Like people, some birds flee the northern regions to overwinter somewhere warmer. However, lots of birds stay here to face the cold of winter.
Hannibal Parks & Recreation is offering two free nature programs to learn about how birds survive the cold weather and to help feed them. The programs are led nature educator Gale Rublee and members of the Mississippi Hills Master Naturalists:
• “Unveiling Winter’s Winged Wonders” Bird Walk 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at Sodalis Nature Preserve. Rublee said, “Winter is a great time to go birding! It’s so much easier to see the birds without so many leaves on the trees. What are they eating? Where do they take shelter?” Dress warm and bring binoculars to see which birds are calling Sodalis home this winter.
• “Unveiling Winter’s Winged Wonders” Making Bird Feeders 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center. Ever look outside on a cold day and wonder how the birds don’t freeze their tiny feet off? Come learn more about the special adaptations and behaviors birds have that enable them to survive the winter. We’ll give them some help by making pinecone bird feeders for you to take home.
All hikes and nature programs are free and open to the public but reservations must be made on Hannibal Parks & Recreation website. https://hannibalparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program