








Juliet D’Souza and/or Nancy Ocken host a monthly series called Wildlife Wednesdays at the Freeport Public Library. During the program, there is a special story time followed by an activity related to the theme. Appropriate audience is 2—7 year olds. The theme on Feb. 3rd will be “Bears and other hibernating animals” and March 2nd will be “Spring Weather.”
Open to all ages. Celebrate the first day of spring by being outside! We will provide binoculars for the kids to use to see which birds have returned to the area. We will look for other signs of wildlife and any emerging plant life ready for spring.
Dress appropriately for weather! Sign-ups are encouraged — please use Facebook or call Juliet at 201-233-0946. Call if weather is questionable. Meet in the parking lot of the Newell Tract, found on the West side of Cranes Grove Road.
Join us for any or all of these evening outings to watch and listen for American Woodcocks performing the “Sky Dance!” When and if this begins is an educated guess so be sure you call the leader before you make the trip!
American Woodcock
Scolopax minor
The very well camouflaged brown-mottled American Woodcock searches on the forest floor with its long bill in hopes of finding earthworms. This plump little shorebird lives in young forests and shrubby old fields just like our Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve! It is hard to spot except in the springtime at dawn or dusk, when the males show off for females. Conservationist Aldo Leopold wrote about this amazing sky dance in his book, A Sand County Almanac. He called the “meep” sounds “peents.” Here is a description of what he saw:
“Up and up he goes, the spirals steeper and smaller, the twittering louder and louder, until the performer is only a speck in the sky. Then, without warning, he tumbles like a crippled plane, giving voice in a soft liquid warble that a March bluebird might envy. At a few feet from the ground, he levels off and returns to his peenting ground, usually to the exact spot where the performance began, and resumes his peenting.”
* Some information taken from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Check it out!
Can you spot the Haiku poem about the Woodcock in our Feb./March issue of the newsletter? I’ll give you a hint...it’s on page 2!
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!
Several family members or friends can pretend to be a flock of migrating birds—perhaps in a V-shape as with geese. Have them rotate position so the lead bird can go to the back for a break and another moves into leadership.
Birds call to signal each other you can make this fun by having the lead bird call back things like, “You getting too tired, Jack?” or “How are you doing, Livy?”
As migration brings more birds to our area, you can welcome them with a homemade bird bath as well as commercial ones. They can drink and bathe and fluff their feathers after their long journey. You can simply use a garbage lid. Or use large plant saucers or shallow bowls placed on tree stumps. The water should be no more than 3 inches deep. If it is deeper than that, you can put gravel or stones in the bottom—which is a good idea anyway to anchor it more firmly.
Be sure to change the water and to keep it clean; you can hose it down for a quick cleaning; occasionally wash with warm water and soap and a brush; scrub it vigorously, then rinse thoroughly. An adult can add a little bleach to the water; in that case, take special care to rinse thoroughly. Put your birdbath near shrubs or trees.
Ideally, these devices would be about 4 inches apart, but you can judge how much you need by whether birds frequently hit your windows.
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.
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023
Program: Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter...
Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
Christmas Bird Count...
Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
Beginning Birder Club- Bird Movement - REGISTRATION CLOSED - Contact for waitlist...
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024
Program: Birds and Beauty in Arizona...