In a county that is largely agricultural fields, riparian woodland like this is hard to come by. During migration, this area can be very good for warblers and other migrating passerines. Residents species include Carolina Wren.
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To view this pond, park in the little pulloff on the west side of 80th St. at the southeast corner of the pond. Note that the pond is behind a high berm, and you can’t see it from the road. Be careful when approaching the top of the berm, as there may be birds on the water very close, and you’ll want to move forward carefully to flush as few as possible.
This pond can be excellent for shorebirds (Upland sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope and Western Sandpiper have been seen here), and waterfowl, including Greater White-fronted, Cackling, Snow and Ross’ Geese.
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The Virginia pines in the Equestrian area to the north of the main section attract both Red and White-winged Crossbills in season. Virginia pines can be recognized by their scraggly appearance and that they are often covered in small black cones the crossbills seem to like so much.
The main section has a lot of pines as well, and crossbills can be found here also, again, in-season. The woods here can be very birdy, and wintering passerines, such as Hermit Thrush, Brown Creeper etc. can be plentiful. The habitat looks to be excellent for Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls as well.
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The marshy sloughs can be accessed from either the Washington St. parking area on the south, or the Drury Lane parking lot on the west (shorter walk from Drury Ln.) Birds breeding here include Yellow-headed Blackbird, American and Least Bittern, Sandhill Crane, Henslow’s, Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolink and other expected prairie species. In the fall, the wet areas around the slough edges can be excellent for sparrows, especially Nelson’s and Le Conte’s. Short-eared Owls can be seen here in most years from October to December and sometimes through the winter. American Kestrel and Northern Harrier are regulars during winter and during spring and fall, the ponds at Rollins are loaded with all manner of dabbling ducks. It’s the best spot in the area for Northern Pintail. In winter it is not unusual to get Lapland longspur, Horned Lark, and Snow Bunting here as well.
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The marshy slough to the west of the visitor’s parking lot is the most reliable place to find King Rail in northern Illinois. Other breeding birds found here include Boblink, Henslow’s and Grasshopper Sparrows.
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The pine grove north of the parking lot is a reliable place to look for Red and White-winged Crossbills in season. Red-breasted Nuthatch has bred here as well.
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The Illinois Beach State Park Hawkwatch has someone station at the picnic shelter (blue point on map) almost every day of the fall. Moderate-to-strong west winds are best, and depending on the date, many species of migrating raptors can be seen including: Sharp-shinned and Coopers Hawks, Northern Goshawk, Osprey, Bald and Golden Eagle, Rough-legged, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged Hawks, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon. Interestingly, Mississippi Kites have been seen here regularly in August and September, with as many as 3 individuals seen at one time.
The prairie grasses around the shelter are a reliable place in September and early October for Nelson’s and Le Conte’s Sparrows.
Rarities seen here include Ferruginous Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Swallow-tailed Kite, Gyrfalcon, Common Raven, Fork-tailed Flycatcher and Say’s Phoebe.
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One word: gulls. North Point Marina is one of the best places to look for uncommon and rare gulls in Illinois. Species seen here regularly in winter include Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Thayer’s Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull. California Gull has also been recorded here many times. Other gulls recorded here include Glaucous-winged, Slaty-backed, Mew, and Franklin’s. Other good birds seen here in recent years include Western Grebe and Cassin’s Sparrow.
Recently, the town of Winthrop Harbor opened the beach as a dog-training beach, with the purpose of keeping the gulls away. The result has been a drastic decrease in the number of gulls loafing here, but once the ice builds up in the harbors, the gulls congregate there.
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Small parking area on the east side of Torrence Ave., then walk to where the remains of 134th St. come to the Calumet River. Bell’s Vireo have bred in the Willows here, the only place that this species can be regularly found within the City of Chicago. Black-crowned Night Heron and Willow Flycatcher can also be found here in season.
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The large pine trees around this parking lot has been a good place for Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll and Red-breasted Nuthatch in season. In the woods immediately to the east of the parking area, Summer Tanager has been a regular breeder. Along the Sag Valley Trail to the east, between where the two trails cut off to the south, Kentucky and Hooded Warblers have bred. Barred Owl and Pileated Woodpecker can be found here as well.
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