








With an adult, visit Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve to watch and listen for American Woodcocks’ performing their amazing courtship display. The “Sky Dance” itself is part ground-strutting and part zig-zagging flight, barely visible in the early evening sky. More fascinating perhaps are the sounds that go with it, the repetitious vocal “peent!” followed by the twittering and chirping sounds made when air rushes through primary flight feathers during the birds’ descent. On a quiet evening, it is pure audio magic. See the calendar page for these dates for contact information about the event.
Purple Finch
Haemorhous purpureus
The landscapes around us are covered in bright sheets of snow. If something disrupts this white canvas, its splash of appearance will stand out. This bird, with its quick burst of color, sticks out above the bare and ever so still trees. This creature that stands out during anyone’s picturesque walks through bright green coniferous forests is the magnificent Purple Finch.
Their color takes a lot of focus to detail. They are similar to the more denominating finch, the House Finch, but with stronger color. While the House Finch is bright cherry red, the Purple Finch looks as if its head is dipped in deep pink – like he stuffed his head into raspberry jam! His color is a symbol of the spring colors promised to arrive with the growing flowers. The female Purple Finches have no red.
In the winter, they can be found in the lower parts of the forests such as foraging in the weedy fields or escaping their comfort from your backyard conifers to eat the black oil sunflower seeds from their visit to your feeders. It is harder to find them in the green and colorful spring days, where they may be perched up high in the tallest parts of these conifer forests.
* Thanks to allaboutbirds.org and Tails of Birding.
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!
A fun winter activity you can do with your family and friends when there is plenty of soft snow outside is to build a snowman! Gather a carrot, 10 small rocks, and two sticks, and then head outside. Build three big snowballs stacked on top of each other, and use the carrot, rocks, and branches to form his face and arms!
Finally, choose a name for your new snowy friend!
If it is too cold outside, then make your own paper snowflakes! All you need is a piece of paper (maybe leftover scrap paper) and a pair of scissors.
Start by folding the paper in half many times in different directions.
Next, cut small shapes along the edges of your folded paper.
When you open the paper back up, you will be left with a paper snowflake!
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...
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