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Birding Tour of the Illinois River

 

 


Peoria Audubon Meetings


 

Fluddles - A Group Discussion Among Experts 

 

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m.

Live: Streamed via Zoom

Send email request to peoriaaudubon@gmail.com for link

 

Join Peoria Audubon for a discussion of "Fluddles."  We will have help from a number of Illinois wetland experts in a previously broadcasted zoom regarding "Fluddles" and the upcoming release of a film of the same name. We will learn about just what is a Fluddle, why are they important, and about the upcoming film FLUDDLES by Bob Dolgan of Turnstone Strategies.

 

Favorite Fluddle - Burma Road Fluddle in DeKalb County

(Flock of American Golden Plovers - image provided by Steve Huggins)

 

What are fluddles?

  • A term possibly coined in Illinois, dating back to at least 1995 on the DuPage Rare Bird Alert hotline

  • Unintentional, sometimes temporary, flooded fields

  • Too big to be a puddle, but not a pond or lake, and generally more shallow

  • If it's permanent and if a lot of vegetation starts to grow up, it might cross over into being called a marsh or wetland

  • Also known as... sheet water, duck pond, or honey hole

You may remember Bob Dolgan, a Chicago-based nature filmmaker, from a previous Peoria Audubon meeting, when he showed his earlier film "Monty and Rose," about nesting Piping Plovers on Montrose Beach in Chicago. Bob will moderate the zoom broadcast, with help from other experts.

 

Then, Bob will show the trailer for the film "Fluddles", which is expected to be released in the Fall of 2023.

 

Favorite Fluddle: Kankakee FWA

 

FLUDDLES chronicles the birds of Illinois wetlands. Sometimes simply described as “big puddles,” fluddles appear in the spring and fall and provide habitat and forage for a diversity of waterfowl and shorebird species. FLUDDLES takes viewers on a journey to these secret, oft-fleeting wildernesses in a time when Illinois has lost 90% of its original wetlands.

 

Trailer for FLUDDLES the movie

 

 

FLUDDLES features those who enjoy the beauty of wetlands while showcasing the movement under way to construct more wetlands, which provide critical habitat, reduce flooding and erosion, and help to ensure healthier waterways. FLUDDLES is a follow-up to THE MAGIC STUMP and MONTY AND ROSE and the next in The Prairie State film series produced by Turnstone Strategies. The film is expected to make its debut in Fall 2023. Learn more about the project at https://www.turnstoneimpact.com/fluddles.html.

 

You can watch the trailer to "Fluddles" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8WOwgQt0w4

You can learn more about the Monty and Rose films here: https://www.montyandrose.net/

You can watch the trailer to "The Magic Stump" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-asHt2Unf4

 

Send email request to peoriaaudubon@gmail.com for link to the Zoom

 

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. 

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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 ˝ 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.

 

Download Press Release (pdf)

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!

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