CCAS has been participating in the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) since 1941!

This year, we will be collecting data for our area on December 14th. Contact us at mail@champaigncountyaudubon.org to get involved! CCAS’s immediate past president, Colin Dobson, is our compiler again this year.

Learn more about the Christmas Bird Count.

The Champaign County Audubon Board meets monthly to discuss CCAS business and planning. All CCAS members are welcome to attend board meetings; if you are interested in how to join, please email mail@champaigncountyaudubon.org. Board meetings were historically held at the Champaign Public Library’s Friends Conference Room and are currently held online via Zoom (no meetings in June, July, or December).

Join us for our annual trip to Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area to witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles: the Sandhill Crane Migration! Every fall, tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes descend on the fields of Jasper-Pulaski for their evening roost.

Check out this video for a glimpse of what to expect!

You must RSVP in advance. Submit this form to sign up: https://forms.gle/Qw2xsZQJjkVJiz3k9

Field trip leader: CCAS President Mariska Harshbarger; Please email Field Trip Chair aerin tedesco if you have questions. (aerintedesco@gmail.com)

Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 1:30 PM to carpool/caravan to the preserve to watch the Sandhill Cranes fly in. It is about a 2.5-hour drive from the Nature Center to Jasper-Pulaski.

Please dress for the weather. Wear layers, as it can get very cold standing still on a November day in Indiana!

Join Illinois’ most pre-eminent bird man as he recalls the history of the Illinois Audubon Society. Hear stories that illuminate how bird watching grew from a hobby to a scientific discipline, creating a cadre of citizen scientists, encouraging the next generation of conservationists, and protecting habitat for future generations.

Storyteller and Author Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays Robert Ridgway, telling the story of his journey across the western wilderness in 1868, when he was still a teenager, his life-long work at the Smithsonian Institution, and his friends who founded the Chicago Academy of Science. Ridgway was a student of Spencer Baird, who travelled with John James Audubon, who knew Charles Darwin. Ridgway’s research transformed ornithology, evolution and systematics. 

No registration required.

For more info: https://www.allertonpubliclibrary.org/2024-11-12-robert-ridgway-when-amateur-bird-watching-became-a-rigorous-science-2

The University of Illinois will be hosting Owl Nights at Homer Lake Forest Preserve (Oct 29) and Kennekuck County Park (Nov 12). Students in a field-based course on Northern Saw-whet Owl ecology will be presenting data on the migration and behavior of owls in central Illinois. These events will feature indoor information stations and kids’ activities, plus outdoor demonstrations of the tools used to capture and track owls. Drop in anytime between 5:30 and 8:30 pm on October 29 to learn about owl life history, ecology, behavior, and learn what you can do to help conserve these unique animals. We may even get the chance to see some live owls up-close! FREE. All Ages. No registration required. For more info: 217-896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.

Discover the fascinating world of local owls through expert eyes with the Illinois Raptor Center. Presenter Jacques Nuzzo’s unique blend of humor and education makes learning about owls enjoyable.

This event takes place indoors and will include a sit-down presentation and live demonstrations. For the presentation, please arrive before it begins at 11:00 am, as late arrivals may disrupt the presentation.

For more info visit https://www.champaignforests.org/events/details/owls-of-illinois-1 or contact jwick@ccfpd.org;

CCAS volunteers are invited to help the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) remove invasive plants from Homer Lake Forest Preserve and plant some small trees!

Volunteers should wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Folks should also bring their own work gloves, if they wish, and a refillable water bottle.

Meet at the Oak Ridge Trailhead parking lot (last parking lot before the boat house) at 10:00 AM. View map of meeting spot.

Please contact CCAS Conservation Chair Zak Sutton (zaksutton2@gmail.com) with any questions.

The University of Illinois will be hosting Owl Nights at Homer Lake Forest Preserve (Oct 29) and Kennekuck County Park (Nov 12). Students in a field-based course on Northern Saw-whet Owl ecology will be presenting data on the migration and behavior of owls in central Illinois. These events will feature indoor information stations and kids’ activities, plus outdoor demonstrations of the tools used to capture and track owls. Drop in anytime between 5:30 and 8:30 pm on October 29 to learn about owl life history, ecology, behavior, and learn what you can do to help conserve these unique animals. We may even get the chance to see some live owls up-close! FREE. All Ages. No registration required. For more info: 217-896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.

Our Sunday Morning Bird Walks are our most popular events! Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 AM for a free guided bird walk through either Busey Woods or Crystal Lake Park (decided on the day). All skill levels and ages are welcome (under 15 with adult).

Learn more about our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

The Champaign County Audubon Board meets monthly to discuss CCAS business and planning. All CCAS members are welcome to attend board meetings; if you are interested in how to join, please email mail@champaigncountyaudubon.org. Board meetings were historically held at the Champaign Public Library’s Friends Conference Room and are currently held online via Zoom (no meetings in June, July, or December).

Our Sunday Morning Bird Walks are our most popular events! Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 AM for a free guided bird walk through either Busey Woods or Crystal Lake Park (decided on the day). All skill levels and ages are welcome (under 15 with adult).

