Birdwatching

Calling all agents! In this Agents of Discovery mission, traverse both inside and outside the nature center as you complete challenges and learn all about birds! Using the app and mission prompts, complete challenges and answer questions as you walk through the nature center to complete the mission. Best of luck, agents!

Who’s that hooting it up each December evening?? Owls that’s who. You will learn what makes them such effective nighttime hunters and why they hoot so much this time of year. We will then take a short walk and see if we can entice any owls to fly in and talk to us. Dress appropriately since we will be outside part of the time.

Start your morning with a naturalist and learn the basics of winter bird identification while enjoying a hot cup of java! After a classroom introduction to Missouri’s winter birds, follow the naturalist on a winter bird walk to put your new skills to the test! Hot water and tea will also be provided. Be sure to dress for the weather. Registration required. Ages 12+

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap. Woodpeckers are some of Missouri’s most beloved bird species. Their characteristic tap-tap-tapping as they hunt for food has made them one of the most easily recognizable winter birds. Learn about these wonderful woodpeckers, their amazing adaptations, and how to identify Missouri’s seven native species in this virtual program.

Please ensure that your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive a link to the virtual program.

Winter is a great time to watch birds at your backyard bird feeders. As we virtually watch a backyard feeder, we will discuss common backyard feeder birds and ideas for attracting more of them. Be sure to include your email address when registering. Registered participants will receive the program link both the day before and day of the program. Registration required. All ages

Who’s that hooting it up each December evening?? Owls that’s who. You will learn what makes them such effective nighttime hunters and why they hoot so much this time of year. We will then take a walk on the Short Loop of the Fallen Oak Trail and see if we can entice any owls to fly in and talk to us. Please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.

Learn all that mysterious owls can teach us by dissecting an owl pellet! This VIRTUAL program will guide you through the contents of the pellet provided by the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. You can pick up your dissection kit from the nature center beginning Wednesday, December 6th, until Friday, December 15th. The online guided dissection will begin Saturday, December 16th at 10AM as a naturalist explains what might be present in your pellet. All participants will receive a WebEx invitation to join prior to the event.

Winter in Missouri means short-eared owls may be seen flying low over native grasslands in search of mice, rabbits, and other small mammals. Join us at Shawnee Trail Conservation Area to discover more about these uncommon winter residents. Bring the family and dress for the weather for this easy-rated hike.

Birding is a great activity for all ages! At this Beginning Birding for Kids program, we'll learn some common backyard birds and how to identify them. We'll also learn how to use binoculars, and even go on a short walk to the Robert and Martha Gaddy Wild Bird Garden to practice our new birding skills!

We will meet at the Stone Shelter. This program will take place completely outdoors, so please dress accordingly. All supplies will be provided.

This program is designed for children ages 5+.

Join us for an enlightening program on winter birds and birdfeeders. Discover the various visitors you’re likely to encounter during the cold months and learn about the specific feeders and seeds that attract each species. Equip yourself with knowledge to create a bird-friendly environment in your backyard this winter. Homeschoolers are welcome!

Join us as we discuss the owls that call Missouri home, as well as the owls that visit during the winter months. There is so much to learn about these amazing raptors.

Learn all that mysterious owls can teach us by dissecting an owl pellet! Participants will have the chance to open up an owl pellet and reconstruct the bird of preys’ last meal with the bones that couldn’t be digested. Please register ONLY the individual who will be dissecting. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend and assist, but do not need to register.

Dress warmly and join us for a winter bird walk on the Nature Center trails. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them.

Join this virtual program to learn how birds survive the winter and what you can do to help.

When registering, please provide an active email address, as you will receive a program link the day before the program. If you do not receive a link, please check your junk email. This program will use the Webex platform and will not be recorded. For more information email Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov or call (417) 334-4865 ext 0.

Calling all agents! In this Agents of Discovery mission, traverse both inside and outside the nature center as you complete challenges and learn all about birds! Using the app and mission prompts, complete challenges and answer questions as you walk through the nature center to complete the mission. Best of luck, agents!

Who’s that hooting it up each January evening?? Owls that’s who. You will learn what makes them such effective nighttime hunters and why they hoot so much this time of year. We will then take a short walk and see if we can entice any owls to fly in and talk to us. Dress appropriately since we will be outside part of the time.

Winter is a great time to see our National Emblem here in Missouri. Will discuss their life history, why they are here, and good locations and events to see them.

Who’s that hooting it up each evening?? Owls that’s who. You will learn what makes them such effective nighttime hunters and why they hoot so much this time of year. We will then take a walk on the Short Loop of the Fallen Oak Trail and see if we can entice any owls to fly in and talk to us. Please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.

Winter is a great time to start the hobby of bird watching while stuck indoors. Join us to learn about common birds seen during winter and how to keep them around your feeders.

Nesting season comes early for owls and they’re hooting in anticipation. The trails will be open and patrolled; bring a flashlight and a walking partner for a stroll on your own. Dickerson Park Zoo docents will offer an indoor program at 6 pm.

It’s the ultimate partnership between man and bird. The sport of falconry goes back thousands of years and is still a popular sport today. Join Powder Valley staff as area falconers gather to offer the rare chance to observe and learn about these fascinating feathered hunters. Listen as a seasoned falconer explains how to get started in this age-old sport. The falconers will display their falconry equipment, hoods, and other equipment, as well as live birds – the birds that they use in their sport. You will have the opportunity to ask the falconry team questions and see their hunting partners up close.

Nesting season comes early for owls and they’re hooting in anticipation. The trails will be open and patrolled; bring a flashlight and a walking partner for a stroll on your own. Dickerson Park Zoo docents will offer an indoor program at 7 pm.

Calling all agents! In this Agents of Discovery mission, traverse both inside and outside the nature center as you complete challenges and learn all about birds! Using the app and mission prompts, complete challenges and answer questions as you walk through the nature center to complete the mission. Best of luck, agents!

We're celebrating the return of bald eagles to Mingo NWR, Duck Creek CA, and Lake Wappapello. This special event includes the indoor live bald eagle shows from our friends at the World Bird Sanctuary. Programs will be held at the Puxico Activity Center (FEMA building). Opportunities to view bald eagles in the wild, with the assistance of volunteers and spotting scopes, will be available at the Visitor Center at Lake Wappapello, 3 locations on Mingo NWR and 1 location at Duck Creek CA during event hours. Mingo Visitors Center will have presentations on the restoration project that took place on the refuge. All ages are welcome. Registration is not required. However, eagle shows have a capacity of 400 people and will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

Today is all about eagles! Learn about how Bald Eagles nest, what they eat, where to see them, and how our actions impact their lives. There will be something to learn, build and take home for all ages. The office will be open for activities from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Please register all attending individually.

Join us online or in-person to discover the sights and sounds of common to rare winter backyard birds through a traditional slide show. Then, test your new knowledge with a fun, online trivia game played individually on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Or in-person, join a team using one of our devices. No account or login is necessary to join our Blooket game. Afterwards, for our in-person visitors and weather permitting, join the Naturalist on an optional birding hike out on the trail.