Category Archive News

Illinois Audubon Society is hosting a BIG DAY EVENT Saturday, May 1st, 2021

Join the fun and register with Illinois Audubon for the Middlefork chapter!

Due to the pandemic, the Illinois Audubon Society 2021 Spring Gathering was cancelled. However we are inviting everyone to take part in a Chapter Big Day on May 1 followed by a zoom program that evening. (Scott Robinson will be the presenter – more information to come on that.) The Chapter Big Day is a competition between participating chapters of the Illinois Audubon Society for the most species observed in a 16-hour period (12:00 am to 4:00 pm). Registration is open to members and non-members and both a Chapter and an Individual Big Day Champion will be awarded. Competitors may bird alone or with others anywhere within the boundaries of the State of Illinois.

Registration is available on the Illinois Audubon Society’s website. All participants must register online and choose their Chapter “team.” Each chapter will have a coordinator who will receive, tally and report their final numbers no later than May 4. Winners will be announced shortly after.

Register here (Make sure to register under Team Middlefork Audubon!):

https://illinoisaudubon.org/field-trip/2021-chapter-big-day-competition/

Details:

Date:  May 1, 2021

Registration opens on March 1, 2021; closes on April 30, 2021 at 5:00 pm

Start time:  12:00 am

End time:    4:00 pm

All counts must be turned in no later than 5:00 pm on May 4, 2021 (3 days) to be eligible

Winners will be announced shortly after May 5, 2021

Good News! Here is Something NOT cancelled: MAY 9 Spring Bird Count

The annual Spring Bird Count is a traditional data gathering event that is useful in avian studies to monitor migrating and nesting bird species. Though COVID-19 concerns have changed the modus operandi a little bit, birders who can identify species by sight or calls are encouraged to take part. This year participants are welcome to stay at home and count bird species and numbers, bird by car, or bird in parks where social distancing is possible.


Please call our compiler, Mary Jane Easterday, at 217-213-8359 or email her at birdeaster@hotmail.com for more information on this Saturday, May 9 event.