Winter 2016-2017

Welcome to the latest edition of the Sycamore Warbler! Below, you will find the schedule of events that cover this issue.  Please note, the RIP Squad will resume in the spring.   Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society programs are listed below.

Programs are held on the second Thursday at 7:15 PM in the Lilly Nature Center in West Lafayette. People are invited to come before hand for “Dinner & Conversation” starting at 6:00 PM at the MCL Cafeteria.

EARLY BIRD HIKES will continue at 8 am Thursday mornings as long as interest continues. Typically this means a one hour walk as long as parts of Celery Bog have open water. Starting time may get adjusted if it gets too dark. Contact Barny (p 9) if you are unsure that a walk will occur.

You can find the latest issue here:  Warbler Winter 2016-2017

Dec 20-25, Jan 20-25, Feb 20-25 – Indiana Feeder Bird Count periods. See p.3. Simply record what birds show up in your yard during the official 5 day periods. Use the maximum number of birds you can confirm, e.g. if you see 2 male and 2 female cardinals one day and 5 male and one females the next. You should record 7 cardinals as you know there are at least 5 males and 2 females.

Wednesday, December 28 – Cass County Annual Christmas Bird Count.  The compiler is Landon Neumann (see p.1). Contact him for an area and any needed info. This count includes most of Logansport and adjacent areas.

Sunday, January 1 – Willow Slough-Iroquois Preserves Christmas Bird Count.   As above for the Dec 17 Lafayette CBC except there will be no compilation party afterwards. Compiler is Ed Hopkins, see p.1.

Thursday, January 12 – Program:  Images and Stories of a Careered Nature Photographer.  Dan Griggs is a nature photographer and conservationist. For about 15 years, Dan earned a living from his images, at times as assistant to a National Geographic photographer.”  7:15 p.m. Lilly Nature Center Celery Bog Park, WL.  There is free parking and refreshments.

Monday, January 23 – Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society.  Rare, threatened and Endangered Plants on NICHES Properties.  — Bob Easter, NICHES steward. Each property gives the potential thrill of discovery of something unexpected.

Saturday, January 28 – Winter Birds. Meet at 8:30 am from gravel parking lot at Celery Bog. We will look for species like Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs, winter owls, etc., depending on which species are being reported.  Half-day trip (subject to weather).

Thursday, February 9 – Program:  The DNR in Indiana: An Update. Allisyn-Marie Gillet, the new DNR biologist for our area is the speaker. This is a chance to meet Allisyn-Marie and learn about the DNR and how what she does helps Indiana’s Wildlife. 7:15 p.m. Lilly Nature Center in Celery Bog Park, WL. There is free parking and refreshments.

February 17-20, Friday-Monday – Great Backyard Bird Count.  See information on the back cover. An easy to do event that thousands of people all over the globe contribute to. See what usual and unusual birds you can find.

Saturday, February 25 – Early Migration at Celery Bog. Starts at 8 am.  Depending on the availability of open water, we will be looking to catch the start of waterfowl migration.  Half- day trip.

Monday, February 27 – Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society.  TBA.

Saturday, March 4 – Woodcock Ramble.  March forth and meet at 5:30 pm at the gravel parking lot of Celery Bog to carpool to an area where we can carpool to see / hear timberdoodles (AKA American Woodcocks) doing their breeding display.  We may go to the Purdue Wildlife Area or the Tippecanoe Amphitheater, depending on reports of active woodcocks. Sunset is at 6:40 pm.

Thursday, March 9 – Program: To be announced in the March newsletter.  7:15 p.m. Lilly Nature Center, Celery Bog Park, WL. Free parking and refreshments.

Saturday, March 25 – Audubon at the Overlook. The year’s first Audubon at the Overlook event at Prophetstown State Park. Audubon members will be at the overlook at the end of the park road from 6-8 p.m. to interact with visitors to the park and identify birds in the area. Usually one Overlook event is scheduled each month over spring and summer.

Monday, March 27 – Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society. Indiana Plant Atlas. Rebecca Dolan, Butler Herbarium. A new website for plant identification and learning. Local naturalist and photographer Ed Zschiedrich supplied a number of the images.