This guide is based on my own observations and on ebird data. If anyone reading this has a better idea for the best location or knows of a more recent report, please let me know. If you want information for any species not listed here, please check the Recent Rarities page or look them up on ebird. I will keep this guide updated as long as I still maintain this site, adding or changing best locations and how common species are if their populations change.
Waterfowl
Timing: October-April with a peak in February-March.
Best Location: Banner Marsh, though it's not uncommon to see flocks flying overhead during migration, especially near the river or in the strip mine lakes area of western Peoria County.
Timing: November-March.
Best Location: Banner Marsh, but there aren't any regular locations for Ross's Goose in the area.
Most Recent Report: October 18, 2017 in Spring Bay Park.
Timing: November-April with a peak in February-March.
Best Location: Banner Marsh, though it's not uncommon to see flocks flying overhead during migration or small flocks anywhere mixing with Canada Geese.
Timing: October-March.
Best Location: With flocks of Canada Geese. There aren't any regular locations for Cackling Goose in the area, and they seem to be equally common at any body of water as long as Canada Goose is present.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. Though they are common everywhere, the different flocks at each location around Peoria Lake can be interesting to watch from season to season.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Common at Banner Marsh as long as there is open water. Wild birds are rarely seen anywhere else in the area.
Timing: November-March.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. Their numbers have been increasing in recent years at Banner Marsh and in the strip mine lakes area of western Peoria County.
Timing: November-March.
Best Location: Foster Road. They have been seen two years in a row (2016/17) in the fields along Foster Road and possibly have wintered there. Otherwise they are irregular in the area.
Most Recent Report: November 25, 2017 flying over Wildlife Prairie Park.
Timing: All year, though they can be hard to find in the winter.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. Wood Ducks are common at any body of water, but Mendenhall gives good views of them most of the year, sometimes in large numbers.
Timing: March-May and August-October with peaks in April and September.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. Since they migrate at different times than other ducks, they end up being easy to find at most bodies of water.
Timing: September-May with peaks in October and March.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are one of the most common dabbling ducks, especially near the river.
Timing: October-May with peaks in November and March.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are one of the most common dabbling ducks, especially near the river. They seem to be more common on the larger lakes than other dabbling ducks.
Timing: October-May with peaks in March and November.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are one of the least common dabbling ducks in the area but can often be found with mixed flocks of ducks, especially near the river.
Timing: All year with peaks in March and November..
Best Location: Cooper Park. They are common all year at most open bodies of water. Flocks of hundreds of Mallards can sometimes be seen around Peoria Lake. Best Peoria Location: Detweiller Marina.
Timing: October-March.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They can be hard to find in the area, but large flocks of Mallards will often have one or two pairs of American Black Ducks mixed in.
Timing: September-May with peaks in October and March.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are one of the least common dabbling ducks in the area but can often be found with mixed flocks of ducks, especially near the river.
Timing: September-April with peaks in October and April.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are one of the most common dabbling ducks, especially near the river. They seem to be more common on the larger lakes than other dabbling ducks.
Timing: November-April with peaks in November and March.
Best Location: Upper Peoria Lake. They are common on larger bodies of water and can often be seen in flocks of hundreds on Upper Peoria Lake.
Timing: October-April with peaks in November and March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are common on larger bodies of water, usually in small groups mixed into larger groups of other diving duck species.
Timing: October-May with peaks in November and March.
Best Location: Upper Peoria Lake. They are common on larger bodies of water, usually mixed into larger groups of other duck species, but sometimes they can be found in flocks of hundreds by themselves.
Timing: November-March with peaks in November and March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are uncommon in the area and usually found in small groups mixed with Lesser Scaup. Best Peoria Location: Altorfer Tract.
Timing: October-April with peaks in March and November.
Best Location: Peoria Lakes. Upper Peoria Lake has larger numbers, sometimes several thousand; Lower Peoria Lake has closer views and flocks in the hundreds.
Timing: October-March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are rare in the area but are found most years at least once on Peoria Lake.
Most Recent Report: October 24, 2017 on Peoria Lake.
Timing: October-March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are rare in the area but are found most years at least once on Peoria Lake.
Most Recent Report: November 11, 2017 on Peoria Lake.
Timing: November-March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They have been annual on Peoria Lake in recent years but are usually the least common of the scoters in the area.
Most Recent Report: November 13, 2017 on Peoria Lake.
