by NIAS | Mar 29, 2024
Listening to Amphibians at Elkhorn Creek
Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m.
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204
Carpool from the Harbor Freight lot in Freeport at 6:00 p.m.
Join us at our Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve to listen to the spring advertisement calls of frogs and toads. While 6 species of amphibians have been identified at Elkhorn Creek over the years, our best chances are for hearing the rapid metallic clicks of the Western Chorus Frog and the long musical trill of the American Toad. We’ll walk near both wetland areas at the preserve that provide amphibian habitat.
Meet in the parking lot in the northeast corner of the preserve off of West Grove Rd. The preserve is located 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the SE corner of Freeport and West Grove Rds.
If weather is questionable, call Mary.
by NIAS | Jan 22, 2024
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
by NIAS | Jan 22, 2024
Event: Woodcock Watches
Saturday, March 16, 7:00 pm
Coordinator: Anne Straight
815-938-3263
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
by NIAS | Jan 22, 2024
Event: Woodcock Watches
Thursday March 7, 6:00 pm
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
