March 11-14: Make a Difference Spring Break. Sponsored by NICHES, this volunteer opportunity is truly unique way to spend your spring break. You will be working on NICHES properties in Warren County. The work will be aimed at restoring oak savannahs and removing invasive plants. This is also a camping trip. Camping is not normally allowed on NICHES properties and the camping will be primitive. Don’t have camping equipment? Check with Gus for loaner equipment. To reserve a spot on this team, contact Gus Nyberg: gnyberg@nicheslandtrust.org or call 765-423-1605. Website (link).
March 13: Wednesdays in the Wild. Sounds of Spring-Wacky Woodcocks Mary Cutler, Tippecanoe County naturalist, together with folks from the Sycamore Audubon Society, will present this opportunity. Program will be done at the Amphitheater, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dress warmly and bring your binoculars and flashlights. Appropriate for school aged children and up. Every spring, woodcocks are active before nesting. This program will include a short explanation of what to look/listen for to see their rituals. Directions (link)
March 14: Rare Plant Communities in NW Indiana. This Sycamore Audubon Society (link) program will feature the dunes and behind the dunes plant communities. From glacial bogs to fens to oak savannahs and other types of terrain, NW Indiana is a treasure trove of plant communities. Many of these sites have been preserved, some are being restored, and still others are lost to time. Roger Hedge from the Division of Nature Preserves (link) will be the presenter for this program.
Bird news: The eagle activity downtown has waned. You may see some still, but the eagles are nesting now. Great blue heron, red-winged blackbirds and turkey vultures are back in the area. With the vultures back and the eagle activity less obvious, look twice before deciding which bird you’re seeing.
Flowers coming from bulbs are starting up through the snow. Crocuses have been blooming for awhile now, lilies, hyacinths and daffodils are starting to pop-up. Start looking for Dutchman’s breeches and some other early spring blooms to be breaking the surface soon.
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