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We're Still Nerding Out!
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Nature Nerds
Wednesday
December 19 and January 23
Noon-1:00 p.m.
Despite the cold weather, we will still be venturing out for our monthly Nature Nerds program! Bundle up and join park staff as we "nerd out" over our local and visiting winter wildlife and whatever else we happen to see.
Expand your knowledge of our local flora and fauna by exploring a different area of the park each month and help collect data for the Natural Resource Inventory Database. Ages 9 and up. Preregistration is required.
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January 2019
Preview:
Take a Peek!
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Eagle Count
January 9,
7:00-9:00 a.m.
FREE
Join park staff in collecting data for the state and national count of Bald Eagles. Participants will be staged at various locations around Lake Crabtree. No prior birding experience required. Beginners will be stationed with staff members, while experienced birders may get their own locations. Enjoy a light breakfast after the count.
Squirrel Spotters
January 21
1:00-3:00 p.m.
FREE
Help us celebrate National Squirrel Appreciation Day! Head out to Lake Crabtree to learn all about our most commonly seen mammal. We'll spy on the always entertaining grey squirrels that abound at the park. Park staff will answer all your gnawing questions about squirrel habits, habitats, and the perils they face.
Visit our website to register online.
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Recycle your holiday tree to mulch trails at Wake County Parks. Drop off your natural holiday trees (no artificial trees and no decorations, please) at designated locations from December 26, 2018 until January 27, 2019. For drop off locations and hours, please click here.
Remember to recycle your holiday waste! Check the website for all the materials that you can recycle at Convenience Centers and
Multi-material Recycling Facilities.
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H
oliday Closings
Well, the holidays are here and that means time off; not just for you, but for park staff, too! Please note that Lake Crabtree County Park will be closed on
Monday, December 24th, Tuesday, December 25th, and Tuesday, January 1st (for Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Day, respectively). |
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Park Operating Hours
The park will be closing at
5:30 p.m. in
December. You can call the main park line, at:
919-460-3390, for current operating hours, as well as trail status and other important information.
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Sign up now for December Programs!
- Birding With Vernon
- All ages
- Saturday, December 1, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
- Free, no preregistration required
- Nature Nerds
- Ages 9 and up
- Wednesday, December 19, Noon-1:00 p.m.
- Free
Unless they say otherwise, programs require preregistration. Visit our
website to register online.
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The Wild Side:
Winter Waterfowl
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| Greater and Lesser Scaup-Audubon Society |
Did you know the best time for waterfowl watching is in the fall and winter? Many species of waterfowl migrate to the southern United States. Lake Crabtree is a great place for winter waterfowl watching! Greater and Lesser Scaup are common winter visitors to Lake Crabtree. Greater and Lesser Scaup are often referred to as "Oreo ducks" due to the distinguishing coloring of black ends with white in the middle, on the males of the species. Telling the difference between the Greater and Lesser Scaup, is the tricky part.
The Greater Scaup is slightly larger, with a length of
16-22 inches (the Lesser Scaup is 16-18 inches). The Greater Scaup has a round head, which gives it the appearance of having a stout looking neck. The Lesser Scaup has a more narrow, egg-shaped head, which makes its neck look longer and slimmer. The flanks or sides (center of the Oreo) of the Greater Scaup are whiter than the Lesser Scaup and the Greater Scaup has a greenish iridescent coloring on its head and neck where Lesser Scaup have a purplish iridescent coloring on their head and neck.
Why not come out to Lake Crabtree to see if you can catch a glimpse of one or both of these ducks, as well as our other visiting and resident waterfowl species. You can also join Vernon on the first Saturday of each month, from
8:30-10:00 a.m.,
for
Birding with Vernon
to learn more about identifying our feathered friends.
Birding with Vernon
is FREE and requires no preregistration. Just meet at the Waterwise Garden (first parking lot on right).
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Contact us:
Lake Crabtree County Park
1400 Aviation Parkway
Morrisville, NC 27560
919-460-3390
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