Peoria Audubon Society is a local affiliate of both:
National Audubon Society & Illinois Audubon Society
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Speaker Notes: Nov. 2011
Corps of Engineers: Artificial Islands on Lower Peoria Lake |
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Peoria Audubon Newsletter:
Current Copy |
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Birding Tour of the Illinois River
Fall Shorebird Migration August 20, 2011 |
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Peoria Audubon Meetings Recreational Opportunities atJubilee College State ParkFebruary 8, 2012 7:00 PM at
Tom Hintz, Site Superintendent at Jubilee College State Park, 10 miles west of Peoria, will speak on ecological restoration of prairie and habitat, and birding at the State Park. Tom promised to bring a large number of slides to showcase the wonders at the park.
Tom Hintz Explaining Prairie Biodiversity at Jubilee College State Park In the above image, during a tour of restored Jubilee prairie, Tom explained the big picture and benefits of biodiversity to a group of interested individuals. The tour was organized and hosted by the Jubilee Prairie Dawgs - the local group of volunteers - that have restored several areas of native prairie within and around Jubilee College State Park. Peoria Audubon Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at Forest Park Nature Center. Everyone is welcome. And, the meetings are FREE! ---------------------- Public is Always Welcome Meetings are free and open to the public
Monthly meetings of Peoria Audubon Society are held at |
Field Trip Opportunity: Peoria Eagle Count
Citizen Science in Action
Saturday January 28, 2012
Early Morning to Noon
As part of the Eagle Nature Foundation Midwinter Eagle Count on the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries, Peoria Audubon participates by counting the eagles between Henry and Havana on the Illinois River
With our local census of the eagle population, Five teams participate. Two teams cover the stretch of the Illinois River from Henry to Peoria and two teams cover the river from Peoria to Havana. With each stretch, one team observes and counts eagles from the west side of the river whereas the other team counts from the east side of the river. In addition, a boat team goes down the river channel from near Pekin to Havana.
Sub-adult Bald Eagle near Havana, IL
The count usually takes half of a day. Contact Mike Miller (309-681-2858) to volunteer and help count the eagles. Last year, more than 600 eagles were identified and counted.
Results: Christmas Bird Counts
Citizen Science in Action
Download Local Count Results Below
This bird count period marks the 112th year the National Audubon Society has organized and conducted the annual Christmas Bird Counts. As with previous years, The Peoria Audubon Society organizes and conducts three local three Bird Counts:
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Peoria - Sat. Dec. 17, 2011
- Chautauqua - Fri. Dec. 23, 2011
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Chillicothe - Sat. Dec. 31, 2011
Christmas Bird Count FAQs
What do you do on a bird count?
Teams of birders go "into the field" in a defined area within the 15-mile diameter count circle and take a census of birds. [Peoria count circle is shown below. A separate count circle is defined for Chautauqua and for Chillicothe.] This means that each bird the team sees is identified and counted. With large flocks, a scientific estimate is made on the number in the flock. The time and distance traveled (both on foot and in a vehicle) is logged. Each team is responsible to report on the species they find within their areas.
What if I am a novice and not good at identifying a species?
Novice birders are teamed up with people more seasoned at identifying and counting the expected species. It is a great opportunity for a beginning birder to go out and learn more about the diversity of birds around us. The pace is leisurely and, although the data is scientifically valid, it is important to take your time and have fun! Each team determines where and when to take breaks - which takes on an increased importance when the temperatures are low. Peoria Audubon encourages beginning birders to join in the count. Each team leader takes pride in making the experience enjoyable for the novices.
How do I go on a count?
Contact one (or more) of the above count organizers to go out and count birds. In each of the identified regions within a count circle, a team leader will contact the team members to get organized and discuss any logistics or answer any questions.
Regions within Peoria Count Circle
How long have bird counts been conducted?
The Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by the National Audubon Society, is one of the nation's longest-running examples of citizen science. Started 112 years ago, the number of local bird counts have have expanded to include 2215 locations in the Western Hemisphere (each identified as a 15-mile diameter count circle).
When the data from each of the local count circles is combined, this wildlife census becomes a useful tool to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation actions. Nationally, in the 2010/2011 count:
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Over 60,000 participants
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20 countries
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2215 count circles in the western Hemisphere
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Over 61,300,000 birds identified and reported in 2010/2011
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Keep watching the Calendar of Events for details on Peoria Audubon and other local activities. The public are always welcome! We would like to see you there!