Illustration
State guide
When to catch Illinoisthrough the year
We follow 6 places in Illinois for spring migration, wildlife by season, winter wildlife, wildflowers and fall foliage: fall at Shawnee National Forest, winter at Chautauqua Refuge and Emiquon Refuge, spring at Chautauqua Refuge and Emiquon Refuge and summer at Midewin Prairie. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
When are you going?
Fall in Illinois
Good in fall
- Chautauqua RefugeSandpipers, plovers and dowitchers on the mudflats, July through September
- Chautauqua RefugeDabbling and diving ducks, October through late November (migration typically peaks in November)
- Chautauqua RefugeAll refuge land and water open, February 1 to October 15
- Emiquon RefugeSandpipers, plovers and dowitchers, July through September
- Emiquon RefugeDucks from October through late November, with the migration typically peaking in November
- Emiquon RefugeRoadside birdwatching all year
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in Illinois
- USUAL PEAK · WINTER WILDLIFEMigration typically peaks in NovemberChautauqua Refuge · Illinois
- USUAL PEAK · WINTER WILDLIFEMigration typically peaks in NovemberEmiquon Refuge · Illinois
- USUAL PEAK · WINTER WILDLIFEMigration typically peaks in NovemberMeredosia Refuge · Illinois
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFEUsually begin to arrive in OctoberTwo Rivers Refuge · Illinois
Spring in Illinois
- PHASE · WILDLIFE BY SEASONLate May to early June, then 1 moreChautauqua Refuge · Illinois
- PHASE · WILDLIFE BY SEASONLate May to early June, then 1 moreEmiquon Refuge · Illinois
- PHASE · WILDLIFE BY SEASONLate May to early June, then 1 moreMeredosia Refuge · Illinois
- PHASE · SPRING MIGRATIONTypically late February to early March, then 1 moreChautauqua Refuge · Illinois
- PHASE · SPRING MIGRATIONTypically late February to early March, then 1 moreEmiquon Refuge · Illinois
- PHASE · SPRING MIGRATIONTypically late February to early March, then 1 moreMeredosia Refuge · Illinois
Good in spring
- Chautauqua RefugeSnow geese arrive as spring migration begins, typically late February to early March
- Chautauqua RefugeMigrating warblers, April and May
- Chautauqua RefugeWhite-faced ibis may be spotted, late May to early June
- Chautauqua RefugeAll refuge land and water open, February 1 to October 15
- Emiquon RefugeSnow geese descend on the refuge as spring migration begins, typically late February to early March
- Emiquon RefugeWarblers migrating through, April and May
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Summer in Illinois
Good in summer
- Chautauqua RefugeWhite-faced ibis may be spotted, late May to early June
- Chautauqua RefugeSandpipers, plovers and dowitchers on the mudflats, July through September
- Chautauqua RefugeAll refuge land and water open, February 1 to October 15
- Emiquon RefugeChance of white-faced ibis, late May to early June
- Emiquon RefugeSandpipers, plovers and dowitchers, July through September
- Emiquon RefugeRoadside birdwatching all year
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Places in Illinois
Pin color: each place's season now or next
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
- Chautauqua RefugeSpring migration · Wildlife by season · Winter wildlife
- Emiquon RefugeSpring migration · Wildlife by season · Winter wildlife
- Meredosia RefugeSpring migration · Wildlife by season · Winter wildlife
- Midewin PrairieWildflowers
- Shawnee National ForestFall foliage
- Two Rivers RefugeWinter wildlife
Planning a Illinois trip
Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · USDA Forest Service · USA National Phenology Network · checked Sep 30 · How we know