| Tues., MAY 30, 2017 Starting at 6pm BIRD CLUB MEETING: Roy Schodtler will treat us to a special presentation called "Mad about Bluebirds!" Roy is a retired biology teacher who spent years getting students outdoors to experience nature. He has been a member of the East Central Bluebird Society for over 15 years and is currently a board member for the organization. Everyone with an interest in birds is welcome! Be prepared to share your recent sightings, bird news, or questions. |  |
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"[Below are] the results of the December 17, 2016 Coles-Cumberland Christmas bird count plus a map showing our 15 mile diameter CBC circle. Ours is one of hundreds of CBC circles in North America, approved by the National Audubon Society." - Laurence Thorsen, count compiler 
Chuck Martin will be at the Charleston Library Author Fair: Sunday, November 6, 2016, 1:30 - 3:30 PM
"As you may know I am the author of Bird Hunting Tales and Tips, a hardbound collection of 33 original short stories about bird hunting, love of dogs and family values. An EIU graduate, class of 1974, and a Taylorville area landowner, I have been fortunate to have had 56 of my short stories published by international magazines such as Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and Quail Unlimited and others. As a self publisher and self-marketer, I rely on word of mouth referrals, book signings and personal appearances at fundraising banquets etc. for sales." Friends of the Library Author Fair Sunday, November 6th 1:30-3:30pm Charleston Carnegie Library - Rotary Rooms Join us for a Friends-sponsored Author Fair will be open to the general public in the Rotary Room. Twenty Local Authors will be here to answer questions about their work and offer books for sale! Authors: Bobbie Jean Ashley, Debbie Bauer, Randy Ervin, Georgia Florey-Evans, Joe Gisondi, JT Hartke, Lynn Kendrick, Karen Lofgren, Chuck Martin, Rebecca Shambart, Richard Stickann, Barbara Tackitt, Doris Wenzel, Cullen Porter, Valerie Huffman, Pauline Peterson, Steve Shoemaker, Terry Denny, Sheri Poe-Pape, and Naomi Forward. Seeking PRESENTERS or TOPIC SUGGESTIONS for 2017 club meetings:
Remember - WE define this club by what WE want it to be. What do YOU want to see Bird Club do next? Email Dakota at volunteercoord@consolidated.net.  We had a fun morning at Lake Shelbyville, despite being rained out a couple hours in!
We got to see osprey several times, and the highlight of the trip was an aerial quarrel between an osprey and a peregrine falcon! The species we saw included:
Next Bird Club Meeting:
Tuesday, August 30, 6pm -> Group Bird Walk!
Tues., MARCH 29, 2016 6pm Dr. Eric Bollinger presents his research and findings on "Interactions between Black-Capped and Carolina Chickadees."  Warbler Walks at Fox Ridge State Park Led by: Alex Ware RSVP to Alex by phone: 217-549-6897 or by email: redheadedsquirrel_14246@yahoo.com Friday, April 29 (rain date April 30) Tuesday, May 10 (rain date May 11) Meet at the South Canoe Access Parking Lot at 8am. CLICK HERE to view a map of Fox Ridge State Park (Charleston, IL) showing how to get to the South Canoe Access. Please be sure to RSVP so we know to wait for you. Plan on a 3 to 4 hour hike. Hopefully we will see: Prothonatory and Common Yellow Throat Warblers, Yellow Breasted Chats, American Redstarts, Baltimore Orioles, Great Crested Flycatchers, Solitary Sandpipers and various thrushes. 
February 12-15, 2016: Can you find 15 minutes to observe birds at any location?  This is a great activity for adults, families, and classes! Simply spend 15 minutes or more observing birds on any day in this range. You can do this at any location, and window-birding is allowed!
Simply record the date, time started and stopped, and you location. Then, write down any birds you see! ALL birds are important for this count, so don't dismiss those sparrows and crows. Try to make an estimate of HOW MANY of each type of bird you are seeing. Record this information as you go. Finally, you can submit your count(s) directly to the Great Backyard Bird Count (via ebird.com, online) OR, if it is easier for you, you can deliver your data to the Douglas-Hart Nature Center and we will submit it for you. Visit http://gbbc.birdcount.org/ for more information. Your bird sightings become REAL scientific data, accessible around the world! View the results of the local (Coles/Cumberland) 2015 Christmas Bird Count, compiled by Larry Thorsen. Total Species: 79 Total Birds: 4716
Get to know your Little Brown Birds: Sparrows!
Jerry Brown will share a 30 minute high-definition film that celebrates the flora and fauna of Cumberland County, IL.
He reminds us that Cumberland County used to be part of Coles County, so there are no excuses to miss this masterpiece! As usual, we will give everyone an opportunity to share their recent sightings as well as their birding questions. Seasonal goodies will be making their appearance, as well....! "Birds & Other Wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, 2005" |
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 | Paul Barding has a real treat prepared for November's meeting. He will help us escape from the dreary weather by sharing a glimpse at every naturalists paradise: the Galapagos Islands. You won't want to miss it! |