News and Events

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Stewardship: Parsnip and Mustard at Elkhorn Creek

Monday, May 1, 2017
10 a.m. – noon
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve
Leaders: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204 or Nancy Ocken, rnocken@gmail.com

We’re banking on an early spring and have scheduled several stewardship sessions in April and May to work on Wild Parsnip and Garlic Mustard at our Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve (see calendar). Early removal means we just slice and fling with our trusty parsnip predator tools and don’t have to carry out seedheads. Be sure to wear a hat, long sleeves, long pants (light colored is best) and socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick detection).

Tools, gloves, water and snacks will be provided. If weather is questionable call Mary at 815-938-3204 or email Nancy at rnocken@gmail.com. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southwest corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd. Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at times indicated on the calendar.

NIAS Monthly Meeting: Experience with Falconry

Tuesday, May 2, 2017
6 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL
May meeting is a potluck at 6:00 PM, followed by the program at 7:00 PM.

This meeting starts an hour earlier than most because it begins with a delicious potluck dinner. Bring a dish to share and your own table service. Our chapter will provide beverages. The meeting and program will follow immediately after the dinner. If you only want to attend the meeting and program, plan to arrive around 7:00.

Hannah Badgett will talk about her falconry experience with S.O.A.R.: Save Our American
Raptors.

Hannah took a five-part Raptor Management and Falconry seminar throughout last summer and fall. She will discuss what she learned in the seminars as well as teach people a few things about falconry! Hannah is from Orangeville and a soon-to-be graduate from Highland
Community College. She will also be going to Hog Island Audubon Camp this summer.

Audubon in the Library: Baby Animal Survival

Wednesday, May 3, 2017
10:30 – 11 a.m.
Freeport Public Library, 100 E Douglas St, Freeport, IL

Wildlife Wednesday: Baby Animal Survival
An Audubon member hosts this monthly series at the Freeport Public Library. The free program is for ages 2-7 featuring a story time followed by related activity.

Stewardship: Silver Creek Honeysuckle Cut

Thursday, May 4, 2017
10 a.m. – noon
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Tools, gloves, snacks and water provided. Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 9:15 a.m. The preserve is

Located about 2 miles south of Leaf River (S. Main St. in Leaf River becomes Leaf River Rd.),with parking just off of Leaf River Rd. If weather is questionable call Mary at 815-938-3204.

Bird Walk: Newell Tract, Oakdale Nature Preserve

Friday, May 5, 2017
8 – 11 a.m.
Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S. Cranes Grove Rd., Freeport, IL
Leader: Anne Straight 815-938-3263

Newell Tract, Oakdale Nature Preserve, rural Freeport. Meet in the parking area of the Newell Tract (the part of Oakdale on the west side of Crane's Grove Rd.).

Annual Birdathon Fundraiser!

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Leaders: Kara Gallup, 815-871-8014, karagallup@msn.com
Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

38th Annual Birdathon Fundraiser!  Your pledge is MOST welcome! See page 8 of the current newsletter for how you can make a contribution that will help birds on their wintering grounds, migration corridors and nesting habitats.

This year our chapter marks its 38th year of sponsoring a BIRDATHON fundraising event! In that time thousands of dollars have been raised for bird conservation. Please join us in making this year’s effort our best yet! We invite you to make a pledge to any of the birders who will be participating in our chapter’s annual BIRDATHON on May 7.

Field Trip: Spring Birding at Magee Marsh

Monday, May 8, 2017, to Friday, May 12, 2017
Magee Marsh
Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

This trip filled immediately and there are several people on the waiting list. We’ll give you highlights in the next newsletter!

Our spring field trip to Magee Marsh along the scenic southern shore of Lake Erie in northwest Ohio. This area is known as the Warbler Capital of the World, with Magee Marsh at the epicenter of birding. Orioles, thrushes, vireos, flycatchers, shorebirds and many other species in addition to warblers should be observed on this 5-day adventure. Call Mary at 815-938-3204 to register. A $100 deposit is required to secure your reservation.

Travel will be by rented van and our group will stay at Rockledge Inn Cottages near Port Clinton, Ohio. The trip fee includes transportation, lodging, all lunches and breakfasts and park fees. This per person fee will be $365-400 depending upon the number of participants.

Information sheets with full details will be available at monthly meetings or upon request. Space is limited so register as soon as possible. Registration deadline is March 1.

