Santee’s Bird of the Month: Wood Duck

Male wood duck at Santee Lakes

With its ornate plumage, the male wood duck (shown here) is among the most easily recognized waterfowl species in the U.S. As is true throughout most of the bird world, the female is more drab because of the need to be camouflaged from predators.

Unlike most waterfowl, wood ducks perch and nest in trees. They are one of the few duck species with strong claws that can grip bark and perch on branches.

Wood ducks feed primarily on plants, but will also consume seeds, fruit and insects.

We’re fortunate to have a year-round population that resides near Lake 5 at the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. These birds nest in holes in trees or in nest boxes put up around the shoreline of a lake.

Families Flock to Santee Easter Egg Event

Easter Bunny Christine Edwards

More than 8,000 people swarmed the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve March 30 to participate in Santee’s 10th Annual Eggstravaganza.

The daylong family event included food, music, pony rides, carnival rides, a petting zoo, face painting, crafts and more.

About 2,700 children from age 8 and younger scrambled for treats at 40 egg hunts that were staged at two zones, one for small children and another for older kids.

More than 50 volunteers helped out at the event, which is co-sponsored by the city of Santee and Padre Dam Municipal Water District, which operates the 190-acre preserve.

Water Board Extends Teen Center Lease

Directors of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District today unanimously approved a one-year extension of a $1-per-month lease with the city of Santee for the Santee Teen Center at the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve for fiscal year 2013-14.

Santee Teen Center participants thank Padre Dam board.

The board’s action solidifies the water agency’s role as a partner and sponsor of the city’s after-school teen program, which has operated from a 1,140-square-foot building at the park since May 2005. “It is our pleasure to be able to extend this contract so that we can continue the program at the Teen Center,” noted Board President Bill Pommering.

Faced with harsh budget cuts triggered by the state’s elimination of redevelopment funding, the city last year negotiated with the water district to reduce the Teen Center rent from $1,036 per month to $1 per month. The district obliged, and the city has been able to continue operating the Teen Center’s after-school program that benefits local students as well as working parents.

 “We appreciate the board’s renewal of the reduced-cost lease, which is a fine example of an inter-agency partnership that benefits the public,” said Santee Community Services Director Bill Maertz.

For more information about the city of Santee Teen Center at the Lakes visit the city of Santee website.

 

 

Register Now for Free Kids’ Fishing Derby

Every child remembers the thrill of reeling in their first fish, no matter how large or small. And quite often, they don’t forget their second, third, or even their 100^th.

Make this lasting memory possible by registering your child for the annual Santee Firefighters’ Fishing Derby scheduled for June 23 at Santee Lakes No. 3 and 4. Act quickly, because the deadline for registration is June 20.

Children up to age 17 are eligible and must be accompanied by an adult. Kids receive free admission to Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, lunch and one raffle ticket.

Up to 100  fishing rods will be available to rent at no cost from the Lakeside Optimist Club, and free bait will be provided by Lakeside Bait & Tackle.
Adults can buy lunch for $3 and purchase additional raffle tickets for $2 each.

You can register here at the Santee Firefighters Assn. website