By Alyssa Nyberg, Preserve Coordinator & Ecologist at Kankakee Sands Magic has returned to the prairie! For many people, December is the most magical time of the year – holidays, foods, families, long-starry nights and beautiful snow-covered landscapes. How fitting that this is also the point in the year when the merlins return to KankakeeContinue reading “The Magic is Back!”
Tag Archives: Birds
When the Bzzzzz turns to Zzzzzz
Nighttime Sounds By Alyssa Nyberg, Ecologist at Kankakee Sands Out here in the rural parts of Newton County, the cool temperatures of September nights make for comfortable windows-open sleeping weather. Through those open windows often come a wild variety of animal and insect sounds and buzzes which will either keep you awake all night, orContinue reading “When the Bzzzzz turns to Zzzzzz”
The Very Real Wilson’s Snipe
Indiana Nature Notes by Alyssa Nyberg, Ecologist at Kankakee Sands I grew up in rural Ohio and in my family, when a kid needed to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine, and to burn off some energy, they would be told to go outside for a ‘snipe hunt’ to search for snipe. OurContinue reading “The Very Real Wilson’s Snipe”
That’s Golden
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands A golden eagle (Aquila chysaetos) was recently spotted soaring over the Kankakee Sands prairie, to which we say, “That’s Golden!” It’s awesome news because it reaffirms everything that we want Kankakee Sands to be – a home for those species who spend their whole lives here onContinue reading “That’s Golden”
Owl Prowling at Kankakee Sands
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands The dark winter months can be a great time for owl prowling. Owls are nocturnal, which means that they are the most active feeding, vocalizing and moving about in the dark hours. With winter’s long nights and short days, it’s an ideal time to brush up yourContinue reading “Owl Prowling at Kankakee Sands”
Squirrel!
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands If you thought that squirrels were a distraction for dogs, you should see the Kankakee Sands Staff when someone says, “squirrel!” Whenever we think we see one of the recently-released Franklin’s ground squirrels (Poliocitellus franklinii) on the prairie, it’s worth stopping in our tracks to confirm. (NoteContinue reading “Squirrel!”
Friends of the Sands 