Wachiska Audubon Society offers a number of events you may want to participate in. GENERAL MEETINGS:
Currently our monthly presentations are being held via Zoom. You may pre-register for these free, public events via link on the Facebook invitation under EVENTS or by visiting our website. You may use the Zoom ap OR simply use a browser link. Members and guests gather to hear guest speakers who ar
e recognized authorities on nature, travel and the world around us and to receive updates on chapter events and area birding. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M in Room 03 (lower level) of the Dick Administration Building on the campus of Union College. 48th and Bancroft Avenue, in Lincoln, Nebraska. FIELD TRIPS:
Monthly trips to scenic local and regional areas hlep birdwatchers sharpen their skills, let wildflower enthusiasts discover the best prairies, and , in general, prive members and gusts opportunities to get acquainted with like-minded individuals. BIRDATHON:
In May, Audubon members conduct a census of bird species at the peak of spring migration. Members, friends and businesses are invited to make a pledge per species or a flat donation to support the chapter's work for the upcoming year. BACKYARD HABITAT TOUR:
Held each spring, this tour opens the yards of local citizens, allowing visitors to gather ideas on landscaping to attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife. FALL & SPRING BIRDSEED SALES
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
PRAIRIE MANAGEMENT:
Wachiska owns several prairies in southeast Nebraska that the public can visit any time of year free of charge. Dieken Prairie (14 acres, Otoe County, southwest of Unadilla NE)
-- 1.5 miles south on Rd 20 from northwest corner Unadilla and NE 02/Rd 20 intersection to intersection with Rd I, 0.75 miles west on Rd I; Prairie located on south side Rd I and in the northwest corner of the northwest quarter section.
-- Good wildflower displays are seen throughout the year. Visit in late May to Mid June for prairie phlox and narrow flowered scurf pea. Mid June to early July is best for New Jersey tea, black-eyed Susans, and leadplant. Rough gayfeather is outstanding in August. Downy gentian and ladies’ tresses are seen in good numbers in September and October
Klapka Prairie (400 acres total, Pawnee County, southeast of Table Rock NE)
-- Native unbroken prairie: 25 acres-excellent condition in 3 separate locations; 111 acres-fair/good condition in 3 separate locations; 32 acres-poor condition in 1 location; balance of property in various stages of prairie restoration
-- At east edge Table Rock and intersection NE 04 and Pawnee Street, proceed east-southeast on Pawnee Street until intersecting with Ave 626 (~0.25 mile), proceed south ~ 2.25 miles on Ave 626 to the intersection with Rd 712; ~120 acres located immediately southeast of intersection, ~ 240 acres ~0.5 miles east on north side of Rd 712, and, ~40 acres 1 mile east on south side of Rd 712; Native prairies in excellent condition located in three separate locations on property (need a map for precise locations). Lamb Prairie (6.3 acres, Johnson County, southwest of Sterling NE)
-- 2 miles west from Sterling west end on NE41/43 to Ave 608 (Lutheran Church on north side road at intersection), 2 miles south across BNSF RR tracks to intersection with Rd 732; Prairie in the northeast corner of the northeast quarter section, and, southwest corner of intersection.
-- This small hilltop prairie is packed with wildflowers. Especially prominent are lead plant, purple prairie coneflower, plains evening primrose, and pruple prairie clover. Best time to visit: late June to Early July
Storm Prairie, aka Yutan Prairie (21 acres, Saunders County, northeast of Yutan NE)
-- 1.0 mile north on Rd 5 from Rd 5/NE 92 intersection at the southeast edge Yutan to Rd N, 1 mile east on Rd N to intersection with Rd 4, 0.5 mile north on Rd 4; Prairie on east side of road bordered by evergreen grove on north and NRCS Conservation Easement prairie on south. (These are unimproved roads. If Rd N is not passable, proceed 1 more mile north on Rd 5 to Rd O, followed by traveling 1 mile east on Rd O to end of Rd O at intersection with Rd 4, and, 0.5 mile south on Rd 4 to prairie site on east side of Rd 4.) (The prairie does not have a sign!)
-- A Platte River floodplain prairie, this one is a good location for seeing bobolinks in late May and June. A rare plant, the wood betony or lousewort, blooms in May. Tall gayfeather and compass plant bloom in mid July to early August
Wildcat Prairie (30.5 acres, Gage County, south-southwest of Virginia NE)
-- 7 miles south on Liberty Road (S 162 Rd) from northwest corner Virginia and NE 04/Liberty Road intersection to “Stop” sign on B-Line Rd, 1 mile west on B-Line Rd to intersection with Rd S 148; 1 mile north on Rd S 148 to E. Osage Rd, 0.5 mile west on E. Osage Rd; Prairie located on north side of E. Osage Rd (E. Osage Rd is a minimum use “minimum maintenance road”)
-- One of the best displays of orange-red flowering butterfly milkweed plants anywhere. The milkweeds plus dark blue scurfpea and yellow black-eyed Susans form a great combination from mid June to early July.
