Goose Lake Prairie Natural Area near Morris, IL: Tuesday, 5-30-17

The natural area covers 2,537 acres and is the largest remnant of prairie left in Illinois (at one time parries covered 60% of the state).  The prairie provides important nesting habitat for endangered and threatened species of birds, such as the Upland Sandpiper and Henslow's Sparrows.

BirdMobile near Goose Lake

Male Eastern Bluebird

Unfortunately their numbers have declined due to competition from starlings, house sparrows and Tree Swallows for nest sites.  On this trip almost every "Bluebird Nest Box" we saw was inhabited by Tree Swallows.

Female Eastern Bluebird

Baby Eastern Bluebird

Tent Moth Caterpillar

(Prettier than the moth in our opinion)



Eastern Kingbird

Despite its name, its range extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

One female cottontail rabbit may have 20-25 young per year.