Campus Wildlife

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Dr. Chris McDonald captured these photos Saturday evening of the wildlife on campus near the east edge. Thanks for sharing!

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Campus Wildlife

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The prairie restoration areas are beautiful this time of year with all of the blooming flowers. There’s even more to see up close! Thank you to Steve Handy, grounds maintenance supervisor, for sharing this photo he captured recently of a monarch butterfly caterpillar.

 

Campus Wildlife

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Dr. Chris McDonald, professor of political science, captured this neat photo over the weekend of a Belted Kingfisher. A pair can often be found near the pond by the Workforce Careers Center.  Thanks for sharing!

Chris McDonald photographs American White Pelicans

Dr. Chris McDonald, professor of political science, captured American White Pelicans with his camera near campus Wednesday morning. The photos show how they “fish” for a meal. These pelicans sweep their bill through the water using the big sack of skin like a net then they drain all the water out by putting the tip down — then toss back the contents — which as you can see is quite a lot of fish!

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Ribbon cutting for new bird banding station

Biology students conduct research in new structure built by construction trades students

(Click HERE for a short video of the ribbon cuttig ceremony and demonstration.)

Ribbon cutting Rothering, Kleen, Roehrs, ShackelfordLincoln Land Community College cut the ribbon yesterday on a new structure that will house the college’s bird banding research program. In cooperation with the Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders, LLCC biology students participate in the capture, banding and release of birds, recording information which is added to a massive data pool on bird migration patterns.

The 36’ by 24’ building with a porch and overhang was built by LLCC construction trades students, a program funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Cutting the ribbon were LLCC Trustee and Board Secretary Dennis Shackelford, LLCC Biology Professor Tony Rothering, Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders (LLABB) President Vern Kleen, and LLCC bird banding student Lizzie Roehrs.

Bird banding Rothering, Roehrs

Professor Rothering and Mr. Kleen began the program in fall of 2012 on the northeast edge of the LLCC campus and to date, approximately 11,000 birds representing 113 species have been banded. LLABB members, school groups and organizations also participate in banding activities. Until the new structure was built, all bird banding took place outside and was cancelled during inclement weather. Banders can now do research inside when needed during the fall and spring banding seasons.

Speaking at the ribbon cutting, Rothering thanked the LLCC Board of Trustees, college administrators, LLABB and the construction trades program for support on the project. He noted the significance of the collected data on international weather and climate change research.

“The LLCC bird banding station provides students with a practical scientific experience outside of the classroom,” said Rothering. “Our hands-on approach allows students to appreciate the biological importance of studying bird population and migration patterns and how they relate to the greater ecological world.”

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Butterflies abound near Fitness Center

The butterfly bush just outside the Fitness Center door of Cass Gym has an 10-5 Monarchs-2abundance of monarch butterflies visiting during their migration. Stop by and take a look! We’ve counted as many as 15 at one time.
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