Timing: November-March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are rare in the area but are found most years at least once on Peoria Lake.
Most Recent Report: November 23, 2017 on Peoria Lake.
Timing: November-April with peaks in March and November.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are common on larger bodies of water, often in small flocks by themselves or mixed with other diving duck species.
Timing: November-March.
Best Location: Peoria Lakes. Upper Peoria Lake has larger numbers, sometimes several thousand; Lower Peoria Lake has closer views and flocks in the hundreds.
Timing: November-July with peaks in March and November. Possibly present but difficult to find in late summer.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are common at lakes of all sizes and have nested in the area at Jubilee College SP and Mendenhall Park.
Timing: November-March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are the second-most common wintering duck, after Common Goldeneye and can sometimes be seen in flocks of hundreds.
Timing: November-May with peaks in November and March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are uncommon and never seen in large numbers on larger lakes in the area.
Timing: October-April with peaks in November and March.
Best Location: Peoria Lakes. Upper Peoria Lake has larger numbers, sometimes several thousand; Lower Peoria Lake has closer views and flocks in the hundreds.
Game Birds
Timing: All year. Most easily found in spring and early summer when they are most vocal.
Best Location: Foster Road. They are uncommon in the area but are widespread and can usually be found while driving around appropriate habitat.
Timing: All year. Most easily found in spring and early summer when they are most vocal.
Best Location: Foster Road. They are uncommon and often hard to find in the area.
Timing: All year. Most easily found in spring and early summer when they are most vocal.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common in wooded areas. Forest Park has a flock that is not shy and is often seen close to the nature center.
Loons and Grebes
Timing: March-April and November. More commonly seen in the fall.
Best Location: Peoria Lakes. They are uncommon in the area but can regularly be found on both Upper and Lower Peoria Lakes.
Timing: August-May with peaks in April and October.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common on any body of water and possibly nest at Banner Marsh some years.
Timing: March-April and October-November.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are uncommon but regularly seen on Lower Peoria Lake, possibly just as common but harder to see on Upper Peoria Lake.
Cormorants and Pelicans
Timing: February-November. Often easier to find in late summer when they gather in large groups after breeding.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are common all along the river, but Mendenhall seems to be the most reliable place to see flocks in the fall.
Timing: All year with peaks in April and October.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common all along the river.
Herons and Ibis
Timing: April-May and September-October.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are only found rarely in the area but are probably more common than that, hiding along the many lakes at Banner Marsh.
Most Recent Report: May 6, 2014 in Greenview Wetland (private property in Woodford County).
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They nest at Banner Marsh most (if not all) summers. The exact area to find them seems to change from year to year.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are common anywhere there's open water but gather in large flocks at Mendenhall late in the summer.
Timing: April-October with a peak in August-September.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They gather in large flocks at Mendenhall Park late in the summer.
Timing: July-September.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They only occasionally wander into our area in late summer, but because of the concentration of herons at Mendenhall, that's the most likely place to see one.
Most Recent Report:
Timing: July-September.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They only occasionally wander into our area in late summer, but because of the concentration of herons at Mendenhall, that's the most likely place to see one.
Most Recent Report:
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Flooded fields. They have been less common in the area than other herons on this list, but perhaps they go undetected because they don't hang out in large flocks with other herons.
Most Recent Report: June 19, 2015 in Woodford County Conservation Area.
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common in the area along any body of water, including smaller creeks, even during breeding season.
Timing: May-October.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. A few can often be found at Mendenhall in late summer. In the past they have nested in that area, but I'm not sure if they still do.
Vultures, Hawks, and Eagles
Timing: All year, though they are uncommon in winter.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common all over the area. In late summer and fall they sometimes gather in large numbers on beaches along the river.
Timing: April-May and August-October. Can be found through the summer at Banner Marsh.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. There is a nest platform at Banner that has hosted Ospreys since at least 2011. Otherwise they are most likely seen migrating overhead.
Timing: September-April.
Best Location: Foster Road. They are probably more common at Banner Marsh but can sometimes be seen dogfighting with Short-eared Owls from Foster Rd. Uncommon elsewhere most of the year.
Timing: September-May with a peak in September-October.
Best Location: McNaughton Park. They are uncommon but can be found in most forested areas if you are looking for them.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are common in any habitat in the area. It may even be easier to find one while driving through neighborhoods than in any park.
