KPC Observer-October 2010

Prairie Discovery Tour
Saturday, October 9 from 4 - 6 PM
Our October Prairie Discovery Tour will take visitors to a spectacular wetland to view some of the avian visitors passing through on their way to warmer pastures for the winter. You'll visit the prairie just when it begins to buzz with energy as twildlife comes out of hiding from the heat. Listen for the sounds of twilight with expert guides as the frogs, insects, and night birds venture out from their daytime spots.
Date: Saturday, September 11 from 4 - 6 PM at Mary Manor Preserve
Registration limited and required. Email info@katyprairie.org for more details.

The Big Sit!
Sunday, October 10
Come out and enjoy early fall on the prairie at KPC's Mary Manor Preserve. You can observe birds during one of three time slots: late morning (9 AM - 12 PM), early afternoon (12 - 2:30 PM), and late afternoon (2:30 - 5 PM). KPC has invited members of the Ornithology Group of Houston's Nature Outdoor Club (6:30 - 9 AM) and the Houston Audubon Society ( 5 - 8 PM) to participate as well. You don't need to be an experienced birder as we will have someone there who knows the birds to help you identify them. This is an opportunity to have some fun, meet some other supporters of KPC, and learn about bird life on the Katy Prairie.

To find out more about the Big Sit, follow this link to the Big Sit 2010 home page on the Bird Watcher's Digest web site.

Date: Sunday, October 10 at Mary Manor Preserve
Registration limited and required. Please contact us at info@katyprairie.org register and indicate you preferred time slot. KPC will have water available but please bring your own refreshments and chairs.

First Annual Wildflower Planting and Seed Stomp
Saturday, October 23 from 9 AM - 12 PM
We'll need plenty of hands and feet to help us plant more than 800 volunteer-grown wildflowers and grasses and to spread wildflower seeds along the trail leading to our new wildlife viewing platform. We'll sow colorful wildflower seeds and stomp them into the ground to hep them grow during the winter. In the springtime we should enjoy bursts of color as the wildflowers bloom. Volunteers will work in teams to plant rattlesnake master, Texas coneflower, indiangrass, and other classic prairie plants to give the trail a jumpstart in blooms.

Whether you are a scout leader, service coordinator, school teacher, or just someone who likes to see beautiful things grow, this day is just for you and the best little prairie in Texas.

Date: Saturday, October 23 from 9 AM to 12 PM at Warren Lake @ Warren Ranch
Registration required. Contact info@katyprairie.org for details or to register for this event.

Open Trails Natuve seed nursery

Fridays in October from 9 AM - 12 PM
KPC wants to get you out on the prairie as much as possible. That's why we've created Open Trails, a program that lets you walk selected KPC preserves at your own pace. We even provide a full-color guide. Every Friday, you can visit KPC's Indiangrass Preserve (formerly our Field Office Preserve) to see what we've been up to. Come check out our Native Seed Nursery, learn about plants in our interpretive garden, or walk the trail to the reservoir to spot ducks and maybe even hear the calls of a covey of quail. View flitting sparrows and other wildlife and look out for wildflowers springing up everywhere!

Date: Fridays from 9 AM - 12 PM at the Indiangrass Preserve
Registration not required. Please email info@katyprairie.org for more details. Free!

What to wear for trips to the prairie? All participants should wear appropriate outdoor clothing, including closed-toe shoes and long pants. A long-sleeve shirt is also recommended. Be sure to dress in layers as sometimes the prairie heats up and you will want to be able to shed that jacket. Hats are great if you want to be shielded from the sun. Please bring your own water and insect repellent.