The Spring Creek Forest Preserve a globally significant Important Bird Area

What is so monumental about this milestone is that Spring Creek meets the global IBA criteria because of habitat restoration work so many of us have done in the last few years. It is because of the large numbers of rare grassland birds that now nest here, particularly the globally rare Henslow’s sparrow, that Spring Creek now has this important status.

It is truly inspiring to experience the morning air full of rare birds and birdsong. And it came about only through the dedicated actions of the Spring Creek Stewards, Audubon, Citizens for Conservation, Bird Conservation Network, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Sierra Club and most importantly the landowner and partner in restoration, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

This recognition is again proof of the power of being a steward, restoring health to nature that depends on us.

A famously inconspicuous bird, the Henslow's Sparrow breeds in the restored prairies of Spring Creek Forest Preserves.