Timing: All year with a peak in October-March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They can easily be seen along the edge of ice on the Peoria Lakes in winter. A few pairs nest in the area as well.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They nest in Jubilee and often winter there as well. They are rare breeders elsewhere and usually easier to find in fall and migrating overhead.
Timing: April-October with peaks in April and September.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They can be seen migrating overhead almost anywhere and nest in a few locations each year.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common and widespread all year, and a few pairs nest in Jubilee. Country drives in winter can sometimes turn up uncommon subspecies.
Timing: November-March.
Best Location: Foster Road. A few winter along or in the area of Foster Rd. each year. They are uncommon but widespread in the area.
Rails, Gallinules, and Cranes
Timing: April-May and August-October.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are only found rarely in the area but are probably more common than that, hiding in wetlands of all sizes.
Most Recent Report: April 8, 2017 at Tawny Oaks.
Timing: April-May and August-October. Most easily found in spring when they are most vocal.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They can be found in wetlands and even wet ditches anywhere in the area but are calling all over Banner Marsh each spring.
Timing: All year with peaks in March-May and September-November.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They can be found in larger numbers on the larger lakes along the river, but Banner Marsh allows for closer views.
Timing: March-May and September-December.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They only rarely come into our area and are most often seen migrating overhead. They have nested recently just north of the area in Marshall County Conservation Area.
Most Recent Report: December 14, 2017 in rural Woodford County.
Shorebirds
Note: Because the best spots to find shorebirds vary depending on rainfall and river depth, it can be hard to pin down a "best location" for the uncommon species. In general the best places to find shorebirds in a dry season are the Farm Creek Mouth and Mendenhall Park, and the best place during a wet spring is the field that floods along Old Galena Road. There are other good locations, especially east of the river. Check ebird or the hotspot map for more ideas.
Timing: April-July with a peak in April-May.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. Their breeding range extends to just south of the area, so overshoots can be found most years in spring and early summer but rarely in fall. Best Peoria Location: Flooded fields.
Timing: April-May and August-October.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They aren't found in the area every year but show up several times a decade, especially at location near the river. Best Peoria Location: Mendenhall Park.
Most Recent Report: October 26, 2017 in Mendenhall Park.
Timing: May and August-September.
Best Location: Flooded fields. They are fond much less regularly than American Golden-Plover and usually in smaller numbers.
Most Recent Report: September 5, 2017 on Farm Creek Mouth.
Timing: April-May and August-September.
Best Location: Flooded fields. They can sometimes be found in recently plowed fields as well. They are fairly common in the area but can be hard to find because they don't gather in typical hotspots.
Timing: April-May and July-September.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park.Small flocks can usually be found at least once each season there are active shorebird locations.
Timing: All year though they can be hard to find during the coldest part of winter.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They can be found in small numbers almost anywhere there is water or open space, and they gather in large flocks at hotspots during migration periods.
Timing: May and August-early September.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They seem to be rare in the area but show up more regularly both upriver and downriver. Best Peoria Location: Flooded fields.
Most Recent Report: September 7, 2015 on Farm Creek Mouth.
Timing: May and July-October. More common in this area in fall.
Best Location: Pekin Lake FWA. Stilt Sandpipers tend to be strangely hard to find in the area, perhaps because in general shorebirds are harder to find here in the fall than spring.
Timing: May and August-September.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They sometimes show up on the sandy Farm Creek beach when there are other shorebirds present, but Sanderlings are rare elsewhere in the area.
Most Recent Report: September 18, 2017 on Farm Creek Mouth.
Timing: April-May and September-November.
Best Location: Flooded fields. They are uncommon but are often found in large-ish flocks when they are around.
Timing: April-May and July-October. More easily found in fall.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are less common than the smaller peeps but do show up at area shorebird hotspots every year.
Timing: April-May and July-October with peaks in May and August.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are one of the most common species at any shorebird hotspot in the area.
Timing: May-June and August-October.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They are uncommon and many years aren't found at all in the area. Best Peoria Location: Flooded fields.
Timing: August-September.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They are only rarely found in the area, perhaps because in general shorebirds are harder to find here in the fall than spring. Best Peoria Location: Mendenhall Park.
Most Recent Report: September 2, 2017 in Mendenhall Park.
Timing: March-May and July-November with peaks in April-May and July-August.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are one of the most common species at any shorebird hotspot in the area.
Timing: May-June and July-September with peaks in May and August.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are less common in the area than Least Sandpipers but can still be found a few times each year.
