Birdwatching station at Kickapoo
Creek Park to feature Master Naturalist volunteers on Saturday's in
April & May
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[April 05, 2023]
During
the months of April and May, the birdwatching station at Kickapoo
Creek Park will be manned periodically by experienced birdwatchers
to help visitors identify the many birds that visit the nearby
feeders. University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist
volunteers will be on duty from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon every
Saturday.
Observers are likely to see not only the familiar cardinals, blue
jays and chickadees, but also red-winged blackbirds, nuthatches,
titmice, goldfinches and house finches on the feeders. Mourning
doves and the departing juncos gather on the ground to catch the
fallout. The feeders are within 20 feet of the station’s large
windows, so binoculars are optional, though they provide spectacular
close-ups. Nature photographers also like to take advantage of such
cooperative subjects.
When Master Naturalists Mark Tebrugge or Pam
Moriearty are on duty on Saturday mornings, the station’s sign will
display a special “Birdwatcher on Duty” panel.
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At other times, species
identification is aided by large colored posters on the walls.
“I especially enjoy the returning grosbeaks and orioles,” says
Master Naturalist Bev Noble, “And of course the red-headed,
downy and red-bellied woodpeckers are favorites all year long.”
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Apr/05/images/ads/current/humanesociety_sda022411.png)
The station, enclosed on three sides and with benches
next to the windows, was constructed a few years ago by Extension
Master Naturalists. It is always accessible and a fun stopping point
for all ages. Located near the park’s office and machine shed on the
main road, the feeders are regularly stocked by park staff with a
wide variety of food offerings.
[Jennifer Fishburn] |