It’s been an exhausting week at the Nature Center as the staff recovers from a huge weekend. Our Beauty and Awe of Nature Events drew about 800 people for the three day event. Thanks to all who attended.

We’re already planning speakers for next year. Ideas are welcome. Leave a comment on the blog or e-mail us at the center sevdells01@sprynet.com

Birds are continuing their migration. Don M. and Kathy M. report large flocks of cedar waxwings, robins and ruby- and yellow-crowned kinglets hanging around the dogwoods and pokeweed. Despite cold temperatures, bluebirds are still present in the prairie, where there are still a few grasshoppers for them to eat. While insects are about 2/3rds of their diet, bluebirds will also eat fleshy fruit and there’s plenty of that around.

More winter birds are showing up, with notes in the log about sightings of slate colored juncos and brown creepers.

Waterfowl may be starting to move. There seems to be more geese in the air during the morning and evening. Flocks are landing in fields — where corn has been harvested — to pick for stray kernels.

Here’s a joke staff educator Kathy M. tells elementary students when flocks of geese fly over:

Q: Do you know why one side of the V is longer than the other?

A: Because there are more geese in it.

It’s always a good week when a grade schooler answers before the punchline.

This was a good week.