Tuesday, Dec. 6: Spring Creek Preservation Society Holiday party, 7 p.m., 5806 Firecrest Drive, Garland, 972-495-3569. Bring an appetizer to share, friends and family and a good nature story or two. Drinks are provided. This is the best way to start the holidays.
No work session for December
Birds? We’ve got ‘em: The Nov. 26 bird walk led by certified master birder, Reba Collins, was fun and informative for approximately 20 folks who participated. Bird species below were identified and the count was recorded on eBird.org, a site created by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society.
Red-shouldered hawk 1
Mourning dove 2
Red-bellied woodpecker 3
Downy woodpecker 2
Northern flicker 2
Eastern phoebe 1
Blue jay 5
American crow 3
Carolina chickadee 1
Carolina wren 1
Ruby-crowned kinglet 1
Northern mockingbird 2
Yellow-rumped warbler 1
White-throated sparrow 1
Song sparrow 1
Northern cardinal 4
First quarter, 2017 schedule:
Tuesday, Jan. 3: Meeting at North Garland Branch Library, 7 p.m. Certified arborist, Laura McLarry will talk about which trees will do well in local ecosystem and how to plant them. She has extensive experience and education and has been an ISA Certified Arborist since 2008.
Saturday, Jan. 7: Work session. 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at 1770 Holford Road. Volunteers will remove invasive plants. Materials: Wear work gloves, long pants and sturdy shoes (no sandals) for your protection. Bring loppers and short-handled tree saws.
Saturday, Jan. 21: Bird walk: 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. with Reba Collins, certified master birder, 1787 Holford Road. Learn what birds spend winters in Spring Creek Forest. Dress for the weather. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars. Rain boots may be appropriate.
Tuesday, Feb. 7: Meeting at North Garland Branch Library, 7 p.m. Rick Diamond will speak on wilderness first aid which will be useful even in your back yard.
Saturday, Feb. 11: Work session. 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Location TBA.
Saturday, Feb. 25: 24th Trout Lily Walk. Yes! Tom Frey will lead the walks. Times TBA.
Tuesday, March 7: Meeting at North Garland Branch Library, 7 p.m. Janet Smith talks about Sex in the Garden. Some backyard critters have pretty wild lifestyles. Come early for the best seats; could be SRO. (LOL)
Saturday, March 11: Work session. 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Location TBA.
Important message: As the area surrounding the Spring Creek Preserve becomes filled with buildings and parking lots, it is imperative to educate people who move into and work in these new buildings. We need to explain about the difference between the preserve and a city park. A preserve is left as natural as possible – fallen trees are left in place to decay and become food source for insects and grubs, which in turn are essential food for our birds and other wildlife. The undergrowth of small trees and plants is not cleared out because it provides essential food, shelter and plant diversity.
The creek corridor is home for bobcats, coyotes, owls, raccoons and other amazing creatures. It is home to grasses and wildflowers such as native milk weed plants that Monarch butterflies require to continue their life cycle.
A healthy preserve is wild-looking, messy, tangled with roots and native vines, and alive with bees, butterflies and animals.
A membership is available at www.springcreekforest.org.