|
April 27, 2006
EAGLE CREEK STATE NATURE PRESERVE TO HOST BIRDING & WILDFLOWER HIKES
Event is part of the Natural Areas Discovery Series
 COLUMBUS, OH - Guided wildflower and bird hikes will be held Saturday, May 6 at Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve, as part of the Natural Areas Discovery Series, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Natural Areas Discovery Series.
The Portage County preserve will begin its “Birds and Blooms” guided hikes at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon. The 8 a.m. hike along the Beaver Run Trail focuses on the birds of Eagle Creek in a rarely visited area of the preserve. The 10 a.m. and noon hikes will feature the variety of spring blooms seen along the preserve’s trails. The trails are rated easy to moderate and range from three-fourths of a mile to 2.5 miles in length.
More than 70 wildflower species bloom throughout Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve in early May, including white and red trillium, 13 species of violets, yellow and white trout lilies, squirrel corn (pictured above), Dutchman's breeches and Virginia bluebells. Looking to the skies, visitors can admire wood warblers and other nesting birds such as northern orioles, scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks and indigo buntings.
The Natural Areas Discovery Series kicked off in April and each month through October features scheduled hikes and interpretive activities at selected state nature preserves. The monthly programs are free and open to the public. The ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves sponsors the series.
For more information about the Discovery Series visit ohiodnr.com, or for specific information about the May 6 event at Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve call 330-527-5118.
|