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

spring bird outings

Saturday, May 2 - 8:00 a.m. - Hidden Creek (100 W. Sycamore, Normal) with co-leaders Bode and Dave Thompson

Sunday, May 10 - 8:00 a.m. - ParkLands Foundation Merwin Preserve North Gate on Clarksville Road (2650 N) with co-leaders Todd Bugg and Matt Winks

Sunday, May 17 - 8:00 a.m. - Queer Bird Walk - Ewing Park (1001 Ethell Parkway, Bloomington) with co-leaders Michael Retter and Ani Fox 

World Migratory Bird Day

When: Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Where: Illinois Art Station (101 E. Vernon, Normal) with additional activities along the Constitution Trail and at The Oasis

What: WMBD is a chance to celebrate the amazing birds that migrate through Normal in the spring and to say hello to the birds who arrive to breed in our region. Activities for all ages and abilities will be offered for free!

Cost: FREE

Parking: For details on parking, visit the Illinois Art Station website.

Parklands foundation Nature Quest: Bird outing

When: Sunday, June 28 starting at 8:00 a.m. (will last about 2 hours)

Cost: FREE. Registration is required. Sign up will be posted on the Parklands Foundation events page. 

Where: Parklands Foundation Merwin Nature Preserve - NORTH gate. Directions can be found online.

What: Dr. Pirmin Nietlisbach, an ornithologist at Illinois State University and board member for the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance, will lead this exploratory bird outing.  This outing is appropriate for all ages and all skill levels.  Members of the local Grand Prairie Bird Alliance will be available during the outing to give you some tips, or participants can just walk along with us as we appreciate the birds.  Bring binoculars if you have them.  If not, we will have a few pairs available for you to borrow.  You may also want to bring a camera. Please wear close-toed shoes and appropriate hiking attire.  Bring water and bug spray.  There is a porta potty at the entrance to the preserve.  The walk will include some hills and uneven terrain and will last about two hours. 

If you want to participate in ParkLands’ Nature Quest, please come with the eBird and/or iNaturalist app already downloaded on your phone.  Pirmin will be using the eBird app and will show attendees how to use it.  ParkLands members will be available
to help those using the iNaturalist app. 

Here are the instructions for how to use the eBird app:
https://support.ebird.org/en/support/solutions/articles/48001158707-get-started-with- ebird

Here is information to get you started using the iNaturalist app:
https://help.inaturalist.org/en/support/solutions/folders/151000552105

Educational talks and Expert Speakers

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 spring and fall, open to the community.  For up-to-date information, please join the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance page on Facebook.