As Fall Arrives Look For These Birds Migrating Through Illinois

We are getting into migration season in the mid-west. If you enjoy birding or just want to be aware, there’s a chance you could spy any of these fowl passing through the area.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Make sure your hummingbird feeders are full and have Coneflowers, Honeysuckle, Columbine, Iris and Aster for a welcoming buffet of nectar.

Tennessee Warbler/Yellow-Rumped Warbler

There are many different types of Warblers to find. Most will bring a big flash of color for their diminutive size. They prefer wooded areas and the bugs that live on trees, including caterpillars.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

They like insects and sunflowers, milkweed and foxtail too. Put some sunflower seeds out on a flat surface to entice them to your vista.

Scarlet Tanager

Males are red with black wings, females are greenish yellow with black wings. They like brambles like blueberry and/or grape vines. Fresh fruit will attract them too (amongst others). Bonus! Keep your birdbath full as they like to splash and get fresh.

Common Nighthawk

Not an actual hawk it’s more closely related to a whippoorwill. Be on the lookout at dusk and dawn as that’s the time nighthawks mainly feed. They also like bright lights at night as bugs are attracted to them. With little beaks combined with large mouths nighthawks are a unique sight to see feed in the air.

Get your binoculars out and have your camera ready as we move into migration season in Illinois.