Harry and Dorothy Espenscheid Forest Preserve northeast of Freeport. A variety of habitats will be explored including forest, savanna and the riparian areas of Rock Run Creek. There are a few steep portions of the mowed trail and the surface can be uneven. Carpool at 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Mary Blackmore (815-938-3204)
NIAS Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, rural Forreston. We’ll walk the mowed trails through grasslands, woodland and wetlands. The trails have some steep sections and the ground is often uneven. Carpool at 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Mary Blackmore (815-938-3204)
Wetland Areas of Eastern Stephenson County. This outing has little walking as we drive to each wetland area and often view the birds from our vehicles. Carpool at 7:45 a.m.
Coordinator: Anne Straight 815-938-3263 (call to register)
Carpool from the Forreston municipal lot on the south side of the village library along HWY 26 at 9 a.m. Or meet the group at the Spring Lake parking lot just off of HWY 84 about 2 miles south of Savanna at 10 a.m.
Join us as we look for migrating waterfowl on the Mississippi River south of Savanna. Usually a wide variety of both diving and dabbling ducks can be observed, with males in their colorful breeding plumage. We also should see grebes, pelicans, eagles, geese, songbirds, and perhaps some cranes and swans.
Following our time at Spring Lake, additional downstream sites will be visited, ending at Lock and Dam #13. Bring a sack lunch if you plan to stay past noon. Expected return time to Forreston is 4 p.m.
Please call Anne to register for this trip.
Event: Woodcock Watches
Wednesday, March 20, 7:00 pm
Happy Equinox!
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore
815-938-3204
Join us for any or all of these evening outings to watch and listen for American Woodcocks performing their amazing courtship display. Please note the earlier starting time on March 7 which occurs prior to the start of daylight saving time.
The woodcock’s “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 bird’s flight. On a quiet evening, it is pure audio magic.
In the past we have had 3-6 woodcocks performing their twilight display for about 3-4 weeks. When and if this begins is an educated guess, so be sure to call the listed leader to register in advance and to receive confirmation that the birds have returned and the weather is suitable.
The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Roads. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd.
Make time to experience this unique avian harbinger of spring. The joy will be all yours.
– Mary Blackmore