First Day Hike at Irwin Prairie – Wednesday, January 1st at 10:30am

Celebrate the first day of the new year with DNAP staff on a boardwalk tour of Irwin Prairie. Bring along your binoculars and cross your fingers for some snow bird sightings of eagles, hawks, and owls. The northern harrier is commonly observed gliding low across the prairie in search of prey. The short-eared owl may be a possible sighting being both diurnal and nocturnal. Plus, the winter finch forecast may bring pine siskins and common redpolls south of their range for winter forage. If snow accumulation is in the forecast, tracks and signs of wildlife activity will be easier to spot.

Easy-moderate hike – snow and ice can make the boardwalk slippery. Carpooling is encouraged.