The Oak Ridge Environmental Research Park’s first spring nature walk of 2013 will focus on studies of the American woodcock and winter astronomy on Saturday, Feb. 23.
The walk from 5:30-9 p.m. will include opportunities to view demonstrations of the American woodcock’s elaborate flight displays. Also, a trained falconer from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will have two different hawks on hand for participants to learn about.
Walk organizers hope other opportunities will be available to see and hear owls during the walk.
In addition, volunteers from the ORION astronomy club of Oak Ridge will provide telescope-viewing opportunities and discuss stars, planets, and other celestial events that may be viewed in the sky.
Sunday, Feb. 24, is the alternate date in case of bad weather. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers. A reliable flashlight or headlamp is also recommended—preferably with a red filter.
The walk is free, but reservations must be made by noon Thursday, Feb. 21, by calling Tracy Clem by phone at (865) 574-5151 or sending her an e-mail at [email protected].
If bad weather forces postponement, it will be announced on ORNL’s Information Line at (865) 574-9836 (574-XTEN) at least two hours before the scheduled walk.
More information about these walks is available at http://www.esd.ornl.gov/facilities/nerp/index.html or by contacting Trent Jett by phone at (865) 574-9188 or by e-mail at [email protected], or Neil Giffen at (865) 241-9421 or [email protected].
Other spring nature walks include:
- Saturday, April 27: A bird nature walk in the vicinity of the East Tennessee Technology Park from 7 until 10:30 a.m.
- Sunday, June 2: A reptiles and amphibians inventory in the Solway Bend area near the Clinch River is scheduled from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Limited to 20 people, walking will be through fields and over level dirt/gravel roads (limited distances).
- Saturday, June 8: A wetland plants nature walk along ponds near East Tennessee Technology Park is scheduled from 8 until 11 a.m. Limited to 25 participants,walking will be over level dirt roads and a mown trail, but not in overly steep terrain of about a mile and a half.
Children are welcome to participate in each of these walks, but pets are not with the exception of service animals.
Reservations for each of these walks must be made by noon Thursdays prior to the scheduled walk by contacting Tracy Clem at (865) 574-5151 or [email protected].
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