The sun rises early and casts its long rays onto the Nature Conservancy’s Silver Creek Preserve, and as the colors fade with the growing light, the wildlife wakes like a horse at a race. Deer rise from their beds, moose trudge through the creek and birds are in constant motion. The world is alive and full of energy, and it’s palpable.
Though most of the members of my family are not scientifically oriented people, this year marked the second in a row that we have driven down to Silver Creek to wake up with the wildlife, to bird and fill a "tweener" day (a cold, overcast, what-should-we-do-type day "in between" winter and summer) with an activity different than what we are used to.
On our first trip down to the Preserve, we didn’t think of Silver Creek as an option for adventure until it was already early in the afternoon. By the time we arrived the gentle trails were slippery with mud, the day bright, and only a few animals were about—few except the enormous trout. That said, the trip was a success for both the physical exercise, learning opportunities and the photo ops of our kids with a few of their friends in such a breathtaking setting.
This year, a similar "tweener" day came around and its characteristics stirred our memory. We called in the neighborhood kids and left the house earlier than last year. With our van filled to capacity, we found the drive south as an opportunity to begin our probe into the natural world of the Bellevue Triangle by looking for birds and any other wildlife. The 10-15 minute drive from Bellevue to the Preserve ended up producing the birding highlight of the day—a raptor sighting.
When we arrived, our timing was much improved as the ground was still frozen. Though the grasses were a bit matted (but still golden like they were in the Fall) and the temps chilly, stepping off the road and onto the trail was exhilarating. Since the trails down at Silver Creek are 99% flat, it’s difficult to use the word “hiking” to describe exploring them—especially considering the steep and mountainous trails on the other end of the Wood River Valley. Perhaps “strolling” is a better fit. Nevertheless, flat works very well for small children or those of us with sore joints from a season of skiing Bald Mountain.
The list of noticeable items of interest and wildlife included red-breasted black birds, Canada geese, swans, ducks, a very large and menacing brown trout’s skull, scat of different sizes and forms, nests and footprints from animals large and small. With aviary guide books in hand, we were studying habits, ranges and migratory patterns of all the Silver Creek species.
If you decide to go to Silver Creek, keep your party size small—eight or less—and try to move slowly and quietly so you don’t spook the wildlife. Have the kids bring backpacks with a notepad and pencils for a list of items and animals seen.
Be sure to stop frequently to inquire about what anyone, yourself included, noticed about the natural world. Draw pictures of things that interest you find interesting. Eat snacks and enjoy lunch on the banks of the creek. Bring any kind of binoculars or spotting scopes, microscopes or magnifying glasses—any optical advantage changes the level of interest for kids and teaches them how to share. If the morning isn’t near or below freezing, wear your mud boots or wait until the trails have dried out.
