All Events
From guided bird walks to interactive learning sessions and meetings, the Champaign County Audubon Society offers a variety of regular events throughout the year (although we typically take off the summer!).
Annual Member Meeting & Monthly Program: Bird Migration in an Urbanized World
Please join us for our Annual Member Meeting (which was postponed from Dec. 2024) and Monthly Program! A vote to approve our 2025 Board will happen right before the program.
Overview:
Dr. Benjamin Van Doren will discuss the latest scientific understanding of how migratory birds use urban areas, the challenges they face, and how we can help mitigate these impacts, with a focus on Illinois and Chicago.
About our speaker:
Dr. Benjamin Van Doren studies the responses of migratory birds to environmental change. His research spans spatial and population scales and unites ecology, evolution, behavior, and conservation. Dr. Van Doren earned a Ph.D. in Zoology from Oxford University, and he has received achievement awards from the American Ornithological Society, Linnean Society of London, and Zoological Society of London. Dr. Van Doren recently joined the University of Illinois as a faculty member in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, where he leads the Migration Biology Lab. His lab’s recent work focuses on how light pollution and human-dominated landscapes influence migratory birds’ ecology and behavior and how new machine learning techniques and modeling approaches are pushing ecology forward while facilitating opportunities for conservation action.
About Our Monthly Programs:
Guest speakers present on a variety of topics throughout the year. Programs are typically held in the Urbana Free Library auditorium on the first Thursday of the month (no programs in January, June, July, or August).
Great Backyard Bird Count 2025
Calling all citizen-scientists! Let's count birds! Join the Champaign County Audubon Society for a 1-hour guided hike at 10:30 AM to count as many birds as we can! Meet outside the Homer Lake Interpretive Center.
Kid and adult binoculars available to borrow (limited amount) or bring your own!
FREE. All Ages. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or cprahl@ccfpd.org or visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/9EMsa6c45EZECFYR/
What is "The Great Backyard Bird Count"?
Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. Join forest preserve staff and volunteers to count the birds at Homer Lake and learn more about how you can become involved in this citizen science event!
Board Meeting
The Champaign County Audubon Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month January – May and August – November (no meetings in June, July, and December) 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.
Great Horned Owls: Hiding In Plain Sight
CCAS and the Champaign County Forest Preserves are excited to host Mark H.X. Glenshaw, an award-winning naturalist renowned for his extensive observations and documentation of Great Horned Owls in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri since December 2005.
This engaging presentation will dive into how he discovered these owls, share fascinating facts about the species, and showcase their incredible behaviors through his stunning photos and videos.
Join us for this captivating event. No registration required; walk-ins welcome.
Great Horned Owl. Photo by Mark Glenshaw.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Monthly Program
Speaker: Thomas Benson
More information coming soon!
About Our Monthly Programs:
Guest speakers present on a variety of topics throughout the year. Programs are typically held in the Urbana Free Library auditorium on the first Thursday of the month (no programs in January, June, July, or August).
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Board Meeting
The Champaign County Audubon Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month January – May and August – November (no meetings in June, July, and December) 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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Monthly Program
Speakers: 2024 Kendeigh Research Grant recipients
More information coming soon!
About Our Monthly Programs:
Guest speakers present on a variety of topics throughout the year. Programs are typically held in the Urbana Free Library auditorium on the first Thursday of the month (no programs in January, June, July, or August).
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Board Meeting
The Champaign County Audubon Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month January – May and August – November (no meetings in June, July, and December) 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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Monthly Program
Speakers: 2024 Kendeigh Research Grant recipients
More information coming soon!
About Our Monthly Programs:
Guest speakers present on a variety of topics throughout the year. Programs are typically held in the Urbana Free Library auditorium on the first Thursday of the month (no programs in January, June, July, or August).
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Board Meeting
The Champaign County Audubon Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month January – May and August – November (no meetings in June, July, and December) 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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Board Meeting
The Champaign County Audubon Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month January – May and August – November (no meetings in June, July, and December) 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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Board Meeting
The Champaign County Audubon Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month January – May and August – November (no meetings in June, July, and December) 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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Board Meeting
The Champaign County Audubon Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month January – May and August – November (no meetings in June, July, and December) 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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Board Meeting
The Champaign County Audubon Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month January – May and August – November (no meetings in June, July, and December) 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.
Board Meeting
The Champaign County Audubon Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month January – May and August – November (no meetings in June, July, and December) 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.
2024 Christmas Bird Count
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.
Board Meeting
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).
Annual Sandhill Crane Migration
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!
Robert Ridgway: When Amateur Bird Watching Became a Rigorous Science
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
UIUC Owl Night
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.
Owls of Illinois
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;
Monthly Program: Ecosystem Services of Bats in the Midwest
Overview:
Dr. Joy O’Keefe will describe the status of bats and the threats they face, both globally and regionally. Then she’ll use research from her lab and others to show that bats have been undervalued in forests and that, while we may have given bats too much credit for insect suppression in big agriculture, we need more deliberate, localized studies to fully understand their value in the ecosystem.
About our speaker:
Dr. O’Keefe is an associate professor and wildlife extension specialist in natural resources and environmental sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has been studying bats for 25 years. Her research program tackles applied questions and yields solutions to conservation challenges facing imperiled bat populations.
Volunteer Event: Invasive Plant Removal & Tree Planting
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.
UIUC Owl Night
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Board Meeting
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).
Birdability Week
Birdability Week is an annual celebration dedicated to birders with disabilities and other health concerns.
A variety of virtual events and activities can be found online at https://www.birdability.org/events/birdability-week-2024.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Weaver Park Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Volunteer Seed Collection Event
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
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Central Illinois Bat Festival
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
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
IOS Big Sit
Join the Illinois Ornithological Society (IOS) and birders across the state to count birds from where you’re sitting! Funds raised through the IOS 2024 Big Sit will go directly towards supporting IOS initiatives including cultivating the next generation of birders through the Illinois Young Birders program, producing Illinois’ ornithological journal the Meadowlark, supporting bird research and conservation in Illinois through the IOS Grant Program and more.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/ios-big-sit/510416881461410
Board Meeting
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).
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk
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.
Board Meeting
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).
Connecting You to Nature Hike
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/
Meadowbrook Park Bird Walk
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.
Ongoing CCAS Events
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Sunday Morning Bird Walks
Guided bird walks are held on Sunday mornings during the spring and fall migration seasons: March through May and September through October.
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Spring Bird-a-Thon
Held each year in May, the Bird-a-Thon is our annual fundraiser. It starts the Sunday after the Illinois Spring Bird Count and lasts one week.
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Christmas Bird Count
The National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) provides a rich dataset that scientists have used to learn about trends in bird populations since 1900!