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Birding

More than 250 species of birds are found in the Cache River Watershed. Black vultures, bald eagles, pileated woodpeckers, the state-endangered barn owl, snowy egrets, yellow and black-crowned night herons, great and little blue herons, red-tailed hawks, hooded mergansers and wood ducks are just a few noted examples.

Seasonal migrations bring multitudes of waterfowl and shore birds to the area, as well as the occasional osprey, golden eagle and black tern. Songbirds are abundant, and over 30 species of warblers can be spotted here, including those with southern affinities such as the yellow-throated, hooded, prairie and prothonotary warblers.

Heron Pond, Little Black Slough, Marshall Ridge, Bellrose Overlook, Buttonland Swamp and Eagle Pond (accessible by boat) are just a few recommended areas in this birders’ paradise.

For more information about birding in southernmost Illinois, see www.shawneeaudubon.org and www.siaudubon.org.

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