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!).

Filtering by: “Bird Counts”
Feb
17
Bird Counts

Great Backyard Bird Count 2025

  • Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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!

View Event →
May
4
Bird Counts

2024 Spring Bird Count

The Illinois Spring Bird Count was initiated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in 1975. It occurs annually on the Saturday that falls between May 4th and May 10th. Each county has a compiler responsible for recruiting volunteers and assigning them areas to count within their county, to avoid double-counting. This year’s Champaign County compiler will be CCAS Member-at-Large Beth Chato (ejchato@gmail.com, 217-344-6803).

View Event →
May
6
Bird Counts

2023 Spring Bird Count

The Illinois Spring Bird Count was initiated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in 1975. It occurs annually on the Saturday that falls between May 4th and May 10th. Each county has a compiler responsible for recruiting volunteers and assigning them areas to count within their county, to avoid double-counting. This year’s Champaign County compiler will be CCAS Member-at-Large Beth Chato (ejchato@gmail.com, 217-344-6803).

View Event →
May
7
Bird Counts

2022 Spring Bird Count

The Illinois Spring Bird Count was initiated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in 1975. It occurs annually on the Saturday that falls between May 4th and May 10th. Each county has a compiler responsible for recruiting volunteers and assigning them areas to count within their county, to avoid double-counting. This year’s Champaign County compiler will be CCAS Member-at-Large Beth Chato (ejchato@gmail.com, 217-344-6803).

View Event →

Ongoing CCAS Events

  • A group of birders with binoculars look into the trees along a boardwalk. Photo by Rachel Vinsel.

    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.

    Learn More
  • A group of birders with binoculars look up into the trees. Photo by Jen Redwood.

    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.

    Learn More
  • American Tree Sparrow perches on a branch in winter. Photo by Rob Kanter.

    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!

    Learn More