Wild Kane County- Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve

Spring is a wonderful time to be out in nature. It is a season of dramatic changes in weather, plantlife, and wildlife. Birds are one of the more significant areas that are noticed during the springtime because of migration, when birds return north to their breeding grounds from their wintering grounds as far away as South America. Needless to say, it is during this time that birders, birdwatchers, and wildlife photographers focus their attention on parks and forest preserves around the country in search of some of the rarest and most beautiful of the migrants we see annually, or even just on rare occasion such as vagrants. Migration brings anything, and the best thing those who hope to witness the marvel of migration can do, is find a good place to be to watch as migration unfolds. I hope in this piece, people will discover one of the premiere destinations for witnessing the wonders of migration in Kane County, and possibly even northern Illinois. May I present, Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve in South Elgin!

Baltimore Oriole

Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, formerly known as Black Hawk Forest Preserve, lies along Illinois Route 31 east of McLean Boulevard in South Elgin. It was re-named in 2004, after the retired executive director of the Kane County Forest Preserve District (and avid birder) Jon Duerr, in order to recognize his efforts with and contributions to the Forest Preserve District during his service time. Jon Duerr Forest Preserve contains a large area of mature woodlands, lush woodland edge habitat, some riverfront territory and an old quarry reclaimed by shrubs and underbrush making for excellent sparrow habitat. For birdlife, eBird.org has 192 species of bird recorded at Jon Duerr Forest Preserve alone. The diversity of habitat makes it an ideal place for a wide variety of birds, and naturally a few rarities have occurred such as Townsend's Solitaire, Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper and King Eider. Jon Duerr Forest Preserve is also a wonderful place to view White-Tailed Deer which roam about the entire preserve, and insect lovers may also enjoy a stroll through this preserve as well, enjoying the diversity of butterflies and dragonflies. However, as a bird enthusiast, this blog is mostly about the birds, so let's take a look around, shall we?

Veery, a type of thrush.

For clarification, there are three parking lots at Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, and they are the upper lot, which is closest to the train trolley tracks. The middle lot, which as its name may suggest is in between the upper lot and the lower lot. Finally, there's the lower lot, which is closest to the river. We'll start as I normally do upon a typical visit to Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, and go to the quarry area from the upper lot. To make it to the quarry area, it is necessary to follow the train trolley tracks back. The train trolleys are occasionally in operation, so always be cautious, there's easily enough room on either side to step away from the tracks. Going back along the tracks, there are woods along both sides initially, but as you head further to the east along the tracks, the woods give way to the quarry, a scrubby area with bushes and trees that often have fruit on them, but mostly in the winter (junipers). It was because of these junipers that a Townsend's Solitaire decided to set up shop at this preserve for the winter of 2013-2014. During any time of the year, this area provides good habitat for sparrows, but especially in the spring. It can be productive for songbirds such as Brown Thrashers, Indigo Buntings, and sometimes warblers, including possibly Yellow-Breasted Chat.

Townsend's Solitaire, rare to our area.

As you continue east along the tracks, you'll come to an intersection with a footpath, which to the north extends back into the quarry, and to the south goes into the woods. This is the back end of the trail that goes east from the middle lot. Heading into the woods along this trail, songbirds really take over as these woods are the habitat of choice for various thrushes, warblers and other songbirds. Be sure to keep a watchful eye for Black-Billed Cuckoos flying around the canopy too.

Palm Warbler

Upon reaching the middle lot, heading towards the lower lot will bring you to the riverfront. Here various types of waterfowl have been seen over the years, including the best of the best, a rare King Eider! The King Eider was a great reminder to keep checking water wherever you go, you never know what could be on it on any given day. During warm, dry summers, the river can be a little shallow in this stretch, revealing sandbars and suitable habitat for shorebirds. Typical species seen include Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers, but others such as Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs may be found here too. A rare Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper (which is very similar to the Pectoral Sandpiper) was once spotted here.

Solitary Sandpiper

The trail closest to the river eventually converges with another bike trail. Taking a right will bring you to a bridge that leads across the river to the nearby Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve. Taking a left will take you further along the river. The brush and bushes along the river here host many species of warblers on any given spring morning, leading to good diversity, and occasional flyovers such as Broad-Winged, Cooper's and Red-Tailed Hawks, or even Bald Eagles and Osprey do occur. Keeping a sharp eye to the sky from time to time can be fruitful!

Singing Connecticut Warbler

Heading back towards the parking lots, you can see the bike trail extends beyond the parking lots. This path leads to open grassy fields bordered by short bushes, shrubs, and some pine trees. These grassy fields are rampant with Field Sparrows, and also provide friendly habitat for Eastern Bluebirds and the occasional Clay-Colored Sparrow. The pines that border the grassy fields also run along the road into the preserve from Route 31. These pines are good for both Golden and Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, and occasionally Pine Warbler.

Pine Warbler

Any and every area within Jon Duerr Forest Preserve is typically birdy on a spring day, during migration. Unusual warblers have shown up, such as Kentucky, Worm-Eating, Cerulean, Yellow-Throated, Prothonotary, and both Connecticut and Mourning Warblers. In one day of birding in May of 2014, I saw and heard five different Connecticut Warblers! The different habitats within the preserve lead to excellent diversity, and really make it difficult to decide on any area not to cover during any visit. A walk around the entirety of Jon Duerr Forest Preserve can be lengthy and tiring, but it also can be well worth the effort given. Any day during migration at Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, is a good day! It is one of a few places in Kane County that can truly be considered a "can't miss" birding location. Do what you can to get out and explore this wonderful preserve for yourself!

Brendon Lake