Timing: May and July-September.
Best Location: Pekin Lake FWA. They are uncommon in the area and not found every year.
Timing: April-May and September-October.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are uncommon in the area and not found every year.
Timing: February-November. Easiest to find in March and early April when they are displaying.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. During early spring when they are displaying, they are easy to find in almost any location with trees and open spaces. They breed locally in Banner Marsh and Jubilee College SP.
Timing: March-May and August-January with peaks in April and September-November.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are common in the area but often found in wet ditches or around the edges of water rather than with other flocks of shorebirds.
Timing: April-May and July-August.
Best Location: Flooded fields. They are uncommon in the area and not found every year.
Timing: April-October with peaks in May and August.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are one of the most commonly found area shorebirds but are usually only seen in small numbers.
Timing: April-May and July-October with peaks in May and August.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are one of the most commonly found area shorebirds but are usually only seen in small numbers.
Timing: March-May and July-November with peaks in April and August.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are one of the most commonly found area shorebirds but are usually only seen in small numbers.
Timing: April-May and August-September.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They are uncommon and many years aren't found at all in the area. Best Peoria Location: Mendenhall Park.
Most Recent Report: August 27, 2017 on Farm Creek Mouth.
Timing: March-May and July-November with peaks in April-May and July-August.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are one of the most common species at any shorebird hotspot in the area.
Gulls and Terns
Note: Because the gulls wander so much and are often found near county borders, I don't have a "Best Peoria County" for most of them. Often the best way to get them in Peoria County is to chum from that side of the river. The best spots to see gulls that are for sure in Peoria without chumming are at Detweiller Marina (especially when Peoria Lake is covered in ice) and around the landfill on Cottonwood Rd.
Timing: March-May and October-December with peaks in April and November.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They are uncommon but are usually found in the area a few times a year. Best Peoria Location: Flooded fields.
Timing: April-June and September-November. More common in the area in fall.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They are uncommon but are usually found in the area a few times a year. Best Peoria Location: Flooded fields.
Timing: All year. Hardest to find at the end of spring when adults go elsewhere to breed.
Best Location: Peoria Lake, though you'll find them anywhere there's water or fast food.
Timing: October-February.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are rare in the area, but a few have been found in recent years.
Most Recent Report: October 24, 2017 on Farm Creek Mouth.
Timing: All year. Hard to find from May-July when most birds go to breeding grounds.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are common in the area, sometimes even outnumbering Ring-billed Gulls when there is a lot of ice cover.
Timing: November-March. The Thayer's Gull can be found that entire period; the Kumlien's Gull is much less common and can be found in December-February.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are uncommon, but a few Thayer's and usually at least one Kumlien's are found each winter.
Timing: October-March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are uncommon, but a few are found each winter.
Timing: December-March.
Best Location: Peoria Lake. They are uncommon, but usually at least one is found each winter.
Timing: April-September with peaks in April and August. More common in the fall.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They are common in the area, though usually in small numbers. Best Peoria Location: Mendenhall Park.
Timing: May and July-September.
Best Location: Flooded fields. They are uncommon in the area and not found every year, possibly because there isn't much ideal habitat for them.
Timing: May and August-October..
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth.They are uncommon in the area and not found every year.
Most Recent Report: October 10, 2017 on Farm Creek Mouth.
Timing: May-October.
Best Location: Farm Creek Mouth. They are uncommon in the area but usually found at least once each year.
Doves and Pigeons
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Peoria/East Peoria Riverfronts. They aren't hard to find but can be seen up close on the ground on the riverfronts.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Sweetwater Park. They are probably easier to find east of the river, especially in Pekin and Washington, but the largest flocks I know of show up around Sweetwater Park in Elmwood.
Timing: All year. Can be found in large flocks in the fall and winter.
Best Location: Banner Marsh, or anywhere really. Banner Marsh is the only hotspot I know of that attracts large flocks in fall and winter.
Cuckoos
Timing: May-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common breeders in the area and commonly heard in almost any forested area during spring.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area but can usually be found in spring in Jubilee and other large wooded parks. They probably breed in the area as well.
Owls
Note: I don't give a most recent report for any owls. Since some species are sensitive to disturbance, especially at their roost location, I've decided it's easier to just not post locations for any of them on this page. I will post the best location for each species if there is a general area where they can often be found.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Singing Woods. They are present in a lot of local wooded areas, though finding one can take good luck and timing.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common in the area in most habitats except forest interiors. A few pairs nest at Banner Marsh.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in wooded areas of all sizes.
