Twenty people in warm coats, with binoculars, on beach in front of lake water and stone reef

words by Lauren Kostas

To wrap up the month of May, COS and the Lake County Audubon Society (LCAS) got together to host an outstanding field trip at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion. Vinod Babu, COS board member, and Matt Tobin, vice president of the LCAS, led a walk through the north unit of the park on May 31.

The trip was the brainchild of Vinod and Carolyn Lueck, LCAS president, who met at the 2025 Wild Things celebration of nature and connection. Vinod and Carolyn committed to finding a way to get the two neighboring bird-loving groups together for a nature walk.

Our trip group included 20 nature fans from Lake and Cook Counties, with varying ages and birding experience. We walked through a mix of habitats (oak savannas, lakeside dunes and wetlands) and spotted an equally wide assortment of migrant and breeding birds. Together, we recorded 58 species and captured some great photos.

The weather felt more like early April than the edge of summer, but it meant we were treated to several migrants that were lingering in the park before heading north. Every color of the rainbow seemed to be present that morning.

Robin-sized bird with black head, red eye, white breast, orange shoulders and sides, and black and white wings perched on a branch. — Eastern Towhee. *Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Illinois Beach State Park, May 31, 2025.*

We saw Yellow-rumped and Blackburnian Warblers, Indigo Buntings, and an Eastern Towhee. A rich backdrop of native plants like sundial lupine, shooting star, prairie tickseed and hoary puccoon added to the color palette. We also saw sea rocket sprouts on the beach (namesake of one of the Piping Plovers nesting at Montrose Dunes).

Songs and calls from Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Wood Peewees, Brown Thrashers, Gray Catbirds and Mourning Doves tickled our ears.

Small bird with brown cap and wings, buffy breast and bars on wings, long tail, and short, sharp beak that is orange on the bottom. — Eastern Wood Peewee. *Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Illinois Beach State Park, May 31, 2025.*

A majestic pair of Sandhill Cranes were harassed by a fearless Red-winged Blackbird defending a nest. The swallows were so numerous, zipping around our heads, that our trip leaders were able to point out the differences between Cliff, Barn, Northern Rough-Winged, Tree and Bank Swallows in real time.

The rock star of the trip was the Mourning Warbler. For about 15 minutes this extremely shy bird enticed us from shrubs along the path with its distinctive song. Then, as a gift for our patience, he popped up and posed for an extended photo op.

Small bird with olive back, yellowish tail and belly, gray head and throat. Short, sharp beak is open in song. Bird perched on stick. — Mourning Warbler. *Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Illinois Beach State Park, May 31, 2025.*

Following our walk, the group gathered at a picnic site to swap stories and spark birds over coffee and muffins. So many of us were initially lured into birding by a brightly colored bird that showed up in a parking lot or outside an office window.

The Bellbird of New Zealand and Blue Cuoa of Madagascar were exotic additions to the list that included the Baltimore Oriole, Northern Cardinal, Wood Duck, Scarlet Tanager and Northern Flicker.

We asked our friends from Lake County for some of their favorite local birding spots. The top recommendations included the Van Patten Woods along the Des Plaines River, the Pine Dunes preserve at Antioch and the 2,900 acre Lakewood Forest Preserve.

Bird curious? Join a field trip! It is a low-pressure, super welcoming way to see more birds, recognize what you are hearing and seeing, and learn from some of the most experienced guides around. All you really need is a pair of comfy shoes to join in. There are even loaner binoculars available. Check out the LCAS and COS calendars to sign up for walks, talks, social events and stewardship days.

Field Trip Recap: Illinois Beach State Park North Unit