Archive for October, 2006
Wednesday, October 11th, 2006
Share Great Nature Events With Us This weekend
Come join us for the Beauty and Awe of Nature, a series of nature programs that start Thursday (tomorrow) evening and run through Saturday.
Authors, artists, actors, writers and musicians will present nature-inspired programs for the whole family.
Thursday’s events are at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 601 Parkview Ave. Rockford (map). Friday […]
No Comments » - Posted in Events by Brian Leaf
Tuesday, October 10th, 2006
Spring Birding Trip to Whitefish Point
It is not too early to think about where you would like to be next spring. (We have just the spot for you!) Severson Dells is offering a 5-day trip to one of the premier birding places in North America, Whitefish Point, from April 30 – May 4, 2007.
Participation will be limited to nine people, […]
No Comments » - Posted in Events, Observing Nature by Brian Leaf
Monday, October 9th, 2006
Tuesday, Oct. 10, Whooping Crane Program Postponed
The Four Rivers Environmental Coalition program on whooping cranes scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday (tomorrow night, Oct. 10) at Severson Dells Nature Center has been postponed.
Operation Migration’s plans to be in the region this week with the young whooping cranes have been changed due to the weather. The flock has been grounded. The itinerary is […]
No Comments » - Posted in Info, Events by Brian Leaf
Friday, October 6th, 2006
Entries in the Nature Center Log for the First Week of October
Here’s a listing of sightings in the Nature Center Log for the week of Oct. 1,
Birds entered in SDNC log:
10/1/06 – 10/5/06
Turkey Vulture
Chimney Swift
Red-headed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Ruby Crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Song Sparrow
Dark Eyed Junco
American Goldfinch
Other notes in log (same time frame):
Snakes (a lot of them)
Chipmunk
Squirrel
Fuzzy caterpillars
Falling nuts!
No Comments » - Posted in Info by Brian Leaf
Thursday, October 5th, 2006
Come Learn About Whooping Cranes From Operation Migration
Young whooping cranes will soon be following an ultralight airplane through the region. Operation Migration founder and pilot Joe Duff will discuss the trip Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006 at 7 p.m. at the Severson Dells Nature Center. The program is sponsored by the Four Rivers Environmental Coalition.
Operation Migration is doing vital work to help save […]
No Comments » - Posted in Events, Observing Nature by Brian Leaf
Wednesday, October 4th, 2006
Whooping Cranes or Great Egrets?
Last Friday’s posting, “Winnebago County Whooping Cranes?” and an excellent article on whooping cranes by Geri Nikolai in Tuesday’s Rockford Register Star have generated several reports of the rare birds. But in at least two instances, the white birds people thought were whooping cranes turned out to be great egrets.
Here are tips on how to […]
No Comments » - Posted in Info, Observing Nature by Brian Leaf
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006
Center Gets Grant for Nature’s Apprentice Course
Severson Dells Nature Center receives grant for Nature’s Apprentice program
Severson Dells Nature Center has been awarded a grant of $5,000 by The Ralph E. and Mildred Johnson Fund of Community Needs of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.
The grant will underwrite some of the costs to create a “Nature’s Apprentice” program, a 45-hour course […]
No Comments » - Posted in Info, Events by Brian Leaf
Monday, October 2nd, 2006
Fun with animal words
Barry Wood, who writes the column “Wood on Words” in the Rockford Register Star, takes a look at descriptive words and phrases linked to animals.
Wood writes:
“This is the time of year when squirrels step up their gathering and hoarding for the winter. This activity has inspired the verb “to squirrel away” for such storing and […]