Timing: October-March.
Best Location: Foster Road. There are a few locations in the area where they occasionally or often spend the winter. See the ebird map for other ideas.
Nightjars
Timing: May-October with peaks in May and September.
Best Location: Peoria/East Peoria Riverfronts. Nighthawks are commonly seen during twilight near buildings that have large flat roofs. They can be seen flying over anywhere during fall migration.
Timing: April-September. Much easier to find in April-May when they are most vocal.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. This is actually just a guess because there aren't any regular spots for them that I know of. It just feels like they should show up in Jubilee every spring.
Most Recent Report: May 15, 2017 in rural Peoria County.
Swifts
Timing: April-October.
Best Location: Springdale Cemetery. In summer they're easiest to find around neighborhoods, but in fall they can be seen migrating almost anywhere, especially along the river.
Hummingbirds
Timing: May-October.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common anywhere in the area with flowers or feeders.
Kingfishers
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. A pair can often be found near any lake or large creek.
Woodpeckers
Timing: All year. Can be hard to find in the winter..
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are often the hardest local woodpecker to find, but large wooded areas usually have at least one pair.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common all year in the area anywhere there are trees.
Timing: September-April with peaks in April and September-October.
Best Location: Springdale Cemetery. They are less common than other woodpeckers in the area, especially during summer, but they can still usually be found in most woodlands in spring and fall.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common all year in the area anywhere there are trees.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common all year in the area anywhere there are trees, though less common than Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Timing: All year with peaks in April and September-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They're common in the area all year and tend to be found in more forested areas during the breeding season and more open areas in fall and winter.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. A pair or two can be found in most local large forested areas.
Falcons
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Cooper Park, though they're much easier to find along rural roads than at any hotspot in the area.
Timing: September-March with a peak in September-October.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. There is no spot where they regularly show up, but they're usually found a few times in the area each year.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Peoria/East Peoria Riverfronts. One or two usually hang out each winter and can often be seen on the I-74 bridge. They have nested downtown in recent years as well.
Flycatchers
Timing: May-June and August-September.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They can be hard to find in the area in spring, but a few are usually found each fall.
Most Recent Report:
Timing: May-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area all summer in woods of all sizes.
Timing: May-June and August-September.
Best Location: Robinson Park. A few are usually found each year in the area. There is a small clearing north of the large bridge in Robinson Park where I've found them regularly.
Timing: May-September. More easily identified in spring and summer when they are most vocal.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common but not widespread in the area. They tend to return to the same spots every summer.
Timing: May-June and September. More easily identified in spring when they are most vocal.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area, but a few are usually found each year.
Timing: May-September. More easily identified in spring and summer when they are most vocal.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are uncommon in the area, but a few nest at Banner Marsh and they can sometimes be found in the rural parts of the area.
Timing: May and August-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are usually the most common Empidonax flycatcher in the area in spring and fall.
Timing: March-October.
Best Location: Banner Marsh.They are common in the area in a lot of different habitats.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in larger wooded areas.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common in the area in more open habitats.
Shrikes and Vireos
Timing: November-March.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are rare in the area but will sometimes return to the same spots multiple winters.
Most Recent Report: December 27, 2017 along Peabody Road, south of Elmwood.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area away from Jubilee but can be easily found in that park. Parks with similar habitats often have one or two pairs as well.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are uncommon in the area, but a dozen pairs or more can be found each breeding season in Banner Marsh.
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are less common than Red-eyed Vireos but still can be found in most larger woodlands in the area.
Timing: May and September-October.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are uncommon in the area but can usually be found a few times each year.
Timing: May and late August-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are more common in the area than Blue-headed but less common than Yellow-throated Vireos.
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Cooper Park. They are common in the area anywhere there is water and trees. Best Peoria Location: Mendenhall Park.
Timing: May-October with peaks in May and September.
Best Location: Robinson Park. They are common in the area in larger woodlands.
Jays and Crows
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Springdale Cemetery...or anywhere with trees, really.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Peoria/East Peoria Riverfronts. They roost in large flocks and feed with eagles around the riverfront area in winter. The rest of the year they are especially common on the edge of woodlands.
Larks
Timing: All year. The Horned Larks in the area in winter are a difference subspecies than the ones that are here in the summer, but there's never a season when they can't be found here.
