onto Route 20. Take Route 20 west through Elgin. Then turn right (north) onto Coombs Road. If you reach the cemetery, then you've gone to far. Take Coombs north and keep a close look out for the preserve on the right. If you reach Big Timber Road, then you've past it. The 504 acre preserve is open from 8am to Sunset.
Kane County F.P. Description and Map
Elburn F.P: Elburn Forest Preserve is a small preserve, but has some nice grassland and woodland habitat. In the winter it is a good spot for Rough-Legged Hawks, Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings, and Tree Sparrows, especially in the grasses on the east side of the preserve. In the spring and fall the woods also attract warblers and thrushes. The alder trees on the SW end also hold potential for Common Redpolls. Titmice and a variety of woodpeckers are seen here regularly during the year.
Elburn Forest Preserve is located on Route 38, Roosevelt Road. It can be reached by taking Roosevelt Road west about .5 miles past Route 47. The preserve is on the left (south side). The 87 acre preserve is open daily from 8am to Sunset
Kane County F.P. Description and Map
LeRoy Oakes: This little spot has a nice variety of habitats. The rows of pines often attract owls in the winter. Henslow's Sparrows can be found some years in the front fields on both sides of the road. In the spring and fall, a walk along the stream often turns up a variety of thrushes and warblers including some of the rarer species. The large stream is hidden from view north of the buildings and down the hill. The forests also attract a variety of summer birds including Yellow-Throated Vireos, wrens, woodpeckers, and flycatchers.
LeRoy Oakes is located on Dean Street. It can be reached by taking Route 20 or North Ave. (Route 64) to Randall Road. Then take Randall Road and turn west onto Dean Street (about .5 to 1 mile north of North Ave.) Follow Dean Street west and look for the entrance on the right. The 264 acre preserve is open from 8am to Sunset
Kane County F.P. Description and Map
Fabyan F.P:
This heavily used preserve is a good spot to go to
bird along the Fox River. In the winter a variety of ducks, geese, and swans
frequent the waters. Though largely urbanized, there are some nice forested
areas where woodpeckers and warblers can be found. Occasional
Carolina Wrens and Winter Wrens have also been seen year round at the preserve.
The Japanese Garden and surround area (accessed from Route 31) have also had Red
Crossbills, Common Redpoll, and Purple Finches in the past.
Fabyan Forest Preserve can be reached from either Route 31 or Route 25. Take Roosevelt Road (Route 38 / State St.) to Route 31 or Route 25. Then head south on Route 31 or 25 and look for the parking lot by the Fox River. There is also parking on the east side of Route 25. A bridge across the river links the two sides of the preserve.
Kane County F.P.
Description and Map
Peck Farm:
This park owned by the Geneva Park District has a small
grassland and a nice lake where good waterfowl can be seen in the fall through
spring. Kane County Audubon also holds there meetings here at the
orientation barn.
Peck Farm is located on Kaneville Road. From the east take Roosevelt Road west
to Fabyan. Turn left (south) onto Fabyan. Follow Fabyan past Randall Road to
Kaneville Road and turn right (north-east) onto Kaneville Road. From the west
take Roosevelt Road east to Peck Road. Turn right (south) onto Peck Road. Take
Peck Road and turn right (west) onto Kaneville Road. Look for the parking lot
on the south side of Kaneville Road. For hours of operation visit the link
below.
Geneva Park District Description
Johnson's Mound:
Johnson's Mound is easily seen midst the
surrounding flatland. The glacial kame rises fifty feet above the surrounding
land. These dense woodlands attract a variety of birds in the spring and fall
including warblers, wrens, and woodpeckers. Titmice can also be seen all year
long. Sparrows and hawks can also be seen in the open fields of the preserve.
Barred Owls have been residing here for some time and are well known by the
locals who go there.
Johnson Mound is located on Hughs Road. It can be reached by taking I-88 or
Roosevelt Road to Route 47 in Elburn. Then turn east onto Hughes Road (south of
downtown Elburn) and follow it east. The preserve is on the left (north) about
a mile past Pouley Road. The preserve is open from 8am to Sunset.
Kane County F.P. Description and
Map
Lone Grove F.P:
Lone Grove is an isolated section of woodlands among the
many farm fields in western Kane County. In the spring a variety of
migrants can be seen including the expected warblers. The site is also a
good spot to look for flycatchers including Yellow-Bellied Flycatchers, Alder
Flycatcher, and Acadian Flycatcher. Grassland birds including
Yellow-Breasted Chat and Orchard Oriole can be seen along the woodland edges.
Lone Grove is located on Perry Road. It can be reached by taking Route 47
north from I-88. Then turn west (left) onto Main Street. Take Main Street
a couple miles west and turn right (north) onto Harter Road. Cross
Dauberman Road and follow the left fork (where the road will become Perry Road).
The preserve entrance is on the left. The 117 acre preserve is open from 8am to Sunset.
Kane County F.P. Description and
Map
Carson Slough (Denny Marsh): This apparently still private owned marsh is located south of Nelson Lake. The marsh often attracts a variety of ducks and other waterfowl. It has also attracted a number of rarities in recent years including Red-Necked Grebe, Cattle Egret, and American Avocets. American White Pelicans, Yellow-Headed Blackbirds, Greater White-Fronted Geese, and Ross's Goose have also shown up here in the past. Sandhill Cranes nest here yearly.
Carson Slough is located on Norris Road. From Route 47, turn west on Main Street (north of I-88). Then turn south (left) onto Bliss Road just past Fabyan. Take Bliss Road about three miles south. Turn left (east) onto Denny Road (the first road past I-88). Take Denny Road all the way to the end and follow the curve to the right. Here it will become Norris Road. Follow Norris Road around the marsh. The road is wide here and parking along the road has not been a problem in the past. There is also a small park just beyond the marsh. Turn right on the first road past the marsh and park in the small lot next to the blue and white gazebo (Carson Park). A small paved trail also goes west from this parking lot along the marsh.
Les Arends F.P: This wooded preserve is an excellent spot for warblers in spring and fall migration. Most species of warblers can be seen here including on occasion Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Mourning Warbler, and Worm-Eating Warbler. Waterthrushes can also often been seen in the floodplain areas along the river. Walking the bike path north from the parking lot is often productive (just watch for bikes). Prothonotary Warblers have nested some summers along the river south of the parking lot. Flycatchers and all species of thrushes can also been seen during migration.
Les Arends is located on Route 31. From Route 56 go west over the Fox River and turn north (right) onto Route 31. Go north past Moosehart Road. Look for the preserve entrance on the right (east). The 48 acre preserve (plus additional habitat along the bike path) is open from 8am to Sunset.
Suggetsions: If you know of any
good birding locations that aren't listed, please
e-mail me.
More descriptions, site ratings, and photos are coming soon.
Bird Habitats:
Habitats enjoyed by birds are facing struggles in some areas. Sites with
potential or visible problems are indicated as Threatened
(habitat stressed in certain areas) or Endangered
(entire area is being stressed). Threatened Sites have small areas where
habitats attractive to birds have been/may be damaged or destroyed.
Endangered Sites have had a substantial amount of their habitat damaged or
destroyed.
Acknowledgments:
Acreage information and hours obtained from the DuPage Forest Preserve Website,
the Morton Arboretum Website, and the FermiLab Website.
Questions or Suggestions?:
Please Send Us
an E-mail if you have questions about any of these preserves,
would like to report an error, or have a comment/suggestion. Also, please feel
free to let me know if you feel that a preserve has not been accurately rated.
All Text, Photos, and Design - © Copyright 2003 Eric Secker
