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Sunday, October 14th

The Big Sit

5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Come join us at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area to enjoy a day of birding as part of Columbia Audubon’s second annual Big Sit (following last year’s inaugural event). You can stop in and join the fun at any time between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. CAS will be providing a canopy for some relief from

October Meeting: Birding Missouri State Parks

7:00 p.m.

Join CAS at our annual monthly meeting for a presentation by Allison Vaughn of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on how Missouri state parks encompass a wide range of habitat types that are managed solely for their natural ecological qualities. She will discuss some of the best birding opportunities in state parks with a

Field Trip to Rocky Fork Lakes CA

8:00 a.m.

Carpool departs from Moser's (4840 Rangeline St.) at 7:50 a.m.

Join us on this trip to Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area, where we will explore this reclaimed coal mining area. There are several small lakes and one big lake that could have waterfowl this time of year. There are also several pine stands that sometimes have Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pine Siskins or even Crossbills. The trip

Field Trip to Bluestem Knoll Savanna

Carpool departs from the AC commuter parking lot at 7:30 a.m.

Expect sparrows, bluebirds, hawks, other wintering species. This is a burn unit that is very shrubby right now, so shrub-loving birds will dominate. Lunch at Shawnee Bluff Winery at Bagnell Dam on the way back to Columbia. Should be back by 3:00 p.m. Leader: Allison Vaughn Contact Info: allisonjv@yahoo.com

Field Trip to Binder Lake

9 a.m. until noon

We’ll carpool from the AC Commuter Parking Lot at 8:20 a.m. The lot is on the southeast corner of the AC exit off Hwy 63 on Lenoir St.

If you’re not joining the carpool, meet at the tackle shop on the north side of the lake at 9:00 a.m. where we will join with RBAS. After the trip we’ll have lunch near Binder Lake at Dudley’s Café. (Note: Dudley’s Café only takes cash)

November Meeting: Raptors of Missouri including eagles, vultures, osprey, hawks, harriers, kites, falcons, and caracara.

7:00 p.m.

Join CAS at our annual monthly meeting for a presentation by Brad Jacobs. Please note that this meeting is being held on the second Wednesday of November, not the usual third Wednesday, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Raptors hold a special place in the world of scientists, birders, falconers, kings, and the general public. This

Field Trip to Longbranch Lake and Thomas Hill Reservoir

Carpool departs from Moser's at 6:30 a.m. - 4840 Range Line St, Columbia, MO 65202

We leave Moser’s at 6:30 a.m. and return by 4:00 p.m. Mostly driving and stopping at viewpoints looking for gulls, grebes, loons, waterfowl, and a possible Northern Shrike. With a possible easy trail walk. Bring: Binoculars, and spotting scope and FRS radio if you have one. Leader: Brad Jacobs Contact Info: robertbjacobs@gmail.com

Field Trip to Grassland Trail – Rock Bridge Memorial SP

8:00 a.m.

Meet at the Grassland Trail parking lot on E Rock Bridge Lane. This area was burned in 2017 and hosts a great display of prairie grasslands teeming with prairie plant seeds and lots of sparrows and raptors. The trail passes by natural sinkhole ponds that sometimes harbor wetland birds. A section of the trail traverses’ woodlands

Field Trip to Bradford Farm

Carpool departs AC commuter parking lot at 7:30 a.m.

