March Events At The Horicon Marsh

by Jim Dittmann
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By: Discover Dodge Tourism – Juneau, WI

Spring is just around the corner and at Horicon Marsh the first geese and sandhill cranes are returning to Wisconsin. March events include a Nest Box Seminar, Spring Thaw Walk, movie night and story session.

·        March 5, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Nest Box Seminar

Head to Horicon Marsh and learn more about nest boxes and their role within conservation. Participants will receive hands-on training, including how to properly place and maintain nest boxes and decide which type of box are right for different yard-types and bird species. This year’s nest box seminar will focus on Wood Ducks and Bluebirds, Wisconsin’s most popular cavity nesters. Purple martins, a species of Special Concern in Wisconsin, and the great crested flycatcher, a common large woodland flycatcher, will be the focus of an additional informational session.  Bluebird nest box kits will be available for purchase from Friends of Horicon Marsh for $12. This seminar is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

Attendees can assemble their nest box onsite with help from volunteers or take your kit home to make. This seminar is a great activity for kids of all ages.

This year’s seminar schedule is as follows:

· 9:30 a.m. – Steve Sample, Vice-President of the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin, will give a talk on Bluebirds and nest boxes, including best practice methods, site selection and box selection.

· 10:45 a.m. – Ike Kumrow, a charter member of the Wisconsin Purple Martin association, will present “Purple Matins are Humans’ Best Friends.” Kumrow has been hosting Purple Martins for 68 years.

· 12:45 p.m. – Liz Herzmann, DNR Wildlife Conservation Educator, will teach participants about the Great Crested Flycatcher.

· 1:45 p.m. – Jeff Bahls, President of the Horicon Marsh Bird Club and board member of the Wood Duck Society, will discuss Wood Ducks. Topics will include some exciting new nesting biology research, new duckling jump video and photos, and tips regarding how to make nest boxes pro”duck”tive.

Displays from the Horicon Marsh Bird Club, Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area, Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Purple Martin Association, Wood Duck Society will also be featured, with volunteers present to answer questions about native cavity birds. Some small food items will be available for purchase.

·         March 5, 6:30-8 p.m. –  Movies at the Marsh

The Movies at the Marsh series continues with “Bears.” This captivating Disney nature documentary follows two mother brown bears as they raise cubs amid the splendor of the Alaskan wilderness. All movies are family-friendly (rated G or PG), free of charge, and open to the public. Refreshments are available onsite. Please use the lower entrance of the building near the auditorium.

·         March 10, 10-11 a.m. – Stories at the Marsh

Join a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources educator for storytelling and craft-making at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center. “Turtle Splash” is March’s theme and live animals will be onsite for story time.  Meet Marsha the snapping turtle and some of her friends at this great event. Please enter through the lower entrance.

·         March 19, 1-2:30 p.m. – Spring Thaw Walk

Join a Horicon Marsh educator for a hike through the marsh and explore the signs of spring. “Spring is coming soon and everything from birds to frogs will be out and about,” said Liz Herzmann, DNR wildlife educator. “If any flowers are in bloom, they will be a key part of the walk as well. This is a great time to explore the marsh.” Participants will meet in the upper lobby.

Each March event is free of charge and does not require advance registration. This spring, don’t forget to check out the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center’s new Explorium.

The Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center is located between Horicon, WI and Mayville, WI on Hwy. 28. For a detailed list of all Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center special events, please visit the Friends of Horicon Marsh website at www.horiconmarsh.org. For more information regarding Horicon Marsh education programs, contact Liz Herzmann, DNR educator, at 920-387-7893.

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