Sandhill Cranes thrilled CCAS members with calls and dances on our recent field trip to Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area. Plus, the days of winter finches at backyard feeders are almost upon us!

CCAS hosted city planners and brand new birders on recent special bird walks to showcase the quality habitat of local parks.

A Eurasian Collared-Dove continues to be spotted during our Sunday Morning Bird Walks, alongside eight warbler species so far and three flycatcher species!

July's field trip to Meadowbrook Park gave participants the thrill of seeing a pair of Cedar Waxwings building a nest, and August brought rare sightings: a pair of Snowy Egrets and a Swallow-tailed Kite!

On June 22, bird walk participants found 36 species of birds in Meadowbrook Park. Join us for our next Meadowbrook walk on July 20!

May 5 – 12, birders from all over Champaign County chose their favorite birding hotspots and diligently counted birds all week, and the Champaign Park District, Urbana Park District, and Champaign County Forest Preserve District got together for some friendly competition!

March is a great month to see a wide array of species, including the last of our wintering ducks, Northern Harriers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Fox Sparrows, Eastern Phoebes, and Eastern Towhees!

Despite poor weather, 23 participants found 70 species during the 2023 Champaign County Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on December 16.

In early November, a Broad-tailed Hummingbird visited a local backyard and was recorded as a first sighting in Champaign
County!

March brings migrating waterfowl, Woodcock Walks, and the return of our Sunday Morning Bird Walks!

Thanks to all who came out for our November field trips! Look for even more to come in 2023. And reach out to join us for the Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 17th!

From warblers to a pintail, cormorants, and gulls, we saw a good variety of birds throughout the fall during our Sunday Morning Bird Walks.

On our Sep. 3 field trip around Havana, IL, we spotted over 115 species of birds, including 21 shorebirds!

Some good birds have been found around Champaign this summer. We hope you’ll join us to see more this fall!

With all of the warm weather during the second week of May, the migrants moved on very quickly!

Warblers are starting to arrive in large numbers and will peak in mid-May!

Sunday Morning Bird Walks have begun for the spring, and so far we’ve seen 30 species of birds!

Birds abounded at the Clinton Lake field trip. And many thanks and farewell to Nate, our Field Trip Chair!

We’re ringing in the new year with a celebration of waterfowl at Clinton Lake.