Owl Watch at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Early December at Midewin provides an opportunity to witness owls fly across the prairie while the sun sets and golden hour turns to night.

Here is a video of owls flying at Midewin in December 2020:


Staff at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie are planning two owl watch events.  Please see details below from a Midewin Press Release:

"WILMINGTON, Ill. (Nov. 28, 2022) – “Owl Watch” is on now at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, where, in recent years, short-eared owls, Northern harriers and more native grassland birds of prey have been seen in colder months in the area where bison graze at Midewin.

Twenty-seven bison – four bulls and 24 cows – were introduced at Midewin as a conservation experiment in 2015. USDA Forest Service volunteers, partners, and staff are monitoring to see if the grazing, wallowing and other natural tendencies of the bison is helping to increase and improve habitat for grassland birds and other native Illinois prairie species.

The bison could be helping short-eared owls and other grassland birds at Midewin in multiple ways. They help to maintain more varied heights and diversity of grasses and forbs. The bison also reduce shrub encroachment and create disturbed patches for foraging owls to catch prey. This is particularly important for short-eared owls, which are one of the only species of ground-nesting owls in North America. What’s more, short-eared owls eat only meat: voles, mice, etc., which are drawn to where the bison graze.

Short-eared owls and other native birds of prey are not always visible, but they have been seen most frequently along the Group 63 Bunker Trail on the East side of Highway 53.

“The best time to look for owls at Midewin is in the late afternoons, just before dusk, during the colder months of the year,” said Will County Audubon Society Vice President Greg Dubois. 

Greg will guide two “Owl Watch” photography tours at Midewin in December, sharing his knowledge of owls and photography. Both tours will meet at the Iron Bridge Trailhead (directions and information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/midewin/recarea/?recid=57100) at 3 p.m.

Saturday, December 3

U.S. Military veterans and family members: This tour is tailored to connect  U.S. Military veterans and family members with nature through Brushwood Center's “At Ease” Nature Platoon at Midewin.  

Saturday, December 10

General Public: This tour is open to anyone who loves nature and photography and wants to connect with other great outdoors enthusiasts.

To register to participate in an “Owl Watch” Photography Tour at Midewin, please call 815-423-6370 or email sm.fs.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov."


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