WINTER WONDERLAND

PLAY DAY AT PARK EXPLORES CRITTERS’ COLD-WEATHER HABITS

Lynn Sciumbato of Morning Star Wildlife Refuge introduces Igor, a turkey vulture. Sciumbato will be among the guests speaking this weekend at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area about how wild animals fare in cold weather.
Lynn Sciumbato of Morning Star Wildlife Refuge introduces Igor, a turkey vulture. Sciumbato will be among the guests speaking this weekend at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area about how wild animals fare in cold weather.

We don’t care if it’s a little bit nippy, as long as we have a little sunshine,” said Steve Chyrchel, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area park interpreter.

Humans have the option of putting on a few extra layers before venturing outside.

Wild animals aren’t so lucky, although they have various defense mechanisms too, such as hibernation.

Through several programs Saturday at Hobbs State Park, guests will learn about animal behaviors during the colder months of the year. And for the hardy, it’s the best time to see some of them. Bald eagles, in particular, often find winter refuge along the shores of adjacent Beaver Lake and can be spotted during the winter months after leaves have fallen from the trees.

“Eagle watching is not a warm weather sport,” Chyrchel said.

But it has been a productive one this year. Migratory bald eagles, the national bird of the United States and a species that was once critically endangered, arrive in the area in November and stay through February.

The average eagle watch cruise participant spies about seven eagles, Chyrchel said, but a recent cruise count was 12.

During Saturday’s program, which is called Wonders of Winter Wildlife, experts on several animal species will explore the grounds or deliver talks about animal life. Joe Neal, local migratory bird expert, will discuss the “Winter Birds of Beaver Lake and Hobbs State Park.” Guides will also lead several hikes - an introduction to birding, a hibernation hike that will look for signs of animals dens and a winter animal tracking session. While some animals are indeed hibernating,Chyrchel reports deer, squirrels and many other animals remain active around the park’s more than 12,000 acres.

photo

Joe Neal leads birders on a quest for winter wildlife. He’ll speak on winter birds of Beaver Lake at 2 p.m. Saturday at an all-day Wonders of Winter Wildlife program at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area.

Another of the guests for the day will be Lynn Sciumbato, who takes care of and rehabilitates animals, particularly raptors, at Morning Star Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near Gravette.

The raptor’s patterns change little during the winter. Some birds of prey migrate more than others, but Arkansas is warm enough in the winter that many birds can stay here all year. Winter can be the best time to spot them, however.

“They are easier to see when there aren’t any leaves on the trees. The vultures kind of congregate together,” Sciumbato said.

As part of the program, she’ll bring along a vulture, a hawk and two owls.

Most of the programs of Wonder of Winter Wildlife are free, but there is a fee to sign up for the eagle watch tour. To register, call 789-5000. Only about 20 participants can be accommodated on the eagle watch cruise.

Life, Pages 6 on 01/16/2013

Upcoming Events