Learn about owls on hikes in McHenry County
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 www.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 in Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779. For all programs, be on time and dress for weather.
Owl Prowl: An Owl Prowl will be 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. There is a separate but simultaneous “Owls of McHenry County” program for adults. The program is free for county residents and $5 for nonresidents. The program is for youth ages 7 to 13. The registration deadline is Sunday, Jan. 8.Owls of McHenry County: The program for ages 14 and older will be presented 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.#148; Meet live owls, share stories and folklore, and go for a short hike in search of owls. There is a separate but simultaneous #147;Owl Prowl#148; program for children age 8 to 13. It is free for county residents and $6 for nonresidents. The registration deadline is Sunday, Jan. 8.An Afternoon with the Short-Eared Owls: Enjoy an afternoon with owls from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Road, Ringwood. The short-eared owl is an Illinois endangered species. They visit Glacial Park every winter. Enjoy a winter hike at dusk to search for these special creatures. Bring binoculars if you have them. The afternoon program will begin with a short indoor presentation. It is free for county residents and $2 for nonresidents. The program is for adults and families, age 8 and older. The registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 9.Breakfast and Birding: Those age 14 and older are invited to enjoy a breakfast treat and learn about birding 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. Staff only will have limited supplies to share. The fee is $2 for county residents and $2.50 for nonresidents. The registration deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 17