V is for Vulture nature program set for Saturday in Hannibal’s Riverview Park

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The V is for Vulture nature program is set for 9 a.m. Saturday at Riverview Park, Shelter No. 2, by the first overlook.

“The valuable, valiant, V-flying vulture! What’s so ‘valuable’ about vultures?” said Gale Rublee, nature educator with Hannibal Parks & Recreation. “They just eat dead stuff. Exactly! Vultures are expert garbage collectors, and what they do helps us and other animals. This time of year, hundreds of Vultures migrate north along the Mississippi River, and many of them rest at Riverview Park. Let’s get to the park early to watch them warming up in the morning light. Bring binoculars. We will walk mainly along the roads.”

Rublee is a nationally certified interpreter guide and founding member of the Hannibal-area Missouri Master Naturalist Mississippi Hills chapter.

Nature programs are free, but reservations must be made by contacting the Hannibal Parks & Recreation office at 573-221-0154 or mlrichards@hannibal-mo.gov