Birding the Bottomlands

Saturday, April 21, 2012 © Brian Small

The Middle Mississippi River Partnership has teamed up with the Chester Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, Southern Illinois and Kaskaskia Valley Audubon Societies, Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site, Clifftop, and the Kaskaskia Lock and Dam to host the 2012 Birding the Bottomlands Event.

This event will highlight the Birding the Bottomlands map and brochure, which identifies dozens of public birding locations along the middle Mississippi River, in both Illinois and Missouri. Birders of all ages will have an opportunity to view migratory songbirds in their most vibrant colors.

Ten birding locations will be staffed by expert birders, two sites will offer canoe birding adventures. Our afternoon festival will feature many conservation related educational and demonstration activities.

Birding Field Session Birding Festival 6 - 10 AM 12 - 3 PM

Expert birders will be stationed at the U.S. Forest Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site - Visit the site of the fort Service’s Oakwood Bottoms, Missouri Department constructed by the French in 1759 Illinois’s first capital. of Conservation’s Seventy Six and Red Rock Landing Conservation Areas, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Enjoy a large selection of wildlife management Service’s Wilkinson Island Division. Arrive at your demonstrations and family friendly activities. To celebrate convenience and explore these “treasurers of the middle Birding the Bottomlands, a cake cutting ceremony will Mississippi”. Maps, birding charts and expert advice will take place immediately followed by several presentations be available. and Free Again, Inc. will be there with live birds of prey!

Participants interested in a canoeing adventure should For lodging and meal venues in and around Chester, IL, visit the U.S. Forest Service’s Turkey Bayou and U.S. Fish or to get updated information related to severe weather and Wildlife Service’s Wilkinson Island Division. You may please visit www.midmiss.org. provide your own non-motorized watercraft, or a limited supply of canoes will be available on a first-come, first- serve basis. Guided tours will leave at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 AM. Arrive early to register! www.midmiss.org Kaskaskia River WILLISVILLEChester Welcome Center/Chamber of Commerce KASKASKIA State Fish and Wildlife Area Pyramid LOCK & DAM T R L Randolph County N 10 ChesterState Park By-Pass Road, Chester, IL - 618-826-2721 TO W EE W N A State Recreation Area H S H

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From the intersection of Gorham Road and Illinois Route 3, travel south on Illinois Route n I L C Tree Nursery ia S A d S K n I E L I P E P B Trail of Tears k 3 for 2 miles to Oakwood Bottoms/Johns Spur Road (800 N). Proceed east 1 mile to the ")V R I e D e L State Forest r E V C E Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir l l k k E e e e C r re e ")177 R r C r D F r o O a in C WARE H k L ")146 w s n L u a I fo D i S o o d Trail of } r R Turkey Bayou Recreation Area (T2) d n (89 24’ 43.237”W; 37 40’ 27.411” N) D I Cr e Tears l k t e e it State Park F At the north end of Oakwood Bottoms Road. e L l e o k r r C a e n C a r ")72 C ")Y e e o B o k Seventy-Six Conservation Area (MO 7) (89 37’ 22.349”W;y 37 43’ 25.362” N) r d CAPE Union County C r From the intersection of MO Hwy C and Route D, continue northe on Route D until you State Fish and Wildlife Area e k GIRARDEAU GIRARDEAUk S reach the conservation area. e ko e L a r it k S tle i C c Fl e

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