We’re excited to launch a novel and modern home for the Illinois Ornithological Records Committee: the Illinois Bird Records website. This publicly accessible site offers a user-friendly and intuitive way to explore all records of rare birds in Illinois, both past and present.
This dynamic hub is dedicated to bringing historic bird data to life. By combining decades of recorded observations with modern user-friendly tools, this platform allows visitors to explore historic and current records like never before.
The Illinois Ornithological Records Committee (IORC), founded in 1985, evaluates the evidence for records of birds that are rare or unusual in Illinois, determining whether the evidence warrants their acceptance as part of Illinois’ ornithological record. As a standing committee of the Illinois Audubon Society, IORC strives to maintain and promote access to submitted records of ornithological field data in Illinois, and encourage future submissions from birders.
Illinois Bird Records maintains the details on rare bird occurrences in Illinois as far back as 1857. The website also houses historic IAS and IOS Publications, including all past issues of both Illinois Birds and Birding and the Meadowlark Journal. Additionally, Listers Corner, a long-standing tradition, will now live on the Illinois Bird Records website along with its archives.
This website would not have been possible without the countless years of volunteer commitment offered by Geoff Williamson, IORC Secretary, additional support from Nathan Goldberg, IAS Director of Conservation Science, and Heather Acton and her creative team at Helio. This marks a milestone that is the result of the collaborative merger of Illinois Ornithological Society and Illinois Audubon Society in early 2025.
Whether you’re a researcher, student, birder, or simply curious about the natural world – Illinois Bird Records offers a unique window into the past – helping deepen our understanding of how bird populations have changed over time and why that knowledge matters today.
A wealth of information for the Bird and Birding enthusiast; now at our fingertips. Thank you volunteers and staff. Bravo!