The field trip to the Sedgwick CountyZoo Jungle Building was a welcome relief from the cold. After a tour of the tropics we tried to find all the species on the checklist - not an easy task.
The February program was presented by Roy Beckemeyer, speaking on the secrets of insect flight. It included Roy's high speed video of various insects flying.
The backyard birding event had 60 people visiting and viewing the bird feeding arrangements at the homes of Nick and Cathy Clausen, Joe and Helen Brewer, and Kevin and Laura Groeneweg. A total of 30 species were seen at the three locations, and the visitors learned a lot about attracting birds to their yards.
The full moon hike at Chaplin Nature Center had 30 people in attendance. The group heard owls and saw stars and planets through the telescope set up on the sandbar.
Gerald Weins, formerly our naturalist at CNC, returned to present a program on wild flowers of the Manhattan area. It featured Gerald's gorgeous photos, as well as tips for taking good pictures.
We journeyed to Morton County for a two day field trip to see and hear Lesser Prairie Chickens as they displayed on their lek. It was a good trip, with Ross's Goose, Merlin, Mountain Plover, Long-billed Curlew, and Eurasian Collared Dove sharing the limelight.
Shawn held a workshop on birding basics at the Chaplin Nature Center and helped some new birders get started.
The April program was presented by Kim Bostwick of the KU Museum of Natural History. It included fascinating video of her research on Manakins in Central and South America.
The second park cleanup day for the year was held for Chisholm Creek Park. Fourteen people helped remove a lot of debris and made the park shine again.
Harry Gregory led a local park bird walk to Oak Park, and helped a young family find spring migrants.
Two Birdathon teams raised $2,618.20 to help support the Wichita Audubon Society and its programs.The CNC team of Shawn Silliman, Rex Herndon, and Dwight Schoup got more pledges, but the Painted Buntings: Carol Cumberland, Marsha Ebaugh, Patty Marlett, and Gloria Jones-Wolf, found more birds.
