Birdwatching at Kickapoo Creek Park

 

[May 01, 2019] 

Saturday, April 20 dawned bright and clear in Lincoln, with a slight nip in the air. By 8 am, Kickapoo Creek Park was bustling with early walkers and joggers.

University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist volunteer Mark Tebrugge was on hand at the birdwatching station near the park office, checking out the birds visiting the many feeders by the station. Fellow Master Naturalist Volunteer Pam Moriearty stopped by to see how the morning was going.

In the first half-hour, Tebrugge had noted 15 species at or near the feeders. Aside from the familiar redwing blackbirds, blue jays, cardinals and chickadees, Tebrugge had spotted a red breasted nuthatch, a brown thrasher and a yellow-rumped warbler. “This is prime birdwatching time,” he explained. “Both the permanent residents and migrants are easy to see, because the trees aren’t leafed out.” Moriearty agreed, “This is the season for romance among the birds, and they’re putting on a show. A month from now they’ll be busy feeding a nestful of babies and won’t have a lot of time to sit around and pose.”

The Kickapoo Creek Park birdwatching station will be manned periodically through the end of May by experienced birdwatchers to help visitors identify the many species that visit the feeders. Master Naturalist volunteers will be on duty from 8 a.m. for a couple hours each Saturday in May, weather permitting.

Observers are likely to see at least three species of woodpecker, nuthatches, titmice and finches, among others. Colorful orioles or rose breasted grosbeaks also stop by occasionally. Checklists are provided so visitors can keep tabs of their observations.

When Master Naturalists are on duty, the station’s sign will display a special “Birdwatcher on Duty” panel. At other times, species identification is aided by large colored posters on the walls. The station, enclosed on three sides and with benches next to the windows, was constructed a few years ago by Master Naturalist volunteers. It is always accessible and a fun stopping point for all ages. The feeders are regularly stocked by park staff with a wide variety of food offerings.

[Jennifer Fishburn
Horticulture Educator
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION]