Wildlife Watching at The Nature Conservancy's Preserves

Described as a “living museum of biodiversity,” TNC’s Sheldrick Forest Preserve is part of a larger 2,800‑acre mosaic of conservation lands. Its rolling, glacially sculpted terrain, complete with winding eskers, ravines, seeps and streams, creates a uniquely textured winter landscape that feels both serene and adventurous at the same time. More than three miles of trails lead visitors through mixed hardwoods and impressive stands of old‑growth trees, including towering white pines, hemlocks, red oaks, beech and black birch that have stood undisturbed for nearly two centuries. With a fresh layer of snow, the preserve becomes an ideal place to spot animal tracks. Look for signs of white‑tailed deer, red fox, bobcat, black bear and fisher as you explore this quiet winter forest. And keep your ears open for the “who cooks for you” call of the barred owl.

Situated along the southeastern edge of the Pocono Mountains plateau, TNC’s Long Pond Preserve Complex boasts a nod from the Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area of Pennsylvania thanks to its bogs, swamps, barrens, oak forest, boreal forest and northern hardwood forest. During winter, visitors have a good chance of spying northern flickers foraging on the ground for ants and insects unlike most woodpeckers spotted working hard up in the treetops. Bird enthusiasts might also see American robins, black-capped chickadees, golden crowned kinglets and colorful cedar waxwings — with their subtle hues of browns, grays and yellows, and black mask — feasting on dried berries and fruits this time of year. Make sure to leave time to check out the preserve’s nature center after exploring the surrounding trails.

With their thick winter coats, bison seem unbothered by any kind of weather. So why not try to catch a glimpse of TNC’s Nachusa Grasslands Preserve herd during winter? Before you go, note that snow is common this time of year in Illinois and TNC does not clear it off of the preserve’s trails. However, while never guaranteed, the bison can also be viewed from the road. Visitors who decide to explore this vast landscape’s trails will likely be treated to sightings, or signs of, the preserve’s other winter residents, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, dark-eyed juncos, brown creepers and red-headed woodpeckers. While the preserve’s prairie, wetlands and woods are open to the public every day, deep snow can make them hard to navigate and so proceed with caution. Make sure to stop by the Visitor Center to learn more.

Nassawango Creek is one of the last pieces of true wilderness left on the East Coast. Dominated by bald cypress and black gum, the massive trees of this primeval forest envelop visitors with ample shade and security. At nearly 10,000 acres, this landscape encompasses one of the northernmost remaining examples of a bald cypress swamp. Visitors to TNC's Nassawango Creek Preserve can explore quiet trails and paddle along tannin‑rich waters year‑round. In winter, the preserve comes alive with wildlife. River otters slip through icy creeks, red foxes scurry around as their mating season begins and wild turkeys forage beneath frosted trees. Birdwatchers can look for dark-eyed juncos, Carolina wrens, bald eagles and more, making Nassawango a peaceful haven for nature lovers even in the coldest months.

America turns 250 years old this year, the perfect time to head outdoors in search of bald eagles. In the Midwest, the best time to spot eagles is in the branches of leafless trees during winter, when thousands of these majestic raptors descend upon places like TNC’s Emiquon Preserve to hunt for fish along the Mississippi River. In fact, there are so many eagles in Illinois this time of year that TNC, along with Dickson Mounds Museum and other partners, co-hosts the annual Fulton-Mason Eagle Day, which is always free and open to the public. Not fond of cold weather? There are options! Visitors deterred by an outdoor festival can also tune in to the Emiquon Bird Livestream. Whether you visit in person or check in online, it is evident that nature doesn’t slow down in the Prairie State this time of year.

A winter walk on the Kankakee Sands Preserve prairie can be an enchanting experience during winter. This is the time of year when the state endangered short-eared owls arrive from northern locales to hunt in the preserve’s open fields, grasslands and marshes. They are in good company, with snowy owls, rough-legged hawks, red-tailed hawks and other raptors also prowling the prairies. And if it is bison you’re wanting to see, TNC made significant visitor improvements to the preserve in 2024 to improve accessibility and wildlife viewing, including in the bison viewing area. 

Cool Green Science: Check out this Field Guide to Finding Winter Owls.

New York’s Adirondack Mountains are a wonderland any time of year, and especially during winter. At the 120-acre Boquet River Preserve in the Town of Willsboro, TNC has partnered with private landowners to protect nearly two miles of this vital tributary as it flows toward Lake Champlain. Conserving the surrounding floodplain and upland forests helps safeguard water quality and enhance outdoor recreation. Over the years, this stretch of river has also become a reliable spot for viewing diverse waterfowl, including goldeneye, scaup and geese. And for winter visitors, TNC ensures keeps the preserve’s parking areas plowed so the trail system remains accessible.

In Washington, winter is the perfect time to catch a glimpse of birds not typically seen at backyard bird feeders, any time of year. Arriving from 3,000 miles away in Wrangel Island in Russia, thousands of snow geese descend upon the Skagit Delta, making their presence known with their noisy honking and sudden en masse take offs into the sky. Less common in Washington, some years snowy owls also show up in this part of the state, arriving from arctic breeding grounds in surprising numbers as part of a cyclical event known as an “irruption.” An irruption year occurs when an overabundance of food in northern breeding regions results in a surge in bird populations. When winter arrives, these birds must migrate farther south to find sufficient food and habitat to survive.

Nestled in the heart of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, TNC’s Cosumnes River Preserve comes alive each winter as seasonal flooding transforms the landscape into thriving wetlands. These rich habitats welcome tens of thousands of migratory birds — sandhill cranes, geese, ducks and more. On a single winter’s day, observers have counted over 58,000 birds soaring, feeding and resting across the preserve. Whether hiking scenic trails, paddling along the river or pausing to take in the view, visitors to the preserve are treated to bald eagles, great blue herons and countless other species that are especially active during the cooler months. This flourishing wildlife is no accident. It’s the result of decades of land protection and innovative programs like BirdReturns, which utilizes crowd-sourced birdwatching data and scientific data from NASA satellite imagery and other sources to inform TNC and Sacramento Valley farmers of precisely when to flood agricultural fields to benefit migratory birds.

Of course, experiencing nature at TNC preserves isn’t only about spotting wildlife. Sometimes, the land and sea put on a show of their own. Winter is the most spectacular time of year to experience the “blowing rocks” phenomenon at Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter, Florida. When seasonal cold fronts stir up rougher seas, waves forcefully push seawater through the holes and fissures in the Anastasia limestone, creating dramatic geyser‑like plumes that can soar up to 50 feet into the air. This awe‑inspiring natural display is most common during the cooler season when winter conditions bring the landscape fully to life. Visitors may also find dazzling tide pools, turquoise waters and ever‑changing sculptural rock formations shaped by the season’s energetic surf.

As one of The Nature Conservancy’s most visited preserves, Blowing Rocks offers a uniquely Floridian winter spectacle—wild, powerful and unforgettable—making the colder months the perfect time to visit this world‑class natural wonder.