Information provided by the Sand Ridge Audubon Society
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (December 29, 2022) – The Sand Ridge Audubon Society has announced the National Annual Christmas Bird Count, an annual census of birds in the Western Hemisphere, performed in the early winter by volunteer birdwatchers and administered by the National Audubon Society. The purpose of the annual count is to provide population data for use in science, especially conservation biology. The Christmas Bird Count is the longest running citizen science survey in the world.
The Calumet City/Sand Ridge Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count takes place on Saturday, December 31, 2022. If interested, contact lead compiler John Elliott at 708-386-4909 or [email protected].
Participants will be a part not only of local history, but a great tradition that began in the early days of the American conservation movement. This will be the 122st year for the National Audubon bird count. All Christmas Bird Counts are conducted between December 14 to January 5 each year.
Sand Ridge Audubon Society news and updates
- The next meeting of the Sand Ridge Audubon Society will be on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 7 p.m. Our speaker for the evening will be Grace Kruse, who works with the National Park Service and travelled to Iceland recently; she’ll show a slide presentation from her fascinating trip.
- February 7’s program will be presented by Rex Burns who installed solar panels last year on his and Mrs. Burris’ home. Rex will talk about costs of going solar, savings, and how others can take advantage of solar energy.
- On March 3, Michael Boos, who heads up the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative, will talk about Wolf Lake and the bird populations there at Wm. Powers State Recreation Area. He has authored three books: Naked! One of 13, Over the Line, and Where’s Mike? Mike will tell about a film being produced chronicling the history and significance of Wolf Lake and its environs.
- April 14: (Note date change for April meeting) Lansing author Carrie Steinweg will be talking about some of her numerous books, giving them a local twist. Carrie is a freelance writer, photographer, author, and food and travel blogger who lived in Lansing for 27 years. She most enjoys writing about food, people, history, and baseball.
- May 5: Alex Ross, author of the local nature book, Between Home and the Highland Rookery, will be the speaker. Alex is an amateur nature photographer and graphic designer who captures the natural beauty that can be found in the region. The first printing of his fascinating book was a quick sell-out.
- Every year in June, the Society end its meeting year with a picnic and a program featuring photographs taken by members. Now is the time for local residents to start adding new pictures to their collections. Have you visited a natural area that is off the beaten path? Seen some particularly lovely fall colors, sunsets, spring flowers, birds at your feeders? The Society encourages you to record them and share, while making notes about where and when you took the photos or videos.
2022 Sand Ridge Audubon Society meetings occur at the Sand Ridge Nature Center on the first Fridays at 7 p.m.; September through June (unless that day falls on a holiday weekend, in which case it moves to the next week). Please note the April Meeting will be on Friday April 14 due to the observance of Good Friday.
For further information about the Sand Ridge Audubon Society, call Karen at 219-718-3451.
Sand Ridge Nature Center is located at 15891 Paxton Avenue in South Holland.
