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

Fall bird outings

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 9 pairs of loaner binoculars! If you have questions about accessibility, please email us at grandprairiebirdalliance@gmail.com. Here is the schedule:

Sunday, September 13, 8:00 a.m. at Ewing Park II
Location: 1001 Ethell Parkway, Bloomington
Leaders: Michael Retter and Matthew Winks

Saturday, September 19, 8:00 a.m. at Hidden Creek Park
Location: 100 W. Sycamore, Normal
Leaders: Mark Swanson and Nina Sitra

Saturday, September 26, 8:00 a.m. at Parklands Foundation Moon Preserve
Location: North side of Carver Road (2450 N Rd) just east of Camp Peairs Road
Leaders: Mark Swanson and Nina Sitra

Sunday, October 4, 8:00 a.m. at Ewing Park II
Location: 1001 Ethell Parkway, Bloomington
Leaders: Pirmin Nietlisbach and Matthew Winks

Saturday, October 10, 8:00 a.m. at Hidden Creek Park
Location: 100 W. Sycamore, Normal
Leaders: Given Harper and Wayne Hochstetler

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. Here’s what we have on tap for Fall 2026:

“It Starts in Your Yard: Community Wide Habitat Restoration

One Yard, One Neighborhood, One Community at a Time”

Monday, October 19, 7 p.m.

Mennonite Church, 805 S. Cottage, Normal, IL

 Brian “Fox” Ellis will lead this participatory presentation, which explores ways to restore your yard, focusing on the relationships between native plants, birds, bees and butterflies, going beyond the typical pollinator garden to first research and then replant the larger native ecosystem. Then using your yard as a beacon for broader change. We will map successful strategies for restoring your neighborhood, and the broader community, working with partners who share your passion, Wild Ones, the Native Plant Society, Master Gardeners, and Bird City advocates. Because of recent moves, Brian “Fox” Ellis, has transformed three communities, planted 12,000 trees, landscaped several schools, businesses, and a hospital grounds, creating wildlife corridors and an eBird Hotspot. Fox is currently managing Illinois Audubon Society’s Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary Certification program with the goal of restoring communities across the state.  This program is co-sponsored with the Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones.