Join us on BioBlitz weekend, May 18 - 19, 2007, to participate in these great activities at Morris County Park Commission’s Loantaka Brook Reservation, site of our BioBlitz. We ask that you preregister for these events by calling the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center at (973) 635-6629. The charge for these programs is $3 per person, unless otherwise noted. Please note that some programs are particularly appropriate for a particular age group. This schedule may be subject to change.
Friday Night, May 18, 2007
Nighttime Adventure: Listen for frogs, owls, and seek out bats and other nocturnal insects as we kick off our BioBlitz with a chance for participants to see whooo’s out at night. Ages 8 and up. 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Male oriole singing
© Blaine Rothhauser
Early Morning Birding Basics: Ornithologists on theBioBlitz team may well see or hear over 70 species of birds as they scour the park for wandering warblers, secretive songbirds, resident robins and more. Learn just how they figure out which bird is which. We will concentrate on how to identify the birds of the area by sight or sound. Bring field guide and binoculars if you have them, or you may borrow them from us. Best suited for adults and children over 9. 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Insect Investigation: More than any other group of animals, insects will make up the bulk of our fauna count. See how insect observation and identification is conducted and learn what different combinations you can turn six legs, three body parts and no backbone into! Ages 5 and up. 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Search for Stream Critters (Macro-Invertebrates): Get down and dirty in the stream and see the creatures that call it home up close! Learn how these macro-invertebrates can help scientists determine how clean the water is. Wear rubber boots or borrow ours! For ages 8 and up. 10:30 a.m. - noon.
Raptor Trust Presentation: Learn about New Jersey’s magnificent birds of prey as the raptor trust lead a presentation of just what makes a raptor a raptor! Learn about the rehabilitation of injured birds carried out by the Trust. There will be live raptors to learn from too. Suitable for all ages. FREE. 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Wildflower Walk: Who could resist the chance to learn more about what’s growing at Loantaka Brook? Plants can’t run away and so lend themselves to identification. We will concentrate on learning how to identify what we encounter, using field guides, magnifying lenses and more. Ages 5 and up. 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Mini BioBlitz: Pick up our BioBlitz brochure and conduct your family’s own BioBlitz on the trails of Loantaka. You will use your observation skills to spot different kinds of plants and animals, as well as learning more about the physical parameters of the site. For every completed BioBlitz survey, you will receive a prize. Stop by the registration table to pick up a brochure and learn the rules of scientific discovery! For all ages. FREE. Ongoing all day.
BioBlitz Closing Ceremonies: Join us as we celebrate the day’s successes, share exciting and unusual finds, tally our total and draw our mountain bike raffle. FREE. 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Taxon Talks: Scientists will talk about their endeavors, identify the species they have encountered and explain how they conduct their research. Take a short stroll with them as they go about their BioBlitz business. FREE. Times to be announced on Saturday.