Greene Valley is one of the largest forest preserves in southern DuPage County, between Naperville on the west and Woodridge on the east. South of the county line it is bordered by Bolingbrook.
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Map of Greene Valley Forest Preserve (excluding north area). Shades of green indicate vegetation ranging from light (grassland) to dark (mature forest). During the summer of 1995, some of the trails were rerouted from the way they appear on this map. More recent information and another map are found on the official Forest Preserve website. |
To get to the main parking lot, go west on 75th Street from Illinois Route 53 to the next traffic light (Greene Road). Turn left (south). At the next three-way intersection turn right (west) on 79th Street. After about one third of a mile, the next road to the left (south) leads to the parking lot. There is a sign "West Area" at the turn-off. The north area parking lot is off Greene Road north of 75th Street. A new parking lot has recently been constructed along Greene Road south of 79th Street and just north of the former landfill.
More than five miles of trails cross the preserve. Unfortunately for the birder, these trails are also used by bicyclists, horseback riders, dog walkers, and runners, especially on weekends. In the winter, they are also used by cross-country skiers. However, on weekdays and early in the morning, these disturbances are tolerable. Occasionally during winter weekdays, the trails may be closed to the public for deer culling (the population of White-tailed Deer in most area forest preserves is much higher than the vegetation can tolerate).
Greene Valley presents a wide variety of habitats ranging from open grassland to scrub to oak savannah to mature oak-maple forest to riparian habitats. A portion of the preserve consists of a former sanitary landfill (restricted access, may open for recreational use in the near future), and several others are set aside for specific recreational uses such a picnic area, a youth camp, a dog training field, and a polo field. Apart from the narrow and shallow East Branch DuPage River and a few shallow ponds, there is little open water.
The best grassy areas, where Dickcissel, Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrow, Sedge Wren, and Bobolink can be found in the summer, are near the main parking lot and along the access road. In the spring, American Woodcock display in this area at dusk. However, this area is not maintained as a grassland, and some trees have been planted with the idea to foster a transition into an open savannah. As a result, the bird life is expected to change during the next several years. The high voltage power lines are favorite perches for Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel. Other good grassy areas are along 79th Street opposite from the access road turnoff and along Greene Road near 79th Street.
There are two main patches of mature woods: The larger one is at the heart of the preserve and is crossed by the main trail. It will be described in more detail below. The other harbors the Thunderbird Youth Camp. This area is best avoided when youth groups are present. Its main attraction are the stands of dense pine on the western edge, which may harbor Long-eared Owls in winter. The other woodland species are likely the same as those in the main woods. A small patch of mature woods is located north-east of the parking lot and touched, but not crossed, by the main trail. Yet another patch is situated between Greene Road and the river, across from the landfill. The woodlands are the preferred habitat for the spring warbler migration.
Extensive scrub habitat is found along the main trail loop described below, between the grasslands and the woods. It can be penetrated on a few deer trails, but except in winter, the hazards of thorns, poison ivy, and ticks will keep most birders on the official trails. Yellow-breasted Chat are recorded here most years, but the birds may not be near the trail. Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, and American Goldfinch are common to abundant. White-eyed Vireo have been recorded in some summers. More scrub is located between Greene Road and the river. Further trail-less (and thus largely unexplored) areas are east of the river and adjacent to Route 53, especially north of 75th Street. All these scrubby areas harbor numerous warblers (especially near the river) and sparrows during fall migration.
The small oak savannah (a native and rapidly dwindling habitat in northeastern Illinois) is located at the southern edge of the preserve along the east side of Greene Road. Due to the relatively remote location I have not explored this area very much, but tree top warblers have been found there during migration.
The landfill was once a place for connoisseurs to search for the rare wintering gulls, but it was closed in 1999 and is being converted for future recreational use. Raptors make extensive use of the updrafts created by the landfill slope (and probably also of the ample rodent food supply). This is an excellent location to observe Rough-legged Hawks in most winters.
In the spring of 1995, a pond located between the river and Route 53, near the intersection with 83rd Street, was drained in the name of wetland restoration. Quickly, it attracted flocks of shorebirds, such as Pectoral Sandpiper, both Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, and "peeps". Spotted Sandpiper and Killdeer, common summer residents, are usually present in good numbers. The future of this pond has not been decided yet, and in the mean time it continues to be one of few good shorebird spots in the County when water levels are low (mainly summer-fall). Park in the residential area east of Route 53 and cross the highway with care at the 83rd Street traffic light.
Start by scanning the grassy areas around the parking lot. During the summer, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, American Goldfinch, and Song Sparrow will abound, but sometimes Savannah Sparrow and Dickcissel can be found right here, as well. Also scan the sky for Red-tailed Hawk and Kestrel. Early morning and in the evening, the preserve is in the pathway of "commuting" Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, and Double-crested Cormorants which spend the night at Lake Renwick and other rookeries near Plainfield. In spring, American Woodcock display in this area and along the entrance road. 20 minutes after sunset is the best time to hear and to see them (but be sure to leave before 1 hour after sunset when the preserve is locked up!).
