There Are More Birds Than There Are Miles Along This Beautiful Hiking Trail In Illinois
Viewing nature up close is truly a sight to behold. Birds in particular are so small, elusive, and fly so fast and high that it can often be difficult to appreciate their beauty, let alone their existence. That’s why it’s always nice to visit a walking or hiking trail that caters to birds and their admirers. And if you’re looking for the best birdwatching trail in Lemont, Illinois, then add the trails at this nature center to your bucket list, ASAP.
The Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 111th St., is a learning space and visitor's center located within the Forest Preserves of Cook County system.
It is a birdwatching hotspot near the Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve with four unpaved walking or hiking trails: Ridge Run Trail, Prairie Loop, Quarry Trail, and Sag Trail. In total, the trails amount to about 2.6 miles of scenic views.
While it's perfect for human foot traffic, these trails aren't dog-friendly.
The nature center offers guided walks through its trails with a nature expert to help you see and identify the many surrounding species, like this Downy Woodpecker. According to the Chicago Audubon Society, Sagawau is home to more than 100 species of songbirds, both migrating and long-term residents.
The trails are surrounded by native wildflowers and plants, as well as lush trees. A hummingbird garden invites the famously fluttery birds to the area, as well as other pollinators like bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and moths.
And they definitely do visit! You can sometimes even participate in the Hummingbird Fest, which celebrates the annual return of the birds, as well as educates the public about them.
If you're lucky, you might even spy a flock of Turkey Vultures like these, high up in the bare winter trees. The trails are open year-round, but in the winter they turn into dedicated cross-country skiing trails.
