Once again, IOS will be hosting its annual meeting in the hills of the Shawnee National Forest. Spectacular scenery will accompany great birding as we sample the vast and unique natural areas that southern Illinois has to offer. With habitats ranging from cypress swamps to limestone bluffs, the region hosts an incredible array of bird species. The timing of our meeting will take advantage of the spring migratory movements of a large number of species. Many will be arriving just before or during our stay, while many songbirds will already be on territory. Fish Crow, Black-necked Stilt, Cattle Egret, Mississippi Kite, Chuck-will's-widow, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Prairie Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, King Rail, and Black Vulture are just some of the species that may be found during the excellent set of field trips we have planned.

Our meeting is being held in conjunction with the Birding Fest of Southernmost Illinois - an event geared toward the conservation of the exceptional wetlands in southern Illinois. There are plenty of great activities offered in this event that should entice anyone to come down and join the festivities. Program information and registration for Birding Fest activities will be located at the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center, as well as a variety of educational and interpretive displays. For more information regarding the Birding Fest, check out their Web site, http://www.birdingblitz.org, or call the Cache River Wetlands Center at (618) 657-2064.

Among the Birding Fest activities is a birding competition, aptly titled the Birding Blitz, to be held on Friday, April 25. The focus of the competition is to raise money for wetland restoration projects in the Cache River Watershed. In the past, single teams have located over 170 species in a day! Take a look at their website to see how you can assist in the conservation efforts in this region. Why not get a team together and compete in the Birding Blitz on Friday!

Giant City Lodge and Program

The Saturday evening program will be held at the Giant City Lodge near Makanda and will feature the IOS banquet and raffle, an awards presentation for the Birding Blitz competition, and a presentation by Dr. Jeff Hoover on his research and conservation efforts in southern illinois. We have reserved 34 of the site's cabins, which will be available to IOS members until March 8, 2008. Any cabins not reserved by this date will be made available to the public. The Giant City Lodge closes for the season on December 15, 2007 and will not be taking reservations again until February 1, 2008. The cost for cabins is variable, starting at $79/night. To make reservations, call the Giant City Lodge at (618) 457-4921. For more information about the Giant City Lodge and cabins, visit http://www.giantcitylodge.com. Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Additional details and contact information will be posted as they become available.

Tentative List of Field Trips

Pomona and Union County

This trip will sample some of the best sites in Illinois for breeding warblers. Pomona and surrounding areas host some of the largest populations of nesting Cerulean Warblers in the state. Many other breeding warblers will also be evident, such as Northern Parula, American Redstart, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Louisiana Waterthrush. Though on the fringe of their arrival in Illinois, Pomona may provide participants with views of Mississippi Kites hawking insects along the treetops.

Large numbers of Worm-eating Warblers and Hooded Warblers await us as we meander through the valleys, ridges, and bluffs of the Pine Hills in Union County. We should have plenty of opportunities to examine some of the stunning gems of the forest, such as Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Wood Thrushes, and numerous migrant songbirds.

Trail of Tears State Forest and the Union County Refuge will add additional diversity to the range of habitats explored throughout the day. Fish Crow, Broad-winged Hawk, Bald Eagle, and several species of lingering waterfowl are among the list of species regularly encountered in these locations.

Mermet Lake and Heron Pond

Mermet Lake is perhaps best known for regular sightings of Purple Gallinule, but it has much more to offer! The large wetland complex at the lake's north end holds an excellent population of Least Bitterns with an occasional Common Moorhen, and is a haven for migrant rails. A pair of Osprey have recently started nesting at Mermet. Pied-billed Grebes, Red-shouldered Hawks, Prothonotary Warblers, and Fish Crows are regularly heard and seen along the roadside around the lake.

Another great stop along the way is the Grassy Slough Preserve - a large area of grasslands and wetlands that may provide us with species such as Little Blue Heron, King Rail, Sedge Wren, and shorebirds, if the water levels are favorable.

Heron Pond State Natural Area offers a boardwalk into one of Illinois' finest cypress swamps. Along the way, we should have excellent looks at the numerous Prothonotary Warblers that call this place home. Barred Owls and Pileated Woodpeckers should be evident as well, among many other bottomland species. The atmosphere and great birding opportunities that this site boasts makes this a must stop spot for any outdoor enthusiast.

Giant City State Park

Birding opportunities are everywhere in southern Illinois. The interesting geography and habitat variety are welcome changes to the corn and soybean deserts for which many of us are all too familiar. Giant City State Park offers this change. We will explore the rugged topography of the park and should find more than just beautiful scenery. Acadian Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-breasted Chat, Scarlet Tanager, and Blue Grosbeak are just some of the species that can be found throughout the park. This trip will adjourn earlier than the other offerings to allow time for people to participate in the Birding Fest activities.

The Big Day (Saturday only)

An aggressive trip for Big Day enthusiasts. Participants should expect to travel longer distances and maintain a much quicker pace than the other trip offerings. We will work to tally as many species as possible while visiting a large number of sites throughout the area. Stops will likely include Mermet Lake, Pomona, Trail of Tears State Forest, Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve, Grassy Slough Preserve, Union County Refuge, and many more. Least Bittern, Mississippi Kite, Black Vulture, King Rail, Black-necked Stilt, Wilson's Phalarope, Cerulean Warbler, Henslow's Sparrow, and Blue Grosbeak are among the long list of potential species that we may encounter during our Big Day adventure.

Birding Fest Field Trips

Additional field trips will also be available through the Birding Fest, including Canoeing the Cache River, Birding and Biking Tours, and two-hour visits to the Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve, Limekiln Slough, and Heron Pond. Check the Birding Fest Web site for more information - http://www.birdingblitz.org.

Registration

To register, complete the 2008 Annual Meeting and Weekend (PDF) registration form. Right click the link and choose Save Target As to save it to your computer.

Return to the 2008 Field Trips page.