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Birding Tour of the Illinois River
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Peoria Audubon Meetings
Herb Unkrich: All About Bluebirds
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 Live at Forest Park Nature Center and Streamed Live Virtually
Join us for a special meeting as Herb Unkrich lets us know all about bluebirds and bluebird monitoring at the Forest Park Nature Center. Meeting is also scheduled to be broadcast Live via Zoom - send email to peoriaaudubon@gmail.com for link to virtual meeting.
Herb will provide numerous stories about his experiences, and providing guidance, at monitoring and care for several trails of bluebird nestboxes throughout the Peoria Area.
Eastern Bluebird (David Kinneer on NABS Facebook)
In addition to monitoring a large number of bluebird nestboxes himself, Herb also provides guidance and instruction to a group of volunteers that manages and monitor an multiple trails of 40 bluebird nestboxes at the Wildlife Prairie Park.
Bluebird Chicks - Almost Ready to Fledge at Wildlife Prairie Park
In 2019, the Wildlife Prairie Park volunteers were able to successfully fledge 139 Eastern Bluebirds. 2021 was a tougher year when only 73 were successfully fledged. The WPP team is working diligently toward having a successful 2022 year.
There will be plenty of time for Herb to answer all your questions about what to do - as well as what NOT to do - on monitoring, managing, and promoting the conservation of bluebirds.
Click Link for NABS Fact Sheets and Plans For more information, a good resource is the North American Bluebird Society which is a non-profit education, conservation and research organization that promotes the recovery of bluebirds and other native cavity-nesting bird species in North America. Send email Request to peoriaaudubon@gmail.com to attend the virtual meeting or show up live at Forest Park Nature Center
Peoria Audubon meetings always feature timely topics and everyone is welcome. And, the meetings are always FREE!
Keep watching our Calendar of Events for the latest updated information on meetings, field trips and special events. ---------------------- Public is Always Welcome Meetings are free and open to the public
Monthly meetings of Peoria Audubon Society are held at |
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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 ˝ 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. Visitors are asked to follow “Leave no Trace” principles when visiting Peoria Audubon properties, or any natural area.
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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!