BIRD FINDING 
LaRue-Pine Hills Ecological Area Union County 
Description: The LaRue-Pine Hills Ecological Area is one of Illinois’s most unique areas 
— famous for scenic, geologic, botanic, and zoologic reasons. The 1200 acres are part of 
the Shawnee National Forest, and are managed to help preserve the area’s natural features. 
LaRue Swamp and Winters Pond are excellent examples of what Southern Illinois river 
bottoms were once like. Pine Hills, above and east of the swamp, is one of the hilliest areas 
of Illinois — and the most beautiful. Spectacular limestone bluffs, 350 feet high, separate 
the swamp from the hills. The area is so beautiful and unspoiled that it attracts many people 
only casually interested in nature. 
Three species of poisonous snakes are locally common, but avoidable. Hunting is 
allowed. Trails are few and hiking where there are no trails is strenuous. All plant and 
animal species (except game species, in season) are protected. 
Directions: The Area, 3 miles north of the small town of Wolf Lake, is best reached 
from Illinois Rt. 3. The three entrances, F.R. (Forest Road) 345, F.R. 236, and the Big Muddy 
River levee road, are marked by road signs and on the accompanying map. A good map of 
the Shawnee National Forest and surrounding area may be obtained for 50¢ from Shawnee 
National Forest, 317 E. Poplar, Harrisburg, IL 62946, or may be picked up in person there 
or at ranger stations in Murphysboro or Jonesboro. 
Birding: In winter, the area is typical of most of southern Illinois but the swamp merits 
exploration for less common species. In summer, ‘‘southern’’ specialties are common: 
Pileated Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Prothonotary, 
Worm-eating, Cerulean and Kentucky warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, and many other 
species. Wild Turkey may also be seen. A Purple Gallinule was seen once. 
It is during migration that the area is most outstanding. Many migrants, following the 
Mississippi River as a landmark, stop here, as it is one of the few undisturbed forested areas 
left in the bottoms. Flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, warblers, etc. can be very abundant in 
April, May, September, or October. Spring is best, as the birds are singing, and the breeding 
birds are all present. 
In the Hills, the roads are fairly narrow and winding and have no shoulders to park on; 
however, there are several turnoffs and parking lots. There are few good trails, so walking 
along the road is usually the most productive; exploring a ravine may also be rewarding. 
The best birding for migrants, and many of the breeding birds, is in the swamp. Fortunately, 
Forest Road 345 provides good access, and walking along this road (which is closed to 
vehicle traffic in the spring and fall to protect migrating reptiles and amphibians) is very 
productive. Few areas deep within the swamp are accessible by foot. 
The area is so diverse and interesting that many hours could be spent here, but even a 
short trip would be enjoyable. 
—Michael D. Morrison 
Southern Illinois Bird Observatory 
P.O. Box’ 2471 
Carbondale, IL 62901 
Illinois Audubon Bulletin, Winter, 1976-77 
Supplement to BIRD FINDING IN ILLINOIS, 
by The Illinois Audubon Society, 1975. 
