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It's time for the annual Bird Club Trivia Night! Birders of all experience levels are welcome to this free event. Teams will be formed the night of. This event is open to any adults with an interest in birds! This is a great event to invite friends to join you and have a wonderful time.  Speaker: Dr. Benson, Illinois Natural History Survey Topic: Illinois Birds: Current Status and Conservation Challenges. A recent research study estimating the loss of 3 billion birds in North America over the past 50 years, more than 25% of birds on the continent, has led many to question what the implications are for birds in Illinois. Dr. T.J. Benson will present an overview of Illinois's birds, population trajectories over the past 100 years, recent threats, and opportunities for bird conservation in the 21st century. Dr. Benson is a principal research scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey, part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his research is focused on the ecology and conservation of birds. This meeting will be held in person at DHNC and light refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!  Join us next week for our monthly meeting, plus a special event! We will take a group bird walk (registration not required), followed by our Birds and Brews beer tasting (registration required)! Learn more about the event and register here: https://crm.nonprofiteasy.com/6396/Pages/Events/#/Details/13922//
Join us on the 30th for a great talk by INHS scientist, Dr. Jeff Hoover. Light refreshments provided. Presentation Title: What Birds Can Tell Us: Conservation Successes and Insights into Remarkable Bird Behaviors Dr. Hoover’s presentation will provide an overview of research he has done during 3 decades, and how that research has expanded our understanding of bird conservation, behavioral ecology, host-parasite interactions, natural history, and habitat management designed to benefit bird populations. Dr. Hoover received his B.S. in Wildlife Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. He received a M.S. from the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) where he studied the effects of forest fragmentation on the nesting success of forest birds – specifically Wood Thrush and Ovenbirds. Jeff received a PhD under the direction of Scott Robinson from the University of Illinois where he studied factors affecting lifetime reproductive success in Prothonotary Warblers. He currently holds the position of Avian Ecologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois. Dr. Hoover has been studying the ecology, behavior and conservation of birds for 3 decades, focusing primarily on bird communities in upland and bottomland forests. He conducts a blend of basic and applied research, with an emphasis on studying behavioral ecology in birds and the response of bird communities to restoration/conservation efforts. Some specific areas of interest include brood parasite/host interactions, natal dispersal, and decision rules associated with breeding dispersal in adult birds.  It's that time of year again birders! Our annual Boat Float on Lake Shelbyville is coming up on September 13th. Advanced registration is required and seats are limited. The cost of the boat trip will be $15/person, paid that day. Meet at Douglas-Hart at 7am to carpool, or meet at Lithia Springs marina at 8am. Email Keegan: kpayne@dhnature.org or call the Nature Center: 217-235-4644 to reserve your spot.  |
