Hamilton County Conservation Naturalist John Laird will be presenting two wildlife programs today and tomorrow for the public. Attendees will learn about eagles, osprey and the snakes found in Hamilton County. Laird comes up with programs for the public and school systems each year. Laird goes to schools and hosts programs around the county and at Briggs Woods. His main presentations are directed to middle school aged students.

Eagles, Osprey and the Lead Threat

This program will be presented at Kendall Young Library today from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and again from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The presentation is free and no registration is required.

“I’ll be talking about the native bald eagle and native osprey and why they’re numbers declined and why they’re numbers have rebounded,” said Laird.

Attendees will also be shown a 13-minute video from the DNR about the eagle’s comeback in Iowa.

Another focus of the program will be on the negative impact lead fishing and hunting objects have on water fowl and fish. Many states, including Minnesota, have banned lead fishing gear, according to Laird.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of the current issue, which is getting the lead out of ammunition or fishing tackle,” said Laird.

According to Laird it doesn’t take a lot of lead to negatively impact the wildlife.

“These birds that are feeding on fish or perhaps a deer that was shot, there are often times fragments of lead slugs that break apart and they feed on that,” Laird said. “An eagle can die from a lead fragment as small as a baby aspirin.”

Some alternative options to lead fishing tackle include copper, tin, glass, nickel, stainless steel and tungsten-composite materials.

“I’m all about hunting and fishing,” said Laird. “It’s just new ways of doing some of the same things we’ve done, just different ways that are better for the wildlife.”

According to Laird both ospreys and bald eagles can be found at Briggs Woods.

“There are bald eagle nests up and down the Boone River,” Laird said. “They are around and commonly seen in the winter when there is open water.”

Snakes of Hamilton County and Iowa

Have you wondered what Iowa’s native snakes are? How do you safely pick up and move a snake? What native Iowa snakes are venomous? What are the benefits of having snakes around?

Check out the Snakes of Hamilton County and Iowa program Friday night at Briggs Woods Park, 2490 Briggs Rd. The program will begin at 9 p.m. and go until 10 p.m. at Shelter #1.The program is free and open to the public.

“I’d like people to realize there are benefits to snakes and just because we are scared or leery of them, there is a reason for them to exist,” Laird said.

“What I want to do is point out what snakes are native to Hamilton County and which ones are native in Iowa,” Laird said.

According to Laird, Iowa has 27 species of snakes, four of which of venomous. There are 15 kinds of snakes in Hamilton County, none of which are venomous.

Attendees may also get the chance to see a live snake handling demonstration and feeding and learn about why it is unwise to release a nonnative pet snake.

“Snakes are interesting creatures,” Laird said. “Snakes feed on insects and rodents like mice, so they’re a natural animal to keep some of those numbers of other animals in line.”

This is a program for people of all ages of people who are curious about snakes. The program is free. Register by calling Hamilton County Conservation at 515-832-9570 and leave a voicemail for John or email athccblaird@wmtel.net

Extra parking will be available near the canoe access parking lot near the shelter.

For more information about upcoming programs, visit www.mycountyparks.com.