EVENTS

Our events are free and open to the public.  Any exceptions would be clearly noted.

Dubuque Audubon December Program

Ducks Unlimited – Wetlands Conservation

Thursday, 12/12/24
6:45 PM Social/Sharing Time
7 – 8 PM Program

EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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Mike Shannon, senior regional biologist in Iowa for Ducks Unlimited, will provide a brief overview of the continental work Ducks Unlimited is doing and then focus his presentation on wetland work in Iowa.  Mike is a waterfowl biologist and wetlands expert who has been with Ducks Unlimited for almost 25 years and leads the Iowa conservation team.  

Ben Berka, Ducks Unlimited Director of Development – Iowa, will be in attendance.

Christmas Bird Count Map - 10 mile radius
10 mile radius
American Robin

Dubuque Audubon Annual Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, 12/28/24
(Backup Date: 12/29/24)
Start:  8 AM
Result Compilation:  5 PM
followed by a potluck dinner

Starting Location: 
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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Compilation & Potluck: 
Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Nature Center
13606 Swiss Valley Road
Peosta, IA 52068
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The annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the longest running organized citizen science project in the United States.  Join Dubuque Audubon field trip leaders as we split into groups to identify and count birds within a 10 mile radius of Center Grove Methodist Church, Dubuque, IA.  Sectors include Swiss Valley, Mines of Spain, City of Dubuque, Western Dubuque, Deere Dike/north of Dubuque, Dubuque Airport, and western Grant County.

You may also sign up to participate by feeder-watching from home (see details below).

Meet at EB Lyons at 8 AM.  All skill levels are welcome.  As we move between locations, you can carpool with leaders or drive separately, depending on space and preference.  

Compilation will be at 5 pm at Swiss Valley Nature Center in the main floor meeting room, followed by a potluck.  All data will be submitted to the National Audubon Society and used to track trends in bird diversity.

Check back for details on the potluck closer to the event.  (We’ll provide some chili options.)

If you want to participate by watching a birdfeeder at home, please sign up in advance by emailing audubondubuque@gmail.com.

You would need to be within the radius we cover, which is essentially Dubuque, Asbury, East Dubuque, Sageville, Durango, and Centralia, and to follow the protocol of keeping track of your total birding time and counting how many you see of each species.  If you count periodically throughout the day, you should add up your total time spent, and you should not double-count birds.  For example, if you are watching your bird feeder and see 2 Blue Jays at once and then see 1 later that looks the same as the earlier birds, then your Blue Jay count would remain at 2.

On the day of the count, submit your results by emailing your name, birding location(s), total time spent, and your species list with corresponding counts to audubondubuque@gmail.com by 5 PM.

Dubuque Audubon January Program

TBD

Thursday, 1/9/25
6:45 PM Social/Sharing Time
7 – 8 PM Program

EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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Details will be added when the program is finalized.

Dubuque Audubon February Program

TBD

Thursday, 2/13/25
6:45 PM Social/Sharing Time
7 – 8 PM Program

EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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Details will be added when the program is finalized.

Northern Shoveler

Dubuque Audubon Annual Duck Waddle

Saturday, 3/8/25
(Traditionally the 2nd Saturday in March)

Green Island Wildlife Management Area
located in Jackson County, IA
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Join us on our annual trip to Green Island to observe migrating waterfowl!  Green Island is one of Iowa’s largest wetland complexes and attracts thousands of ducks, geese, cranes, and other aquatic-based birds each March.  Audubon guides will be on hand to help identify the numerous species.  Binoculars are recommended.  You may come and go as you choose.

Check back closer to the event for the specifics on the time and meeting location.

Normally the trip lasts most of the morning, and for those that wish, we end by having breakfast/lunch at a restaurant.

Dubuque Audubon March Program

Forest Management for Birds

Thursday, 3/13/25
6:45 PM Social/Sharing Time
7 – 8 PM Program

EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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Dr. Adam Janke of Iowa State University will speak about forest management for birds.  

Full details will be added very soon!

Dubuque Audubon April Program

TBD

Thursday, 4/10/25
6:45 PM Social/Sharing Time
7 – 8 PM Program

EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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Details will be added when the program is finalized.

Dubuque Audubon May Program

TBD

Thursday, 5/8/25
6:45 PM Social/Sharing Time
7 – 8 PM Program

EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map

Details will be added when the program is finalized.