Illinois Beach State Park- South Unit

The South Unit of IBSP has native oak savanna, beach, and some scrubby riparian and wetland areas that host many migrants and winter waterfowl on the lake. Shorebirds, such as Piping Plover, Marbled Godwit, Sanderling, or Buff-breasted Sandpiper can be found on the beach during migration and the oak woodlands often host numerous warblers. The Dead River trail runs along the creek which empties into Lake Michigan. In addition to a host of migrants, summering birds include Brewer’s Blackbird, Sedge Wren, Henslow’s Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, and both Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Lark Sparrow has also been found here in June. It’s also the best spot in the county for Grasshopper Sparrow along the Dune Trail and Northern Mockingbird has been fairly regular the last couple of years.


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