Glacial Park is one of the jewels of the McHenry County Conservation District, featuring woodland, prairie and wetland habitats that can yield more than 130 species at this time of year. It’s one of the top five areas in the region to view migratory wetland birds thanks to the presence of Nippersink Creek, and special landbird sightings in mid-October in recent years have included Purple Finch, American Pipit, Tufted Titmouse and Horned Lark as well as multiple migrating sparrow species, an occasional lingering Bobolink and much more. Another bonus: the view overlooking the Nippersink Creek valley from the Lost Valley Visitor Center, where it’s possible to see birds flitting in the tree canopy below.

 Directions: From IL 137 (Buckley Rd.), turn slight right onto W. Peterson Rd., right onto IL 60, left onto IL 120/Belvidere Rd., right onto N. Richmond Rd./IL 31, and left onto Harts Rd. into preserve. Turn into first parking lot on your right. Restrooms are available there.

Leader: Mark Fritzmann (815) 382-0055

Please register for the Glacial Park trip here so that we can get a head count and contact you in the event of a date change due to weather conditions.