Winter birding is always challenging with bird populations at their annual low point and severe weather causing stressed birds to shelter and over-stressed birds to perish. As birders we try to offset such obstacles by birding sites with multiple habitats and a history of hosting many wintering birds.

Waterman Creek is one such area with the added advantage of having a history of rare winter visitors. Offering an open valley with flowing water and many Eastern Red Cedar trees, this valley provides food, water and shelter for wintering birds. The small blue berries of these cedar trees offer an abundant food supply to those species feeding on fruit (frugivores).

Our target birds include Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings, American Robins and Townsend’s Solitaires, Eastern and Mountain Bluebirds, Purple Finches, Rough-legged Hawks and Golden Eagles. In order to navigate the area and find these special birds, we have enlisted the leadership of area local Lee Schoenewe, our October program presenter, who has birded the area for many winters and found many of these birds.

Meet our group at the Leeds Walmart (NE corner of parking lot) at 7:00 AM for the 82 mile drive to the Prairie Heritage Center near Peterson, north of Cherokee. Bring a picnic lunch and beverages to maximize time on the site. For more information, contact Bill Huser at 712-574-3107 or billfhuser@gmail.com.