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Chaplin Nature Center
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Entrance to Chaplin Nature Center
- All photos by Jim Mason |
Chaplin Nature Center is located on the inner edge of a bend in the
Arkansas River. More than five miles of walking trails provide easy access to
bottomland timber & prairies, upland prairies, a spring-fed creek, and the Arkansas
River. You may pick up a trail map at the visitor center. |
The varied habitat has attracted 225 species of birds, including tree
sparrows, Harris' sparrows, rufous-sided towhees, cedar waxwings, and Carolina wrens. The
woodlands harbor a good diversity of tree species, including black walnut, pecan,
cottonwood, sycamore, red elm, and a showy springtime display of redbuds. Pileated
woodpeckers inhabit the bottomlands, along with wood thrushes, wild turkeys, bobcats, and
white-tailed deer. The rough green snake, a favorite of reptile lovers, is sometimes seen.
A popular wintertime activity is watching bald eagles from the riverbanks.
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Sandbar on the Arkansas River at Chaplin Nature Center |
The sandbar on the river is 1/4 mile long when the river is low.
During summer, it is alive with tiger beetles, dragonflies and killdeer. Look
for tracks of deer, coyote and raccoon as well as the occasional female water turtle
either going to or coming from her nest above the high water line. |
| The visitor center features wildlife
displays, a nature library, a gift shop, and a bird observation area located
on a second-floor open deck bordered by tree canopy and serviced with bird
feeders. It provides an ideal spot for bird photography or bird watching
from the comfort of the library. |
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In winter you may see white-breasted nuthatches, downy woodpeckers,
red-bellied woodpeckers, American goldfinches, dark-eyed juncos, and northern cardinals.
In summer ruby-throated hummingbirds frequent the feeders and eastern bluebirds use the
nest boxes provided.
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The trailhead for exploring the area lies just behind the visitor
center. Since the building is located on the edge of a steep bluff, this boardwalk
stairway provides a handy means of descent. The view from the top platform of the
stairway is level with the bottomland tree canopy, making it a great spot to look for
warblers. |
For the wildlife watcher, a visit to Chaplin Nature Center guarantees
success!
UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT CHAPLIN
NATURE CENTER
2011
SEPTEMBER 24, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. FALL NATURE DAY & BUTTERFLY
TAGGING Don't miss this once a year
opportunity to participate in the Monarch Butterfly migration. Once
instructed on proper handling and capture techniques for butterflies,
adults and children will enjoy the challenge of the hunt as they search
out these beautiful creatures. The butterfly tagging program is part of
on-going research conducted by the University of Kansas. This is an all
day event, so come early and plan to spend the day. There are lots of
additional activities like crafts for children, bird and reptile hikes.
Early birders will have a chance to shop the country store for homemade
products like jams, breads, and desserts. Lunch will be available for a
fee, or bring your own. Admission is free.
OCTOBER 22, SATURDAY, 7:30 - 9 p.m. ASTRONOMY PROGRAM
Join the Kansas Astronomical Observers at the Chaplin Nature Center for
a night under the stars. Learn about the planets, constellations and
other heavenly bodies. Participants are welcome to bring their own
telescopes to join in on the fun.
NOVEMBER 11, FRIDAY, 7 - 8:30 p.m. MOON HIKE
Moon madness is upon us. Take a hike by the light of the moon to the
Arkansas River. During this two mile hike, we'll search for our moon
shadow, do moon trivia and discover the strange effects of the moon.
DECEMBER 23, FRIDAY, 8 a.m. ARKANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
This is an all day survey of bird populations in the Ark City area. Meet
at 8 a.m. in Newman Park on Highway 177 in Arkansas City. Teams will
meet for supper and a compilation of results at Chaplin Nature Center in
the evening. Participants pay a fee of $5 to the National Audubon
Society.
2012
JANUARY 28, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. to noon, EAGLE WATCH
Mid-winter is a great time to view Bald Eagles in Kansas. Searching for
open water, many eagles migrate down to Kansas to spend the winter. The
group will take a 1.5 mile hike down to the Arkansas River to search for
over-wintering eagles. If you have binoculars, bring them; if not, the
Center can loan you a pair.
FEBRUARY 4, SATURDAY, 10 a.m. to noon, EAGLE WATCH
The eagles are here all winter, so if you missed the first watch, here
is your opportunity to join in on the fun.
MARCH 9, FRIDAY, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. NIGHT HIKE
Who is afraid of the dark? Participants will hike through the woods
without flashlights to learn how their senses can be used at night. We
will also listen for and identify the sounds of night and learn about
nocturnal animals. Dress for the outdoors and wear sturdy shoes.
APRIL 7, SATURDAY, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. SPRING CLEAN-UP
With Earth Day right around the corner, why not get an early start and
volunteer at the Chaplin Nature Center? The center needs your help with
a variety of outdoor projects to help get the trails and facility in
tip-top shape for school programs and visitors. Be sure to wear old
clothes and bring a pair of work gloves. Call the center for more
information.
MAY 12, SATURDAY, 10 a.m.- Noon BUTTERFLY WALK
Check out the butterflies that make Chaplin Nature Center their home.
Swallowtails, hairstreaks, blues, crescents, emperors and skippers will
be on our top ten list. A pair of close-focus binoculars will help you
get a closer look at these creatures.
JUNE 4 - 8, MONDAY - FRIDAY, 9:30 a.m - 2 p.m.. NEWMAN QUEST DAY CAMP
Tracking! Trading! Traveling! The Chaplin Nature Center, Cherokee Strip
Museum and Arkansas City Public Library are hosting their annual
week-long day camp to teach 3rd and 4th greaders. Free of charge.
JULY 14, SATURDAY, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. BUTTERFLY COUNT
Help count and identify butterflies as part of a North American
Butterfly Association official count. This one-day survey will count all
the butterflies seen in a 15-mile diameter area. More experienced
counters will be teamed up with novices, so everyone is welcome to help.
For more information call CNC. Meet at the visitor's center at 8:30 a.m.
AUGUST 18, SATURDAY 9 - 11 a.m. WILD EDIBLE PLANT WALK
Take a walk on the wild side and discover some of nature's natural
bounty. Participants will hike along the trails and identify some of the
more common edible and poisonous plants. Advance registration required.
 | Visitor center, restrooms
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 Camping not
allowed.
 Wildlife
Homes Trail (0.3 mile loop); Spring Creek Trail (0.5 mile loop); Lost Prairie Trail (0.7
mile loop), Bluff Trail (0.6 mile loop); Prairie Trail (0.8 mile loop); River Trail (1.9
mile loop)
Click the icon to find a birding list for Sumner County.
Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches
For more Wildlife Watching sites in the Flint
Hills, click here
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Directions:
From the intersection of U.S. 77 and U.S. 166 in Arkansas City (50 miles south of
Wichita), travel 3 miles west on U.S. 166, then north 2 miles on 31st Road, which turns
west to become 272nd Road. Signs are provided for assistance.
For a Google Map of this site,
click here. |
Ownership:
The entity responsible for management of Chaplin Nature
Center is the Wichita
Audubon Society. Contact them at (620) 442-4133
or by Email
if you have specific questions about use or management
of the site. 200 acres
Click here to visit their web site
for more information on seasonal hours and scheduled programs.
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Funded by the
Chickadee Checkoff Program
Click here for a brochure! |
The Natural
Kansas web site
©2011
by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
& Tourism.
Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use
requires written permission. If you are a Kansas resident, please
assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs
by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form. |
Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to Jim Mason
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