With woodland, savanna and wetland habitats that include the Des Plaines River, Sedge Meadow is a great place to look for warblers, flycatchers, vireos and other early fall arrivals as well as resident species. The trail is an easy loop that takes about 2-1/2 hours to complete, with the multiple habitats frequently yielding a rich diversity of species.

Directions: The preserve is located on Wadsworth Rd., just east of US 41. Meet at the Sedge Meadow entrance, which is the first parking lot east of US 41 (NOT the canoe launch lot).

Leader: Stephen Hurst (224) 804-4030

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

Birding at IBSP South Unit takes you through marsh, dune, swale, oak woods and Lake Michigan beach habitats, providing a rich mix of passerines, waterfowl and raptors. Early September arrivals at this special hotspot can include virtually every warbler species that shows up in our area – including possible Connecticut and Mourning – as well as migrating sparrows, flycatchers, kinglets, cuckoos and more.

Directions: IBSP South is located between Bowen Park in Waukegan and North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor. From Sheridan Road (IL 137), turn east on Wadsworth Rd. a few blocks north of Emily’s Pancake House and drive 2 miles into the park. Park in the Nature Center parking lot. (Be sure you go to the South Unit – also called Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park – NOT the North Unit at 7th Street.)

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

Please register for the IBSP South Unit walk here so that we can get a head count and contact you in the event of a date change due to weather conditions.

This former farmland was preserved as open space in the 1960s and restored by the Lake County Forest Preserves over the years, leaving a blend of marsh, woodland, prairie and grassland habitats that can yield nearly 50 species on a good day in mid-September. eBird reports at the same time in 2024 included noteworthy sightings ranging from Golden-winged, Connecticut and Bay-breasted Warblers to Brown Thrasher, Philadelphia Vireo, Marsh Wren, Green-winged Teal and more.

 Directions: Cuba Marsh is located at 24205 W Cuba Rd. Take Lake Cook Rd. west, turn north on Ela Rd. and west on Cuba Road to the preserve parking lot.

 Leader: Scott McKinney 630-364-0603

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

With a long history that includes a stint as a tree nursery, this Lake County Forest Preserve moves from pine grove to prairie to oak woodland to provide a rich variety of birdlife. Migrating warblers, thrushes, vireos, kinglets, grosbeaks and sparrows should be present along with resident species as fall migration continues.

Directions: The entrance to Lyons Woods is located at the corner of Blanchard and Sheridan Roads, north of Bowen Park and south of York House Road.

Leaders: Maureen Marsh (352) 317-5130 and Wanda Supanich (224) 433-1675

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