The Warbler Walk in Oak Park was resurrected after an absence of many years. The attendance was great, despite foggy and chilly conditions. Fifty-three species were seen, including Nashville, Blackpoll, and Prothonatory Warblers, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Blue-headed Vireo, and several others.
The third Twilight Dinner was held at Chaplin Nature Center to honor our generous contributors. The weather was perfect, as was the sandbar picnic. The Ark City Optimists grilled the meat on their big portable grill. The highlight of the evening was a reenactment of Meriwether Lewis performed by Dr. Phil Thomas, Professor of History at WSU. History really came alive!
Two Birdathon teams raised more than $2700 this year. The Painted Buntings (Carol Cumberland, Marsha Ebaugh, and Patty Marlett) saw the most species with 136, but the Chaplin Nature Center team (Shawn Silliman, Dwight Shoup, Gene Young) raised the most money.
The second Saturday in May is the North American Migration Count, sponsored by Partners in Flight. Harry Gregory organized teams to canvass all of Sedgwick County.
The May meeting gave us a look inside the Sedgwick County Zoo and their animal training methods. Behaviorist Emily Weiss, Ph.D., showed us how animals as diverse as chimpanzees, Aldabra tortoises, and Komodo dragons are trained for veterinary procedures as well as mental stimulation.
The spring field trip to Quivira and Cheyenne Bottoms was well attended. The best bird was a Yellow-breasted Chat, a lifer for at least one person. There was also a Mottled Duck at Cheyenne Bottoms, and for some a Sprague's Pipit on the edge of a field.
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Wallace Champeny was honored with our 2002 Meritorious Service Award. A member since 1964, he has been supplying seed for our bird seed sales for 15 years. He has led innumerable field trips, and has been a mentor to many new birders. |
The Konza Prairie field trip only had four participants, but was a successful trip. Despite the wind, numerous Henslow's Sparrows were seen singing away.
Chaplin Nature Center and the Arkansas City public library cosponsored a day camp for 8 -12 year olds. Exploring the Wilderness 2002 celebrated the Lewis & Clark expedition with activities like orienteering, survival skills, and an archeological dig. It ended with a treasure hunt at CNC.
The last field trip of the season was an exploration of the backroads of Chatauqua County. Fish crows were heard in two locations, along with a good selection of woodlands birds like Wood Thrushes, a Northern Parula, and Summer Tanagers.
The annual picnic was held in June again this year to beat the heat. For a change of scenery it was held in Sim's Park. The food and company were as good as always.
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Who Used the Nature Center
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Americorps (Cowley County Community College) Arkansas City Alternative Middle School Arkansas City Christian Academy Arkansas City Elementary Schools Arkansas City Library Arkansas City Lioness Club Arkasnas City Recreation Center Arkansas City Scouts Belle Plaine Elementary School Bethel Life School (Wichita) Butler County Community College Camp Horizon Christian Womens Club (Arkansas City) Conservation RC & D Cowley County Community College (Peaks Program) First Christian Church (Wellington) First Lutheran Church (Ponca City) G. E. Elfuns
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Good Sams Club Grace Presbyterian Church (Wichita) Hill Crest Bible School (Arkansas City) Irving Elementary School (Winfield) Lowell Elementary School (Winfield) Methodist Preschool (Arkansas City) Mulvane Elementary School Newkirk Elementary Schools Oxford Elementary School PACE Homeschool PEO Sisterhood (Arkansas City) Pleasant Valley School (Winfield) Redeemer Lutheran Church (Arkansas City) South Haven Schools Vermillion School (Wichita) Whittier School (Winfield) Wichita Girl Scouts Wichita Skywalkers
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| Shawn Silliman & Gary Straley |