Best Location: Foster Road. They are common all over the area in agriculture fields. In winter they can be found in large flocks.
Swallows
Timing: April-October with peaks in April-May and August.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are commonly seen migrating along the river. They nest in the area in a few places that have creeks with high banks.
Timing: March-September.
Best Location: Peoria Riverfront. There are Purple Martin houses set up behind the Riverplex and a few other locations in the area, especially near the river. They are uncommonly seen in migration.
Timing: March-October.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are commonly seen migrating along the river. They nest all over the area, especially in bluebird houses set up in rural areas.
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They tend to be the least common swallow seen in the area. I suspect they have nested at the gravel pit outside Chillicothe.
Timing: April-October.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are commonly found all over the area wherever they have eaves or barns to nest in.
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Bob Michel Bridge. They are uncommon along the river during migration but nest under the Bob Michel Bridge and under many smaller bridges in the area.
Chickadees and Titmice
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common in the area anywhere there are trees.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common in the area anywhere there are trees.
Nuthatches and Creepers
Timing: September-May. More common some years than others.
Best Location: Lutheran Cemetery. They are uncommon in the area because conifers are uncommon in the area. Lutheran Cemetery is the only place I know where they spend the winter most years.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common in the area anywhere there are trees.
Timing: September-April with peaks in April and October.
Best Location: Springdale Cemetery. They are uncommon in the area in winter, but a few can be found in most large wooded areas. They can be found in woods of any size during migration.
Wrens
Timing: April-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in most habitats in the area but are especially so in and around Jubilee.
Timing: September-April with peaks in April and October.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are uncommon in the area but can be found in small numbers in spring and fall in most wooded areas. A small handful spend the winter in the area.
Timing: May-October.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are uncommon in the area and don't seem to breed at any location regularly.
Timing: April-October. Rare in the summer and seems to be more common in fall than in spring.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are uncommon in the area but can often be found in fairly large numbers in Banner Marsh.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common in the area in any wooded habitat.
Gnatcatchers and Kinglets
Timing: April-September with peaks in April-May and August-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in any wooded habitat. Fewer breed in the area, but larger woodlands usually have at least a pair or two.
Timing: September-April with peaks in April and October.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common in the area in any wooded habitat. A few spend the winter in the area each year, especially near evergreens.
Timing: March-May and September-November with peaks in April and October.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common in the area in any wooded habitat.
Thrushes
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They return to the same locations to nest each year. In fall and winter they tend to wander in flocks and can show up in almost any open habitat with trees.
Timing: May and September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area in any wooded habitat.
Timing: May and September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area in any wooded habitat.
Timing: April-May and September-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They far outnumber the Veeries and Gray-cheeked Thrushes that migrate through the area at the same time.
Timing: September-May with peaks in April and October. Can be hard to find in the winter.
Best Location: Robinson Park. They are common in the area in any wooded habitat. A small handful spend the winter in the area.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area, but larger wooded parks usually have at least a few pairs each year.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Charter Oak Park. Most of the year they can be found anywhere in the area. In winter when the ground is frozen, they can be found in larger flocks in a few locations that have enough food.
Mimids
Timing: April-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area along forest edges.
Timing: March-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area along forest edges but less common than Gray Catbirds.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are uncommon in the area and don't seem to be found regularly in any local hotspot.
Starlings
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common everywhere in the area but gather in the thousands at Banner Marsh in winter.
Pipits
Timing: April-May and September-November.
Best Location: Dunlap sewage lagoon. They are uncommon on beaches along the river and sewage lagoons. They seem to show up every year (that they're looked for) at the sewage lagoon in Dunlap.
Waxwings
Timing: All year. Can be hard to find from January-April when berries are scarce.
Best Location: Cooper Park. They are common in the area in most wooded areas.
Longspurs
Timing: October-April.
Best Location: Rural roadsides. They are uncommon in the area and often seen in mixed flocks with Horned Larks. They are occasionally found in large flocks
Timing: March-April.
Best Location: Old Galena Road. They are only found once or twice each year in the area. Near the Galena Rd. flooded field is the only location where they've been found more than once recently.
Most Recent Report: April 17, 2017 along Old Galena Rd.
Timing: November-February.
Best Location: Rural roadsides. They are rarely found in the area, but one or two can usually be found each year mixed with Lapland Longspurs or Horned Larks.
Most Recent Report: November 23, 2017 from Eastport Marina.
