Almond Marsh

WHERE IS THIS?
32550 North Almond Road
Grayslake,IL 60030
Acreage:
503 acres
Hours:
6:30 am–sunset, daily. Parking, trails and facilities are not available at this site.
Preserve Map

Almond Marsh

Parking, trails and facilities are not available at this site. Parking along Almond Road can be dangerous due to poor sight lines and fast moving traffic. Use extreme caution. Roadside parking must comply with traffic regulations.

There are no trails here, but the site is a favorite among birders. Almond Marsh is home to a great blue heron rookery and rare sedges. On a good day, an astute observer may sight dozens of species of waterfowl and raptors, including the Cooper's hawk and peregrine falcon.

The highlight of this site is the significant marsh and sedge meadow complex. Approximately 110 acres here enjoy added protection as a dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve. The entire site is part of the larger Liberty Prairie Reserve, a collaboration of public agencies and private landowners to create a significant landscape of contiguous open space in Libertyville Township.

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More About This Preserve

The Natural Scene

Almond Marsh provides a great spot for migrating waterfowl to rest and forage. Many different bird species have been documented using the preserve, including the state endangered black-crowned night heron and king rail. Great blue herons have been an iconic species at this marsh for decades, but the natural deterioration of tall trees recently has caused a decline in nesting sites for this species.

History

With help from the Lake County Audubon Society and Integrated Lakes Management, Inc., 12 nesting platforms were constructed and placed in the marsh to provide nesting locations for great blue herons. Since the project began in 2009, these platforms have been adopted by heron families, and Almond Marsh continues to be a great place for this species to nest and raise young. Our wildlife biologists hope that this pilot project may help with breeding efforts of other platform-nesting species, such as ospreys, at other locations in future years.

Location

There are no trails, public parking, or other facilities available at Almond Marsh Forest Preserve. Parking along the Almond Road shoulder can be dangerous due to poor sight lines and fast moving traffic. Use extreme caution. Roadside parking must comply with local traffic regulations.