General Meeting July 9 7:00 p.m. includes two programs

go to Events page for information. 

Louisiana Waterthrushes Might be Nebraska's Most

Enigmatic Breeding Birds

by Shari Schwartz and John Carlini 

Strategic Planning Check-in Time and

Your Opportunity to Ask the Board Questions

The Board invites you to participate in the July 9 general meeting to hear recommended action items and timelines developed during meetings with the consultant. There should be plenty of time for Q&A after the highlights. Then, if possible at the end of the meeting, we’d like to practice Zoom “break out rooms” to see how going into discussion groups and then coming back as one group could work for future get-togethers. Go to events page for more information about the July 9 General meeting via Zoom. 

Knott Prairie Open House

Planned for July 5

by Tim Knott, Conservation Committee

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Wachiska’s Knott prairie near Yutan, Nebraska is a species rich, wet meadow prairie located in the Platte River flood plain less than one half mile from the river. It’s partly because of the high water table, that 146 or more different plant species (including some rare ones) have been found on the property.  The prairie is also a great spot to see bobolinks, perhaps other rare bird species such as Henslow’s sparrows and it’s home to many different kinds of prairie insects. If you haven’t seen this prairie yet, now is your chance. Even though hot and muggy conditions can be expected, it is the best time of the year to see native prairies at their peak.

The Open House will be on Sunday afternoon, July 5th beginning at 3:00 pm. We will have a short introduction to tallgrass prairies in general, and then introduce our experts on prairie birds, prairie insects and prairie photography. They will provide information about their subjects, answer questions and may give some demonstrations. Then guests will be free to walk around on their own or stay with one of the experts to learn more. We expect to close the event at about 5:00 pm. Remember to wear long pants, boots (it could be wet), a hat and bring insect repellant. Bring your camera. Wachiska will provide cookies, iced tea and ice water.

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To be as safe as possible, it might be best if people planning to visit the prairie drive themselves and their family to Yutan rather than try to carpool. However, if you are interested and do not mind a little risk. I will be at the Wachiska Audubon office at 1:30 on Sunday and will provide rides for at least three people to the prairie. There may be others who will provide rides as well. On the prairie try to keep a 6 foot space between yourself and the next person.

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Directions from Lincoln to Yutan   The easiest route to follow is to travel north from Lincoln on Highway 77 to Wahoo, then turn east on Highway 92 and travel to Yutan. The trip should take a little over 1 hour and will be about 45 miles one way. When you reach Yutan (between 2:30 and 3:00 pm) we will rendezvous at the downtown area of Yutan near the Rusty Rooster bar. Because of the possibility of people getting stuck or having traffic tie-ups on the poor road near the prairie, we have decided to ferry people down to the prairie using a local school bus provided by Tim and Ron Drews.  If you are coming from other towns meet at Rusty Rooster also. We will then proceed by school bus to the prairie by 3:00 pm.

Because of the possibility of heavy rains before the open house and the resulting muddy roads, it may be necessary to postpone the event one week until Sunday, July 12. Please call me at either my cell number 402-217-8505 or land line 402-483-5656 if you have doubts about the event. You may also call Conservation Committee Chair, Ross Scott at 402-202-1523.