dete bel OeNaB Ul test LN 11 
Mr. R. G. Bjorklund of Bradley University showed slides of the heronry 
just north of Pekin before logging operations and after logging had 
taken place. 
Dr. Betz showed slides of Goose Lake Prairie, the 1,200-acre tract of 
wild beauty in Grundy County, the largest remaining example of prairie 
in Illinois. Many members of the Audubon Society have written to the 
Governor and officials involved to have this land acquired promptly as 
a state vark. 
A panel on “Decline of Birds of Prey” was moderated by Pete Peterson, 
Jr., with Terrence Ingram of Wisconsin and Elton Fawks of. Illinois 
participating. Two causes of decline were pointed out: danger from pesti- 
cides and their build-up in the food chain, particularly, and shooting by 
trigger nuts. Questions from the audience followed the performance of 
the panel. 
The annual BANQUET Saturday night, with beautiful decorations, 
place cards and programs created or arranged for by the DECATUR AUDU- 
BON SOCIETY, climaxed the program. Mrs. Norma Riehl is president of 
the society, with a large, loyal group assisting. Immediately following the 
dinner President Mostek introduced Betty Groth to presentathnes Drak: MM, 
STRONG CONSERVATION AWARD. It was given by the Society—for 
dedicated and loyal work to preserve PEACOCK PRAIRIE—to MRS. 
FRANKLIN POPELKA of Glenview. In accepting the award, Mrs. Pepelka’s 
gracious and dedicated personality in this vital cause showed the dominant 
traits that won this conservation victory for Illinois. The National Audubon 
Society regional representative, attending from Wisconsin, asked for a 
copy of Betty Groth’s presentation of the Strong Award for publication in 
the Badger Outdoor Magazine. 
THE MAIN PROGRAM FOLLOWING the award was a BRILLIANT, 
BEAUTIFUL COLOR MOVIE FILM “WILD WINGS” created and narrated 
by MR. W. M. LONGNECKER of Davenport, Iowa. The audience was spell- 
bound by this outstanding nature photography. As Mr. Longnecker said, 
sometimes it takes him five years to be satisfied with a shot for inclusion 
in his program. We look forward to more of this remarkable talent. 
SUNDAY MORNING BIRDING, early and late, was climaxed with 
an outdoor buffet luncheon in Nelson Park, Decatur, where the following 
139 bird-species list was compiled. Reports came from trips to Buck’s 
Pond, Allerton Park, Shelbyville Reservoir, Twin Bridges, the Irwin’s, 
Spitler Woods, and Decatur: 
Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, American Bittern, Mallard Duck, Black Duck, Gadwell 
Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Widgeon, Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Turkey 
Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, 
Rough-legged Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Sparrow Hawk, Bobwhite, Ring-necked Pheasant, Sora, Coot, 
Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Golden Plover, Woodcock, snipe, Upland Plover, Spotted 
Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sand- 
piper, Ring-necked Gull, Common Tern, Mourning Dove, Horned Owl, Barred Owl, and 
Whip-poor-will. 
Also Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Hummingbird, Kingfisher, Yellow-shafter Flicker, Red- 
bellied Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Wood- 
pecker, Eastern Kingbird, Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Least Flycatcher, Wood Bewee, 
Horned Lark, Tree Swallow, Bank Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Martin, 
Blue Jay, Crow, Chickadee, Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, House Wren, 
Winter Wren, Carolina Wren, Mockingbird, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Robin, Wood Thrush, 
Hermit Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Gray-cheeked Thrush, and Eastern Bluebird. 
Also Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Loggerhead 
