Sunday Morning Bird Walks
By far our most popular events, CCAS’s Sunday Morning Walks have been delighting our members and friends since the 1940s.
Birders of all skill levels are welcome!
Guided bird walks are held on Sunday mornings during the spring and fall migration seasons: March through May and September through October. We meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot (1505 N. Broadway, Urbana) at 7:30 AM, then decide whether to walk into Crystal Lake Park or Busey Woods. These parks play host to 36 species of warblers every spring as well as large numbers of vireos, thrushes, orioles, and tanagers. CCAS guides will help you notice birds that they see and hear. Walks officially last about 1.5 hours, although some folks stay later if the birding is good.
In 2005, CCAS compiled a Busey Woods Bird Checklist in memory of Bob Chapel, who contributed many of the 227 species listed. Feel free to download a copy for yourself and see how many species you can find!
There are several landmarks in Crystal Lake Park that you will hear CCAS members mention when birding; check out this map of Crystal Lake Park to familiarize yourself with those landmarks.
