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Illinois

When to catch Emiquon Refugeat its best

Emiquon Refuge through the year: spring migration (2 separate phases, from typically late February to early March), wildlife by season (2 separate phases, from Late May to early June) and winter wildlife (usually: migration typically peaks in November). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat sunny, 70°F · Sun sunny, 71°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at Emiquon Refuge

Good in fall

  • Ducks from October through late November, with the migration typically peaking in November

From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.

Next peak here after fall

USUAL PEAK · WINTER WILDLIFEEmiquon RefugeMigration typically peaks in NovemberIllinois

“migration typically peaks in November” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Remind me →

Where to go at Emiquon Refuge

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Spring
  • Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Spring migration

  • North and South Globes from Dickson Mounds RoadRoadside pull-offs on Dickson Mounds Road (IL-9), which runs between the two Globe units. In spring and fall, Illinois River floodwaters fill the Globes and migrating waterfowl rest there; in low water the South Globe levee tops make a 4-mile loop open to walkingU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Spoon River Access Area and Bellrose Wetland platformAn information kiosk with refuge brochures and maps, a viewing and picnic platform on the bank of the Spoon River, and a short primitive trail along the river to the observation platform on the Bellrose WetlandU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Wildlife by season

  • North and South Globes from Dickson Mounds RoadRoadside pull-offs on Dickson Mounds Road (IL-9), which runs between the two Globe units. In spring and fall, Illinois River floodwaters fill the Globes and migrating waterfowl rest there; in low water the South Globe levee tops make a 4-mile loop open to walkingU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Spoon River Access Area and Bellrose Wetland platformAn information kiosk with refuge brochures and maps, a viewing and picnic platform on the bank of the Spoon River, and a short primitive trail along the river to the observation platform on the Bellrose WetlandU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Winter wildlife

  • North and South Globes from Dickson Mounds RoadRoadside pull-offs on Dickson Mounds Road (IL-9), which runs between the two Globe units. In spring and fall, Illinois River floodwaters fill the Globes and migrating waterfowl rest there; in low water the South Globe levee tops make a 4-mile loop open to walkingU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Spoon River Access Area and Bellrose Wetland platformAn information kiosk with refuge brochures and maps, a viewing and picnic platform on the bank of the Spoon River, and a short primitive trail along the river to the observation platform on the Bellrose WetlandU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at Emiquon Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodayChance Rain Showers77° / 69°32% rain
  • ThuRain Showers77° / 59°92% rain
  • FriRain Showers then Mostly Sunny69° / 51°76% rain
  • SatSunny70° / 51°3% rain
  • SunSunny71° / 46°3% rain
  • MonSunny66° / 44°–
  • TueSunny68° / 50°2% rain

Today: sunrise 6:56 a.m., sunset 6:46 p.m., light until 7:13 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Emiquon Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
A pink and purple sunset sky reflected in calm water, with dark marsh plants in the foreground
Sunset over the South Globe at Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge (date not given; a view of the refuge, not of the migration). Photo: Emily Hodapp/USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

How big are the snow goose flocks?

Often more than 100,000 birds, moving as one over the openings in the ice.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Emiquon NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What else turns up in spring?

From mid-March, as the ice opens, teal, pintails, shovelers, canvasbacks, redheads and mergansers; later, American coots, and in the tall marsh plants you might even spot a sora, bittern or rail.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Emiquon NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Are there walking trails?

Not long ones: water levels swing too much for formal trails. When the water is low, the levees are open on foot, including the 4-mile loop on the South Globe levee tops. Nearby Chautauqua refuge has hiking trails.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Emiquon NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How do I get there from Havana?

Cross the Illinois River bridge on Route 136 west, and half a mile past the bridge turn north onto Route 78/97.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Emiquon NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 30