The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary

Illinois · Midwest

EasyOfficial Site
Habitat
Urban ParkCoastal
Best Seasons
SpringFall
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

6:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily

About This Location

Montrose Point juts into Lake Michigan on Chicago's North Side, creating a natural migrant trap known locally as the Magic Hedge. Over 300 species have been recorded at this small urban hotspot, making it Chicago's best birding location.

Location

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Notable Species

Connecticut WarblerOlive-sided FlycatcherCommon NighthawkNelson's SparrowWhimbrel

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

3/4/2026110th Ave Ponds1 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Carlyle Lake--James Hawn Access2 observed

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

3/4/2026Bensenville Ditch1 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/4/2026South Shore Park4 observed

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

3/4/2026South Shore Park1 observed

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

3/4/2026South Shore Park1 observed

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis

3/4/2026Busse Woods--Ned Brown Meadow3 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/4/2026Eldon Hazlet SP--Entrance Road Mudflats4 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/4/2026Carlyle Lake--Tamalco Access Area (Bond Co.)7 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

3/4/2026Illinois Beach SP--North Unit/Camp Logan1 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

3/4/2026Illinois Beach SP--South Unit1 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

3/4/2026Illinois Beach SP--North Unit/Camp Logan1 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/4/2026Eldon Hazlet State Park6 observed

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

3/4/2026Fox Creek SFWA/Bailey Wetlands (Wayne Co.)1 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/4/2026Fox Creek SFWA/Bailey Wetlands (Wayne Co.)1 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Fox Creek SFWA/Bailey Wetlands (Wayne Co.)1 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/4/2026Fox Creek SFWA/Bailey Wetlands (Wayne Co.)2 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/4/2026Fox Creek SFWA/Bailey Wetlands (Richland Co.)6 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Carlyle Lake--Parking Area 3 (Fayette Co.)2 observed

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)

Junco hyemalis

3/4/20261207 Dobson1 observed

Recent Observations

Mourning Dove

965 Magnolia Drive, Bourbonnais, Illinois, US (41.174, -87.893)

3/4/2026

6 birds

Canada Goose

965 Magnolia Drive, Bourbonnais, Illinois, US (41.174, -87.893)

3/4/2026

6 birds

Cooper's Hawk

27W 475 Burlington Avenue, Naperville, Illinois, US (41.794, -88.099)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ring-necked Duck

965 Magnolia Drive, Bourbonnais, Illinois, US (41.174, -87.893)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Killdeer

965 Magnolia Drive, Bourbonnais, Illinois, US (41.174, -87.893)

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

RF Home

3/4/2026

6 birds

Bufflehead

Woodscreek Park, Crystal Lake US-IL (42.2029,-88.3546)

3/4/2026

4 birds

Common Grackle

Woodscreek Park, Crystal Lake US-IL (42.2029,-88.3546)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Song Sparrow

Woodscreek Park, Crystal Lake US-IL (42.2029,-88.3546)

3/4/2026

2 birds

Trumpeter Swan

Woodscreek Park, Crystal Lake US-IL (42.2029,-88.3546)

3/4/2026

2 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Woodscreek Park, Crystal Lake US-IL (42.2029,-88.3546)

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Robin

Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve

3/4/2026

5 birds

American Goldfinch

Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve

3/4/2026

5 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-winged Blackbird

Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve

3/4/2026

8 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Forest Glen Woods Forest Preserve

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

Forest Glen Woods Forest Preserve

3/4/2026

5 birds

Blue Jay

Forest Glen Woods Forest Preserve

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canvasback

110th Ave Ponds

3/4/2026

15 birds

Redhead

110th Ave Ponds

3/4/2026

24 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Bird the Magic Hedge area first thing in the morning

  2. 2

    Check the beach and fishing pier for waterbirds and shorebirds

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Trails

Nearby Attractions

  • Lincoln Park Zoo

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary for birding?▼
The best months to visit Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary for birding are May. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary?▼
Notable species at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary include Connecticut Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Common Nighthawk, Nelson's Sparrow, Whimbrel. The area supports urban park, coastal habitats.
How difficult is birding at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary?▼
Birding at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary?▼
There is no entrance fee at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily.
What amenities are available at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary?▼
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.