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 Dana Siefer who has birded the area for several winters and found many of these birds. In fact, Dana was there birding when we last visited the site two years ago.

Birding at Waterman will be mostly from cars and at the roadsides. Meet our group at the Singing Hills Walmart (NW corner of parking lot) at 7:00 AM for the 82 mile drive to the Prairie Heritage Center near Peterson, north of Cherokee. Others wishing to join the group on site should meet us at the Prairie Heritage Center at 8:30 AM. Bring a picnic lunch and beverages to maximize time on the site, though we may choose a restaurant at the time. For more information call 712-574-3107 for Bill or billfhuser@gmail.com

Remember: all LHAS outings are open to the public and offer an inviting way to begin birding and meet others with similar interests.