Birding

person birding at Bartel Grassland

New and experienced birders can enjoy this fun and versatile year-round activity while exploring the Forest Preserves.

On this page:


Birding Resources

Birding Checklist

Whether you are an avid birder or just starting out, track all of your bird sightings by downloading the printable Forest Preserves of Cook County Birding Checklist!

Printed copies of the checklist are available Forest Preserves Nature Centers.


Partnering for Birds Report

Developed in partnership with Chicago Audubon Society, Partnering for Birds (2018) is a guide to birds of conservation concern, their habitats and best management practices to insure their success in the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Support for Partnering for Birds was generously provided by the Bobolink Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.


#BirdThePreserves logo

#BirdThePreserves

The #BirdThePreserves initiative launched in 2016 to promote the Forest Preserves as a world-class destination for birding—and to expose new audiences to this popular activity.

Help promote birding in the Forest Preserves by using the #BirdThePreserves hash tag whenever you post birding photos and observations on social media.

The Forest Preserves continues to hold dozens of #BirdThePreserves events each year.

Support for Bird the Preserves was generously provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through Chicago Wilderness.


Bird of the Month

Check out our Bird of the Month posts from the first year of the #BirdThePreserves campaign:


two bluebirds on a nesting box at horizon farm
Photo by Gary Henle.

How You Can Help Birds

Birds face threats from habitat destruction, building collisions, climate change and more. But there are steps individuals can take to support our local birds.


Birding Events

#BirdThePreserves logo
Thu, Mar 28 • 6 pm

Be a Better Birder: Birding and Technology

Zoom Presentation
group of people birding at Penny Road Pond
Sat, Mar 30 • 8 am

Bird Walk

Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617
a double crested cormorant eating a fish on Busse Reservoir
Sun, Mar 31 • 10 am

Waterfowl Welcome

Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010
group of people birding at Penny Road Pond
Wed, Apr 3 • 8 am

Bird Walk

Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620
group of people birding at Penny Road Pond
Thu, Apr 4 • 8 am

Thursdays at Sulky Pond

Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010
a woodcock on the forest floor
Thu, Apr 4 • 7 pm

Woodcock Watch

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439
a woodcock on the forest floor
Fri, Apr 5 • 6:45 pm

Timberdoodle Walks

Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010
a woodcock on the forest floor
Fri, Apr 5 • 7 pm

Woodcock Walk at Wolf Road Prairie

Wolf Road Prairie • Cook County, IL 60154 (near Westchester)
a woodcock on the forest floor
Sat, Apr 6 • 7 pm

Woodcock Watch

Country Lane Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)
group of people birding at Penny Road Pond
Sun, Apr 7 • 1 pm

Prime Real Estate

Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010
person birding at Bartel Grassland
Tue, Apr 9 • 8 am

Tuesdays are for the Birds

Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473
group of people birding at Penny Road Pond
Wed, Apr 10 • 8 am

Bird Walk

Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620
group of people birding at Penny Road Pond
Thu, Apr 11 • 8 am

Thursdays at Sulky Pond

Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010
a woodcock on the forest floor
Fri, Apr 12 • 7 pm

Timberdoodle Walks

Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010
exterior of the Sand Ridge Nature Center building
Sat, Apr 13 • 9 am

Animal Origami

Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473
person birding at Bartel Grassland
Tue, Apr 16 • 8 am

Tuesdays are for the Birds

Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473
group of people birding at Penny Road Pond
Wed, Apr 17 • 8 am

Bird Walk

Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620
group of people birding at Penny Road Pond
Thu, Apr 18 • 8 am

Thursdays at Sulky Pond

Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010
group of people birding at Penny Road Pond
Thu, Apr 18 • 8 am

Bird Walk

Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617
A group of people birding at Penny Road Pond.
Thu, Apr 18 • 9:30 am

Family Bird Walk

Erickson Woods • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)