Warblers! Vireos! Sparrows! The Illinois Beach State Park is home to the first Illinois state nature preserve and is the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in the state, with dunes and swales, sprawling marshes, forests of oak, and vast arrays of animal life and vegetation. Our walk will first take us through low-growing oaks along the Dead River, so named as its outlet to Lake Michigan is often closed due to forming sand  dunes, and then will continue along the beach and savanna areas. Early spring migrants such as palm warblers, black-throated greens, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers should be seen but this lakefront location is often a site for unexpected rarities. 

Trip Leaders: Don Wilson (224) 639-3158, Charlotte Pavelka and Doug Reitz (847) 347-8416