








An Audubon member hosts 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 a theme.
Juliet Moderow will lead a winter hike to search for signs of wildlife. We will look for animal tracks, scat and other signs of animals that live at Oakdale. Dress appropriately for the weather including footwear that protects your feet from snow.
Kids of all ages and their families are welcome! Sign-ups are encouraged contact leader Juliet at 201-233-0946. Meet at the Mogle Building at 10 a.m. If weather is questionable, call Juliet before the event.
Join us as we view new exhibits for Burpee’s 75th anniversary and get a special behind the scenes look at the entomology collection. John Walt will be our guide as he shows us plans for the spring insect exhibit.
We’ll then have plenty of time to observe the new displays, including a Native American exhibit featuring Edward Curtis photos and artifacts from the Burpee collection, displays on the history of Burpee and wildlife conservation, as well as the many other exhibits. Confirm your attendance by calling Mary.
It’s time again for the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society members to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count. You can take part in this year’s count on Saturday, December 17th if you have a bird feeder in the official count circle which is a 15-mile diameter circle with Read Park in Freeport as the center. On the count day, simply watch your bird feeder for at least four hours and record the largest number of each species present at any one moment. Just check your feeder often during the four hours you are counting. Then record what you saw on the form provided in the December/January Newsletter on page 6, which can be found on this website. Then you just mail it in by Dec. 23rd and you have participated as a citizen scientist for Audubon! Cool!
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalis
Appropriately named, the Snow Bunting is a bird of the high Arctic and snowy winter fields. Even on a warm day, the mostly white plumage of a bunting flock makes you think of the image of a snowstorm. Sometimes known as the “snowflake,” its white plumage and dancing flight give its flocks the appearance of swirling snow flurries.
* Information taken from Cornell Lab of Ornithology site All About Birds and ARKive, a not-for-profit initiative of the Charity Wildscreen.
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!
Make a snow angel; a partner helps the angel-maker get up neatly, without disturbing the edges.
Sprinkle cups of birdseed into the head and body. Add pine cones for angel’s spreading wings.
Snowman Race: Have 2 kids or 2 teams make snowmen bottoms; at GO, they finish the snowman body, hat, nose, etc.
Ideas from Outside Winter Time Fun by Barbara Shelby.
Take a walk in your yard or neighborhood or park paying attention to trees—and don't forget binoculars! Look for differences in evergreen trees; if possible, identify some; at least note the different shapes, needles, and cones. Look up high in the evergreen trees for cones still on them. Look up high in the deciduous trees and notice the branches and knobs. With the leaves gone, these are easier to see.
Search for animal homes in deciduous trees. Look for evidence of ways animals survive in winter.
Don't forget to pack some peanut butter or suet into crevices of a large pinecone and roll in peanut butter and hang for the birds. Put some birdseed in an orange half or grapefruit half that has been hollowed out and hang from a tree branch.
Then have some hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows!
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...