Welcome to the latest installment of the Sycamore Audubon Society Warbler! Follow this link for a digital version of the latest issue Warbler Vol 37 Iss 1 (March) .
Programs are in the Lilly Nature Center in West Lafayette. People are invited to join other members and the speaker for “Dinner and Conversation” starting at 6:00 PM at the MCL Cafeteria (SR 52 in West Lafayette) . Field trips start at Celery Bog unless otherwise described, times vary, see below.
Thursday, March 29 EARLY BIRD HIKES — every Thursday from now until May 24th, covering the migration season. Meet at Purdue’s Horticulture Park east entrance on McCormick Road at 8 a.m.
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD Apr 11th 1-3pm Weed Biology & Climate Change Jeff Dukes (Purdue Professor in Forestry & Natural Resources) will talk about the changes in climate and other environmental conditions that are expected and how invasive plant and animal species may respond to these changes — indoor pgm—Lilly Nature Center
Thursday, April 12 PROGRAM: The Ecology of Civilization Collapse. Steve Hallett, associate professor Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue and co-author of “Life Without Oil: Why We Must Shift to a New Energy Future”, will
challenge the assumption that progress and efficiency are the solutions to society’s population-resource dilemma. 7:15 p.m. Refreshments and free parking.
Saturday, April 14 Early Migrants at Celery Bog. Meet at 7:30 at the first gravel parking lot on the right. We’ll check out what species are back and possibly visit another location if interesting birds are being reported elsewhere.
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD Apr 18th 1-3pm Moyer Gould Woods Spring Wildflower Hike Join Gus Nyberg (NICHES Executive Director) for an exploration of the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the spring ephemerals on the slopes of the Tippecanoe River in Carroll County! Outdoor Moyer Gould Woods/NICHES
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD Apr 25th 1-3pm Shooting Stars & More (Wildflower Walk). Walk wooded ravine trails with Jim Peterson (CLEGG Garden Manager & wildflower aficionado); enjoy the many wildflowers, as you learn about the gravel hill prairie restoration on this beautiful property along Wildcat Creek! outdoor pgm—CLEGG
Saturday, April 28 The M & M Trip: Martell Forest & Mulvey Pond. Meet at 7:30 p.m. at Celery Bog to carpool. We will visit these two areas to see what migrant water birds and land birds have shown up in the past few weeks.
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD May 2nd 1-3pm Spring Warblers & Other Migrants. An indoor talk and a Celery Bog bird walk led by Susan Ulrich will cover returning migrants. Bring binoculars –indoor/outdoor at Lilly Nature Center.
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD May 9th 1-3pm Indiana’s Native Shrubs in Flower. Sally Weeks (Purdue Dendrologist) says “Shrubs are flowering plants, too!” On this walk, she will review the identification of many of our beautiful and wildlife-friendly native shrubs. Outdoors Martell Forest.
Thursday, May 10 PROGRAM: Bats and Woodrats: Conservation Concerns for Two Endangered Indiana Mammals. Scott Johnson has been the DNR non-game mammalogist for 25 years, overseeing river otter repopulation efforts in the late 1990s and bobcat tracking studies in the early 2000s. 7:15 p.m. Lilly Nature Center at Celery Bog Nature Area. His recent work looking at effects of white-nose syndrome in bats and habitat degradation in woodrats has contributed to the understanding of both the nature and necessity of protecting our native representatives of these mammalian families. Refreshments and free parking. People interested in the May Bird Count can sign up and get forms if they haven’t already.
Saturday, May 12 Big Day in May Count. The all Day exciting Bird Census. Three local counties are participating: Tippecanoe, Warren and White. A compilation party for Tippecanoe County participants is held at 8 p.m. at the Wild Bird Shoppe. Contact the compilers to get an area. See back cover for details.
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD May 16th 7-9pm The Wonders of Wetlands Experience. The magic of a wetland evening in spring at Celery Bog! Along with searching for wetland wildlife, Naturalist Mary Cutler will share the importance of the diversity, function and value of Indiana’s wetlands. A great prelude to Saturday’s Mind BOGgling Event! outdoor pgm—LNC
Saturday, May 19 Mind BOGgling Event II. An appreciation of Celery Bog Nature Park. There’s lots going on from morning bird hikes at 9 and 11 a.m., flower hikes at 2 and 4 p.m., butterfly gardening, tree planting and an evening
program of music and art. The first MindBOGgling Event held in 2010 was a huge success, enjoyed by hundreds. Stop by, it’s a great way to Celebrate National Wetlands Month.
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD May 23rd 1-3pm Weiler-Leopold/Black Rock Barrens. Walk Bird’s foot violets, cream wild indigo are all returning to the recovering oak woodlands on this site in Warren County. Join Gus Nyberg (NICHES Executive Director) for an exciting off-trail ramble over the slopes. Outdoor. Weiler-Leopold/Blk-Rock Barrens/NICHES
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD Jun 6th 1-3pm Indian Creek Basin Hike followed by Frog Monitoring Session. Young trees have set down roots, along with a diversity of grasses to help hold soil and create natural habitat for wildlife. Gus Nyberg (NICHES Executive Director) will discuss efforts to restore habitat along the Wabash River and conclude the evening with a frog monitoring session at the created wetland on this Tippecanoe County property. Boots advised. Outdoors Indian Creek Basin/NICHES.
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WILD Jun 13th 1-3pm Up close Bird ID using Mist Nets. Mick & Sally Weeks (Purdue Dept of Forestry & Natural Resources) will demonstrate the use of mist nets and identify birds that come to the nets during this program. A great opportunity to get an up close look at our local birds! Outdoors. Wabashika NC, Battle Ground.