Volo Bog State Natural Area notes

For information and to make reservations, call (815) 344-1294 or Ameritech Relay for the hearing impaired (800) 526-0844, or e-mail dnr.volobog@illinois.gov. All programs are free. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Bird Walks: Bird walks begin at 8 a.m. Saturday; March 2, 8 and 29; April 12 and 26; and May 11 and 17. During winter, birds are easy to see and the number of species is not overwhelming, giving beginners time to develop identification and spotting skills. Novice and experienced birders alike enjoy the rare northern visitors such as northern shrike and long-eared owls that often frequent the winter bog landscape. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or use those provided. Walks are led by members of McHenry County Audubon. Length and time varies with weather and luck in birding. For ages 7 to adult. Make reservations.

Astronomy Nights: Astronomy Nights, hosted by the Lake County Astronomical Society take place at 8:30 p.m. this Friday and every third Friday of the month at Volo Bog State Natural Area. A business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m., an indoor presentation at 8:30 p.m. and viewing if skies are clear at about 9:30 p.m.

The public is welcome. Memberships are available. For club information, visit www.lcas-astronomy.org/.

Photography club: The ShutterBugs meet from 7 to 9 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month, including Feb. 20. Meetings include how-to workshops, guest speakers and member competitions. Nonmembers are invited to attend but membership is required to compete. No reservations required. For ages 14 to adult.

Scatology Hike: Ages 7 to adult are welcome to join naturalist Stacy Iwanicki on this gross and interesting hike to study animal droppings from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Make reservations.

Bog Saunters: Bog Saunters with naturalist Stacy Iwanicki will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 1, April 6 and May 3. Explore a variety of natural themes in Volo Bog. Part bog tour, part ecology lesson, Bog Saunters are for adults who wish to delve a little deeper into Volo Bog, phenology and general ecology. No reservations are required. Dress for the weather.

Coffee and discussion: Adults gather at Volo Bog State Natural Area to share morning coffee and snacks over a discussion of nature, science and environmental readings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 8, April 12 and May 10.

Bluebird workshop: Bluebirds have made a remarkable comeback, thanks mostly to the efforts of people. Led by Walt Sivertsen, head bluebird coordinator for Lake County, this workshop from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 8 will discuss the history of the bluebirds' plight and the efforts to help it recover. Participants will learn how to build a box, monitor it for data collection and species selection and for pure enjoyment. A free box goes to first 25 registrants (one per family). Ages 10 through adult are welcome. Reservations are requested.

Volunteers honored: On Dec. 13, 31 individuals were honored for their volunteer services at Volo Bog State Natural Area and Moraine Hills State Park/McHenry Dam in 2007. Along with 56 other volunteers, they contributed 4,445 hours to these Illinois Department of Natural Resources sites.

Special recognition was given to Bob Vetter of Grayslake as Volunteer of the Year for both sites. Vetter's service (more than 550 hours between the two sites) spanned multiple duties and talents. He was presented with a Volunteer-of-the-Year plaque by Site Superintendent Greg Kelly and naturalist Stacy Iwanicki. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation and a Centurian Award plaque, which is presented to all volunteers contributing more than 100 hours for a given year.

These individuals also received certificates of appreciation from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for contributing 50 to 99 hours each to Volo Bog or Moraine Hills/McHenry Dam in 2007: Nancy Doughty, Barrington; Randy Schietzelt, Crystal Lake; Mark Ginger, Des Plaines; Chris Brenner and Jay Pursell, Grayslake; Bernadette Haase and Clarence Haase, Fox Lake; Nancy Jansen , Joel Orlinsky and Jan Wemple, Ingleside; Meg Macdonald, Lake Bluff; Gail Goeke, McHenry; Jerry Donahue, Mundelein; Kathy Kozacky, Roselle; Jane Richards, Wauconda; and Pamela Duncan, Woodstock.

In addition to certificates, the following also received Centurian Award Plaques for contributing more than 100 hours each in 2007: Billie Kocal, Antioch; Nancy Schietzelt, Crystal Lake; Carl Krautwurst, Carol Shaffer and Bob Vetter, Grayslake; Bill Ewert and Sandra Wells; John Holmes and Merry Miller, Lake Villa; Nancy Bodinet, Lake Zurich; Myrna Nelson and Neil Whitman, McHenry; Richard Wend, Spring Grove; and Yvette Liautaud and Chuck Ward, Streamwood.

Fifty-six additional volunteers contributed less than 50 hours each, but together provided a combined 1,153 hours to the two sites.

Guided tours: Guided tours are offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Volo Bog is Illinois' only remaining open-water quaking bog. In winter, deer, rabbit and raccoons abound; mink, coyote and owls leave signs for the more careful observers. The bare winter shrubs and trees enhance visibility and add texture against the white snow. When the snow is not too deep, the carnivorous pitcher plants are easily seen under the bare branches, the tamarack trees.

Public tours are open to individuals, families and small groups without reservations. Groups, 10 or more are asked to call (815) 344-1294 for special arrangements. Tours run about one hour.