Fall Programs Focus on Birds

Programs at Little River Regional Park for September through December 2014 have been announced. Little River 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 unless otherwise noted.

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.

Hungry Hummingbirds

Date/Time:     Monday, September 8^th, 10am-11am
                       Tuesday, September 9^th, 10am-11am
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                $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.

Who-o-o Is It?

Date/Time:     Monday, October 6^th, 10am-11am
                      Tuesday, October 7^th, 10am-11am
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                $2.00 per participant
Description:   Trekkers learn about owls – what they eat, the noises they make, and why they get to stay up late. Join us as we hoot it up at the park!

Terrific Turkeys

Date/Time:     Monday, November 3^rd, 10am-11am
                       Tuesday, November 4^th, 10am-11am
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                $2.00 per participant
Description:  This month we celebrate wild turkeys. We will practice our gobble, gobble, gobble, make some turkey art and discover why turkeys call the park home!

Birds for Beginners

Date/Time:     Monday, December 1^st, 10am-11am
                       Tuesday, December 2^nd, 10am-11am
Location:        Park Office
Fee:                $2.00 per participant
Description:   This month we turn the park office into a bird blind where Trekkers will learn about birds and why we watch them. We’ll read a story about birds, make a craft, and observe the birds at our feeders.

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.  

Tracks & Scat

Day/Date:      Saturday, November 22
Time:              10:00am – 11:30am
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                $5.00 per family/couple/individual
Description:  Signs of animals are everywhere; you just have to know where to look.  Join us as we look for tracks and scat of Little River wildlife. Make your own track station to take home and discover the wildlife in your backyard or neighborhood.

Special Events/Programs
 

CLAWS: Vulture Culture

Day/Date:      Saturday, September 13
Time:              10:00am – 11:00am
Location:        Small Shelter
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:   Wildlife educators from CLAWS will be on hand to talk about vultures! Help celebrate International Vulture Day by learning more about this important though much maligned bird species. CLAWS will be bringing Fluffy, the black vulture and some of their raptors and other birds of prey. Two vultures currently being rehabilitated may be released (if they are not ready, look for them at October’s program).

Little River’s Big Sweep

Day/Date:      Saturday, October 11
Time:              9:00am – 12:00pm
Location:        Park Office
Fee:                Free; ages 6 and up; no registration required
Description: Join thousands of volunteers across nation as we clean up litter from our waterways and lands. As part of the nationwide Big Sweep, we’ll scour the park and portions of the Little River for trash and debris. We’ll also try to remove several large, old tires abandoned when the property was logged in the 1960’s. Gloves, trash bags, pick-up sticks and refreshments provided.

CLAWS: Halloween Myths

Day/Date:      Saturday, October 25
Time:              6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:   Wildlife educators from CLAWS will help dispel some of the myths about owls, ravens and other animals associated with Halloween. If the vultures weren’t released during September’s program, they will be for this one! Come in costume and have your picture taken with Grip, the raven. Join us for a Haunted Hike immediately following the program.

Haunted Hike

Day/Date:      Saturday, October 25
Time:              7:00pm – 8:30pm
Location:        Large Shelter
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:  Ghouls and goblins of all ages are invited to experience the park after dark. We’ll take a short walk around the park’s paved walking loop and discuss the myths and mysteries of creatures of the night. Tricks and treats are planned for those that dare to take the hike so beware!

Little River Under the Stars

Dates:             September 26^th, 8-10pm
                        December 12^th, 6-8pm
Location:        Play Meadow
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:  Volunteers from Morehead Planetarium will bring out the high power telescopes and give us a tour of the night sky. Bring a blanket, camp chairs or your own telescope or binoculars. Be sure to call the park office after 4pm for cloud/cancellation updates: (919) 732-5505. 

Full Moon Viewing

Date:               Saturday, December 6
Time:              5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location:        Play Meadow
Fee:                Free; all ages; no registration required
Description:   Join us for the last full moon of the year. We’ll have the big telescope and a few binoculars and take a tour of the surface of the moon. Learn about moon phases and create some craters. Be sure to call the park office after 4pm for cloud/cancellation updates: (919) 732-5505.     

New Year’s Day Bird Count

Day/Date:      Thursday, January 1
Time:              9:00am – 12:00pm
Location:        Park Office
Fee:                Free; ages 6 and up; no registration required
Description:   Come count the birds at Little River. Join staff as we tally the diverse species of birds found around the park. Last year’s participants tallied over 20 different species!