Prairie Appreciation Day Bird Walk

Saturday May 11^th at 7:30 AM

This is an opportunity to see prairie birds at Glacial Heritage, a preserve which is normally closed to the public. The prairie habitat hosts raptors, meadowlarks, Savannah Sparrows, bluebirds and other migrant birds. The oak woodland should have flycatchers, House Wrens and other colorful birds such as Black-headed Grosbeaks and Western Tanagers. We should also see other resident birds. Mid-May is the height of blooming for prairie plants with camas turning the prairie blue.

We will meet at the parking area (see directions below) at 7:30 AM. The walk runs to around 10 AM. The walk is 2-3 miles through prairie and oak riparian woodland on gravel roads and dirt trails. You don’t need to sign up in advance, though we will ask you to sign in when you get there.

Black Hills Audubon also has a bird booth with information and attractions for kids that operates after 10 AM.

Prairie Appreciation Day is celebrated by the Friends of Puget Prairies at the Glacial Heritage Preserve, a South Sound prairie managed by the Center for Natural Lands Management.  You can find more details at the following website.

http://www.prairieappreciationday.org/

Directions to Glacial Heritage Preserve From I-5:

• Take I-5 to Exit 95 (Littlerock/Maytown) and head West on Maytown Road toward the town of Littlerock.
• Follow Maytown Road until you reach the stop sign at Littlerock Elementary. Continue straight onto 128th Ave. SW and continue straight until the ‘T’ at Mima/Waddel Creek rd.
• At the ‘T’ take a left and follow Mima Road SW for 2.7 miles.
• You will see a tractor precaution sign followed shortly by a gravel road and brown sign marking Glacial Heritage Preserve on the left.
• Take a left onto the unmarked gravel road.
• Follow the road around the corner, through the white gate, and to the parking area on the right.

Photo credit: Western Bluebird, by Rachel Hudson.