Bewick’s Wren | Illinois Birding by County

Siloam Springs State Park is home to three highly sought-after species in Illinois: Worm-eating Warbler, Bewick’s Wren, and Chuck-will’s-widow, though Bewick’s Wren has not been present since 2014. Worm-eating Warbler can be found in almost any of the ravines found throughout the park, but can be very easily found at the parking lot indicated (Red Oak Trail) on the map. Also note that the county line goes north-south right through that parking lot, and walking east on the trail takes you immediately into Brown County.

Bewick’s Wrens once nested for several years in the vicinity of the Headquarters building, specifically around the equipment storage area, as indicated on the map. Being familiar with it’s song will greatly help locating it.

Other species found in the park include Barred Owl, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Ovenbird, Northern Parula, Summer Tanager, Wood Thrush, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk.

Bewick’s Wren has also been found at the Benville Cemetery about 3 miles east of the park boundary, at the intersection of Co. Rd. 255E and Co. Rd. 175N. (also marked on the map).

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Chuck-will’s-widow can be found near the Buckhorn Unit parking lot, off County Rd 400 North.

The premier location for breeding landbirds in Knox County, and an excellent birding location in general, is the Green Oaks Field Station. The Field Station is owned and managed by Knox College as an area for research, conservation, education and recreation, and is generally open only to members of the Knox community (students, alumni, staff and faculty) and their accompanied guests. Birders who would like to visit the site can contact Jim Mountjoy (jmountjoy@knox.edu) who would be happy to escort interested parties to Green Oaks, time permitting.

Green Oaks is over 700 acres in extent, most of which is forested (some of it mature growth with many centuries-old Eastern White Oaks). There are also restored prairies, a strip mine lake, and several smaller ponds. The entrance to the site is a gate on the east side of County Road 1800E, about 4.5 miles south of the town of Victoria.

The best areas for breeding birds are usually the mature forests and deep ravines, which are accessed by several trails. The South Creek Trail and Locust Trail connect to form a loop of approximately two miles. Along this route Acadian Flycatchers, Ovenbirds and Kentucky Warblers are usually easily found in season. Pileated Woodpeckers and Red-shouldered Hawks are also regular, if somewhat less reliable. Louisiana Waterthrushes and Northern Parulas are regular breeders, in small numbers. Worm-eating and Cerulean Warblers have also bred here, although they may not be present every year.

The Little John Nature Trail is another area that may produce Louisiana Waterthrushes or Red-shouldered Hawks. The edges of woodland and roadsides may be concentrate migrant songbirds in season. The restored prairies have supported breeding Henslow’s Sparrows in some seasons. Rarities observed at Green Oaks include Golden Eagle, Yellow Rail, Barn Owl and Bewick’s Wren.

Several other good birding areas are located in the area, including Snake Den Road to the south, the Oak Run/Spoon Lake area to the west, and the open country and strip mine lakes of the countryside north of Victoria.

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