Heron, Great Blue
Description: This heron can be seen wading in water, spearing fish with its long beak, or flying over with neck and legs tucked.
Heron, Black-crowned Night***
Description: Most active in early morning and evening, this state-endangered bird may be seen flying over, sitting on logs in the water, or stalking prey on the shore.
Hawk, Sharp-shinned
Description: Often seen in fall, this migrant raptor may be visible flying over, or in a wooded area.
Hawk, Rough-legged
Description: Look for this uncommon winter migrant flying over from late fall through early spring, or less frequently perched in the top of a tree in the Dixon Prairie.
Hawk, Red-tailed***
Description: This raptor is likely to be seen year-round in any location at the Garden or flying overhead.
Hawk, Red-shouldered
Description: This hawk prefers wet woodlands and floodplains. It may be seen in the Garden's woodland, but is more likely to be spotted flying overhead during late fall migration.
Hawk, Cooper's***
Description: Once threatened in Illinois, this now commonly seen raptor may be spotted anywhere in the Garden.
Note: This is an image of a juvenile bird and not an adult.
Hawk, Broad-winged*
Description: The only visiting raptor may be seen in the woodland in summer, or more likely, flying over in September in large flocks or kettles of at 50 or more.
Harrier, Northern
Description: This state-endangered grassland-nesting raptor may be seen flying over the Garden on migration.
Gull, Thayer's
Description: This is a rare gull species most often seen on Garden lakes during spring melt periods.