Peoria Audubon

Channel

Photo Gallery

Birding Tour of the Illinois River

Mary Hennen:

Peregrine Falcon Program in Illinois

Wednesday, May 14 @ 7:00 p.m. CDT

 Live-streamed on Zoom ONLY

 Send email to peoriaaudubon@gmail.com for link to live-stream

Join us for an evening with Mary Hennen, Assistant Birds Collection Manager at the Chicago Field Museum, as she enlightens us about Peregrine Falcons in Illinois and beyond. 

According to Mary, "...as recently as 1960's, Peregrines had been extirpated east of the Rockies... With the recovery of the species, the Chicago Peregrine Program now directs it's focus towards monitoring Peregrines in Illinois." 

Already in 2025, a pair of Peregrine Falcons have been observed at the "Falcon Enclosure" atop the 20-story Riverview Plaza (a.k.a. Chase Bank) officeChase Bank in Peoria.  The hope is for the falcons to breed and raise a clutch in Peoria. 

Peregrine Falcon atop "Chase Bank" in Peoria - June 2024 (Photo: Dennis Endicott)

Above view of a Peregrine Falcon was from the RiverPlex to the roof of the "Chase Bank" in Peoria, located about 0.3 miles away, by attaching an iPhone to the eyepiece of a spotting scope at 70x, then cropping the image. 

The image below shows Pete Fenner observing the falcon from the RiverPlex through a spotting scope.  Note that the RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center, due to its proximity of the Illinois River, is listed on eBird as a birding hotspot in Peoria. 

Pete Fenner Viewing Above Falcon from RiverPlex in Peoria - June 2024 (Photo: Dennis Endicott)

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Peregrine Falcon is:

• "Powerful and fast-flying, the Peregrine Falcon hunts medium-sized birds, dropping down on them from high above in a spectacular stoop. They were virtually eradicated from eastern North America by pesticide poisoning in the middle 20th century."

• After significant recovery efforts, Peregrine Falcons have made an incredible rebound and are now regularly seen in many large cities and coastal areas."

• "People have trained falcons for hunting for over a thousand years, and the Peregrine Falcon was always one of the most prized birds. Efforts to breed the Peregrine in captivity and reestablish populations depleted during the DDT years were greatly assisted by the existence of methods of handling captive falcons developed by falconers."

• "The Peregrine Falcon is a very fast flier, averaging 40-55 km/h (25-34 mph) in traveling flight, and reaching speeds up to 112 km/h (69 mph) in direct pursuit of prey. During its spectacular hunting stoop from heights of over 1 km (0.62 mi), the peregrine may reach speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph) as it drops toward its prey."

• "The Peregrine Falcon is one of the most widespread birds in the world. It is found on all continents except Antarctica, and on many oceanic islands. The oldest recorded Peregrine Falcon was at least 19 years, 9 months old, when it was identified by its band in Minnesota in 2012, the same state where it had been banded in 1992."

Mary Hennen will be speaking about the success of the Peregrine Falcon recovery efforts in Illinois along with more fascinating facts.

Meeting will be ONLY be available as a live-stream

 - Send email to peoriaaudubon@gmail.com for link to live-stream

Keep watching our Calendar of Events for the latest updated information on meetings, field trips and special events. 

Peoria Audubon meetings always feature timely topics and everyone is welcome.  And, the meetings are always FREE!

----------------------

Public is Always Welcome

Meetings are free and open to the public

Monthly meetings of Peoria Audubon Society are held at 

Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights.

Peoria Audubon Society   

Local Natural Areas Open to Public for Birding

The Peoria Audubon Society is inviting members and visitors on to its conservation properties. The Oak Bluff Savanna Nature Preserve and the Brimfield Railroad Prairie Nature Preserve are now birding hotspots open for public birding.

The Oak Bluff Savanna Nature Preserve is a 22-acre high quality oak woodlands, savanna and hill prairie in Marshall County. It is located about 4 miles southwest of Henry, Illinois; 2 miles west of Route 29 on County Road 1150N. Dozens of warbler species may be found in the preserve during spring and fall migration. Resident birds such as Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting and Baltimore Orioles can be found nesting on the site. Bird Surveys have shown over 150 species of birds utilize this natural area.

Oak Bluff Savanna Nature Preserve

The Brimfield Railroad Prairie Nature Preserve is a 6-acre restored native prairie in Peoria County. It is a ½ mile long strip near Brimfield that was once railroad right of way, located at 18320 W Forney Road, Brimfield. The Jubilee Prairie Dawgs, a volunteer group dedicated to native prairie restoration, have partnered with Peoria Audubon Society to help maintain this prairie. It contains over 100 native prairie plant species, which are a critical part of the food web for many species of birds, butterflies and bees.

Black Swallowtail on Thistle at Brimfield RR Prairie Nature Preserve

Both of these high quality habitats are listed as protected lands by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission to assist with the protection of high quality natural areas and habitats of endangered and threatened species.  Peoria Audubon Society is committed to long term conservation of these areas and is excited to share them with the public.

Peoria Audubon Society encourages visitors to record their bird sightings on these properties at eBird.org. Both nature preserves are listed as public birding hotspots. The nature preserves are open for hiking, viewing and enjoying the natural areas. No camping, no fires, no hunting or fishing, no collecting, and no restroom facilities are available.

• eBird Hotspot:  Oak Bluff Savanna Nature Preserve

• eBird Hotspot: Brimfield Railroad Prairie Nature Preserve

Visitors are asked to follow “Leave no Trace” principles when visiting Peoria Audubon properties, or any natural area.

Download Press Release (pdf)