








Your best chance to see a Northern Saw-Whet Owl may be to participate in one of Sand Bluff Bird Observatory’s Owl Nights this October. Reservations are required for either Saturday, October 18 or Friday, October 24 at Sand Bluff near Shirland in Winnebago county. Each event begins at 7 p.m. While catching owls is never guaranteed, it would be a rare opportunity to hold, photograph and release one after banding. A minimum of 10 and maximum of 25 participants is required for each evening. A $25 donation per person is requested. Contact Steve Reischel for details and reservations at 608-882-6703.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
This tiny owl with a catlike face, oversized head, and bright yellow eyes is practically bursting with attitude and makes a great bird to study for October, the month of Halloween!
These owls are highly nocturnal and are seldom seem but their high-pitched “too-too-too” call is a common evening sound.
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!
Have several kinds of apples; cut one piece from each apple for each child; ask them to describe the taste, to compare and contrast one kind to another.
Cut one apple. Have the child feel the skin and talk about its smoothness; then feel the white “meat” of the apple and describe.
Cut one apple horizontally. Can everyone see the star shape?
Guess how many seeds are in the apple. Cut another apple; count the seeds.
Talk about the life cycle of an apple a book or poster can be helpful, or simply cut pictures of each stage. The books listed in the “Book Nook” illustrate this.
Put the apple slices that you have cut into a bowl, add water, and microwave until they are mushy. Add a little cinnamon and sugar and taste. How do the cooked apples feel? How do they taste?
List the foods that can be made from apples.
Put several fall items into a paper sack an apple, an acorn, an oak leaf, a maple leaf, a pine cone, a walnut, some pine needles, a squash, a gourd, a fall flower a small pumpkin if you have a big sack. Have the child reach in the bag and touch one object, then guess what he thinks it is. Is it rough or smooth, prickly, crinkly? Take out the objects and compare and contrast how they feel, their size, the smell, the colors. Show the difference between an oak leaf and a maple, or any other leaves you choose.
Put the same items, or other fall items you choose, on a tray; have everyone look closely, take the tray away, and have the kids name the items on the tray.
Check out our full calendar of activities, events, and educational opportunities. You're sure to find something to interest you. Please join us!
Events include:
For more details, see the current newsletter.
Friday, Sep. 29, 2023
September 29 Birdseed Sale Order Deadline!...
Friday, Sep. 29, 2023
Full Moon Campfire at Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve...
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023
Program: Update from Illinois Evironmental Council, 2023 Annual Report...
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023
Field Trip: Maquoketa Caves State Park...