Program meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St N. (29th and Woodlawn), Wichita, KS, 316-683-5499. All programs and field trips are free and open to the public.

To conserve gas (and money) please make an effort to carpool for field trips. Notify the field trip leader if you plan to attend so cars and riders can be matched up. Information about carpooling will also be posted on the Kansas bird listserve (KSBIRD-L)

JANUARY 8, SUNDAY, 7:30 a.m.   DERBY/BELLE PLAINE MIDWINTER BIRD COUNT
Meet at the Target parking lot at 2024 N. Rock Rd in Derby (southeast corner of Rock Rd and Tall Tree).
Compiler: , 737-1307

JANUARY 17, TUESDAY, 7:30 p.m. PROGRAM AT THE GREAT PLAINS NATURE CENTER
The Threat of the Brown Tree Snake in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, by Scott Newland, senior zookeeper at the Sedgwick County Zoo.
Scott will share the two weeks he spent on the island of Saipan assisting in a conservation project to preserve populations of native birds of the Mariana Islands from the threat of the brown tree snake.

JANUARY 28, SATURDAY, 8:30 a.m. LYON COUNTY STATE FISHING LAKE
This mid-winter trip will search for Smith's Longspurs and Long-eared Owls at Lyon State Fishing Lake. Bring a lunch and dress for the weather. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Emporia McDonalds (2810 W 18th). From I-35, take Exit 127 and go north on Industrial Rd to 18th.
Leader:

JANUARY 28, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. - noon EAGLE WATCH AT CHAPLIN NATURE CENTE R
Mid-winter is a great time to view Bald Eagles in Kansas. We will take a 1.5 mile hike to the Ark river. Bring binoculars if you have them, or we have some to loan.
Leader: , 620-442-4133

FEBRUARY 4, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. - noon EAGLE WATCH AT CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
If you missed the first eagle watch, here is another chance!
Leader: , 620-442-4133

FEBRUARY 18, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. SEDGWICK COUNTY ZOO JUNGLE BUILDING AND PENGUINS
Join us for an indoor tour of the zoo's Jungle and Penguin exhibits. Meet at the zoo Jungle building lobby. Zoo admission fee required.
Leader: , 942-2164

FEBRUARY 21, TUESDAY, 7:30 p.m. PROGRAM AT THE GREAT PLAINS NATURE CENTER
Grassland Birds of the Kansas Flint Hills by Dr. William Jensen, Assistant Professor, Emporia State University
The Flint Hills, the largest tallgrass prairie remaining in North America, provides abundant habitat for many grassland wildlife species. Dr. Jensen will present an array of avifauna characteristic of the Flint Hills, and share some conservation concerns involving grassland birds.

MARCH 9, FRIDAY, 7 - 8 p.m. NIGHT HIKE AT CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
Who's afraid of the dark? We'll hike the trails without flashlights to learn to use our senses at night. We'll listen for and identify the sounds of night and learn about nocturnal animals. Dress for the outdoors and wear sturdy shoes.
Leader: , 620-442-4133

MARCH 17, SATURDAY, 9 a.m. OAK PARK CLEANUP
Help keep this priceless birding spot litter-free. Bring gloves and meet by the north pond.
Leader: , 263-4042

MARCH 20, TUESDAY, 7:30 p.m. PROGRAM AT THE GREAT PLAINS NATURE CENTER
Burrowing Owls in California - An Abundant Endangered Species? by Jack Barclay, Senior Wildlife Biologist for Albion Environmental
Jack will share his study of a colony of Burrowing Owls that is the longest continually studied colony on record.

MARCH 30 - APRIL 1, FRIDAY - SUNDAY, EXPLORING WESTERN KANSAS
This three day trip will visit multiple birding sites on the high plains of western Kansas. Raptors and longspurs are among the bird species to expect. This trip will entail two or three nights of overnight lodging and a lot of miles, covering ground from Logan County down to the Curlew roost site near Garden City. We may rent passenger vans to minimize fuel costs. Advance registration is required and attendence will be limited to 16. Details to be announced.
Leader:

APRIL 7, SATURDAY, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. SPRING CLEANUP AT CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
With Earth Day right around the corner, why not get an early start and volunteer at CNC. The center needs your help with a variety of outdoor projects to help get the trails and facility in tip-top shape for school programs and visitors. Be sure to wear old clothes and bring a pair of work gloves. Call the center for more information.
Leader: , 620-442-4133

APRIL 14, SATURDAY, 6:30 a.m.  CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY BACK ROADS FIELD TRIP
Meet at the Dillon's parking lot at Andover Rd and US 400 and plan to carpool. This trip should produce several early arriving warbler species and a good variety of other birds as we wander the scenic Cross-Timbers area. Bring a lunch.
Leader: , 687-4268

APRIL 14, SATURDAY, 7:30 -  9 p.m. ASTRONOMY PROGRAM AT CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
Join the Kansas Astronomical Observers for a night out with the stars. Find the North star, Big dipper and other constellations.  Through the use of telescopes participants can view some deep sky objects, such as, nebula, double stars, and galaxies. Participants are welcome to bring their own telescopes.
Leader: , 620-442-4133

MAY 12, SATURDAY, 8 a.m. WARBLER WALK AT OAK PARK
Join us as we celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at one of the finest birding sites in Wichita. Meet by the pond at the north end of the park. Expect a varied list of migratory birds including flycatchers, orioles, sparrows, vireos and warblers.
Leader: , 263-1251

MAY 12, SATURDAY, 12 p.m. WILD DERBY TOUR
Our celebration of International Migratory Bird Day continues with a tour around Derby. This trip will target some of the local specialties, including Painted Bunting, Summer Tanager, Wood Thrush, and White-eyed Vireo. Meet at the Crane Park picnic shelter at noon (just south of James St on Marguerite in Derby).
Leader: , 737-1307

MAY 12, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. - NOON BUTTERFLY WALK AT CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
Check out the butterflies that make Chaplin Nature Center their home. Swallowtails, hairstreaks, blues, crescents, emperors and skippers will be in our top ten list. A pair of close-focus binoculars ill help you get a closer look at these creatures.
Leader: , 620-442-4133

MAY 15, TUESDAY, 7:30 p.m. PROGRAM AT THE GREAT PLAINS NATURE CENTER
Birds of Central Ecuador and the High Andes Mountains by Bob Gress, Director of the Great Plains Nature Center. Bob gives us intimate looks at some amazing bird life, including thirty species of hummingbirds, along with stunning landscapes.

MAY 19, SATURDAY, 8 a.m.  QUIVIRA N.W.R. AND CHEYENNE BOTTOMS
The annual spring trip to these renowned wetlands always produces interesting birds. Bring a lunch and meet at the Quivira NWR headquarters.
Leader: , 942-2164

JUNE 24-JULY 1, SUNDAY - SUNDAY, EXTENDED FIELD TRIP TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
This ambitious trip will include visits to the Olympic Peninsula, Puget Sound, the Cascades and an optional pelagic trip out of Westport. We will fly to Washington and rent vehicles. Registration and deposit is required. Note that this is a change from the original published dates.
Leaders: , 706-9116, , 737-1307, and , 942-2164