August 2008

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Catch the peak of shorebird migration at Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge and adjoining sites–some of the best places in Illinois to see the thousands of shorebirds that stop during their spectacular migration. Naturally, we’ll take in the great scenery and other early migrants as well. This trip, led by Maury Brucker and John Mullen of Peoria Audubon Society and Forest Park Nature Center, includes transportation and a delicious lunch. Pre-registration a must, as this trip fills up fast. Call 309-686-3360 for more info and registration. Best for 12 and up. Fee: $35/person, Forest Park Nature Center and/or Peoria Audubon Members receive a $5 discount.  Photos from Sept. 2007 Birding the Illinois River Tour

Vernon Kleen from Springfield (one of the few licensed hummingbird banders in the U.S.) will be on hand to demonstrate hummingbird banding and discuss the fascinating world of hummingbirds.  You will have a chance to feel the heart beat 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: Donations appreciated Photo Gallery from 2007 Peoria Hummingbird Festival

September 2008

Wed. Sept. 10, 7:00 PM

Brad Walker, River Restoration Coordinator, for the Prairie Rivers Network, will speak on their work of protecting the rivers and streams of Illinois to promote the lasting health and beauty of watershed communities.   Brad, will be discussing the general condition of the river environment, with a bit of a history and background refresher, as well as the benefits of a large-scale restoration effort. Also included will be an update of the Corps’ lock expansion and ecosystem restoration project, known as the Navigation and Ecological Sustainability Program or NESP, which was included in the 2007 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

October 2008

Wed. Oct. 8,    7:00 PM

Tom Clay, Executive Director of the Illinois Audubon Society will speak on "110 Years of Illinois Audubon."  From its beginnings as an educational and scientific organization, Illinois Audubon is now Illinois' oldest conservation organization and continues to grow

Tom will speak on how Illinois Audubon has grown in that it now owns 10 statewide wildlife sanctuaries, consisting of nearly 1000 acres.  Further, in recent years, Illinois Audubon has become a land trust partner that has worked to acquire an additional 2000 acres for protection from future development, and is now being managed for rich habitat and biodiversity.

November 2008

Sat. Nov. 8,  8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Bert Princen of the Peoria Audubon Society, received special permission from the Chicago Metropolitan Sanitary District (MSD) to visit their private 20,000+ acre facility just west of Canton, IL.  We typically see a very wide range of waterfowl and other bird species at all the lakes and woods in the closed facility. Since the area is closed to the public, it is a rare opportunity to go birding.  Click for photos from previous MSD trips: April 2008, Oct. 2007; & Nov. 2006

Trip is Free, but pre-registration mandatory. Call Bert Princen at 691-0519. We will meet at 8:00 AM in Farmington, IL 1 block south of Illinois 116 on South Route 97 then carpool to the facility. This is one block south of the stop sign in the center of the town - NOT the North Route 97 on the east edge of town. We will arrive at the MSD facility, located off Hickory Road, 4-5 miles west of Canton, IL at 8:30 AM. Map of MSD facility Satellite Image

Wed. Nov. 12,  7:00 PM

Annette Prince, Director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, will discuss the actions to rescue and salvage thousands of migratory birds that were harmed by collisions with downtown Chicago buildings.  Click here - for info on reducing risk of bird strikes. 

December 2008

Wed. Dec. 10,    7:00 PM

Marshall B. Plumley, Illinois River Basin Integrator with the US Arm Corps of Engineers, will speak on the Illinois River restoration projects funded by the recent passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). 

Peoria Audubon Society conducts three annual Christmas Bird Counts: Peoria and Chautauqua in December, and Chillicothe in January.  Details to follow.

Peoria Audubon Society conducts three annual Christmas Bird Counts: Peoria and Chautauqua in December, and Chillicothe in January.  Details to follow.    

January 2009

Tracy Fox will be coordinating the annual Chillicothe Christmas Bird Count.  Contact Tracy at 309-369-5331 to volunteer

Wed. Jan. 7,    6:30 PM

Bring your CD of jpgs, videos, or slide carousel, table service and a covered dish to share.  Christmas Bird Count results will be presented.  Note the earlier starting time

Peoria Audubon Society annually conducts a census of the eagle population along the Illinois river from Henry, IL to Havana, IL 

February 2009

Wed. Feb. 11,    7:00 PM

Ben O'Neal from the University of Illinois Department of Atmospheric Science at Chaimpaign-Urbana, will be discussing the use of weather radar to track and follow water fowl migration. 

March 2009

Wed. Mar. 11,    7:00 PM

Anaise Berry, Director of the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, will discuss the benefits and the establishment of the Scenic Byway based on their scenery, cultural, historical, natural, recreational or archaeological opportunities.

April 2009

Wed. April 8,    7:00 PM

Keith Blackmore from the Highland Community College in Northern Illinois, will be presenting a 30-day program to lose 5000 pounds in a Low Carbon Diet

May 2009

Wed. Mar. 13,    7:00 PM

Bud Grieves, former mayor of Peoria, will be speaking on the development of his 400-acre farm into a wildlife habitat through the CREP program and other local conservation projects.