[BCNnet] Important Bird Areas

[Judy Pollock]

Hi Illinois Important Birders,

A list of the newly designated state-level Illinois Important Bird Areas 
has been posted.  These are the first set of sites, which include species 
of state concern and  congregations of migratory birds wit the exception of 
migratory landbirds.

Thanks - thanks - thanks - thanks!  to everyone who filled out nominations. 
(Three of these people were rewarded with gifts of optics - see the web 
site for their names.) If you don't see the site you nominated listed, it 
is probably because the technical committee needs to refine criteria in the 
category it qualifies under so it will be considered again in round 2.

The technical committee is eagerly seeking a second round of 
nominations,  especially for good landbird migrant spots, rare and unique 
habitat types (more information about both these criteria will be published 
soon), and additional sites that probably qualify (a list of these is 
available on the website.)  If you regularly bird any of the sites on our 
"most wanted" list, your data is urgently needed; it would be great if you 
could help to nominate the site.  The form is a little dizzying -  give me 
a call for tips on how to get through it easily.

A schedule of events at IBAs is also posted - some of them take place this 
weekend, so you may want to check the site out today.  One in the Chicago 
area that may be of particular interest is the Bartel grassland Fall Fest 
and IBA dedication - tomorrow from 9 to 12.

Once a site is dedicated, this opens an opportunity for conservation 
planning efforts to address threats to habitat, for monitoring, and for 
forming an IBA stewards group.  If you have a favorite spot on the list 
that could benefit from any of these, contact me.

There are two web sites with slightly different info:

Map of Chicago sites, statewide list of events, link to the other 
site:  www.bcnbirds.org
Map of Illinois sites, criteria, contest winners:  www.habitatproject.org
Both sites have a list of the "Most Wanted" nominations and a list of all 
48 IBAs along with the reasons they were selected.

  Thoughts, feedback, inquiries, suggestions, observations .. and 
nominations!  all help to advance this effort and all are welcome.  The 
number of  individuals, groups and agencies that have enthusiastically 
participated in the IBA program so far is a little awe - inspiring; if you 
see a way in which the program can help bird habitat conservation, climb on 
board!

Judy



Judy Pollock
bobolnk@ix.netcom.com
Evanston (Cook)