This species is rarely encountered on the BCN Survey and accurate trends can't be estimated. Our region hosts the only population of these hawks east of the Mississippi River.  Four or five pairs are detected annually in Western Kane and Southern McHenry County.  Nests are often located in wooded areas near hay farms and remnant prairies where ground squirrels and other mammals are plentiful. Widespread development plans in those areas may threaten the hawk’s future in Illinois. Photo: Carl W Schwartz / USFWS