Begin your walk at the trailhead by the signpost where you can pick up a map. The garden of the ranger residence sometimes host finches, and Orchard Orioles were in this area for several years. Follow the trail straight east. On your right will be tall trees, while on the left the grass converts into scrub. Look for Indigo Buntings, Northern Cardinal, and Cedar Waxwing in the trees. During migration, the trees are good for warblers, especially Magnolia Warbler. Yellow Warblers nest along this stretch of the path, and a little further down Field Sparrows. Where the trees on the right give way to smaller shrubs, Fox and White-throated Sparrows are usually found in migration.
Where the trail makes a right-angle left turn, look for Great Crested Flycatcher in the trees on your right. The woods straight ahead usually house a pair of Great Horned Owls which should not be unduly disturbed. While cutting through a corner of the woods, the trail immediately turns east again. The scrub on the left is now taller and contains many fruit trees. This area is where Yellow-breasted Chat is sometimes found in summer, but not usually right along the trail. Note that poison ivy is abundant in this area. More frequently seen are Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher, and Gray Catbird. An abundant migrant in this area is Palm Warbler. At the three-way intersection, the branch to the left connects with the return portion of the loop trail. On spring evenings, there is a good chance of hearing and maybe flushing American Woodcock along this shortcut.
Shortly after the junction, the trail enters mature maple-oak forest. I've found the spot right by the forest entrance to most productive for spring warblers, especially Black-and-White and Cape May, while the shrubbery on the outside contains numerous Tennessee and Nashville Warblers in fall. Soon after entering the woods, there is another partial clearing with Indigo Bunting and Great Crested Flycatcher in summer, and numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers in migration. Year-round residents of the woods are Downy, Hairy, and Red-belllied Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Black-capped Chickadee. Most years, a few Red-headed Woodpeckers are found as well. Common summer residents are Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, and House Wren. Thrushes, Brown Creeper, both kinglets, and various warblers should be looked for during migration. After a couple switchbacks, a seasonal stream may be discerned on the left hand side. This stream has produced Winter Wren, usually in March or early April. Where the trees become lower near the landfill receiving station, I have seen Black-billed Cuckoo on several occasions. Soon thereafter, the trail makes a sharp left turn, and it crosses dense second-growth vegetation for a while. The spot right at the corner has frequent standing water and can be very productive for fall warblers, especially American Redstart and Nashville Warbler. Numerous berry-carrying shrubs make this place attractive to Northern Cardinal, Cedar Waxwing, and Gray Catbird, as well.
After a few hundred feet, a trail branches off to the right, leading to the area along the DuPage River and the new Greene Road parking lot. This trail extends the main loop by another 1 1/2 miles. Instead, we will go straight ahead and back into the woods. Warbling Vireo likes this area. Soon, the trail will pass along a pond on the left. During droughts the pond dries up, but in most years some water will remain. If approached carefully, Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Great Blue and Green Heron can be observed. The shore should be carefully scanned for Northern (or a possible Louisiana) Waterthrush in season. Baltimore Oriole nest near the pond in most years. A large Snapping Turtle calls this pond home. Follow the trail to the forest edge at 79th Street. This edge is the most reliable spot for Red-breasted Grosbeak.
A suggested brief side trip is to the right to the junction of 79th Street and Greene Road. A tree row continues east from the forest corner down to the river. This row is another good spot for Orchard and Baltimore Oriole, and Cedar Waxwings sometimes nest here. The field to the north of the tree row contains Grasshopper Sparrows during many summers. Back from the trail crossing, a shortcut would be to follow 79th Street up the hill to where the loop trail crosses it again near the entrance road. Look for fall warblers at the western edge of the forest south of the road, and for grassland birds on the north side. The main trail traverses more extensive grassy areas. It circles a trail-less patch of woods named Hinterlong Bird Sanctuary on some maps. Its northeast corner was another good spot for Red-headed Woodpecker and Baltimore Oriole until a condominium development was built adjacent to the forest preserve in 2001. Red-tailed Hawks nest nearby and frequently use the power lines as a roost.
After crossing 79th Street again, the trail leads through the brushy second growth again. In spring, when it is usually muddy in this area, look and listen for American Woodcock. In other seasons, American Goldfinch, Red-winged Blackbird, Field and Song Sparrow are the predominant birds, with other sparrows and Palm Warblers joining during migration. Turn right (west) at the next junction. The trail will gradually turn south and follow the edge of a small wood lot, and then diagonally across grassland back to the parking lot. Look for Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrows and possible Dickcissel along this last stretch.
While this loop doesn't cover all the different habitats of Greene Valley, it gives a nice overview, and the two miles of trail should keep the careful birder busy for a couple hours. I invite you to explore the area between the river and Greene Road on your own.
A bird list is in preparation.
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