Kane County Forest Preserve District notes

Great horned owls have been front and center in Kane County in recent years, with several pairs choosing prominent nest sites in parks, forest preserves and even the courthouse grounds in downtown Geneva.

Learn about these fascinating creatures during "Great Horned Morning," a Learn from the Experts program, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. March 15 at the Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave. in St. Charles.

Naturalist Pam Otto will lead a presentation that explores the behavior and ecology of these "winged tigers" and their status in the area and Illinois. The indoor lecture will be followed by an outdoor excursion to a local nesting site.

Bring binoculars if you have them, and remember to dress for the weather. The registration fee is $10. To register, call (847) 741-8350, ext. 10.

Learn from the Experts programs focus on various topics in local ecology. The adults-only workshops are co-sponsored by the Kane County Forest Preserve District and St. Charles, Geneva, and Fox Valley park districts. Attendees are eligible for Kane County Certified Naturalist credit. Other upcoming programs in the series include:

• "Ethnobotany" from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve, 35W076 Villa Maria Road, St. Charles.

• "After the Burn" will be from 1 to 3 p.m. March 29 at Campton Hills Park, Campton Hills and Peck roads, St. Charles.

• "Illinois' Freshwater Mussels" will be from 7 to 9 p.m. April 3 at Pottawatomie Community Center, St. Charles.

• "Reptiles and Amphibians of Northeastern Illinois" -- This two-part program is from 7 to 9 p.m. May 8 at Pottawatomie Community Center, St. Charles and from 9 a.m. to noon May 10 at Otter Creek Bend Park in St. Charles.

Call (847) 741-8350, ext. 10, to register for any of the Learn from the Experts programs. Registration is $10 per session. Additional details are available at www.kaneforest.com.