COLSP is truly a birding haven. It’s best time is spring migration, but it is also a great spot for uncommon breeding birds, and in the winter is one of the best places  to see Rough-legged Hawks in Lake County. It sports a wide range of habitats including riparian edge, open lake, mudflats, oak woodlands, marsh, and conifer stands. Warblers and other passerines love the extensive woodlands and riparian edges, but I enjoy it most for the breeding birds. Sedge Wrens, Cerulean Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Henslow’s Sparrow, Osprey, American Redstart, and Red-headed Woodpecker are just a few of the breeding gems at this park. It is also the best spot in Lake County for both Wild Turkey and Ring-necked Pheasant. A trip on a boat onto Grass Lake will probably get you American White Pelican, Forster’s Tern, and Black Tern as well.

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