








Join us on May 17th for a fun and family-friendly morning as we explore the Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve. We will look for the many migrating and resident birds found there.
From 8-11:00 a.m. you can join a guided bird tour or take off on your own and look for our featured friends. Maybe you can spot our bird featured below in the Beginning Birder section. We will be giving out FREE "Illinois Birds" pocket guides while supplies last.
If you get hot, we’ll have a shady rest area, as well as a restroom, drinks and snacks.
The date of the festival should be give you a chance to see birds like the Carolina Wren, Wood Thrush, Eastern Wood Peesee, and Baltimore Oriole.
The preserve is located about two miles south of Leaf River. The new parking lot is off of Leaf River Road. If you have any questions, call Mary and Keith Blackmore at 815-938-3204.
Join us on May 24th in the parking area of the Newell Tract of the Oakdale Nature Preserve at 9:00 a.m. (This is the part of Oakdale on the west side of Crane’s Grove Road.) Kids will look for birds and other neat stuff until 10:30 a.m. Leaders Carol Redmore and Keith Blackmore will join the kids on the morning walk. We hope to see you there!
Children, Nature and You Resources to help you give the children you influence the awe and wonder that only the natural world can inspire
Freeport Park District Information on all the Freeport parks
Freeport Public Library More than books on a shelf...visit the Freeport Public Library
Freeport Outdoor Experience Events located in Freeport and Stephenson County
Getting Kids Involved (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Includes bird information, tips, and more for kids and families
Jane Addams Recreation Trail Ride or Hike the beautiful Jane Addams Trail
Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots A program of the Jane Goodall Institute offering a variety of programs and resources
NASA Climate Kids to tell the story of our changing planet through the eyes of NASA missions studying Earth and provides games, activities, and articles that make climate science accessible and engaging for children
National Audubon for Kids provides resources for classroom curriculum, DIY activities, and bird activities for children at home
National Wildlife Federation Many family-friendly articles; Ranger Rick family magazine
Resource Guide Supplement to Last Child in the Woods Designed for parents, teachers, and community leaders to help them encourage children’s enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Severson Dells Nature Center Located near Rockford, IL.
Sierra Club Outdoors The program's goal is to give every child in America an outdoor experience.
World Migratory Bird Day Learn about the importance of migratory birds and how to celebrate birds any day of the year!
Can you guess which bird is identified below? Which of these can we find? Get out your bird books or go online and see if you can bring the identity of these birds with you when you come with us on the Special Children’s Nature Walk at Oakdale on May 24. These are birds we are likely to see that morning:
Bird A
Bird B
Bird C
Bird D
Bird E
Bird F
How about this creature we might see?
Or we might find this one:
Backyard Feeding Tips to Attract the Baltimore Oriole
Jelly is one of the most effective oriole foods you can offer. Smooth grape jelly is best, but the birds will also take orange marmalade or red cherry, strawberry or raspberry jellies. Offer jelly in small dishes, in a hollow orange rind or smeared on an orange half and the orioles won’t be able to leave it alone. Do not, however, offer sugar free jellies; it is the sugar that gives the birds the necessary energy and calories they need. Ideally, organic jellies are best.