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
Also good in fall
- Chautauqua RefugeDabbling and diving ducks, October through late November (migration typically peaks in November)
- Emiquon RefugeDucks from October through late November, with the migration typically peaking in November
- Meredosia RefugeDucks from October through late November; migration typically peaks in November
- Midewin PrairieWelcome Center programs and tours, April to October
- Two Rivers RefugeBald eagles begin to arrive (October), staying until early spring
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after fall
“Migration typically peaks in November” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Winter in Illinois
- USUAL PEAK · WINTER WILDLIFEChautauqua Refuge, Emiquon Refuge, Meredosia RefugeNext November 2026 at 3 Illinois placesIllinois
“Migration typically peaks in November” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFETwo Rivers RefugeUsually begin to arrive in OctoberIllinois
“usually begin to arrive in October” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Also good in winter
- Chautauqua RefugeSnow geese arrive as spring migration begins, typically late February to early March
- Emiquon RefugeSnow geese descend on the refuge as spring migration begins, typically late February to early March
- Meredosia RefugeSnow geese pour into the river valley, typically late February to early March
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Spring in Illinois
Also good in spring
- Chautauqua RefugeSnow geese arrive as spring migration begins, typically late February to early March
- Emiquon RefugeSnow geese descend on the refuge as spring migration begins, typically late February to early March
- Meredosia RefugeSnow geese pour into the river valley, typically late February to early March
- Midewin PrairieWelcome Center programs and tours, April to October
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after spring
“Migration typically peaks in November” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Summer in Illinois
Also good in summer
- Chautauqua RefugeWhite-faced ibis may be spotted, late May to early June
- Emiquon RefugeChance of white-faced ibis, late May to early June
- Meredosia RefugeRails and soras might be spotted, late May to early June
- Midewin PrairiePale purple coneflower blooms in the River Road seed beds, June
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after summer
“Migration typically peaks in November” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Places in Illinois
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
- Chautauqua RefugeSpring migration · April and MayWildlife by season · Late May to early JuneWinter wildlife · Nov
- Emiquon RefugeSpring migration · April and MayWildlife by season · Late May to early JuneWinter wildlife · Nov
- Meredosia RefugeSpring migration · April and MayWildlife by season · Late May to early JuneWinter wildlife · Nov
- Midewin PrairieWildflowers · blooms in June
- Shawnee National ForestFall foliage · Oct (statewide)
- Two Rivers RefugeWinter wildlife · Oct
Planning a Illinois trip
Towns to stay in
- Aurora, ILIndiana Dunes · 64 mi
- Rockford, ILIndiana Dunes · 111 mi
- Champaign, ILChautauqua Refuge · 93 mi
- Bloomington, ILChautauqua Refuge · 55 mi
- Decatur, ILChautauqua Refuge · 66 mi
- Quincy, ILMeredosia Refuge · 44 mi
- Galesburg, ILPort Louisa Refuge · 43 mi
- Danville, ILIndiana Dunes · 106 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Browse by season and event
- Spring migration · 3 places hereSpring migration, everywhere →
- Wildlife by season · 3 places hereWildlife by season, everywhere →
- Winter wildlife · 4 places hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
- Wildflowers · 1 place hereWildflowers, everywhere →
- Fall foliage · 1 place hereFall foliage, everywhere →
Questions people ask
How many snow geese come through at Chautauqua Refuge?
It's not unusual to see more than 100,000 snow geese rising and wheeling together over the openings in the ice.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chautauqua NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What arrives after the snow geese at Chautauqua Refuge?
As more of the ice opens in mid-March, ducks move in: green-winged teal, northern pintails, northern shovelers, canvasbacks, redheads and mergansers, with wood ducks scouting tree cavities overhead. American coots arrive in late spring.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chautauqua NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Why do shorebirds show up in summer at Chautauqua Refuge?
By July the floodwaters pull back and the seasonal wetlands turn to mudflats; summer drawdowns keep the water low, and sandpipers, plovers, dowitchers, gulls and terns come to feed. The refuge adds that May and August can be the best months for many shorebird species.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chautauqua NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How many kinds can I see from the bluff at Chautauqua Refuge?
In late summer and fall, the mudflats below the bluff platforms can hold 30 or more species of shorebirds and 10 of gulls and terns.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chautauqua NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I still visit when the waterfowl sanctuary closes at Chautauqua Refuge?
Yes. From October 16 to January 31 parts of the refuge close as a sanctuary for waterfowl, but the trails and viewing platforms along the east bluff stay open all year, and bank fishing is allowed on the east shore.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chautauqua NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How many ducks might I see at Chautauqua Refuge?
In spring and fall migration, the refuge says you're likely to look down on more than 100,000 ducks feeding in the seasonal wetlands; 28 kinds of waterfowl use the refuge. By December most have moved south.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chautauqua NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chautauqua NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Indiana · Missouri · Iowa · Kentucky
Illinois in pictures
How we know
- Sep 30Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: late-February snow geese, April-May warblers, summer ibis and shorebirds, October-November ducks with a November migration peakSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chautauqua NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: late-February snow geese, April-May warblers, summer ibis and shorebirds, October-November ducks with a November migration peakSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Emiquon NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: late-February snow geese, April-May warblers, spring frog chorus, rails and soras, July-September shorebirds, October-November ducks with a November migration peakSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Meredosia NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceSeed-production beds of native prairie plants: when pale purple coneflower, prairie clovers, compass plant and prairie dock flower; stay on mowed paths; the South Patrol Road restorationSource (opens USDA Forest Service, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie: Self-Guided Tour of the River Road Seedbeds (PDF) in a new tab)
- Sep 30SightingsVolunteer observations of deciduous trees and shrubs: share with half or more of their leaves colored, per stateSource (opens USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceFall migration ducks; bald eagles usually arrive in October and stay until early springSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Two Rivers NWR: Species in a new tab)