Located within Colored Sands Forest Preserve in Northwest Winnebago County, Illinois, Sand Bluff Bird Observatory is one of the largest small-bird banding operations in the country that is open to the public. At Sand Bluff, as many as 4,000 Raptors And “songbirds” - warblers, sparrows, thrushes and finches - are banded each year.

The station is operated entirely by volunteers who band, serve as guides for visitors and present educational programs for groups.  Financial support comes entirely from the donations of individuals and organizations.

Sand Bluff is primarily a research facility, but visitors are always welcome to watch and share in the learning process.

Whether it’s a House Wren or a Red-tailed-Hawk, the experience of seeing, in hand, the birds that share our planet will not be forgotten.

SBBO and the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District are pleased to offer this educational resource to local citizens and visitors to the county.

We hope your visit will increase your appreciation of wildlife.

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