Participants can either (1) rendezvous at AC commuter lot at 7:30 a.m. to caravan and bird our way through South Farm on the way to Bradford, or (2) meet at the Bradford conference center parking lot and start birding by 9:00 a.m. We’ll try to leave Bradford by noon. We will bird Bradford by car and

2018 Christmas Bird Count

All Day

On Saturday, December 15 we will be counting birds within a 15 mile radius of Rock Bridge Elementary school in south Columbia. This count circle is broken into many areas, each with a leader and helpers who try to find and count as many of the early-winter birds as possible. Most groups start early (sometimes

Annual Chili Supper Potluck

6:00pm

This is the annual chili supper potluck following the Christmas Bird Count, at which we share food and company while reporting and compiling the results of the day-long count. The potluck is open to everyone — not just CBC birders — and will start at 6 p.m. at Fairview Road Community of Christ Church, 1111

Rock Bridge Memorial SP – First Day Hike

10:00 AM

Bird Watching on the Karst Trail Hike the gently rolling terrain of the Karst Trail through woodlands and grassland while observing birds with the assistance of experienced Columbia Audubon Society members (moderate, 1.75 miles). This event is free. Reservations are required because space is limited. When you call 573-449-7400, you will be given driving directions

CANCELLED: Book discussion: Welcome to Subirdia, by John M. Marzluff

7:00-8:00 p.m.

We regret to announce that this event has been cancelled due to the potential for freezing fog/rain during the day and into the evening. We apologize for the late notice but had been waiting to assess the forecast as it developed in hopes that better conditions would prevail. The CAS board meeting scheduled for 6

Field Trip to Clarence Cannon NWR

7:00 a.m.

The carpool will leave from Moser’s on Keene St. at 7:00 a.m.

We will join the St Louis Audubon Society group at the Visitor Center at Clarence Cannon NWR at 9:00 a.m. The SLAS trip will last all day and the CAS group will plan to return to Columbia no later than 6 p.m. We can plan for a car to return earlier if people are so inclined. Contact

Great Backyard Feeder Crawl

8:00 a.m.

Carpool will leave from Songbird Station, 2010 Chapel Plaza Court #C, Columbia, MO

This Feeder Crawl will start at Songbird Station at 8 a.m. From there we’ll ‘crawl’ to various backyard bird feeders in and around the Columbia area and count birds for at least 15 minutes at each backyard, then submit each checklist to eBird. The trip will last about 3 hours and return to Songbird Station

February Meeting: Dr. Charles Nilon (MU School of Natural Resources)

7:00 p.m.

Join CAS at our monthly meeting for a presentation by Charles Nilon, PhD, who will speak about his research on the relationship between humans and wildlife in urban communities: Since 1997, Nilon has been a co-principal investigator on the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES), one of two urban ecosystems included in the National Science Foundation’s Long-Term

Field Trip to Davisdale CA

The Carpool wili leave Moser's on Keene St at 9 a.m.

We’ll explore an extensive trail system mostly on foot over moderate to hilly terrain. We’ll grab lunch in Rocheport at about noon before we head back to Columbia. Leader: John Besser Contact Info: jbesser1@gmail.com

Field Trip to High Ridge Trail – Rock Bridge Memorial SP

8:00 a.m.

Louise Flenner will be leading the walk looking for birds on High Ridge Trail. The trail climbs to a hilltop and follows a ridge before descending to follow Clear Creek. The ridge has scenic views of the park and native grasslands. We will meet at the parking lot on Rock Quarry Road near the intersection

Twilight Timberdoodle Trek

6:30 p.m.

The Carpool will leave Moser's on Rangeline St at 6:30 p.m.

Meet at Moser’s Foods parking lot on Rangeline Street at 6:30 p.m. The goal for this evening field trip is to hear and see (hopefully!) the twilight mating ritual of the American Woodcock (A.K.A. Timberdoodle). Please bring a flashlight. Leader: Eric Wood Contact Info: ewood802@yahoo.com or 573-673-0215

March Meeting: “Eagle Bluffs: an environmental success story”

7:00 p.m.

At the March Meeting, Carl Gerhardt will present the documentary: “Eagle Bluffs: an environmental success story.” This newly edited version is a minute or two shorter than the version that was broadcasted on KMOS (about 24 min). The political story is unchanged and chronicles the efforts of a group of citizens—primarily Doug Elley ang Hank

Field Trip to Sinkhole Trail – Rock Bridge Memorial SP

8:00 a.m.

