Local Birding Sites

(Note: This page is still under construction after one and a half years)

Champaign

Mattis Park (Mendota and Devonshire Drive)

     There are far fewer birds at Mattis Park than some of the other locations on this list, but it is easily accessible and most birds are readily visible, which makes it a good spot for beginners who want to try a bit of birding on their own. The small clumps of trees yield Chipping Sparrows and a few warbler species, while the reeds provide nice habitat for blackbirds and wrens. Keep an eye on the lake for unusual waterfowl--it's mostly Canada Geese and Mallards, but I have found a Shoveler or two in there on occasion.

First and Windsor Pond (southwest of the intersection of First Street and Windsor Road)

     This area can be difficult to access--the parking lot is off of First Street just south of the intersection. Last time I checked, you aren't allowed to walk down to the lake. I recommend walking the sidewalk along Windsor until you get to where the stream flows under the road. This is a good spot for swallows (mostly Barn, a few Cliff), goldfinches, and blackbirds. Belted Kingfisher is also a possibility--two of them nested there over the summer. In early and late winter, look for migratory waterfowl on the lake and in the nearby fields, as well as flocks of unusual sparrows.

Urbana

Barnhart Pairie Restoration (Old Church Rd east of Race St.)
     Rob Kanter alerted me to the existence of this site, which is supposedly a good spot for Northern Harriers during the day and Short-eared Owls in the late afternoon in winter. Other odd raptors have also been reported there. I've never found anything there, but it has a good reputation. 
Busey Woods (1505 North Broadway Avenue)

     Though it's perhaps the top birding spot in CU, I don't particularly recommend it for beginners. The dense forest and running water that attract so many birds also mean that it is very difficult to see them. Nearly 150 species can be found there during spring or fall migration. The most rewarding time for beginners there, however, is during the winter. Try the area behind the Anita Purves Nature Center with the bird feedes--they attract nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, doves, cardinals, and sometimes even chickadees.

Crystal Lake Park (1505 North Broadway Avenue)

     Crystal Lake is the easier version of Busey Woods. Notice that the street address listed is the same: this is because the best birding in Crystal Lake can be found by entering through the back route from the Anita Purves parking lot past the (now demolished) pool. Follow the stream that runs through the park--many birds like running water. The bridges provide good views of flocks of migratory birds moving along the stream. Also be sure to check out the island at the west end of the lake. The park has pretty much everything, but migratory warblers and vireos are its specialty.

Meadowbrook Park (Windsor Road and Vine Street)

     Meadowbrook lacks the huge forest found in Busey woods, but this can be seen as a good thing: arboreal birds tend to be more concentrated. The time when Meadowbrook stands out, however, is during late spring when many species are building nests and rearing chicks. Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles should be hard to miss. Listen for territorial male Common Yellowthroats and Carolina Wrens, keep an eye out for shy Ring-necked Pheasants, and check out the nest boxes swarming with Tree Swallows. Other possibilities include Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, Song Sparrow, and even Dickcissel. 

Swine/Dairy Ponds (Hazelwood Drive east of First Street; South Goodwin Avenue south of West Hazelwood Drive)

     Really not recommended for beginners, due to inaccessibility and distance of birds. There is also major construction going on in this area, so it is unclear if it will still be a good birding spot next year. Large numbers of unusual sparrows and a few migratory shorebirds. Also thousands of crows on occasion, and interesting ducks in the ponds.

U of I Arboretum (1800 South Lincoln Avenue)

     The Arboretum has a good mix of species during migration; everything from warblers to sapsuckers to Broad-winged Hawks to Semipalmated Sandpipers. The only downside is that the trees are huge and birds tend to stay high up. Go there in the early to mid September to watch incredible numbers of Common Nighthawks migrate overhead or come down low to feed. Perhaps the most reliable site in CU for watching raptors (including Peregrine Falcons, Broad-winged Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks).

Weaver Park
     I've been meaning to go here for a while. It has LeConte's Sparrows. Start drooling. Okay, I suppose most people are not that excited by a small, secretive brown bird, but the LeConte's Sparrow is perhaps THE hardest of the eastern sparrow species to find. And it's right here in Urbana. You can probably find a dozen sparrow species here on a good day, and the small pond apparently turns up some odd duck species (including scaup!?!?). All of this info is based on what Greg Lambeth has told me about the place; I've never actually been there. But he has gorgeous photos of the sparrows, so they must be there.

Savoy

Colbert Park (160 East Church Street)

     This place really isn't that great for birding. In fact, it's one of the most barren parks we have. However, its lake attracts unusual waterfowl on occasion, including scaup and Redhead ducks.

Curpros Pond (South of intersection of Curtis Road and Prospect Avenue)

     A nice, small, highly concentrated wetland habitat. Keep your eyes out for Great Blue and Green Herons as you approach--they'll probably get scared and quickly hide or fly away. This is the best spot in the CU area for watching shorebirds if you don't own powerful binoculars--Solitary and Spotted Sandpiper can be expected in migration, though I've also found Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Blue-winged Teal (a type of small duck) have been seen there. Watch for goldfinches and Barn or Cliff Swallows in spring through fall. In winter, the area hosts a large number of sparrows, including Song, Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrows.

  

Mahomet

Lake of the Woods
     I haven't done much birding at Lake of the Woods, but you can expect it to have the usual variety of migratory forest birds (warblers, vireos, etc). One thing to note is that chickadees and titmice are common in Lake of the Woods, but not in Busey Woods. 

River Bend Preserve (1602 Mid America Road)

     Terribly inaccessible (there's a mile-long unpaved road in horrendous shape), but this is THE spot for winter waterfowl. Powerful binoculars or a spotting scope are really helpful. You can find literally thousands of Canada Geese here, along with Snow Geese, White-fronted Geese, Cackling Geese, and possibly Ross' Geese. There were Tundra Swans this past winter. Also keep an eye out for diving ducks like goldeneyes, mergansers, and Buffleheads. Best around 4:30-5:30 when birds are coming in from the fields for the night. There may also be Lapland Longspurs there--I thought I heard them, but the birds I saw flew away too quickly to be accurately identified.

 

Elsewhere in Central Illinois

Allerton Park
      Another spot I haven't been to much, Allerton is a good spot to look for owls (notably Saw-Whet) and woodpeckers.

Clinton Lake
     Best birded with a group of experts during fall waterfowl migration. A spotting scope is necessary to even identify most of the birds that are out there. Loons, diving ducks, shorebirds, and unusual gulls are all possible.

Homer Lake
     Less reliable than Clinton Lake for waterbirds, Homer Lake is still an excellent spot for swallows in early fall.

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
     A good mix of habitat that has practically everything except open-water birds (though I have found a cormorant or two there).

Kickapoo State Park
     More woodland birds, especially Barred Owls.

Also check out the website of the Champaign County Audubon Society http://www.champaigncountyaudubon.org/

     Includes events calendar, bird checklists, and lots of other great resources.