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Birding Tour of the Illinois River
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Peoria Audubon Meetings
Josh Osborn: Wild Things - Waterbirds at Forbes Biological Station
Wednesday, October 11 @ 7:00 p.m.
Live in-person at Forest Park Nature Center and Streamed via Zoom Send email request to peoriaaudubon@gmail.com for Zoom link
Join us for an exciting evening with Josh Osborn, Waterbird Ecologist and Facilities Manager at the Forbes Biological Station near Havana, IL. Josh will be sharing his knowledge on waterfowl research - including recent research on rail migration. This includes Sora and Virginia Rail, which are migratory rails that are game species across much of their range, including here in Illinois.
Forbes Biological Station (Image from Forbes Station)
Josh has several research interests that include wetland and waterbird ecology, specifically studies with habitat management implications at mid-migration and southern latitudes. Josh also conducts aerial surveys of fall- and spring-migrating shorebirds along the Illinois River.
The Forbes Biological Station, established in 1894, is located along the Illinois River on Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge near Havana, Illinois. It is the oldest inland field station in North America and one of nine field stations of the Illinois Natural History Survey. T
Show up at Forest Park Nature Center for Josh's live presentation on recent waterbird research, or send email for a Zoom link as we stream the live event.
Send email request to peoriaaudubon@gmail.com for link to the Zoom or show up in person at 7:00 p.m. at Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights.
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!