Warblers
Timing: late April-October with peaks in May and September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area during migration and uncommon during the summer.
Timing: May-September. Might not breed in the area every year.
Best Location: Camp Wokanda. They are uncommon and not found every year in the area. Nearly every report is from May or early June; I'm not certain if any of them have nested here.
Most Recent Report: June 11, 2017 in Jubilee College SP.
Timing: April-August.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area, but most birds that are found are on their breeding territory.
Timing: late April-May and August-October.
Best Location: Cooper Park. They are common in the area, especially near water. Best Peoria Location: Jubilee College SP.
Timing: May and August-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in woods of any size.
Timing: late April-September. Hard to find in the area during the breeding season.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area during migration, but only a few stay to nest here. Most of the nesting pairs tend to be in Jubilee.
Timing: late April-May and August-September.
Best Location: Forest Park Nature Center. They are common in the area, especially in larger forests.
Timing: late April-September.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are uncommon in the area but tend to return to the same breeding grounds each summer.
Timing: late April-May and August-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in woods of any size.
Timing: late April-May and September-November with a peak in October.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are common in the area. It might just be my birding habits, but I tend to see them in woods in the spring and brushy areas in fall.
Timing: late April-May and August-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in most habitat types.
Timing: May and September. Easier to find in spring.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area, but a few are usually found each year.
Most Recent Report: September 28, 2017 in Tawny Oaks.
Timing: May and September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area, but a few are usually found each year.
Most Recent Report: May 22, 2017 in Camp Wokanda.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon over most of the area, but many large forests have a pair or two. Jubilee is exceptional, however, with dozens of pairs each summer.
Timing: late April-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are the most common breeding warbler in the area and can be found in most grassy, brushy areas.
Timing: late April-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are typically rare in the area but a few pairs have recently started nesting in Jubilee and possibly in Singing Woods.
Most Recent Report: September 15, 2017 in Tawny Oaks.
Timing: late April-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area during migration. They are uncommon during the breeding season, but several pairs nest in Jubilee each summer.
Timing: May and late August-October.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are uncommon in the area in woods of any size. They seem especially fond of evergreen trees and shrubs.
Timing: May-July.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area in larger woodlands, but at least a couple pairs nest in Jubilee each summer.
Most Recent Report: July 2, 2017 in Jubilee College SP.
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area. A few pairs can be found in most larger woodlands during the breeding season.
Timing: May and Late August-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in any wooded area.
Timing: May and September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area but can usually be found a few times each year in wooded areas.
Timing: May and August-September.
Best Location: Robinson Park. They are uncommon in the area but can usually be found a few times each year in wooded areas.
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common in the area in many large brushy fields.
Timing: May and August-early October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in any wooded area.
Timing: May and early August-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area but can usually be found a few times each year in wooded areas.
Timing: May and September. More common in the fall.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon and not found every year in the area.
Most Recent Report: May 20, 2017 in Northwood Park.
Timing: April-May and September-October.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are common in the area in most habitat types.
Timing: March-May and late August-September with peaks in late April and September.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are uncommon in the area, but a few are usually found each year.
Timing: March-May and September-November. Rarely seen in the winter.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are common in the area in any wooded habitat.
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Detweiller Park. They are uncommon in the area, but most wide creek ravines have a pair or two.
Timing: late April-July.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are rare in the area but had (have?) a regular breeding location along Centerville Rd. Migrants have been found at Jubilee a few times in recent years.
Most Recent Report: June 2, 2016 along Centerville Rd.
Timing: late April-May and late August-October.
Best Location: Robinson Park. They are common in the area in any wooded habitat.
Timing: May and August-September.
Best Location: Robinson Park. They are uncommon in the area in any wooded habitat.
Timing: May and August-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in open woodlands and shrubby habitats.
Sparrows
Timing: April-October.
Best Location: Foster Road. They are uncommon in the area but tend to return to the same fields each year.
Timing: April-October.
Best Location: Foster Road. They are rare in the area but have nested along Foster Rd. and in Banner Marsh in recent summers.
Most Recent Report: August 1, 2017 along Foster Road.
Timing: April and October. More common in the fall.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are rare in the area but have been found at Banner Marsh in recent years.
Most Recent Report: November 2, 2017 at Tawny Oaks.
Timing: May and September-October. More common in the fall.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are rare in the area, and I'd love to know a reliable location if anyone ever finds one.
Most Recent Report: October 7, 2016 in Greenview Wetland (private property in Woodford County).
