Flock to Crystal Lake to learn about owls
Submitted by McHenry County Conservation District
McHenry County Conservation District will offer programs for lovers of owls and other birds.
Visit the district’s website at MCCDistrict.org to view the programs in greater detail or sign up to receive the quarterly newsletter Landscapes. Registration is accepted online, by phone, mail or walk-in at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779.
Owl Prowl: An Owl Prowl will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake. Winter is an ideal time to observe owls and owl behavior. Learn more about these elusive creatures of the night. Meet live owls, share stories and folklore, view an owl movie, examine owl diets by dissecting an owl pellet, and go for a short hike in search of owls. Be on time and dress for the weather. There is a separate but simultaneous “Owls of McHenry County” program for adults. Fee is free for county residents and $5 for nonresidents. Program is for youth ages 7 to 13. Registration deadline is Sunday, Jan. 8.Owls of McHenry County: Program for adults age 14 and older will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake. Winter is the ideal time to observe owls and owl behavior. The owls are busy staking claim to territories and seeking a mate to share it with. Learn more about these #147;tigers of the sky.#147; Meet live owls, share stories and folklore, and go for a short hike in search of owls. Be on time and dress for the weather. There is a separate but simultaneous #147;Owl Prowl#148; program for children age 8 to 13. Fee is free for county residents and $6 for nonresidents. Registration deadline is Sunday, Jan. 8.An Afternoon with the Short-Eared Owls: Program will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 and Hart Road, Ringwood. The short-eared owl is an Illinois endangered species but we are fortunate to have them visit Glacial Park every winter! Enjoy a winter hike at dusk to search for these special creatures. Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress for the weather. We will begin our afternoon with a short indoor presentation. Fee is free for county residents and $2 for nonresidents. Program is for adults and families, age 8 and older. Registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 9.Breakfast and Birding: Program for adults 14 years of age and older will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, 13315 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock. Come enjoy a hot beverage and a breakfast treat on a cold winter morning before setting off on a hike to explore the forests and prairies of Pleasant Valley in search of McHenry County#146;s winter birds. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Fee is $2 for county residents and $2.50 for nonresidents. Registration deadline is Jan. 17.