Illinois Beach State Park

The Illinois Beach State Park Hawk Watch is located in the northeastern corner of the state in Lake County, IL on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Our hawk watch is an all volunteer effort. Photos courtesy of Vic Berardi

In 1999 Vic Berardi explored areas in northeastern Illinois that would offer good viewing of migrating raptors in fall where a migration monitoring count effort could be conducted. Several spots were checked out with most of them being within the boundaries of Illinois Beach State Park.

The following year, Berardi along with Janice Sweet, Paul Sweet, Bill Wengelewski and others conducted the first raptor migration count from a site located a few hundred yards from the shore of Lake Michigan in the North Unit of the state park. The site offered good parking and access to a small hill near a pavilion. The site also has an outdoor restroom.

Every year following 2000 has brought additional volunteers and an increased effort.

The count site is located on a slight hill overlooking the landscape to the north and northwest. A view of migrants along the shoreline is also possible although the actual site is a few hundred yards from the beach. The surrounding area is a restored prairie with trails.

Take I-94 to Route 173, exit and head east to Sheridan Road (approx 8 miles). Go north on Sheridan Road to 17th Street and then go east. Take the park road into the park and turn right at the sign for the Sand Prairie Day Use Area. The count site is located at the first pavilion on the right.