NIAS Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday, May 9, 2017
7 – 9 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Stewardship: Parsnip and Mustard at Elkhorn Creek

Wednesday, May 10, 2017
1 – 3 p.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve
Leaders: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204 or Nancy Ocken, rnocken@gmail.com

We’re banking on an early spring and have scheduled several stewardship sessions in April and May to work on Wild Parsnip and Garlic Mustard at our Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve (see calendar). Early removal means we just slice and fling with our trusty parsnip predator tools and don’t have to carry out seedheads. Be sure to wear a hat, long sleeves, long pants (light colored is best) and socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick detection).

Tools, gloves, water and snacks will be provided. If weather is questionable call Mary at 815-938-3204 or email Nancy at rnocken@gmail.com. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southwest corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd. Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at times indicated on the calendar.

Bird Walk: Krape Park

Thursday, May 11, 2017
8 – 11 a.m.
Krape Park, 1799 Park Blvd, Freeport, IL 61032
Leader: Juliet Moderow 201-233-0946

Krape Park, Freeport. Meet in the parking lot by the dam.

Stewardship: Freeport Prairie Parsnip Cut

Monday, May 15, 2017
8 – 10 a.m.
Freeport Prairie
Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

 

Freeport Prairie on the south edge of Freeport off of Walnut Rd. Tools, gloves, snacks and water provided. If weather is questionable call Mary at 815-938-3204.

"Talking About the Issues:

Tuesday, May 16, 2017
7 – 9 p.m.
1809 Parkview Circle, Freeport, IL
Leaders: Fred and Carol Redmore, 815-721-3375

“Talking About the Issues” monthly discussion session, 7-9 p.m. at the home of Fred and Carol Redmore, 1809 Parkview Circle, Freeport, 815-721-3375.  The first hour topic will be announced; for a copy of the article contact Redmores. The second hour will be discussion of whatever issues are brought forth by participants. All are welcome.

Bird Walk: Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Thursday, May 18, 2017
7:30 – 11 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, SE corner West Grove and Freeport Rds.
Leader: Mary Blackmore 815-938-3204

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking area is off of West Grove Rd. Carpool at 7:30 a.m. from the Staples east lot in Freeport.

CANCELLED: Silver Creek Bird Festival

Saturday, May 20, 2017
8 – 11 a.m.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

CANCELLED due to poor weather conditions.

Bird Walk: Espenscheid Forest Preserve

Tuesday, May 23, 2017
7:30 – 11 a.m.
Staples, 1722 S West Ave, Freeport, IL 61032
Leader: Richard Benning 815-865-5279

Harry and Dorothy Espenscheid Forest Preserve, northeast of Freeport. Carpool at 7:30 a.m. from the Staples east lot in Freeport or follow these directions: from the junction of HWY 20 bypass and HWY 75, take HWY 75 about 5 miles to Cedarville Rd., turn right (east) on Cedarville Rd. and drive 4.2 miles to Eggert Rd., turn left (north) on Eggert and go 1.8 miles to Farm School Rd., turn right (east) and go 0.3 miles to the preserve (on north side of the road).

Conservation Conversations

Thursday, May 25, 2017
5:30 p.m.
Amigos, 306 N Galena Ave, Freeport, IL

Conservation Conversations
Please join us for good company, good food and the chance to talk about conservation issues

New Moon Campfire at Silver Creek

Thursday, May 25, 2017
7 p.m.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
Leader: May Blackmore, 815-938-3204

New Moon campfire at the Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve. At 7 p.m. we’ll take a leisurely stroll to observe blooming plants and nesting birds. The campfire will start at 8 p.m. S’mores and water will be provided. Bring a lawn chair and flashlight. Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 6:15.

The preserve is Located about 2 miles south of Leaf River (S. Main St. in Leaf River becomes Leaf River Rd.),with parking just off of Leaf River Rd. If weather is questionable call Mary at 815-938-3204.

Field Trip: An Evening of Birding at Lost Mound

Saturday, May 27, 2017
5:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Lost Mound, Savanna, IL
Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Join us as we travel alongside sand prairies, sand savannas and the mighty Mississippi in search of birds at the Lost Mound Unit of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge just north of Savanna. Of primary interest will be the awesome courtship display of the Common Nighthawk, as well as vocalizations of both Whip-poor-wills and American Woodcocks. There will be enough time to observe many of the grassland species of Lost Mound as well.

Meet at the Fish and Wildlife office building at Lost Mound at 6:30 or carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 5:30 p.m. Return to Freeport around 10:30 p.m. Call Mary to confirm your attendance.

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek Upper Planting

Tuesday, May 30, 2017
8 – 10 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve
Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Tools, gloves, water and snacks provided. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southwest corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd.Carpool from the east Staples lot in Freeport at 7:30.