A rare daytime sighting of a black-crowned night heron has delighted Glenveiw birdwatchers

GLENVIEW, Ill. – A rare daytime sighting of a black-crowned night heron has delighted local birdwatchers, offering a unique glimpse into the life of a species that typically prefers the cover of darkness.

The sighting occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the Techny Basin, a sprawling stormwater reservoir located about seven miles inland from Lake Michigan.

Glenveiw Daily photojournalist George LeClaire and Diane Gosser, his longtime partner, both 30 year Glenview residents and avid bird enthusiasts, were taking their usual walk around the basin’s scenic 1.3-mile loop when they spotted the heron actively hunting.

George, equipped with a 200mm zoom lens after a quick dash back to the car, managed to capture the elusive bird in action, while Diane documented the moment on video.

Although black-crowned night herons are native to the Chicago area, they are primarily nocturnal hunters, preferring to feed on small fish and frogs under the cover of night.

The Techny Basin, which holds up to 1,040 acre-feet of stormwater and manages overflow from the West Fork of the North Branch Chicago River, provides ideal foraging grounds for the species. A Suburban SurpriseWhile the species’ primary breeding stronghold in the region is a large rookery at Lincoln Park Zoo, they are known to travel outward to local waterways and wetlands.

According to regional tracking projects, such as those coordinated by the Chicago Black-crowned Night-Heron Project, post-breeding juveniles and adults disperse throughout the suburbs during summer and fall . Baker’s Lake Nature Preserve in the northwest suburbs also hosts a significant suburban rookery.

“They usually stick closer to the city, and you rarely see one out like this in the middle of the day,” said George, reflecting on the rare opportunity.A Local Conservation AreaThe Techny Basin, officially designated as the Glenview/Techny C Reservoir, is operated by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, while the Village of Glenview manages the surrounding conservation area and trail connections.

The site offers more than just a place for flood management; it features a paved loop and wooded footpaths that are popular among hikers and nature lovers.The Gosser’s reported sighting highlights the rich biodiversity of the area.

The couple, who maintain a hummingbird garden and a designated area for goldfinches in their own backyard, have called Glenview home for the past 30 years and appreciate seeing wildlife thriving in their local conservation area