Timing: November-April.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common in the area in any open habitat.
Timing: March-November.
Best Location: Detweiller Park. They are common in the area in most habitat types.
Timing: May and September-October.
Best Location: Farmdale Park. They are rare in the area but are usually found at least once each year.
Most Recent Report: September 23, 2017 in Farmdale Park.
Timing: March-November.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in open, grassy habitats.
Timing: April-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area in open, grassy habitats. They seem to be found along rural roadsides as often as anywhere else.
Timing: October-April. Can be hard to find in winter.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are common in the area in any wooded habitat.
Timing: October-April.
Best Location: Cemeteries. They are common in the area in most habitats.
Timing: October-May. Can be hard to find in winter.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common in the area in brushy habitats, though rarely as common as White-throated Sparrow or Dark-eyed Junco.
Timing: September-May. Can be harder to find in winter.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are common in the area in most habitats.
Timing: March-October.
Best Location: Rock Island Trail between Dunlap and Princeville. They are common in the area in rural, agricultural habitats.
Timing: All year. Can be hard to find in both summer and winter.
Best Location: Audubon Wildlife Area (Peoria RC Modelers field).
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Cooper Park. They are common in the area in any open habitat. Best Peoria Location: Jubilee College SP.
Timing: late April-May and September-October.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are common in the area in weedy habitats but not found in flocks like most other common sparrows.
Timing: September-May with peaks in April and October. Can be hard to find in winter.
Best Location: Rock Island Trail - Kickapoo Creek Access. They are common in the area in grassy or weedy habitats.
Timing: March-November. Rarely winters in the area.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in most wooded habitats.
Chats
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area in brushy habitats, but Jubilee usually has several pairs each year.
Tanagers, Buntings, etc.
Timing: late April-early October.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are uncommon in the area, but larger woodlands usually have at least one pair.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in larger woodlands.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP, or anywhere really
Timing: late April-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in most wooded habitats.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are uncommon in the area in brushy habitats.
Timing: late April-October.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in almost any weedy patch.
Timing: May-September.
Best Location: Foster Road. They are common in the area in agricultural and other open habitats.
Blackbirds
Timing: May-October.
Best Location: Foster Road. They are uncommon in the area but usually nest in a few locations each year.
Timing: March-October.
Best Location: Manito Prairie Nature Preserve. They seem to be rare in the area, and in 2017 I didn't find any in the only regular location I knew of. Best Peoria Location: Akron Rd.
Most Recent Report: May 8, 2016 in Manito Prairie Nature Preserve.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Foster Road. They are common all over the area in any agricultural or other open habitat.
Timing: late April-August.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are uncommon in the area in brushy habitats.
Timing: late April-September.
Best Location: Detweiller Park. They are common in the area in most wooded habitats.
Timing: All year. Can be harder to find in winter because they gather in huge flocks in only a few locations.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common in the area in most open habitats. In winter they can sometimes be found at Banner Marsh in flocks of over 100,000 birds.
Timing: All year. Can be harder to find in winter because they gather in huge flocks in only a few locations.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area in small groups in wooded habitats. They are uncommon in winter in open habitats.
Timing: March-April and October-November. Rarely winters in the area.
Best Location: Mendenhall Park. They are uncommon in the area near wetlands, but when they are found they're usually in single-species flocks.
Timing: February-April and October-November.
Best Location: Flooded fields. They are rare in the area and not found every year. When they are found, it is usually small numbers mixed in large blackbird flocks.
Most Recent Report: April 15, 2017 along Old Galena Rd.
Timing: All year. Can be harder to find in winter because they gather in huge flocks in only a few locations.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are common in the area in open areas, especially near woods.
Finches
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Peoria Riverfront. They are common in the area, but they tend to be easier to find in neighborhoods than in any birding hotspot.
Timing: October-May.
Best Location: Tawny Oaks. They are uncommon in the area in most types of woodlands.
Timing: October-May.
Best Location: Springdale Cemetery. They are uncommon in the area. Flocks can usually be found a few times each winter in conifers. Smaller numbers can be found mixed in Goldfinch flocks.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Jubilee College SP. They are common in the area all year in any weedy habitat.
Old World Sparrows
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Cooper Park. Or anywhere near people, really.
Timing: All year.
Best Location: Banner Marsh. They are uncommon in the area but regular in a few locations. They can sometimes be found in larger flocks during winter.