Meet at the Devil’s Icebox Parking lot for a walk with Allison Vaughn along the Sinkhole Trail. The trail follows an old road past the historic site of Rockbridge Mills. The trial continues up a forested valley to the top of a ridge where we will find old fields and sinkholes. Two concrete silos stand

Nature Walk along Grindstone Creek

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy some fresh air and exercise while learning how streams and their diverse riparian communities benefit Columbia’s residents and visitors, including migratory birds. John Besser (CAS’s president), Lynne Hooper (Boone County’s urban hydrologist), and Dave Dittmer (a forester with Columbia Parks and Recreation) will lead this walk along Grindstone Creek. Registration is not necessary. Dress

Field Trip: Introduction to Recording Bird Vocalizations

8:00 a.m. to approx. noon

Carpool and directions will be arranged by email with registered participants (spaces still available); location is about 12 miles north of Columbia.

We can accommodate about 12 participants; please reserve a space in advance by email: contactus@cherthollowfarm.com. As of April 3, seven spaces are still available. Smart phones and other basic devices make it easy and affordable to record bird vocalizations without specialized equipment; via eBird, you can readily contribute to the Macaulay Library, a growing global

Field Trip to Prairie Garden Trust

8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Carpool will leave Moser's (900 N. Keene St.) at 8:00 a.m.

We will explore the savanna area overlooking forests, walk along Hillers Creek, explore the native prairies that are sustained by prescribed burns and walk along the lotus ponds. If meeting at PGT be there by 8:40 AM. For directions or to learn more about PGT please visit their website at http://prairiegardentrust.org/ Leader: Eric Wood Contact

Field Trip to Schnabel Woods Natural Area

8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Meet at the McBaine Traihead, Katy Trail State Park at 8 a.m. Schnabel Woods NA is owned by the University of Missouri and contains 80 acres of old growth forest. Walk on the Katy Trail for approximately 1.5 miles from the McBaine Trailhead to an access point into Schnabel Woods NA. Will need to cross

Nature walk along Hinkson Creek

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy some fresh air and exercise while learning how streams and their diverse riparian communities benefit Columbia’s residents and visitors, including migratory birds. John Besser (CAS’s president), Lynne Hooper (Boone County’s urban hydrologist), and Dave Dittmer (a forester with Columbia Parks and Recreation) will lead this walk along Hinkson Creek. Registration is not necessary. Dress

POSTPONED Field Trip: Whip-poor-wills and Chuck-wills-widows at Rocky Fork Lakes CA

7:30 p.m.

THIS TRIP IS POSTPONED due to the forecast for heavy rain from Monday night through Tuesday night, including a Flash Flood Watch. We will try the trip again next Tuesday, May 14 at the same location and time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join us for this evening walk through the mixed habitats of Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area

Rescheduled Field Trip: Whip-poor-wills and Chuck-wills-widows at Rocky Fork Lakes CA

7:30 p.m.

(postponed from May 7) Join us for this evening walk through the mixed habitats of Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area in northern Boone County to listen for and hopefully hear the distinct sounds of Whip-poor-wills and Chuck-will’s-widows. These nocturnal birds are hard to see but fun to hear once their song begins from dusk into

Field trip: Columbia Audubon & Bonnie View Nature Sanctuaries

8:30-11:30 a.m.

Join us for a stroll through the restored prairie and woodlands of the Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary and the adjacent Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary to explore the areas’ birds, wildflowers, and other natural features. We’ll start and end at the Bonnie View picnic shelter, 3300 Rollins Rd, where the CAS May membership meeting will subsequently

May meeting: picnic at Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary

Noon to 3:00 p.m.

