Program meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St N. (29th and Woodlawn), Wichita, KS, 316-683-5499. All programs and field trips are free and open to the public.

To conserve gas (and money) please make an effort to carpool for field trips. Notify the field trip leader if you plan to attend so cars and riders can be matched up. Information about carpooling will also be posted on the Kansas bird listserve (KSBIRD-L)

APRIL 6, SATURDAY, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. SPRING CLEANUP AT CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
Come celebrate spring at the nature center while lending a helping hand. The center needs your help to get the facility ready for visitors and school groups. Clearing trails of debris, raking, sprucing up the area around the building and small repair jobs will be on our to-do list. No matter what your age, you can contribute. A simple lunch will be provided for those staying the whole day. Be sure to wear old clothes and bring a pair of work gloves.Branch clippers and yard rakes are needed. Call the center for more information.
Leader: , 620-442-4133

APRIL 16, TUESDAY, 7:00 p.m.  PROGRAM AT THE GREAT PLAINS NATURE CENTER
"Birds of Costa Rica," by Bob Gress, wildlife photographer and retired Director of the Great Plains Nature Center
This presentation features intimate looks at birdlife, wildlife and landscapes. Toucans, guans, tanagers, honeycreepers, antbirds, macaws, hummingbirds and the stunning Resplendent Quetzal are featured. Nearly 25 species of hummingbirds, many in high-speed, stop-action photography, were photographed. This program is for all who enjoy wild places and wild things!

APRIL 20, SATURDAY, 9 a.m. KAYAKING FOR CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
Special kayak trips down the Arkansas River have been planned to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Chaplin Nature Center. These guided trips, led by the CNC naturalist will includes kayak, paddle, life jacket and instructions on kayak use. Your $25.00 donation will help support our educational programs at the Center. All equipment is provided by Ark City Kayak Rentals free of charge, so 100% of your donation will go to CNC.  Space is limited, so call the Center to reserve your space. For more information call (620) 442-4133.
Trip 1:  Saturday, April 20, 2013
Early morning, 3-4-hour trip. Meet at 9:00 am at the CNC Visitor Center.
Cost: $25.00 donation.
Trip 2:  Friday, May 24, 2013
Late evening; full moon, 2-3-hour trip.  Meet at 8:30 pm at the CNC Visitor Center
Cost: $25.00 donation.

APRIL 20, SATURDAY, PRAIRIE CHICKENS AND KONZA PRAIRIE
THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO SCHEDULING CONFLICTS
Leader: , 737-1307

MAY 4, SATURDAY, 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m ASTRONOMY PROGRAM.
Take a tour of the night sky at the Chaplin Nature Center.  Volunteers of the Nature Center and members of the Kansas Astronomical Society will be bringing out their telescopes for the public to use.  Double stars, nebulas, and star clusters can be viewed through the telescopes and common constellations will be identified.  If you have your own telescope, you may bring it. Dress for the outdoors.

MAY 11, SATURDAY, 8 a.m. WARBLER WALK AT OAK PARK
We'll scour one of Wichita's best hotspots in search of elusive spring migrants including vireos, buntings, grosbeaks, flycatchers, orioles, sparrows, vireos and warblers. Meet by the pond at the north end of the park.
Leader: , 263-1251

MAY 18, SATURDAY, 8 a.m.  QUIVIRA N.W.R. AND CHEYENNE BOTTOMS
The annual spring trip to these renowned wetlands always produces a good mix of birds. Bring a lunch and meet at the Quivira NWR headquarters.
Leader: , 942-2164

MAY 21, TUESDAY, 7:00 p.m. PROGRAM AT THE GREAT PLAINS NATURE CENTER
"Wichita Audubon Extended Field Trips - We Get Around," by Kevin Groeneweg, Wichita Audubon leader and birder par excellence.
Kevin will highlight the great birds and birding moments from some of our recent trips to many of the best birding hotspots in the country.

MAY 24, FRIDAY, 8:30 p.m. KAYAKING FOR CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
Special kayak trips down the Arkansas River have been planned to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Chaplin Nature Center. These guided trips, led by the CNC naturalist will includes kayak, paddle, life jacket and instructions on kayak use. Your $25.00 donation will help support our educational programs at the Center. All equipment is provided by Ark City Kayak Rentals free of charge, so 100% of your donation will go to CNC.  Space is limited, so call the Center to reserve your space. For more information call (620) 442-4133.
Late evening; full moon, 2-3-hour trip.  Meet at 8:30 pm at the CNC Visitor Center
Cost: $25.00 donation.

MAY 27 - 31, MONDAY - FRIDAY, EXTENDED FIELD TRIP TO NORTH CAROLINA
This week-long trip will be centered around pelagic birding off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. These popular pelagic trips can sell out early and space is limited, so contact a leader ASAP for reservations.
Leader: , 706-9116, and , 942-2164

JULY 13, SATURDAY, 8:30 a.m.  BUTTERFLY COUNT AT CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
In cooperation with the North American Butterfly Association, the Chaplin Nature Center will be conducting its annual butterfly count in the Arkansas City area. This one-day survery will count all the butterflies observed in a 15-mile diameter area. Anyone interested in butterflies can participate. More experienced counters will be teamed up with participants who are new to butterfly identification.
Leader: , 620-442-4133

JULY 16, TUESDAY, 6 p.m. ANNUAL PICNIC
Meet at the Great Plains Nature Center for an air-condiioned picnic. Bring a dish to share and your own service. Drinks will be provided. After the meal we'll watch a nature film in the auditorium.

JULY 20, SATURDAY, 10 - 11:30 a.m. STREAM EXPLORATION at CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER
If you have ever been curious about the aquatic invertebrates that lurk just beneath the surface, this program is perfect for you. Adults, children and families will collect samples from the stream to dig through in search of dragonfly nymphs, bloodworms, scuds, and other invertebrates. The Nature Center will provide collecting equipment. Be sure to wear old shoes and clothes that can get muddy.

SEPTEMBER