WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Illinois

By species reported, the top birding spots in Illinois are Lincoln (Abraham), North Beach Park, and Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park. Lincoln (Abraham) has the longest list (308 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Lincoln (Abraham)Cook County30840,318124275203263
North Beach ParkLake County2705,72681233156208
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State ParkLake County2656,34394235188219
Sand PondLake County2532,59862221153182
Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper LakesPutnam County2471,924102216151209
Horshoe Lake State ParkMadison County2463,683109220145186
Park No. 566Cook County2443,44486191127206
Carl and Myrna Nygren Wetland PreserveWinnebago County2401,83469203148173
Lincoln (Abraham) (Montrose - Wilson Beach)Cook County2373,06251185116165
Chautauqua National Wildlife RefugeMason County2341,09263142176174
Lake LawDuPage County2312,90390203117185
Rainbow BeachCook County2302,95574184113191
Morraine Hills State ParkMcHenry County2294,62388204154177
Nelson Lake MarshKane County2282,91184205134182
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park (north)Lake County2265,11910319698148
Park No. 564Cook County2252,75871204126170
Lake ArispieBureau County22578778171136175
Springbrook PrairieDuPage County2224,29970203138169
Whalon LakeWill County2214,01686182110171
Lake CharlestonColes County2212,89398177120186
Thompson Lake (historical)Fulton County2191,23574187132140
Goose Lake Prairie State Natural AreaGrundy County2161,28878166117168
Gillson ParkCook County2152,8327118285162
Jackson (Andrew) (Wooded Island)Cook County2151,2935119295156
Skokie LagoonsCook County2133,36069185113159
Eldon HazletClinton County21385685175114171
Northerly IslandCook County2121,9506017999148
McKee MarshDuPage County2092,54273179135155
Jackson (Andrew)Cook County2083,95964193118151
Pierce LakeWinnebago County2081,1367519397137

By county