NCIOS Birding Events
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SEPTEMBER
MeetingThursday, September 8, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.
Severson Dells Forest Preserve, Rockford, IL
One of the first meetings of the fall features a potluck supper followed by the business meeting at 7:00 p.m. Bring a dish to pass, your own tableware and beverage. After the meeting we’ll wander around the area and look for birds, insects and wildflowers. If we are lucky and the weather permits we might see some owls. Binoculars, flashlights and bug repellent are a good idea.
Field Trip – Early Fall MigrantsSaturday, September 10, 2011
8:00 a.m. Menard’s parking lot on 173 in Machesney Park
We’ll go to either Nine Springs near Madison, WI or to Horicon Marsh looking for early fall migrants. Leader: Phil Schwab – 815-399-5709
Field Trip – Hawk WatchingSaturday, September 24, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the parking lot overlooking Olson Lake in Rock Cut State Park.
We’re going to see what we can find at the hawk watch site at Rock Cut State Park. Come for the entire three hours or drop by when you get a chance. Coordinated by Daniel and Barbara Williams at 779-537-3352
OCTOBER
Field Trip – Ducks on the Mississippi RiverSaturday, October 1, 2011
Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the municipal parking lot in Forreston, IL or at 9:00 a.m. at Spring Lake.
We’ll visit several different spots along the river to see what we can find. Leader: Anne Straight – 815-938-3263
MeetingThursday, October 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Severson Dells Forest Preserve, Rockford, IL
Ecuador is a spectacular birding destination because a tremendous diversity of habitats is packed into a small area. Ecuador is also the world’s center of hummingbird diversity. Jack and Joyce Armstrong will share their birding experiences there.
Field Trip – Hawk WatchingSaturday, October 15, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the parking lot overlooking Olson Lake in Rock Cut State Park.
We’re going to see what we can find at the hawk watch site at Rock Cut State Park. Come for the entire three hours or drop by when you get a chance. Coordinated by Daniel and Barbara Williams at 779-537-3352
NOVEMBER
MeetingThursday, November 10, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Severson Dells Forest Preserve, Rockford, IL
Barbara and Daniel Williams’ slide program will take us across the sea and far away to the Galapagos Islands. The Islands are famous for their volcanic geology, rich ocean currents and dramatic radiation of species. Charles Darwin was one of the earliest naturalists to visit the islands and marvel at the marine iguanas, giant tortoises, odd plant communities and a strangely similar group of finches.
Field Trip – Local WaterfowlSaturday, November 12, 2011
8:00 a.m. at the Lion’s Club Shelterhouse at Rock Cut State Park
This is the time of year that brings a variety of waterfowl to Rock Cut State Park. We’ll look over the lakes at Rock Cut first and maybe visit a few more locations to see what ducks and geese we can find. Leader: Barbara Williams – 779-537-3352
NOTE: PLEASE CALL THE LEADER IN ADVANCE FOR THE TIME AND PLACE TO MEET FOR THE TRIP. CAR POOLING IS ENCOURAGED FOR ALL FIELD TRIPS. RIDERS ARE EXPECTED TO REIMBURSE DRIVERS FOR EXPENSES.
DECEMBER
No regular meeting is held in December.Christmas Bird Counts
Our annual winter bird censuses in Winnebago, Ogle and Boone counties improve our understanding of the populations and problems of birds locally and nationwide. Teams and area assignments will all be organized in advance of the count dates. A $5.00 fee will be collected for each count to help defray Audubon Society's data management costs. New counters and feeder watchers are welcomed.
Rockford Christmas Bird CountSaturday, December 17, 2011
To participate please call Dan Williams at 815-979-8335.
Rock Cut Christmas Bird CountWednesday, December 28, 2011
To participate please call Eddie Callaway at 815-323-0011.
Kishwaukee Christmas Bird CountSaturday, December 31, 2011
To participate please call Barbara Williams at 779-537-3352.
JANUARY
MeetingThursday, January 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Cancelled . . . will not be rescheduled.
Severson Dells Forest Preserve, Rockford, IL; Program to be announced.
