Post-meeting field trips – Sunday, August 2
Guided trips will be offered to several localities in Oklahoma (see detailed information at bottom of page):
- Tallgrass Prairie Nature Preserve, in north-central Oklahoma.
- Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in north-central Oklahoma
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City LakesCANCELLED
In addition, local outings in the Norman area will available the mornings of 28 July to 1 August 2015 before daily meeting events. These will be posted for signup at the meeting, and include areas along the Canadian River, Lake Thunderbird, George Miksch Sutton Urban Wilderness, and, depending on conditions, local sod farms. While mid-summer can be a period of reduced bird activity, local species such as Bell’s Vireos and Painted Bunting, among others, can still be seen. Sign-up will be necessary at least the day prior by 6:00 PM. Attendees coming before or after meeting times can also contact the Local Committee for information on these and other areas to visit in Oklahoma.
1. Tallgrass Prairie Nature Preserve –Full day
Sunday, August 2
Start and end time: 3 am – 5 pm
Cost: $40/person
Transportation: van or bus
Meals Provided: Box breakfast and lunch
Trip Description: Approximately 2.5 hours travel from Norman to the tall-grass prairie areas of north-central Oklahoma. The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is the largest protected remnant of tallgrass prairie left on earth. Originally spanned large areas from Texas to Minnesota, urban sprawl and conversion to cropland have left less than 10% of this magnificent American landscape. This area operated by The Nature Conservancy is the southern extension of a broader, but largely unprotected area of prairie to the north in central and eastern Kansas. This tour will try to enter the preserve in early morning to note some of the special bird species occurring there, and end with a descriptive tour on the natural history of the area, including bison viewing and prairie grasses and wildflowers. This will be an opportunity to experience one of the great North American landscapes.
Expected species: Grassland species such as Sedge Wrens (which are nesting at this time), Henslow’s and Grasshopper Sparrows, Dickcissels and Upland Sandpipers. Greater Prairie-Chickens are common here, and might also be observed. Bison occur on the Preserve and will be expected.
Recommended Gear and Caution: Weather in mid-summer can be hot. Head gear with wide brims is recommended, though not essential. There will some hiking into some prairie areas. Reasonable footwear is expected. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen are recommended and staying hydrated is standard practice.
Additional information at: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/oklahoma/placesweprotect/tallgrass-prairie-preserve.xml
2. Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge—full day
Sunday, August 2
Start and end time: 5:30 am – 6 pm
Cost: $40/person. Group size will be limited.
Transportation: van or bus
Meals Provided: Box breakfast and lunch
Trip Description: Approximately 2.5 hours travel from Norman to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. Designated as the “largest such saline flat in the central lowlands of North America,” the 11,200- acre salt flat of Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is essential to wildlife, and has been home to breeding Snowy Plovers, American Avocets, and Least Terns, a major migratory shorebird and waterfowl staging area in the central Plains, and a stopover for part of the migratory flocks of American White Pelicans, Sandhill and endangered Whooping cranes in spring and fall. Migrating shorebirds begin to build up in late July on the Salt Flats. Normally closed to the public, this tour will allow access to the shore edges where migratory shorebirds, gulls, terns, herons and egrets tend to concentrate. Unique in North America, the flats produce selenite crystals; the group can be allowed a brief period to sample.
Expected species: The Salt Plains manages for nesting Snowy Plovers, American Avocets and Interior Least Terns. The beginning of the shorebird migrations season in late July can produce hundreds to several thousand shorebirds, including Baird’s and Stilt Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitchers, Wilson’s Phalaropes, and some less common species such as Long-billed Curlews, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, and (possible) Red Knots, in addition to migrating Black Terns, and locally breeding herons and egrets. Peregrines frequent the flats beginning in late July. Local ponds can provide opportunity for herons, ibises, and, depending on water conditions, some waterfowl and rails.
Recommended Gear and Caution: Weather in mid-summer can be hot. We will be hiking and walking out onto the Salt Flats. There is usually a breeze, but temperatures will exceed 90 degrees F. Head gear and hydration are important. Wide brim hats are recommended. Footwear can be casual sneakers; wading will be allowed.
Additional information at:
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Salt_Plains/wildlife_and_habitat/index.html
3. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge –Full day
Sunday, August 2
Start and end time: 5:00 am – 5 pm
Cost: $40/person
Transportation: van or bus
Meals Provided: Box breakfast and lunch
Trip Description: Approximately 2 hours travel from Norman to the rugged granite outcrops of the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma. Established in 1901, the 59,020 acre refuge hosts a rare piece of the past – a remnant mixed grass prairie, interfaced with granitic uplifts forming the Wichita Mountains themselves. It is an island where the natural grasslands escaped destruction because the rocks underfoot defeated the plow. It is home to American Bison, Rocky Mountain elk and prairie dogs, and maintains an historic herd of Texas longhorn cattle, one of the largest populations of Black-capped Vireos (over 4,000 pair) and one of the most colorful forms of Eastern Collared Lizards.
Expected species: The scrubland and rocky habitat should provide opportunity to see Black-capped Vireos, and local species such as Rock and Canyon Wrens, Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and Painted Buntings. Grassland species such as Grasshopper Sparrows, and Dickcissels are present, and (most years) nesting Burrowing Owls can be found. As it heats up, an interpretive tour of the Refuge will be provided. The Wichita Mountains are a unique and mystical island of habitat in a largely developed landscape.
Recommended Gear and Caution: Weather in mid-summer can be hot. Head gear with wide brims is recommended, though not essential. There will some hiking into some areas, with some modest elevational-change hikes. The rocky terrain make footwear with ankle support recommended. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen are recommended and staying hydrated is standard practice.
Additional information at:
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Wichita_Mountains/
4. Oklahoma City Lakes – Half day CANCELLED