by NIAS | Mar 25, 2025
Saturday, April 5 from 9:15 AM to 2:00 PM
Join us for birding at the Nygren Wetland Preserve near Rockton. We will explore this premiere birding site from their wildlife lookout and the 2.5 mile nature trail around the wetland. Carpool from Harbor Freight in Freeport at 9:15 am or meet us at Nygren at 10 am. More information on Nygren is available at naturalland.org. Afterward we will have lunch at nearby Bushel & Peck’s Cafe in Beloit, WI. This neighborhood market & cafe serves organic, locally sourced sandwiches. See the menu and more information at bushelandpecks.com.
Expect return time to Freeport is 2 PM.
Call or text Chris Kruger at 815-238-9259 to sign up by March 31.
by NIAS | Jan 27, 2025
Blooming Pasque Flowers at the Freeport Prairie
Tuesday, April 1, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore 815-938-3204.
Join us as we admire one of the prairie’s harbingers of spring, the Pasque Flower. Unlike the crocus it resembles, a Pasque Flower, Anemone patens, is a member of the buttercup family. In early spring the plant sends up a flower stalk in advance of leaves so what you see are delicate pale violet blooms nestled in the muted tan tangle of last year’s prairie grasses. Come and see how Pasque Flower blooms actually move to track the sun.
The Freeport Prairie is an Illinois Nature Preserve located on Freeport’s south side.
NOTE: Meet in the preserve’s new parking area off of Meadows Dr., adjacent to the northwest corner of the prairie. Enter through the curb cut which will be flagged for better visibility. If the weather is questionable, call Mary. If weather is questionable, call Mary.
by NIAS | Jan 27, 2025
Nicholas Conservatory Field Trip
1354 N 2nd Street, Rockford, IL
Tuesday, February 18
10:00-11:30 a.m. (Carpool 9:15 a.m.)
Coordinator: Chris Kruger 815-238-9259
Take a break from winter! Join us for a tour of Illinois’ third largest conservatory. Located on the Rock River in Rockford, the facility offers tropical plants, water features, sculptures, and seating areas. The annual orchid exhibit includes hundreds of tropical orchids creatively arranged throughout the conservatory. Find more information at nicholasconservatory.com
Admission on Tropical Tuesdays is $5. Please bring cash so we can pay as a group. Carpool from Harbor Freight in Freeport at 9:15 am or meet us at the conservatory at 10 am. Expected return time to Freeport is 12:15 pm,
Call or text Chris Kruger at 815-238-9259 to sign up by February 10th. We will need 10-12 people for a guided tour. We can add more if you need to sign up after the 10th.
by NIAS | Nov 26, 2024
Open Land Birding
Saturday, January 11, 9:00 am to noon
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore 815-938-3204
Carpool from the Harbor-Freight lot in Freeport at 9:00 a.m.
We will carpool and cruise country roads in local areas that were historically prairie. Viewing will be done predominantly from the vehicles, using the cars as blinds, and communicating by radio. Typically, we’ll see several species – notably Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur and Horned Lark – on roadsides or in fields, often in abundance if there is adequate snow cover. Snowy Owls have been spotted in past years and last year
we were fortunate to observe a Northern Shrike. Other species we’ll search for include Rough-Legged Hawk and Merlin. Of course we’ll enjoy any bird we see, including our many year-round residents.
Please call Mary to confirm your attendance.
by NIAS | Nov 26, 2024
Open Land Birding
Thursday, January 30, 9:00 am to noon
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore 815-938-3204
Carpool from the Harbor-Freight lot in Freeport at 9:00 a.m.
We will carpool and cruise country roads in local areas that were historically prairie. Viewing will be done predominantly from the vehicles, using the cars as blinds, and communicating by radio. Typically, we’ll see several species – notably Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur and Horned Lark – on roadsides or in fields, often in abundance if there is adequate snow cover. Snowy Owls have been spotted in past years and last year
we were fortunate to observe a Northern Shrike. Other species we’ll search for include Rough-Legged Hawk and Merlin. Of course we’ll enjoy any bird we see, including our many year-round residents.
Please call Mary to confirm your attendance.
