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Parksville, Kentucky
 
 
 
  

Events (and Reports)

The Refuge is open to everyone free of charge from dawn to dusk every day. Please watch and enjoy (but do not disturb) the plant and animal life you find here. Hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and recreational vehicles (including bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, etc.) are prohibited on the property. The bird blind is also open year round, but the feeders are stocked only from October1 through May 31.

 

Upcoming Events 2012

 

"Great Backyard Bird Count" at the Blind - Friday-Monday, February 17-20 - 9:00 am each day

This is an annual four-day event sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and The Audubon Society. It engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone, from beginners to experts, can be a “citizen scientist” in this way. Join us for any or all four days in the heated Fred Loetscher Bird Blind near the the parking lot.

 

Spring Birding Hike - Saturday, March 30, 9:00 am

This is an opportunity to find some early migrating birds and year-round residents before the trees fill out with leaves. Jane Brantley, Education Director, will lead the hike. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy walking shoes, and meet at the parking lot. Binoculars are recommended but, if you don’t have a pair, come anyway; loaners will be available.

 

Spring Wildflower Walk #1 - Saturday, April 14, 10:00 am

The Martha B. Clay Wildflower Trail is an easy, half-mile walk that includes both cliffside and riverside segments. The walk will be led by Dr. Ann Lubbers, Professor of Ecology at Centre College and an expert on wildflowers. The walk will be followed by a Garlic Mustard Pull, part of our effort to control this invasive species.

Cheek Nature Center Open House - Saturday, April 14, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

The Nature Center houses samples of and information about plants, animals, and geology that may be seen at the Refuge, including examples of bird feathers and nests, rocks, an insect display, educational materials for teachers, posters, and maps. Jane and J. P. Brantley, Education Directors, will be on hand to answer questions about the Refuge. Teachers, home schoolers and other group leaders considering field trips to the Refuge are encouraged to come and preview the educational materials and the trails prior to scheduling their visits. Travel grants of up to $150 are available for school groups that come to the Refuge.

 

Spring Wildflower Walk #2 - Saturday, April 28, 10:00 am

The Martha B. Clay Wildflower Trail is an easy, half-mile walk that includes both cliffside and riverside segments. Two such events are offered each spring because the wildflowers in bloom change quickly in the spring, so each walk is a different experience.

Cheek Nature Center Open House - Saturday, April 14, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

The Nature Center houses samples of and information about plants, animals, and geology that may be seen at the Refuge, including examples of bird feathers and nests, rocks, an insect display, educational materials for teachers, posters, and maps. Jane and J. P. Brantley, Education Directors, will be on hand to answer questions about the Refuge. Teachers, home schoolers and other group leaders considering field trips to the Refuge are encouraged to come and preview the educational materials and the trails prior to scheduling their visits. Travel grants of up to $150 are available for school groups that come to the Refuge.

 

 

 

 Reports on Previous Events

Winter Stargazing - Friday, January 20 - 6:00 pm

Cancelled due to persistent clouds and predicted rain.

 

Birding in the Blind - November 19, 2011 - 9:00 am

Two guests and the Education Directors enjoyed an exciting hour at the blind. In addition to multiple individuals of the usual residents (Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Blue Jay,White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, and Carolina Wren), we saw pairs of three woodpecker species (Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied) and an attack on one of the downies by a Cooper's Hawk right at the two-way glass! The prey escaped, we're pretty sure.

Fall Color Hike - Saturday, October 22, 2011 - 10: am

An adventurous band of six hikers, led by Rob Pendygraft, Refuge caretaker enjoyed the brisk weather and beautiful scenery on Circle Trail's 2.6 miles.

Late Summer Night Walk – Saturday, August 20, 2011 – 8:30 pm

A group of six, led by Rob Pendygraft, took a leisurely stroll along the darkening trails leading past Island Pond, Woodland Pond, and Green Heron Pond, watching and listening for early night sights and sounds. We saw bats, katydids, moths, and a beaver and heard cicadas, katydids, bullfrogs, green frogs, and a great horned owl. In the clearings, Rob pointed out several constellations and the Milky Way!

Spring Wildflower Walk #2 - Saturday, April 23, 2011 -- 10:00 am

Cancelled due to rain and wet trail.

April 9, 2011

Spring Wildflower Walk #1 and Garlic Mustard Pull - 10:00 am

Thirteen walkers toured the Martha Clay Wildflower Trail, led by Dr. Anne Lubbers, Ecology Professor at Centre College. Following the walk, 6 or so spent an hour or so pulling up Garlic Mustard in an effort to inhibit the growth of this dangerous invasive species in the Refuge.

Cheek Nature Center Open House - 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Three groups stopped by the Mary Ashby Cheek Nature Center to take shelter from the early afternoon rain, see the displays, and learn more about the Refuge.

Spring Birding Hike - Saturday, April 2, 2011 - 9:00 am

Nine hikers enjoyed a crisp, clear morning and recorded 29 species: Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey, Mourning Dove, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and American Goldfinch.

Birding in the Blind - Saturday, February 19, 2011 - 9:00 am

A group of 4 birders saw 13 species on Saturday morning, including a Red-bellied, a Downy, and a Hairy Woodpecker, more than 40 American Goldfinches, a Brown Thrasher, and a Cooper's Hawk, in addition to the "regulars" (Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, Mourning Doves, Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmouses, a White-breasted Nuthatch, and a White-throated Sparrow). Over all four days of the Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb. 18-21), we saw a total of 19 species, including a Pine Warbler and a Northern Harrier, in addition to the more common  species. An especially interesting sight was the gathering of more than 75 American Goldfinches at the feeders and on the ground at the same time on Monday morning.

 Winter Star Gazing - Saturday, January 8, 2011 - 6:30 pm
 Cancelled due to clouds and cold.

 

 

 



   

 
Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge
Off Highway 37 on Carpenter Creek Road
Near Parksville, Kentucky