Field Trip – Bong State Recreation AreaSaturday, January 14, 2012
12:00 p.m. Menard’s parking lot on 173 in Machesney Park
Located near Burlington, WI, Bong SRA often hosts Short-eared Owls in the winter. We’ll plan on leaving Rockford at noon and we’ll stay at Bong until dusk to look for those owls and maybe some others, too! Leader: Barbara Williams – 779-537-3352
FEBRUARY
MeetingThursday, February 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Severson Dells Forest Preserve, Rockford, IL
Steve and Jeanne Gent will present a program called: Is That Our Boat? The Joys of World Birding. They will tell us about birding adventures in the Kuril Islands, Siberia, Ethiopia, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Field Trip - Eagles and Gulls at Starved Rock State ParkSaturday, February 11, 2012
Depending on the river and ice conditions there can be over 100 Bald Eagles and a thousand gulls of a half a dozen different species near the lock and dam at Starved Rock. It’s a great opportunity to study gulls and eagle plumages. Leader: Mary Kisamore – 815-636-8234
MARCH
MeetingThursday, March 8, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Severson Dells Forest Preserve, Rockford, IL
Fred and Hilda Stellema have been on the road, visiting, learning and exploring. They will share their experiences in a program called, “The Thailand Experience! Including Birds!”
Field Trip – Early Spring MigrantsSaturday, March 24, 2012
Time and location to be announced. Leader: Barbara Williams - 779-537-3352
APRIL
MeetingThursday, April 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Severson Dells Forest Preserve, Rockford, IL
John Longhenry will share his photos of spring warblers and help you brush up on identification. This is just in time for the beginning of the warbler migration season.
Midwest Sandhill Crane CountSaturday, April 14, 2012 (two hours from 5:15 to 7:30 in the morning)
This survey helps the International Crane Foundation monitor the abundance and distribution of Sandhill Cranes. In the early morning we watch and listen from carefully selected sites to count calling and displaying Sandhills. 3000 volunteers in 5 states participate in this growing effort. Please call Lynda Johnson at 815-629-2781 for the date and information about participating.
Field Trip – Spring Sparrows and other migrantsSaturday, April 28, 2012
8:00 a.m. at Deer Run Forest Preserve
Early migrant birds will be on territories and singing. A good diversity of sparrows should be present. Leader: Jack Armstrong – 815-398-2974
MAY
Illinois Spring Bird CountSaturday, May 5, 2012
This statewide survey gives us a better picture of spring migration and the arrival of breeding birds in Illinois. Our group tries to census birds throughout the county during the day of the count. It’s a big job, but it is the very best time of the year to be out birding. Lots of fun, lots of great birds. New counters and feeder watchers are welcomed. To participate contact Jack Armstrong at 815-398-2974 for an area assignment.
MeetingThursday, May 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Severson Dells Forest Preserve, Rockford, IL; Program to be announced.
JUNE
Field Trip - Nachusa Grasslands and Lowden Miller forestDATE CHANGE!! Saturday, June 9, 2012 Saturday, June 2, 2012
8:00 a.m. at Farm and Fleet parking lot on West State St.
Breeding birds of the forest and grasslands. Kevin is a long-time volunteer at Nachusa and knows this area well. We may get to visit some little-known sites in our search for the specialty birds of the area. Leader: Kevin Kaltenback - 779-537-3352
Meeting and Potluck SupperThursday, June 14, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
Sugar River Forest Preserve
The last meeting of the spring features a potluck supper followed by the business meeting at 7:00 p.m. Bring a dish to pass, your own tableware and beverage. After the meeting we’ll stroll around the area and look for birds, insects and wildflowers, weather permitting. Flashlights and bug repellent are a good idea.
JULY and AUGUST
No July or August Meetings or field trips!
NOTE: PLEASE CALL THE LEADER IN ADVANCE FOR THE TIME AND PLACE TO MEET FOR THE TRIP. CAR POOLING IS ENCOURAGED FOR ALL FIELD TRIPS. RIDERS ARE EXPECTED TO REIMBURSE DRIVERS FOR EXPENSES.