Illinois River Refuges Complex Bird List

Click here to download a list of birds found on the Illinois River Refuges Complex.

Bird Counts on the Illinois River Refuges Complex

• Emiquon Refuge: Refuge staff conducts point counts of bird use on a regular basis at Emiquon Refuge. Weekly counts will be performed through breeding season and monthly throughout the rest of the year. These data will be posted on the refuge website as reports are received.
  • Click here for the latest count.   
   
• Chautauqua Refuge: The best census information on bird use of Chautauqua Refuge is provided by volunteers Dr. Richard and Sigurd Bjorklund. The Bjorklunds have conducted a waterbird survey on a weekly basis (except for a few weeks of low bird activity during the heat of summer) since March, 1996. The Bjorklunds conduct a complete count of wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors from an established census route around the refuge. These data are posted on the refuge website weekly at  http://www.fws.gov/refuge/chautauqua/seasons_of_wildlife/index.html 

• Meredosia Refuge: Refuge staff conducts a survey of all birds on a regular basis at Meredosia Refuge. These data will be posted on the refuge website as reports are received, and can be found at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/meredosia/seasons_of_wildlife/index.html.

• Refuge staff and other volunteers make casual, irregular observations that may be posted as notes on the website. If you have an observation to report, email us at illinoisriver@fws.gov. 

Bird Counts Conducted by the Illinois Natural History Survey

The Illinois Natural History Survey conducts aerial surveys of waterfowl on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers on a weekly basis during waterfowl season. Visit their website at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/waterfowl/surveys/Pages/IRAerialSurveys.aspx to view the latest waterfowl survey on the Illinois River.