Learn more about our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

Join CCAS at the best wetland habitat in Urbana!  We will try to find the coveted Nelson's and LeConte's Sparrows and see plenty of other great fall sparrows and other birds in the process. We may stop before 9:30 AM if it is no longer birdy.  If it is birdy, we may go a bit longer.

You must RSVP in advance! Limit: 10 people.  Use this link to sign up: https://forms.gle/F775tAKvpnFUNez48

Leader: aerin tedesco; please email aerin at aerintedesco@gmail.com if you have questions, or have signed up but cannot make it after all.

Please wear warm clothes and rubber boots or shoes that can get very wet!

Please bring binoculars if you have them.  We will have some pairs to loan.

The meeting spot will be emailed to participants.  

Our Sunday Morning Bird Walks are our most popular events! Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 AM for a free guided bird walk through either Busey Woods or Crystal Lake Park (decided on the day). All skill levels and ages are welcome (under 15 with adult).

Learn more about our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

Our Sunday Morning Bird Walks are our most popular events! Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 AM for a free guided bird walk through either Busey Woods or Crystal Lake Park (decided on the day). All skill levels and ages are welcome (under 15 with adult).

Learn more about our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

Join the staff of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District for a volunteer seed collection event at Homer Lake Forest Preserve.

Help collect native seed that will be used in future restorations around the preserves. All tools provided.

Long pants and closed-toe shoes required. All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Questions: ewilliams@ccfpd.org

Our Sunday Morning Bird Walks are our most popular events! Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 AM for a free guided bird walk through either Busey Woods or Crystal Lake Park (decided on the day). All skill levels and ages are welcome (under 15 with adult).

Learn more about our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

Local bat biologists and educators invite you to this first annual event! There will be something for all ages and levels of bat enthusiasts, including exhibitors, speakers, kids’ activities, and information on bat conservation.

Daytime activities will be held at the Anita Purves Nature Center. Evening activities will be held at Crystal Lake Park, with a central location at the Lake House from 5:30 to 8:30 PM and will include looking and listening for bats at dusk!

For more info: https://www.urbanaparks.org/events/free-central-illinois-bat-festival

Our Sunday Morning Bird Walks are our most popular events! Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 AM for a free guided bird walk through either Busey Woods or Crystal Lake Park (decided on the day). All skill levels and ages are welcome (under 15 with adult).

Learn more about our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

The Champaign County Audubon Board meets monthly to discuss CCAS business and planning. All CCAS members are welcome to attend board meetings; if you are interested in how to join, please email mail@champaigncountyaudubon.org. Board meetings were historically held at the Champaign Public Library’s Friends Conference Room and are currently held online via Zoom (no meetings in June, July, or December).

Our Sunday Morning Bird Walks are our most popular events! Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 AM for a free guided bird walk through either Busey Woods or Crystal Lake Park (decided on the day). All skill levels and ages are welcome (under 15 with adult).

Learn more about our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

Our Sunday Morning Bird Walks are our most popular events! Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 AM for a free guided bird walk through either Busey Woods or Crystal Lake Park (decided on the day). All skill levels and ages are welcome (under 15 with adult).

Learn more about our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

Our Sunday Morning Bird Walks are our most popular events! Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 AM for a free guided bird walk through either Busey Woods or Crystal Lake Park (decided on the day). All skill levels and ages are welcome (under 15 with adult).

Learn more about our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

The Champaign County Audubon Board meets monthly to discuss CCAS business and planning. All CCAS members are welcome to attend board meetings; if you are interested in how to join, please email mail@champaigncountyaudubon.org. Board meetings were historically held at the Champaign Public Library’s Friends Conference Room and are currently held online via Zoom (no meetings in June, July, or December).

Join the Urbana Park District and staff from the Anita Purves Nature Center on hikes through district natural areas.

Explore the plants, animals, and unique natural history of each preserve. Content for these informal programs is based on seasonality and group interests.

No registration required.

For more info: https://www.urbanaparks.org/events/free-connecting-you-to-nature-hikes---summer-2024/

Join CCAS at one of the best parks for birding in Urbana!  There should be plenty of great breeding birds and interesting behavior to observe.  

You must RSVP in advance! Limit: 15 people. Use this link to sign up:
https://forms.gle/CybcsCNd6DdczZB3A

Leaders: aerin tedesco and Roger Digges. Please email aerin at aerintedesco@gmail.com if you have questions or if you cannot make it after signing up.

The meeting spot will be emailed to participants.  

Please watch the weather and bring water with you, even if you don't think it will be that hot. We may stop before 9:30 AM if it gets hot and it is no longer birdy. If it is birdy, we may go a bit longer.

Please bring binoculars if you have them.  We will have some pairs to loan.

Join the Urbana Park District and staff from the Anita Purves Nature Center on hikes through district natural areas.

Explore the plants, animals, and unique natural history of each preserve. Content for these informal programs is based on seasonality and group interests.

No registration required.

For more info: https://www.urbanaparks.org/events/free-connecting-you-to-nature-hikes---summer-2024/