The May membership meeting will consist of a potluck picnic from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Bonnie View picnic shelter, 3300 Rollins Rd, preceded by a morning bird walk. To help CAS make this a greener event, we encourage attendees to bring their own reusable dishware to reduce waste, though CAS will have some

Field Trip to Three Creeks CA

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Meet at the AC Commuter Parking Lot

The field trip to Eagle Bluffs has been cancelled due to Flooding but weather permitting we can walk at Three Creeks Saturday morning. We’ll carpool from the AC Commuter Parking Lot at 9 a.m. The lot is on the southeast corner of the AC exit off Hwy 63 on Lenoir St. If you’re not joining

Summer book discussion: Welcome to Subirdia, by John M. Marzluff

6:30 p.m.

This is a rescheduling of a book discussion originally planned in January but postponed due to winter weather. The new date, near the summer solstice, means that there is enough daylight to both talk about the book and observe birds in subirdia. We’ll allow for about an hour of book discussion (starting at 6:30 p.m.)

Field trip: Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area

5:00 p.m.

Carpool from Katy Trail lot at McBaine departs at 4:45 p.m.

Eagle Bluffs has recently reopened after its long closure due to the severe flooding this summer and damage to various parts of the conservation area’s infrastructure, some of which is still being repaired. New area manager Brady Lichtenberg has graciously offered to meet us on-site after normal working hours to talk about the summer’s events

Field trip: Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary

8:30 a.m.

Meet at the CANS parking lot at 8:30 a.m. for a 1.5 mile hike. We’ll tour the prairie restoration area to identify plants and then head out for a birding hike through the woodlands and grasslands. Wear long pants since seed ticks will still be active. Contact trip leader Allison Vaughn with any questions.

Field trip: 3M Wetland, Columbia

5:30 p.m.

Join us for a weekday evening walk along the 3M Wetland Trail in southwest Columbia. This flat gravel loop off the main MKT trail circles a restored wetland area with a variety of interesting habitats. We’ll meet at the Forum Nature Area parking lot at 5:30 pm. and walk the MKT trail up to

Field trip: Prairie Garden Trust

9:00 a.m.

Meet at the AC commuter lot for 8:15 a.m. departure

Come explore the prairies, forests, wetlands, and creek bottoms at Prairie Garden Trust, a beautiful landscape that is actively managed to encourage native biodiversity and beauty. Visits here are always rewarded with interesting birds, plants, insects, and landscapes. We’ll carpool to the site to participate in their regular 9:00 a.m. “Second Saturday” stroll. PGT is

September meeting: Earth exploration with Edge

7:00 p.m.

For the September program, Columbia Audubon Society member Edge Wade will present photos she’s bummed from others to illustrate the variety of birds and other critters seen in travels over the past year. We’ll warm up with a visit to the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, including dry areas of the Brazilian Plateau and riparian

Field Trip: Get Re-acquainted with Wild Haven Nature Area

9:00 a.m. to noon

Meet at the Moser's parking lot at 900 Keene St. for 8:45 a.m. departure

Wild Haven is Columbia Audubon’s oldest and largest nature area. It consists of over 100 acres of open oak woodlands and riparian forest along a one-mile section of upper Hinkson Creek, about 10 miles from downtown Columbia. This trip should be near the peak of fall bird migration. We will also inspect some of the

Field Trip: Hawk Watch Happy Hour

4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

This “field trip” is timed to coincide with the peak southbound migration of Broad-winged Hawks, sometimes seen in groups numbering in the hundreds or even thousands as they pass through Missouri (see this recent Chat story for details). Our region lacks clear topographic features that would concentrate their movements, so we’ll take a different approach:

Field trip: Beginning birder’s walk at Garth Nature Area, Columbia

4:30 p.m.

Join us at Garth Nature Area on the north side of Columbia for this beginner-friendly walk. We’ll walk level gravel trails to explore the area’s mix of trees, wetlands, and open ground within the Bear Creek floodplain, practicing our listening and looking skills with whatever birds we find. We will meet at the parking lot

Field Trip: Rock Bridge State Park

8:00 a.m.

