by NIAS | Apr 28, 2024
Full Moon Campfire at our Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
We will take a leisurely stroll to observe blooming plants and resident birds at 7 p.m.; the campfire will start at 7:30. S’mores will be provided. Bring a lawn chair, flashlight and water (if desired).
The preserve is located about 2 miles south of Leaf River (S. Main St. in Leaf River becomes Leaf River Rd.). The preserve parking lot is just off of Leaf River Rd. If the weather is questionable call Mary at 815-938-3204.
Carpool from the Harbor Freight parking lot in Freeport at 6:15 p.m.
by NIAS | Apr 28, 2024
Annual World Migratory Bird Day Event – INSECTS
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Co-hosts: Freeport Park District, University of Illinois Extension, and Freeport Public Library
Join us for a fun, family-friendly event at Oakdale Nature Preserve. This location provides wonderful opportunities for finding birds, but also early spring insects! We will have activities for all ages and abilities.
In an open-house style event in and around the Oakdale Pavillion, we will have many hands-on activities including crafts, games, insect identification, bird-watching, and obstacle course that fits this year’s theme. We will have giveaways while supplies last.
On each hour at 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m., there will be three outings to take the trails to bird watch and look for insects as well. Please meet at the Pavilion to join one of these outings led by NIAS members and Park District members.
We will ensure that the accessible trail be used for each of these outings before taking other trails.
Oakdale Nature Preserve also provides accessible parking and restrooms. There are benches along many of the trails.
Please wear appropriate footwear, in case we explore the water for aquatic insects. Bring binoculars if you have any and we will have some available to borrow.
This is a rain or shine event and hope to have plenty of shelter in case of rain.
by NIAS | Apr 27, 2024
Thank you for making a pledge to our participating birders!
Annual Birdathon Fundraiser
This year, our chapter marks its 45th 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 listed on the form to the right who will be participating in our chapter’s annual BIRDATHON on May 5th. Your pledge, for instance 15¢, will be per SPECIES of bird that your selected birder(s) identifies on that day. Your birder will contact you after the count with their species total and collect your contribution.
Your money indeed goes where the birds go! All BIRDATHON proceeds are shared by organizations that do a tremendous job of:
protecting and improving bird habitat on wintering grounds, migration corridors and nesting sites,c onnecting people with nature, providing education opportunities for the public, and collecting scientific data through bird counts and birdbanding.
Those organizations are:
Northwest Illinois Audubon Society
National Audubon’s Mississippi River Initiative
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
Belize Audubon Society
Stewards of the Upper Mississippi
Sand Bluff Bird Observatory
THANK YOU so much for your support of birds and our BIRDATHON!
by NIAS | Jan 22, 2024
Event: Woodcock Watches
Wednesday, March 20, 7:00 pm
Happy Equinox!
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore
815-938-3204
Join us for any or all of these evening outings to watch and listen for American Woodcocks performing their amazing courtship display. Please note the earlier starting time on March 7 which occurs prior to the start of daylight saving time.
The woodcock’s “Sky Dance” itself is part ground-strutting and part zig-zagging flight, barely visible in the early evening sky. More fascinating perhaps are the sounds that go with it, the repetitious vocal “peent!” followed by the twittering and chirping sounds made when air rushes through primary flight feathers during the bird’s flight. On a quiet evening, it is pure audio magic.
In the past we have had 3-6 woodcocks performing their twilight display for about 3-4 weeks. When and if this begins is an educated guess, so be sure to call the listed leader to register in advance and to receive confirmation that the birds have returned and the weather is suitable.
The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Roads. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd.
Make time to experience this unique avian harbinger of spring. The joy will be all yours.
– Mary Blackmore
by NIAS | Jan 22, 2024
Event: Woodcock Watches
Saturday, March 16, 7:00 pm
Coordinator: Anne Straight
815-938-3263
Join us for any or all of these evening outings to watch and listen for American Woodcocks performing their amazing courtship display. Please note the earlier starting time on March 7 which occurs prior to the start of daylight saving time.
The woodcock’s “Sky Dance” itself is part ground-strutting and part zig-zagging flight, barely visible in the early evening sky. More fascinating perhaps are the sounds that go with it, the repetitious vocal “peent!” followed by the twittering and chirping sounds made when air rushes through primary flight feathers during the bird’s flight. On a quiet evening, it is pure audio magic.
In the past we have had 3-6 woodcocks performing their twilight display for about 3-4 weeks. When and if this begins is an educated guess, so be sure to call the listed leader to register in advance and to receive confirmation that the birds have returned and the weather is suitable.
The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Roads. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd.
Make time to experience this unique avian harbinger of spring. The joy will be all yours.
– Mary Blackmore
