Contact Tracy Fox (309-369-5331) to participate in the Chillicothe Christmas Bird Count.  Click to Learn more

Bring your CD of jpgs, videos, or slide carousel, table service and a covered dish to share.  Members share photo/video highlights from the year. Christmas Bird Count results will be presented. Note the earlier 6:30 starting time.  As always, guests are welome! 

Start out at Forest Park Nature Center with a presentation about our bald eagles, then go to a number of close sites to view the eagles along the river with spotting scopes.  The public is invited to come along where experienced Peoria Park District and Peoria Audubon members will provide a tour to local sites for a wonderous experience. 

Sat. Jan. 26  8:00 AM - Noon

Peoria Audubon Society annually conducts a census of the eagle population along the Illinois river from Henry, IL to Havana, IL Five teams will be needed to complete the census. This usually takes half of a day. Contact Mike Miller (309-681-2858) to volunteer for one of the teams.

Eric Schenck, Field Biologist with Ducks Unlimited, and Maury Brucker, Conservation Chair with Peoria Audubon, will showcase successes with local wetland restoration projects.  This will include an update on the Chillicothe Bottoms wetlands parcel that was purchased by Ducks Unlimited last year. 

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual 4-day event that engages bird watchers in counting birds at their home to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are.  Everyone is welcome.  Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days then upload the results.  Instructions for participation at the GBBC website.

Our annual spring field trip where we partner with the Peoria Park District to go birding at numerous sites along the Illinois River south of Peoria.  Transportation and a noon meal are provided by the park district.  Mike Miller of the Peoria Park District and Maury Brucker of Peoria Audubon will be your guides for the trip.  A small fee will cover the cost of the transportation and meal.  Trip starts at 7:00 AM at Forest Park Nature Center

Wed. Mar. 13

Shae Birkey, Wetland Ecologist for Midwest Engineering Associates in East will present a program devoted to the celebration of clean water and the importance of wetland habitats.  

Tom Ulrich, Freelance Nature Photographer, will host a special event dedicated to nature photography.  Tom will take us on a photographic journey of the year 2012 in the life of a wildlife photographer.  This year's focus will include wildlife from Florida, Glacier National Park, Alaska and Africa with a special feature of the spring bird migration of South Texas.  Fee: $8/$7 for CORE members.  Reserved tickets may be purchased by calling Forest Park Nature Center: 309-686-3360

Vern Kleen will present recent findings from a 4-year bird banding study that was just finished. Bird banding was conducted at the Margery Adams Bird Banding Station in Springfield, IL. 

By a special arrangement, storyteller and science teacher, Brian "Fox" Ellis becomes "Charles Darwin and his Revolutionary Idea."  Fox personifies the affable, young Charles Darwin, among friends, telling the stories of his amazing adventure sailing around the world.

Banquet will be at the Cater Inn in Peoria.  Contact Frank Hitchell of the Peoria Academy of Science for reservations

Celebrate Earth Day with food, music, booths, crafts, face painting, door prizes and more at Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights.  Free! All ages, come as you are. 

Hosted by Emiquon Audubon Society at The Harvestor Inn, Canton, IL.  Click to download brochure and registration form.  or Register Online.

Statewide survey of birds.  This bird count is timed to be at the peak of spring migration.  The Peoria Audubon Society organizes teams to participate in the statewide count.  Contact Mike Miller at (309) 681-2858, Peoria compiler, for more information

Brian "Fox" Ellis volunteered to provide his program on Bird Tales at the May 8 meeting.  By weaving his life long love for birds with traditional folktales from many countries, storyteller Fox takes listeners on the migratory flyways of our winged friends. Taking strands from the latest ornithological research, Fox creates a tapestry of tales that is informative and inspiring.

May 18

7:30 AM

Pete Fenner volunteered to lead a trip to the Spring Creek Preserve near East Peoria.  We plan to meet at Spindler Marina in East Peoria at 7:30 AM, then convoy to this very unique, fragile location. 

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Catch the peak of shorebird migration with this field trip led by Maury Brucker, of Peoria Audubon Society, and Mike Miller, of the Peoria Park District. Destination includes Emiquon, Lake Chautauqua, Rice lake, Banner Marsh and other great birding spots along the Illinois River south of Peoria.

Trip includes transportation in a Park District, 15-passenger van and a catered lunch. Pre-registration required. Register early as this trip fills up fast. Best for 12 and up. Forest Park Nature Center and/or Peoria Audubon Members receive a $5 discount form the $35 fee. 

Trip will leave Peoria at 7:00 AM from Forest Park Nature Center.  We will return by 4:00 PM. 

Vernon Kleen from Springfield (one of the two licensed hummingbird banders in Illinois) will demonstrate hummingbird banding and discuss the fascinating world of hummingbirds. You will have a chance to feel the heartbeat of a hummingbird and “adopt” one of these beautiful flyers with a donation to the Illinois Audubon habitat acquisition fund. This free event is a come-as-you-please activity. Jointly sponsored by Forest Park Nature Center and Illinois Audubon. Fee: FREE, donations greatly appreciated Photos from 2011 Hummingbird Festival

Pete and James Fenner birded in south Texas this past March and will present photos and commentary about the fabulous birding there.   They will discuss the birds, the area's hotspots, and their experiences while there.   Both added several dozen birds to their life lists.   They will show some of James' original photography, including an incredibly camouflaged Pauraque.     

Monthly membership meeting at Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights.  Details are still being developed. 

Joe Hand, volunteer eagle handler from the Wildlife Prairie State Park will be on hand to talk about handling and the rehabilitation of eagles. 

Joe Hand, volunteer eagle handler from the Wildlife Prairie State Park will be on hand to talk about the handling and the rehabilitation of eagles.  Learn everything you wanted to know about taking care of our national symbol.