Getting Outside for Family Day at Turkey Creek

Who would think that kids and adults alike would (willingly!) shed shoes and socks to wade, knee-deep, in a creek on a windy, overcast 50-degree day? And who would believe you could walk away from a talk about raptors thinking a turkey buzzard is beautiful and smart? It was all part of the experience at Bur Oak Land Trust’s Family Day at Turkey Creek on May 21. About 40 hardy souls came to enjoy the afternoon at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve to learn about raptors, make discoveries at the creek, and enjoy refreshments.

Three representatives of Raptology brought two of the amazing birds they care for. Joan Schnabel brought Regi, a five-year-old great horned owl. She was rescued when she fell from her nest at only a week old. Joan explained that the ears of great horned owls are placed asymmetrically. With one ear higher than the other, they can hear the faintest sounds and locate their prey. They also have powerful night vision. One look at Regi’s large, hypnotic eyes convinces you of that. If you hear hooting that matches the cadence of “Who’s awake? Me, too” you might just be hearing a great horned owl.

Gonzo, a two-year-old turkey vulture, was handled by Dawn Frary. Turkey vultures eat carrion, a dirty but important job that keeps the environment clean. While it isn’t the pleasantest thing to think about, the birds’ systems are perfectly engineered for the job. They have an acute sense of smell which leads them to food sources. They also possess robust gut bacteria which makes their waste sterile when they expel it. Dawn explained that vultures are intelligent and social. Although Gonzo was a little nervous around the group, he seemed to study us as much as we studied him.

Luke Hart, another Raptology colleague, gave an overview of raptors’ importance in the natural world and explained that although some threats like DDT have been eliminated, others, like lead shot, remain.

Meanwhile, down at the creek, families joined Zac Wedemeyer of Taproot Nature Experience to see what they could scoop up with nets and seines. Some waded in with rolled up pants legs. Others wore their mud boots and Wellingtons. But everyone found something interesting to put in small buckets for careful handling, identification, and discussion with Zac. The list included crawdads, fish, leeches, fossils, rocks, and even a young, non-venomous Northern Water Snake. The snake, which Zac estimated was about one week old, fit in the palm of the hand, but it will grow to be about three feet long.

When exploring the natural world, there is an unwritten contract we should maintain to benefit each other and the environment. Kids and adults alike experience wonder and delight upon encountering a creature, fossil, or other discovery, so it’s important to resist the temptation to take something for a keepsake. Instead, leave it, especially fossils, so the next visitors can also learn from that site and enjoy the experience.

Thanks to everyone who came and experienced Family Day at Turkey Creek!