Orland Grassland Has Most Birders, 2nd Most Birds in Cook County

ORLAND PARK, IL - The Orland Grassland open space between 167th Street and 179th Street between LaGrange Road and 104th Avenue is among the county's hottest spots for birding.

The Forest Preserves of Cook County found out on their own last year when they held a contest to see which of their sites had the greatest number of bird species and highest number of new birders - volunteers who monitor birds.

The contest, held from March through December, showed that Orland Grassland has the second most birds among the 13 sites that were part of the competition. There were 94 different bird species counted during that time, including a blue heron, cattle egret, ring-necked pheasant, black-necked pheasant, black-necked stilt, American golden plover, Baird's sandpiper and Smith's longspur, a news release from the Forest Preserves stated.

Read More on Patch: Walking the Orland Grassland

Only Busse Woods, located northwest of Chicago in Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village, had more bird species with 199.

"While Busse has the woods, Orland has the mud," according to the release. "Orland Grassland recorded a great number of grassland birds, including those threatened, endangered and uncommonly seen in the area."

The grassland was found to have the most new birders, thanks in large part to experienced birder Mike McNamee.

"Here's to all of the new birders who came out last year to learn about the birds and Orland Grassland, and to the experienced birders who helped them during the walks," said McNamee, who walked the site daily and led weekly bird hikes.

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