Champaign County Forest Preserve wants you to know more about owls

The Champaign County Forest Preserve wants you to know more about local owl species.

A few spots are still open for the February 1 “Owl Prowl” from 6 to 7:30 at the Museum of the Grand Prairie.

During the event, Jennifer Wick will introduce guests to local species, such as the bard owl and great horned owl, before talking about how their interesting adaptations allow them to survive the winter months.

Guests will also be able to learn about the owls’ diet by dissecting owl pellets.

Weather permitting, Wick will take everyone outside on a short hike to practice owl calls.

Most of the time, guests get to hear the owls call back.

“And if we are lucky, we will not only be able to hear them, but sometimes they will even fly overhead,” Wick said.

Owls are more prominent during this time of the year because they are mating and protective over their nests.

Wick said the program gives guests a chance to experience owls in a new and exciting way.

“I think that a lot people have false misconceptions about owls,” she said. “They see them as predators or something that might attack them while they are out at night. One of the things that I focus on is explaining the ecological importance of owls and how they help farmers, control rodent populations, and how they are not just scary creatures that will attack you in the middle of the night for no reason.”

Wick suggests that guests wear warm clothes and waterproof shoes for the hike. To register for the event, which costs $5 per person, visit ccfpd.org.