Enjoy a fall morning of birding in the woods at Rock Bridge State Park. We’ll meet at the Devil’s Icebox parking lot at 8:00 a.m. and check the nearby area, then walk trails in search of interesting finds. Expect to finish by 10:30 a.m. Contact trip leader Edge Wade with any questions.

Field trip: Third annual Big Sit at Eagle Bluffs

6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Come join us at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area to enjoy a day of birding as part of Columbia Audubon’s third annual Big Sit (following the 2018 and 2017 editions). You can stop in and join the fun at any time between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. CAS will be providing a canopy for some relief

October meeting: Mike Szydlowski, Science Coordinator for Columbia Public Schools

7:00 p.m.

Please note: This meeting will be at Fairview Elementary (not the usual location).

Please note that this meeting will not be at the usual location. Instead, it will be held in the Media Center at Fairview Elementary School on South Fairview Road in Columbia. Mike Szydlowski, K-12 Science Coordinator for the Columbia Public School District, will speak on the new place-based nature curriculum at Fairview Elementary School and

Field Trip: Binder Lake, Jefferson City

9:00 a.m.

This is a joint trip with the River Bluffs Audubon Society (RBAS) to look for waterfowl and other birds on and around Jefferson City’s Binder Lake. We’ll carpool from the AC commuter lot at 8:20 a.m. If you want to come separately, meet at the Binder Tackle Shop on the north side of the lake

Field Trip: Tim Ernst Presentation at Runge Nature Center

Noon

Carpool from AC commuter lot at 11:15 a.m.

Many CAS members will enjoy the event described below. We’ll organize a carpool down to MDC’s Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City and do a bit of birding afterward. The carpool will leave the AC commuter lot at 11:15 a.m. (bring a lunch or eat early) to arrive on time for the noon start. The

Field Trip: Rocky Fork Lakes CA

1:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Join us for this Sunday afternoon trip to Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area to look for Red Crossbills, Red-Breasted Nuthatches, and fall sparrows along the main southeastern trail, especially in piney areas. We’ll also visit the northern shore to look for waterfowl, grebes, and gulls. Meeting place: No carpool, meet at the southern parking lot

November meeting: Why Our Yards Are So Important to the Full Life-cycle Conservation of Our Native Birds

7:00 p.m.

Margy Terpstra is an avid birder, nature photographer, and lifelong gardener with a degree in Horticulture. She is a member of the Audubon Society, Wild Ones, and Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers (MoNEP). Since 1996, Margy and her husband Dan have worked together to remove invasive plants, restore their half-acre property in Kirkwood with beautiful

Field trip: Black Friday Birding at Songbird Station and 3M Wetland

2:00 pm social hour, 3:00–5:00 walk

Some people search for bargains after Thanksgiving; we’ll look for birds! First, there will be a social hour at Songbird Station (a generous sponsor of CAS) from 2:00–3:00 pm at 2010 Chapel Plaza Court, Suite C in Columbia. Come enjoy coffee, donuts, and conversation while selecting your winter bird seed and exploring a variety of

Field trip: Bradford Farm

2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Join trip leader Brad Jacobs to walk the grounds at MU’s Bradford Research Center, looking for a variety of sparrows (including LeConte’s) along with Western and Eastern Meadowlarks, Lapland Longspurs, Northern Harriers, Merlins, Rough-Legged Hawks, and other raptors. As twilight approaches, we’ll specifically look for Short-eared Owls. We will be walking slowly most of the

Christmas Bird Count

On Saturday, December 14 we will be counting birds within a 15 mile radius of Rock Bridge Elementary school in south Columbia. This count circle is broken into many areas, each with a leader and helpers who try to find and count as many of the early-winter birds as possible. Most groups start early (sometimes

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Sunday, October 14th

Wednesday, October 17th

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Saturday, November 3rd, 2018

Saturday, November 10th

Wednesday, November 14

Saturday, November 17th, 2018

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Saturday, December 1st, 2018

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Saturday, December 14, 2019