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If cypress swamps are the Cache River's signature natural community, then birds are its signature animal species. Some of the kaleidoscope of bird species found in the Cache include; Black vultures, Pileated woodpeckers and the state-endangered Barn owl. Snowy egrets, Yellow-crowned night herons, Black-crowned night herons, and Little blue herons are among some of the wading birds, while American pipits, Marbled godwit, and American avocets are a sample of shore birds. Hooded mergansers, Red-breasted mergansers and Greater scaup are a few of the noted divers. Cerulean, Blue-winged, Worm-eating and the Bay-breasted warblers are some of the more unusual 30 species of warblers seen, while others with southern affinities such as the Yellow-throated, Hooded, Prairie, and Prothonotary warblers are routinely spotted by birders. Songbirds are abundant and include 49 species of neo-tropical migratory birds that breed here, such as Summer tanagers and White-eyed vireo. Fish crows and Mississippi kites are among the Gulf Coastal Plain species whose ranges reach into the Cache River basin.

We have a variety of activities for this year's event that highlight and focus on the Cache River’s diversity of birds and the area’s unique natural history. All activities are free with the exception of the Birding Blitz. All trips are on designated trails; however, it is important to wear appropriate footwear for canoeing, sturdy shoes for land excursions and to dress for the weather. Consider bringing water, food, binoculars, field guides, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and anything else that might make your outdoor experience more enjoyable.

Program information and registration is located at the Cache River Wetlands Center. All Programs are free. Pre-registration is required for canoe tours; please call Cypress Creek NWR at 618-634-2231 to reserve a space. Visitors may register for other tours and hikes the day of the event at the Cache River Wetlands Center. For more information contact, Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge at 618-634-2231.
 

Take the Cache Challenge – Win a Cache Patch

Calling All Youth (under 18) to take the Cache Challenge; attend four of the seven activities listed on the card and win a collectible Cache River Wetlands patch. Be sure to pick-up a “punch card” at the Information table to record program attendance; the completed card can be redeemed for a patch!

Hummingbird Banding
8:00am – 11:00am
Bird banding is an international effort that focuses not only on ducks and geese, but also on birds of much smaller proportions. Join Audubon staff and a federally licensed bird bander for an opportunity to view the methods used in capturing ruby-throated hummingbirds and other songbirds. Participants will also learn how the data collected from this research is used in conservation efforts.

Cache River Wetlands Center:
8:00am – 4:30pm
In addition to registration and information, the Wetlands Center will feature a variety of programs and children's activities. Natural resource staff will be available to provide area information and direct visitors to the many events that will be held during Nature Fest. The facility includes interpretive exhibits, displays, an audiovisual presentation, a wildlife observation deck, and a link to the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Face painting, "cool" bird tattoos (washable), Kidz birding hike, live animal presentations and many nature related activities for all ages are scheduled throughout the day.

Birds of Prey Show
1:00pm & 3:00pm
Join staff from Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation for an up close and personal view of owls, hawks, and other bird species. Wildlife Rehabilitator, Beverly Shofstall, will share some fascinating facts about each bird’s natural history and give spectators the opportunity to see them up close and personal. The program will also focus on current issues facing raptors in the wild. Don't miss this special opportunity.

Ecological Fitness Trail
Test your knowledge about the Cache River Wetlands and learn some interesting facts through this interactive program. The Ecological Fitness Trail includes a series of ten stations that provide fun facts about the variety of plants and animals that live in the Cache River Wetlands. Even if you don’t know much about the ecology of the Cache — the ecological fitness trail will help you learn about the natural history of the area. This activity is fun for all ages. So get fit and take the challenge!

Kidz Birding
This youth activity will bring out the bird lover in every child. Children will explore the world of birds through this interactive program. Kids will learn how to identify some common birds from this area while searching for them on an outside hike around the Wetlands Center. The use of resources, such as bird identification books, will be taught so kids can even learn about birds from home. This program is geared towards kids, but all ages are welcome. Come enjoy and learn about our feathered friends with this fun program.

 

Interactive Exhibits

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Cold-blooded Creatures of the Cache
How can you tell a male box turtle from a female? If you step on a cottonmouth snake does it bite? What kind of lizard has a blue tipped tail? Learn answers to these questions and explore Illinois’ most fascinating, yet often misunderstood, inhabitants with Tony Gerard, Biology Instructor at Shawnee College. You’ll learn about snakes, lizards, frogs, toads and salamanders that are found in the Cache River Wetlands. Participants will have an opportunity to see a variety of these species up close.

Bald Eagle Viewing
The American bald eagle has made a great comeback in the Cache River wetlands. Enjoy the views of a bald eagle nest and potential eagle sightings from a parking lot close to the Cache River Wetlands Center. Staff will share their knowledge and experiences about the natural history of the bald eagle, capturing the life and habitat of this magnificent bird. Identification and resource materials will also be available for visitors to use and look for eagles along the Cache River.

Native Fish Exhibit
Test your knowledge of fish that are found in the Cache River Wetlands and learn about some these unique aquatic species. Live fish and other native aquatic species will be displayed for visitors to get an up close view of some of the exciting underwater world inhabitants found in the Cache River.

Kidz Corner
Bring your kids over to the 'Kidz Corner'! Interactive and hands-on fun, sure to inspire the nature lover of any age. Encourage your children to "Get WILD" through creating their own bandanas and kites using wildlife track stamps or show off their love for nature with a bird tattoo (temporary)! The Kidz corner provides great hands-on opportunities for all ages to learn about wildlife of the "Cache".

