Follow our grand prairie bird alliance Page on Facebook to learn about upcoming events.

night bugs at underwood park!

Saturday, July 26, 9 p.m.

Location: 900 S. Linden (across from Connie Link)

Help us celebrate our local biodiversity by joining us for our “Night Bugs!” event co-sponsored by the Urban Butterfly Initiative and Normal Parks & Recreation Department. We’ll have lights to attract night-flying moths, beetles, and other insects and microscopes set up to help view them closely. We’ll also have hands-on instruction on how to use the iNaturalist app to identify and record insects for those who are interested!

Pollinator Palooza

Saturday, August 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Illinois Art Station, 101 E. Vernon, Normal. (Parking available on South Linden.)

Pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, and beetles are crucial to our ecosystem, helping produce nearly a third of the food we eat and sustaining over 80% of flowering plants. Celebrate their importance at the Pollinator Palooza! Hosted by University of Illinois Extension and Town of Normal-Illinois Art Station, this free, family-friendly event will feature hands-on activities, games, and booths from local organizations dedicated to pollinators, native plants, and local nature spaces. Let’s learn, play, and help protect the pollinators that power our plates and our planet!

volunteer event - water feature on the trail!

Saturday, August 9 from 8 - 10 a.m.

Park at the Connie Link Amphitheater (621 S. Linden, Normal, IL) then walk up the trail

What to bring: Water to stay hydrated and a pair of gloves (just in case)

Have you seen the new water feature and native planting area on the Constitution Trail across from the Connie Link Amphitheater? This beautiful new addition was inspired by a concept provided by the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance! The Alliance also contributed $5,000 to expand the area converted to high-quality native plants. This significant habitat upgrade will greatly benefit migrating birds and year-round resident species. 

And now we need your help! Join us for a 2-hour volunteer event to mulch the newly installed plants. This will ensure they are not crowded out by weeds and that the soil retains moisture during the remaining hot weeks of summer. We will also install some fencing to keep the critters from eating the tasty new shrubs.

Normal Parks and Rec will provide rakes, mulch, and gloves.

Fall bird walks

The birds are heading south! Fortunately for us, many of these fall migrants will stop in our area for a rest and refuel. If you’d like to see some of these beautiful birds, join us for a bird walk in September and October! Each walk is led by a local expert. Bird walks are appropriate for all ages and all skill levels. (Seriously, there is no pressure to know anything about birds! We can give you some tips, or you can just walk along with us and appreciate us appreciating the birds.) We even have 6 pairs of loaner binoculars! If you have questions about accessibility, please email us at grandprairiebirdalliance@gmail.com. Here is the schedule: 

  • Bird walk at Hidden Creek! - Saturday, July 19, 7:30 a.m.

    Location: 100 W. Sycamore

    Leader: Given Harper

    Join retired IWU Professor Given Harper for a leisurely bird walk through the park to see why Hidden Creek is so special for birdwatchers. Given is a birding expert who has done extensive research into the birds that breed across Normal-Bloomington. The Town’s recent efforts to restore the natural areas at Hidden Creek have greatly improved the bird habitat. On this walk, you will see birds that nest in Normal and birds that call Normal home year round.

  • Bird Walk at Ewing Park - Sunday, September 14, 8:00 a.m.

    Location: 1001 Ethell Parkway, Bloomington

    Leaders: TBA

  • Bird Walk at Hidden Creek - Saturday, September 20, 8:00 a.m.

    Location: 100 W. Sycamore, Normal

    Leaders: TBA

  • Bird Walk at Ewing Park - Sunday, September 28, 8:00 a.m.

    Location: 1001 Ethell Parkway, Bloomington

    Leaders: TBA

  • Bird Walk at S.H. West Park - Saturday, October 4, 8:00 a.m.

    Location: 30052 E 750 North Rd, Le Roy

    Leaders: TBA

  • Bird Walk at Hidden Creek - Sunday, October 12, 8:00 a.m.

    Location: 100 W. Sycamore, Normal

    Leaders: TBA

Educational talks and Expert Speakers

This summer, we are happy to promote the “Pollinator Power: Gardening in Containers and Beyond” event hosted by University of Illinois Extension on Wednesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. at 1615 Commerce Parkway in Bloomington. Pre-registration and a $5 fee is required. Check the Facebook link for more info.

Over the years, we have been able to bring in some wonderful speakers to share with us their studies and expertise in many different areas including conservation, environmental legislation, local projects, and world events. Join us for these complimentary programs in the fall, open to the community.  For up-to-date information, please join the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance page on Facebook.