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

WINTER bird walks

Keep an eye on this website and on our Facebook page for winter walks, which typically occur in January. It's a great way to combat the winter blahs!

audubon garden work days

The garden has been put to bed for the season. Thanks to all who volunteered this year! Stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities in Spring 2025.

An Evening with Scott Weidensaul:

MOTUS Towers and Bird-Friendly Coffee

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance and the Peoria Audubon Society will co-host a Zoom presentation about MOTUS towers and bird-friendly coffee led by Scott Weidensaul, ornithologist and renowned author of several books on birding and nature guides. The tentative time is 7 p.m. Keep an eye on our Facebook events and on our website for confirmation of the time and the Zoom link.

Believe it or not, there is a connection between MOTUS towers and bird-friendly coffee, two seemingly unrelated topics! MOTUS (Latin for “movement or motion”) is an international research network that uses cooperative automated radio telemetry to track small, flying organisms such as songbirds and bats. The system enables a community of researchers, educators, organizations, and citizens to undertake impactful, cost-effective, research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals. In order for this to work, MOTUS towers have to be installed in locations across key migratory flyways so that the birds wearing the tracking device can be detected. Currently, the closest MOTUS towers are southwest of Pekin and southeast of Clinton. Scott can explain why we should consider finding more locations across our region.

And why bird-friendly coffee? Because many of the birds that migrate through central Illinois spend their winters in parts of Central and South America where their habitat is now occupied by coffee plantations. Fortunately, there is a way to support both our feathered friends and our caffeine habit … with bird-friendly coffee grown in a way that supports high-quality habitat.

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

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