IDNR Conservation Trailer
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police will bring their "Wildlife Education Program" trailer, which serves as a visual, educational tool for youngsters interested in the outdoors. A conservation officer will be available from 9:00am to 3:00pm to help answer any questions you may have about hunting, fishing, or other recreational activities.

Trails of Awareness
The Trails of Awareness Project is a unique experiential education program that utilizes the natural world as a place of learning, growth, and inspiration through nature awareness. Visit this exhibit to learn more about the project and opportunities regarding primitive and wilderness surviving skills. View artifacts indigenous to this area and primitive tools one may use when surviving off the land.

Native Plant Society
Find out more about native plants in our area. The Native Plant Society is dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and study of native plants and vegetation of Illinois. Discover the natural side to growing native, including their benefits to you and associated wildlife. Stop by the exhibit to receive a complimentary native tree seedling to plant in your backyard!

Duck I.D. & Decoy Demo
Be sure to stop by to freshen up on your duck identification! Learn the difference between a mallard and a wood duck. Also join Chester Stogner for a demo of how to make duck decoys, demonstrating wood carving and burning techniques. He has taught decoy carving classes and participated in decoy competitions. Watch as a block of tupelo wood is slowly transformed to a decoy of beauty and perfection.

Turkey Talk
Stop by and learn about this long-legged woodland bird that claimed to be the largest upland game bird in North America. Gone from most of its original range, the wild turkey has been reintroduced into Illinois and is common once again in the Cache River basin. Join members of the National Wild Turkey Federation to learn about turkey habits and the clucks, whistles, and gobbles that “turkeys talk.”

Invasive Plant Basket Weaving Demonstration
Find out how to use invasive plants to your advantage! Using natural materials, both native and non native, a small bowl basket can be woven in about two hours. Beginner basketmakers will find the simple over/under weave an easy technique to master and by varying materials, the creative side of anyone can produce a bowl of beauty.

Prothonotary Warbler Banding and Exhibit
Join biologist Dr. Jeff Hoover and his team of research assistants to learn more about the Prothonotary warbler and its importance to the Cache River wetlands. They will band this “swamp canary” bird and discuss aspects of this bird’s life, including their 16-year study of constructing nest boxes, monitoring population trends, and cowbird parasitism. Don’t forget to catch a showing of NOVA: Gangster Birds to find out what this cowbird phenomenon is all about!

Kayak Club - TBA

Bass Club - TBA

Cache River Nature Journaling
9:00am – 12:00pm
Learn to aesthetically portray the unique landscape that is the Cache! Join biologists Dr. Michael Jeffords and Susan Post for a workshop entitled "Creating a Cache Nature Journal." This three-hour program will include one hour of instruction on the skills and techniques for creating an illustrated nature journal in the A/V room at the Cache River Wetlands Center and two hours in the field at Section 8 Woods Nature Preserve practicing these skills. This program is for ages high school and up. Participants should bring their own journal book and a set of colored pencils. Other art supplies are optional. *Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.* To make a reservation, please call the Cache River Wetlands Center at (618) 657-2064, Wednesday-Sunday, 9am-4pm.

Heron Pond Nature Hike
Hikes offered at 10:00am and 1:00pm
Heron Pond State Natural Area is one of Illinois’ finest bald cypress swamps. Join staff for a hike to see, hear and learn about the rich diversity of flora and fauna found in this special site within the Cache River Wetlands. These guided hikes offer wildlife watching opportunities and features a floating boardwalk that meanders between towering cypress trees. This two hour, easy to moderate hike will depart from the Cache River Wetlands Center to Heron Pond trailhead where the hike will begin. Please register the day of the event at the Cache River Wetlands Center.

Tupelo Trail Hike
Hike offered at 1:00pm
This trail meanders through a rolling upland forest to the southern edge of Little Black Slough. It provides excellent views of tupelo gum trees and Little Black Slough swamp. In addition to the impressive stands of cypress and tupelo swamps, Little Black Slough contains the low floodplain forests as well as upland forests, dry bluff top woods, and hillside barrens. The swamp border and low floodplain woods contain such trees as Drummond’s red maple, red elm, pumpkin ash, overcup oak, and pin oak. The surrounding hilly areas have such species as tulip trees, sweetgums, spicebush, and most of the oaks and hickories native to all of southern Illinois.

Wetlands Wildlife Tracking on the Cache
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Wetlands Wildlife Tracking provides in-depth instruction on the art and science of wildlife tracking for the beginner and advanced participants. This 2-hour clinic will explore diversity of habitats, sign, and tracks of present and past wildlife or the Cache River region. A slide show presentation will be given, including questions and answers about tracking and identification, followed by a field trip to the river to look for tracks and learn what it takes to be a keen observer and disciplined tracker.

Cache River Wetlands Canoe Tour
Tours offered throughout the day
Join us for a guided tour through Buttonland Swamp – a National Natural Landmark. The Illinois state champion bald cypress tree grows here, as well as tupelo and other species that favor this habitat. Some of the trees at this site have been aged between 500 and 1,000 years old. The area hosts a diversity of waterfowl, wading birds, and songbirds, and if you're lucky a river otter, beaver, or mink may be spotted. The trip will take you along a canoe trail that meanders through backwater sloughs to the state champion bald cypress and Short Reach. This is a great opportunity for the beginning canoeist and a great place to experience the beauty of the Cache River Wetlands. There is limited space on each tour. You may pre-register after 3/30/11 by calling 618-634-2231.

 
More Hikes and Activities are planned.
Be sure to stop by the Information Tent for a Schedule of Events.

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