Illinois River Road
Banner Marsh Fish And Wildlife Area, IL

This 4,363-acre site, composed primarily of freshwater marshes and shallow lakes, boasts over 200 individual water bodies. Banner Marsh serves as a major holding area for migrating waterfowl and songbirds which are found in the scrubby areas along the site's edges. These include the American Robin, Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat, and American Goldfinch. Look for the shy American Bittern and its diminutive cousin, the Least Bittern, amidst cattail colonies.