Booming Prairie-Chickens – SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

Few performances in the bird world are more memorable than the dawn display of Greater Prairie-Chickens at their booming ground, or lek.

IOS and IL Young Birders, in partnership with the Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, is excited to offer the chance to observe Greater Prairie-Chickens displaying from inside the cover of a blind during the sunrise mating dance or “booming” at a lek.

Few performances in the bird world are more memorable than the dawn display of Greater Prairie-Chickens at their booming ground, or lek—the traditional spot where males dance, call, and try to impress females with their vigor while drumming with their feet and producing whooping and cackling calls. Before sunrise on Sunday, April 16, we will enter the blinds to watch the state-endangered Greater Prairie-Chicken booming on its lek.

This is a shared trip with ILYB. This trip will be limited to a total of 6 people.

IOS group size is extremely limited due to the size of the viewing blinds, which only hold twelve people total. Interested young birders have their own opportunity to register for half the space and IOS members will have access to the other half of the seats in the blinds. Anyone who register for this trip will be emailed important details and requirements of the trip – details we must follow in order to participate.

All participants myst abide by the requirements of this field trip, including staying in the blinds, sitting still, remaining quiet for the entire time, as well as not having access to any services or amenities during those hours. Please consider this when signing up for this field trip.

All transportation to and from Newton, IL, accommodations, and food expenses if you choose to stay overnight the night before are your own responsibility. The Cobblestone Inn in Newton, IL is nearby for those wishing to stay overnight close to the field trip location. Other overnight accommodations are available in Effingham, IL, about 45 minutes from the meeting location in Newton. Please consider booking a room soon if you plan to join this outing.

Free for Illinois Ornithological Society members; $10 for non-members.
Members, use your IOS registered email address as the promo code for a free ticket.

Please consider joining the IOS to enjoy free field trips and other benefits. Learn more about IOS here.

Click here to register for Booming Prairie-Chickens.