August 2010

Catch the peak of shorebird migration with this field trip led by Maury Brucker, of Peoria Audubon Society, and Mike Miller, of Forest Park Nature Center.  Trip includes transportation in a Park District, 15-passenger van and a catered lunch. Pre-registration required. Register early as this trip fills up fast. Best for 12 and up. Forest Park Nature Center and/or Peoria Audubon Members receive a $5 discount. Call Peoria Park District at 686-3360 for more info and registration. Fee: $35.  Photos from 2009 Birding Tour of the Illinois River

Sat. Aug. 21  9:00 AM - Noon

Vernon Kleen from Springfield (one of the two licensed hummingbird banders in Illinois)  will demonstrate hummingbird banding and discuss the fascinating world of hummingbirds. You will have a chance to feel the heartbeat of a hummingbird and “adopt” one of these beautiful flyers. This free event is a come-as-you-please activity. Jointly sponsored by Forest Park Nature Center and Illinois Audubon. Fee: FREE, donations greatly appreciated. Photos from 2009 Hummingbird Festival

September 2010

Wed. Sept. 8 7:00 PM

Kristan McKinsey, VP of Collections and Exhibits, Lakeview Museum in Peoria, will present an illustrated lecture on John James Audubon: American Artist and Naturalist, the exhibition will be featured at Lakeview Museum from September 18, 2010 through January 9, 2011.  

October 2010

Wed. Oct. 13 7:00 PM

Marilyn Campbell, President of Middlefork Audubon Society, Danville, IL, will be our guest speaker to discuss ecotourism in Costa Rica.  The presentation will include numerous photos of birds and other wildlife, as well as scenery from various locations in the country.  In addition, Marilyn will provide a short narrative about the country, its culture and biodiversity. 

November 2010

Sat. Nov. 6

7:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Thad Edmonds will lead a fall birding trip to the 15,000 acre Chicago MSWRD wetlands, just southwest of Canton, IL  Thad wishes to do a bird survey of the waterfowl, and then compare it to a survey next spring and the following fall.  Goal is to gather some data and assist in the effort to determine the effect of the oil spill on wintering grounds of waterfowl by assessing the impact on this very important migration flyway stop.  Should be an enjoyable trip as we will provide radios to stay in communications.  Bring your lunch.    

Meet at Casey's General Store in Farmington, IL at 7:30 [1 block south of Rt 116 on Rt 78], then carpool to the Canton MSWRD wetlands - arriving at 8:00 AM.  Reservations are required.  Contact Thad Edmonds at 309-243-1854  Google Map to Caseys, and MSWRD

Wed. Nov. 10 7:00 PM

Angelo Capparella, Curator of Birds for the John Wesley Powell−Dale Birkenholz Natural History Collections in the School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University, will be presenting “Bird Collections in the 21st Century: Past and Future Value.” 

According to Angelo, "Bird collections are sometimes thought to be an antiquated part of ornithology that has been superseded by more modern methods.  However, bird collections remain the foundation for doing taxonomic and other avian biological research, including conservation, and is of immense value to public education and honing the skills of birders. This program will review the ways in which bird collections are still providing information that cannot be gained by any other methods and how the public can support such efforts.”

December 2010

Wed. Dec. 8 7:00 PM

Topic not yet finalized.  Keep watching!

Peoria Audubon Society conducts three annual Christmas Bird Counts: Peoria & Chautauqua in December, then Chillicothe in January.  Details not yet finalized.  Keep watching!

Peoria Audubon Society conducts three annual Christmas Bird Counts: Peoria & Chautauqua in December, then Chillicothe in January.  Details not yet finalized.  Keep watching!

January 2011

Peoria Audubon Society conducts three annual Christmas Bird Counts: Peoria & Chautauqua in December, then Chillicothe in January.  Details not yet finalized.  Keep watching!

Wed. Jan. 12 6:30 PM

Bring your CD of jpgs, videos, or slide carousel, table service and a covered dish to share.  Members present photo/video highlights from the year.  Christmas Bird Count results will be presented. Note the earlier starting time.  As always, guests are welcome!

Sat. Jan. xx

Peoria Society annually conducts a census of the eagle population along the Illinois river from Henry, IL to Havana, IL Five teams will be needed to complete the census. This usually takes half of a day.  In recent years, the teams have had annual counts of approx. 150-600 bald eagles along this stretch.  Details are not yet finalized.  Keep watching!

February 2011

Wed. Feb. 9 7:00 PM

Michael Reuter, Executive Director of the Great Rivers Partnership for The Nature Conservancy, will present “Thinking Like A Great River: From Sites to Systems on the Mississippi River”.  Michael will discuss developing a systems approach to sustainable management of the Mississippi River, and sharing expertise globally to support sustainable management of other great rivers.

March 2011

Wed. Mar. 9 7:00 PM

Topic not yet finalized.  Keep watching!

April 2011

Wed. Apr. 13 7:00 PM

Topic not yet finalized. Keep watching!

May 2011

Wed. May 11 7:00 PM

Brian "Fox" Ellis of Fox Tales International will be providing an educational encounter with the earth's wildest places.  Through the ancient art of storytelling, "Fox" will leave you inspired as he becomes the persona of "John James Audubon," celebrating the 200th anniversary of his arrival in Kentucky.