By the Numbers: March 2013

Seems like March came and went in a flash but we've still got the numbers:

Total number of visitors: 3,496.5

Total rainfall amount: 2.746 inches

Average daily highs: 55.6 degrees

Average daily lows: 34.03 degrees

Mountain bike trails open: 90% of the month


For those keeping track, here are the statistics for February 2013:


Total number of visitors: 2,191

Total rainfall amount: 4.582 inches

Average daily highs: 45.32 degrees

Average daily lows: 29.81 degrees

Mountain bike trails open: 78.3% of the month

Look for Lyrid Meteor Shower to Peak April 22nd

The Lyrid meteor shower will peak this year on April 22, 2013. This annual meteor shower typically puts on a good show with an average of about 10-20 meteors an hour. Sometimes though it can have “surges” of activity that peak as high as 100 meteors an hour. The Lyrids also tend to produce pretty bright meteors that have long, very visible trails. But you will have to set the alarm clock for the wee hours of the morning to get the best views.



Four hour time-lapse exposure of meteor shower.

Look for the meteors to originate from the Northeastern portion of the sky, in the constellation Lyra. The moon will be waxing gibbous and will set late, so the best time to watch for them will be right before moonset. For our area that will be sometime between 3:30am and 4:30am. If you can't bring yourself to get up that early, you may be able to catch some of the meteors earlier in the night even with the Moon’s light.

The Lyrids will occasionally produce fireballs and they have put on truly incredible shows. During a meteor shower in Richmond, Virginia in 1803, it was reported that there were over 700 meteors falling at the peak of the Lyrids. Huge bursts of activity such as the 1803 shower are called meteor storms.

If you want to get the best seat for the show, here are some basic tips: Get away from the city lights, get a nice, comfortable reclining chair, plenty of layers of warm clothes and blankets, snacks and some hot cocoa or coffee. Some other items include a red-filtered flashlight, star charts and a camera on a tripod. Give your eyes time to adjust to the dark to see the meteors more easily and in higher numbers. Avoid areas were car headlights might pass by and turn down the brightness on your mobile devices or turn them off.

Bats and Bugs Highlight Summer Programs at Little River Park

Here's the list of the programs that the park will offer for May through August 2013. We are excited to try some new topics like bat boxes and papermaking. And have a chance to play in the river in July to look for bugs and other water critters.

Tiny Trekkers (age 2-4)

Tiny Trekkers is a series of programs designed for young children ages 2 to 4 years old accompanied by an adult. Trekkers learn about nature through stories, activities, crafts and games.

Things with Wings

 

When: Monday, May 6^th, 10am-11am     

Tuesday, May 7^th, 10am-11am

Where: Large Shelter

Cost: $2.00 per participant

Description:  Trekkers discover what bugs are flying around the park. In addition to a story and a buggy craft, we’ll be releasing some live ladybugs into the garden.

Crawling Critters

When: Monday, June 3rd, 10am-11am

Tuesday, June 4th, 10am-11am

Where: Large Shelter

Cost: $2.00 per participant

Description: Lots of legs, enormous eyes, they skitter and scurry. Trekkers learn some of the cool ways bugs move, listen to a story and make their own little critter.

Buzzy Bees

When: Monday, July 8th, 10am-11am

Tuesday, July 9th, 10am-11am

Where: Large Shelter

Cost: $2.00 per participant

Description: The garden is humming this month with Trekkers and buzzing bumblebees.  Discover what the noise is about with bee stories, crafts and activities.

Hungry Hummingbirds

When: Monday, August 5th, 10am-11am

Tuesday, August 6th, 10am-11am

Where: Large Shelter

Cost: $2.00 per participant

Description: Trekkers try to keep up with the hummingbirds zipping around the park. Participants will learn how they get their food and fly so fast.

Discovery Club (ages 5 and Up)

Discovery Club programs are geared toward children ages 5 & up accompanied by an adult. Programs focus on learning about nature and science through hands-on activities and exploration.  

Bat Box Building

Date: Saturday, May 25th

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Location: Small Shelter

Cost: $5.00 per box

Description: Bats are good neighbors – they can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour. Learn about these nocturnal animals and construct your own bat house to take home.

Ladybug Release

Date: Saturday, June 22nd

Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Location: Small Shelter

Cost: $5.00 per family/couple/individual

Description:  Help us release thousands of ladybugs into the garden. Find out all about these beneficial insects and why scientists need help studying them. Make a ladybug habitat and bring a few bugs home.

What’s Below?

Date: Saturday, July 27th

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Location: Small Shelter

Cost: $5.00 per family/couple/individual

Description:  We may not notice them at first but a closer look below the surface of the water reveals many bizarre and interesting creatures. We’ll hike to the river and examine the specimens we net and scoop out of the water. Please note that it is about a 2 mile round trip hike.

Papermaking for Kids

Date: Saturday, August 24th

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Location: Small Shelter

Cost: $5.00 per family/couple/individual

Description:  Kids will use different types of recycled paper, leaves, flowers, and seeds to produce their own paper. Find out about how trees become paper and forest conservation.

Special Events/Programs

Little River Under the Stars

Date: Friday, May 10

Time:  8:00pm – 10:00pm

Location:  Play Meadow

Description:  The folks from Morehead Planetarium and CHAOS (Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society) bring out the big telescopes and guide us through the night sky. Please call the park after 5pm the day of for cloud cancellation info: (919) 732-5505.

National Trails Day

Date: Saturday, June 1

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Description:  Join us for the 21st anniversary of America’s largest trail celebration! Park staff will lead an interpretive hike along portions of the Ridge, North River Loop, and Homestead Trails. Learn about the historic features along the trails as well as some of the flora and fauna found in the park. Or just come out and enjoy the trails! Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy after the hike.

 

Environmental Education at Little River

The Little River Regional Park offers a variety of nature programs for all ages. Regularly scheduled programs and special events are listed below. Park staff can also arrange programs on a variety of topics for schools, scouts, or other groups. For more information, call the park office: (919) 732-5505. Registration is available online: https://server3.co.orange.nc.us/. Pre-registration is required and closes three days prior to the program date.