








Winter Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, February 18
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Oakdale Nature Preserve
4433 S. Cranes Grove Road, Freeport, IL
Meet by the Mogle building, just off of the parking lot. We will have a winter-focused scavenger hunt through Oakdale to take note of the winter aspects of our environment. Dress appropriately for weather.
Springtime Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, March 18
10:00 – 11:00 am
Oakdale Nature Preserve
4433 S. Cranes Grove Road, Freeport, IL
Meet by the Mogle building, just off of the parking lot. We will have a spring-focused scavenger hunt through Oakdale. At this time, we expect to see plants and notice more activity from animals. We will discover what spring changes are taking place. Dress appropriately for weather.
The coordinator for both of these events is Adam Moderow. Please call 815-541-5842 or email adamoderow@gmail.com register in case of cancellation.
Pied-billed Grebes
(Podilymbus podiceps)
Pied-billed Grebes are a type of aquatic diving bird. Although they look like ducks, coots, or loons, they are most closely related to flamingos. Often described as “part bird, part submarine,” they are known for their amazing diving skills. The genus in their scientific name, Podilymbus, means “feet at the buttocks” because their feet are close to their backside to help them propel through the water. They have lobed feet instead of webbed feet like ducks. They sure do move fast! Grebes have dense and waterproof feathers that they can adjust to change their buoyancy in the water. This allows them submerge most of their body underwater.
Pied-billed Grebes are small and chunky with a compact body and blocky head. They have a short, thick yellow-brown bill during nonbreeding season, but during the breeding season, the bill is white with a vertical black band, giving the descriptor “pied” to their name.
Pied-billed Grebes eat mostly crustaceans and small fish, but will also eat crabs, shrimps, snails, mussels, and aquatic insects and/or their larvae. A unique behavior with grebes is that they eat their own feathers and feed them to their young; the feathers act as sieves the prevent parts of their prey from passing too far into their digestive tract. Like birds of prey, they will regurgitate a pellet.
Look for these birds in freshwater areas but look fast – they dive down and swim away quickly!
* Thanks to allaboutbirds.org.
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!
Family Activity
February or March can seem dreary, so looking for the gift of colors can help!
Go on an adventure with others. Bring a notebook and colored pencils or markers. Look for all different shades of color as you explore and take note of them in your notebook.
Look for BLACK – Such as the black feathers of an American Crow or the black scat of a mammal.
Look for BROWN, such as mud emerging from the melting snow, the tree trunk, or the Brown Creeper eating insects on the tree trunk!
Look for RED – The red coloring found in the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpeckers, or male Downy Woodpeckers.
Look for ORANGE – Sometimes fungi are orange or maybe you’ll spot a Baltimore Oriole.
Look for YELLOW – Like in the American Goldfinch or the rays of the warming sun that is now out longer!
Look for GREEN – The needle like leaves of evergreen trees or some mosses emerging from under the melting snow.
Look for BLUE – Blue Jays and American Bluebirds are common and easier to see against some snowy WHITE backdrops.
What other colors can you find? The world really is a colorful place!
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.
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