News and Events

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Highland Lifeong Learning Course: Basic Birding

Thursday, September 1, 2016
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Highland Community College, Freeport, IL
Instructor: Juliet D’Souza

Course dates: Thursday evenings in the month of September (Sept. 1, 8, 15, and 22)
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

The course is intended for beginning birders interested in learning how to identify common
birds that reside or migrate through the area. Participants will learn from photographs and
bird study skins in the classroom. Basic bird adaptations and behaviors will also be discussed. Handouts will be provided, but participants should bring a field guide if available.

Registration deadline: August 25
Course Fee: $25.00 total for all four sessions
For more information and/or to register:
highland.edu/admissions/LLClasses.asp or 815-599-3414

Field Trip: A Night of Exploring the Milky Way

Saturday, September 3, 2016
8 p.m.
Park Hills Golf Course, 2892 W. Stephenson St., Freeport, IL
The Northwest Illinois Audubon Society will host “A Night of Exploring the Milky Way” at the Doug Firebaugh Observatory, Park Hills Golf Course, 2892 W. Stephenson St., on Saturday, September 3rd starting at 8 p.m. The staff of the observatory will lead an introduction and observing session of celestial objects visible in September. Among the objects that you can expect to see (weather permitting) are the planets Mars and Saturn, major constellations, double stars, star clusters, and planetary nebulae.

This event is open to all ages. In case of inclement weather, the event will still be held, but with a modified program in the observatory.

NIAS Monthy Meeting and Potluck: A Week at Hog Island

Tuesday, September 6, 2016
6 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL
Presenter: Juliet D’Souza

A Week at Hog Island
Start the evening with a delicious potluck meal. Bring a dish to pass and your own table service. NIAS will provide beverages. After the meal, there will be a short business meeting with announcements. The program will follow at approximately 7:15 pm. Our program for the evening will be presented by Juliet D’Souza to discuss her recent experience at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine.

Juliet is a biology instructor at Highland Community College and is now serving her third term as a board member for NIAS. She enrolled in the week-long Field Ornithology program at Hog Island in June and will share her remarkable experience. She received scholarships from both NIAS and the National Audubon Society
to participate in this camp.

Hog Island is a 330-acre island located in Muscongus Bay in Bremen, Maine. Hog Island is part of Audubon’s Project Puffin program, where work is done to restore nesting Atlantic Puffins to the shores of Maine. Juliet will discuss the history of Hog Island, the puffin restoration program, and what she learned during the course. Be prepared to see numerous photographs of the island and some of the 100+ bird species she observed, including several species of warblers, gulls, terns, scoters, Black Guillemot, Osprey, Bobolink, Common Eider, and of course, the Atlantic Puffin!

Audubon in the Library: Butterflies & Moths

Wednesday, September 7, 2016
10:30 – 11 a.m.
Freeport Public Library

"Butterflies & Moths"

An Audubon member hosts a monthly series called Wildlife Wednesdays at the Freeport Public Library. The program begins with a special story time followed by an activity related to the theme.

Appropriate audience is two- to seven-year olds.

Field Trip: Sand Bluff Bird Observatory

Saturday, September 10, 2016
7 a.m. – noon
Carpool from Staples in Freeport at 7 a.m.
Leader: Mary Blackmore 815-938-3204

Our visit to the banding station will occur during the historical peak fall migration, so if the weather is favorable, lots of birds should be captured and banded. We’ll have an opportunity to walk the nets with volunteers as well as witness the banding process and learn all about the species being banded.

Cost is $3 per person.
Call Mary to confirm your attendance.

NIAS Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
7 – 9 p.m.
St. John UCC, 1010 S Park Blvd, Freeport, IL

Full Moon Campfire at Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Friday, September 16, 2016
6:30 p.m.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Full Moon Campfire at our Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve. Stroll the trails at 6:30 p.m.; campfire at 7:30. S’mores and water will be provided. Bring a lawn chair and flashlight.

Carpool from the Staples lot at 5:45 a.m. The preserve is about 2 miles south of Leaf River in the southwest corner of the intersection of Leaf River Rd. and West Grove Rd. Parking is off of Leaf River Rd. (S. Main St. crosses HWY 72 in Leaf River and becomes Leaf River Rd.). If weather is questionable, call Mary at 815-938-3204.

Kid's Nature Hike at Oakdale Nature Preserve Aquatic Creatures

Saturday, September 17, 2016
10 a.m. – noon
Mogle Center at Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S. Cranes Grove Rd., Freeport , IL
Leader: Juliet D’Souza, 201-233-0946

Meet at the Mogle Center at Oakdale Nature Preserve. We will take a short walk to collect aquatic organisms and bring them back to the Mogle center to look at them with microscopes & magnifying glasses. Along the way, we will try to catch flying insects to observe as well.

Open to kids of all ages. Parents must be present with the children during the event. Kids should dress appropriately for the weather and should wear shoes or boots that can get wet. Sign-ups are required. Contact leader Juliet D’Souza at 201-233-0946 to register and/or if weather is questionable.

“Talking About the Issues”

Wednesday, September 21, 2016
7 – 9 p.m.
Leader: Carol Redmore, 815-721-3375

“Talking About the Issues” monthly discussion session, 7-9 p.m. at the home of Fred and Carol Redmore, 1643 Hilltop Place in Freeport 815-721-3375.

Information on the topic for the first hour will be available at the September 6 potluck/general membership meeting, or you can call Carol for a copy. The second hour will be the customary discussion of whatever issues are brought forth by participants. All are welcome to attend this issues discussion.

Field Trip: A Morning at Casper Bluff

Thursday, September 22, 2016
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Carpool from Staples at 8:30 a.m.
Leader: Laura Dufford, 815-541-8958

Join us on this trip to scenic Casper Bluff, a property of the JoDaviess Conservation Foundation near Galena. We’ll be looking for fall migrants, blooming asters and goldenrods, plus late season butterflies. If we really get lucky we’ll be treated to part of the fall Broad-winged Hawk migration. Casper Bluff features restored prairie, effigy mounds and spectacular views of the Mississippi.

We’ll stop for lunch in Galena on the way home.
Call Laura to confirm your attendance.

Prairie Seed Collecting: Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Sunday, September 25, 2016
2 – 4 p.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL
Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Tools, gloves, water, snacks and training provided. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes.

Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 1:30 p.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off West Grove Rd. If weather is questionable, call Mary at 815-938-3204.