Stop 1: Barbara Brown Nature Reserve
When it comes to birding, the Garden has it all: land, water, shoreline, trees, fish, feeders, and plants. Thousands and thousands of plants. That rich, diverse mix makes the Garden one of Chicagoland's most compelling locations for both amateur and Audubon-level birdwatching.
Where are the best spots for spotting birds? We turned to senior ecologist Jim Steffen (our go-to guy for all things "bird") for his advice ("Look around, be still, be patient,") and top recommendations.
Birds love the quiet as much as visitors do in this off-the-beaten-path natural area. Beneath the trees is a sunny, open understory that appeals to wood-pewees, great crested flycatchers, and indigo buntings. Watch the flycatcher's insect-catching strategy: Spot an insect in the air. Dart out from perch. Grab insect mid-flight. Return to perch.
A pond attracts cormorants, which rest on fallen trees, plus green, great blue, and night herons. Nesting boxes for wood ducks dot the reserve.