EVENTS
Our events are free and open to the public; any exceptions would be clearly noted.
PLEASE NOTE: If the Dubuque County School District cancels classes on the day of our event, our program will also be cancelled. Any changes or cancellations will be posted here if possible, as well as on Facebook.
When we share an event sponsored by another organization, please check with the sponsor for details and up-to-date information.
Dubuque Audubon January Program
Let’s Talk About the River
A Community Meeting with Big River Magazine and the Dubuque Audubon Society
Thursday, 1/8/25
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map
Our speaker will be Reggie McLeod, editor and publisher of Big River Magazine. He will be joined by several other members of the Big River crew to talk about the river, river issues, and the future of the magazine. We hope that you will share your river stories and concerns, as well as feedback regarding Big River Magazine.
There will be door prizes, snacks, and maybe a story or two. Perhaps you’ll bring a story to tell.
Dubuque Audubon February Program
What’s New at Green Island and Other Local Wildlife Management Areas
Thursday, 2/12/26
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map
Our speaker will be Nick McClimon, who is the Iowa DNR Wildlife Management Biologist for our district. His program will feature an update on Green Island and other DNR wildlife management areas near us.
Dubuque Audubon March Program
Voyage to the Bottom of the World
Thursday, 3/12/26
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map
In December of 2014, Ty Smedes spent almost a month exploring the southern reaches of the globe on the Expedition ship Ortelius. The first stop was the Falkland Islands, the site of the largest Black-browed Albatross colony in the world, numbering 220,000 breeding pairs. In addition, Rockhopper Penguin pairs were breeding in various places among the albatross.
Next stop was South Georgia Island, the diamond in the Southern Ocean’s crown jewels of Sub-Antarctic islands, a spectacular glaciated landscape home to some of the greatest wildlife densities found anywhere on earth. Ty will take us ashore to visit the huge Fur Seal Colonies and to witness the titanic struggle between bull Elephant Seals, each battling to become beach-master. We will visit King Penguin colonies numbering 335,000 pairs or more. We’ll see and hear their struggles to survive in a challenging climate, where some of the roughest seas in the world meet. This island, just 100 miles long and with 100 million birds, is the most wildlife-rich island on the planet!
Along the Antarctic Peninsula, we will visit dazzling blue icebergs in shapes that defy the imagination. This stunning landscape hosts several penguin species and the leopard seals that hunt them – framed by a backdrop of endless glaciers and spectacular mountain scenics.
Join us for this educational and visually stunning presentation about this beautiful and wildlife-rich part of the world.
Ty Smedes is an accomplished and internationally recognized photographer. He has been featured by the Iowa DNR, numerous magazines, has published several books, and leads international photo tours. In his words, “My ultimate goal is to help others enjoy, appreciate , and value our often fragile and threatened natural eco-systems and natural heritage.”
© Marty Corfman
Dubuque Audubon Annual Duck Waddle
Saturday, 3/14/26
(Tentative Date)
(Traditionally the 2nd Saturday in March)
Green Island Wildlife Management Area
located in Jackson County, IA
View Map
Join us on our annual trip to Green Island Wildlife Management Area in Jackson County 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.
Details will follow.
Dubuque Audubon April Program
Warbler Identification Made Easy
Thursday, 4/9/26
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map
Just in time for spring migration, Bob Walton will share some tips and tricks on identifying Warblers! The program will include photographs of the 36 species of warblers that frequent our area, and Bob will present techniques to help make identification easier. He will also discuss ways to improve backyard habitat to attract warblers to our homes.
Walton has a degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University and was hired as a naturalist by the Dubuque County Conservation Board in 1973 to establish the Swiss Valley Preserve and Nature Center. He retired in 2006 as the Executive Director of the Board.
Dubuque Audubon Annual Spring Species Count
Saturday, 5/9/26
(Tentative Date)
(Traditionally the Saturday before Mother’s Day)
Join us for our annual fun day of spring birding! You’re welcome to spend as much or as little time as you like. We’ll meet up for a potluck picnic at the end of the day. This event is free, and no birding experience is required. Audubon guides will be on hand to help you identify species.
Details will follow.
Dubuque Audubon May Program
Driftless Area Research on Red-shouldered Hawks and Cerulean Warblers (& More)
Thursday, 5/14/26
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map
Jon Stravers, director of Driftless Area Bird Conservation, will present summaries of Red-shouldered Hawk monitoring conducted each year since 1982, as well as summaries of Cerulean Warbler surveys conducted each year since 2009 in the Effigy Mounds/Yellow River Forest Bird Conservation Area of Northeast Iowa.
Red-shouldered Hawks are listed as an endangered species in Iowa. For the first 35 years, our surveys showed a relatively stable or even and slowly expanding population in Northeast Iowa. However, recent surveys have shown a drastic decline in nesting Red-shoulder nesting activity along the Mississippi River – most likely due to an increase in flood events and significant tree mortality in some sections of the Upper Mississippi Refuge.
Cerulean Warblers are one of Iowa’s rarest nesting warblers. Our initial surveys in 2009 thru 2012 revealed a somewhat unknown population of this species in Northeast Iowa. Subsequent surveys revealed a surprisingly dense and relatively stable population of Ceruleans, especially in Yellow River State Forest and Effigy Mounds National Monument. These findings were a critical factor in the Effigy Mounds/Yellow River Forest Bird Conservation Area being designated as “globally significant” in 2013.
With the support of Iowa Audubon and several Audubon Chapters and several government agencies, and with the help of a variety of younger field assistants, these projects have continued through the years.
PLUS: In the tradition of making this an interesting program, Jon will also include provocative bird photos from his work in the mountains of Costa Rica, from a season in the Arctic Wilderness on Baffin Island, and from his years of raptor migration work in the Manzano Mountains of New Mexico.
