MOTHER'S Day Off

When the shorebirds, or peeps, arrive in April and May, the Friends hold an early morning birding tour complete with rolls and coffee or tea. The tour, led by knowledgeable birders, is limited to 20 people.  If you would like to take part you need to register for this one by calling the refuge 620-486-2393.

The Refuge is an important stopover for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds on their way to arctic breeding grounds. There are also several species of birds arriving to stay through the summer at the Refuge, including egrets, ibis and the endangered least tern and threatened snowy plover.

ADDITIONAL Events

NIGHT TOUR

Discover the Refuge after dark, when many of the creatures not seen during the day can be spotted. Participants ride in vans and SUV's along the Refuge roads using spotting scopes to find deer, beaver, coyotes, bob cats, raccoons and any other nocturnal creature that may be out and about.

The tour is scheduled in November or December, weather permitting, and is limited to 20 to 25 participants. Refreshments and hot chocolate and coffee are served at the end of the tour.

WHEN THE EAGLES LAND

An educational program that introduces area fourth and fifth graders to the Refuge and birds in the falcon family - hawks, falcons, eagles - or owls, in which kids guess when the first eagle appears at the Refuge. The program is offered every other year, with the latest in 2007.  Bald eagles, and sometimes golden eagles, arrive in the fall, following migrating ducks, geese and cranes. The eagles over winter at the Refuge as long as the waterfowl remain, feeding on weak or sick birds.

The Friends of Quivira, the Refuge, Great Plains Nature Center and Minnis Chapel in Macksville, St. John and Stafford, sponsor the program. In September or early October, representatives from the Refuge, GPNC and FOQ travel to each of the schools in Stafford County, presenting a 20- to 30-minute show with a live bird from GPNC to fourth grade students. Students then make educated guesses on when the first bald or golden eagle will be spotted at the Refuge. Refuge staff note the date and time of the first eagle and the three students picking the closest times receive cash prizes of $20, $15 and $5 provided by Jay Minnis, Minnis Chapel in Stafford, Mitch Minnis, Minnis Chapel Inc. of Macksville, St. John, and FOQ.

The first bald eagle spotted after the presentations for 2007 was at 9:29 a.m. on Oct. 18.
This year's winners and their educated guesses were:

From Macksville - First, Tara Bunker, 9:51 a.m. on Oct. 18; Second, Stefany Ortiz, 1:20 p.m. on Oct. 18; and Third, Ailin Moreno, 8:02 p.m. on Oct. 17.

From St. John - First, Sierra Brittain, 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 18; Second, Josue Ramirez, 3:02 p.m. on Oct. 17; and Third, Zach Claussen, 2:45 p.m. on Oct. 19.

From Stafford - First, Marsena Irvine, 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 18; Second, Aylin Garcia, 1 p.m. on Oct. 18; and Third, Brooke McNickle at 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 17.

Macksville Kids

Mitch Minnis, Minnis Chapel Inc. of Macksville, presents prizes to Macksville fifth grade students: Tara Bunker, first place; Stefany Ortiz, second; and Ailin Moreno, third place winners of the Friends of Quivira "When the Eagle Lands" Contest. Tara came the closest to the first eagle sighting time, guessing 22 minutes late.