Glenda Denniston reported in her comments to Mariah's post: "Just a few more phenological notes: in Bill's Woods, Violets and Hepatica are in full bloom (as of March 29, when I also saw my first butterfly of the season - a Mourning Cloak). False Rue anemone, Twinleaf, Dutchman's breeches, Mertensia and Cutleaf Toothwort are in bud, and today (April 1 there were two flowers fully out on a Bloodroot. Pennsylvania sedges are forming their flowers."
Here are Glenda's beautiful photos. It's hard to believe that since then the flowers endured hail and snow on Saturday, 73°F and blustery April winds on Sunday, and today on Monday a dip to the freezing point again. Aside from being beautiful, these little flowers are hardy and used to fickle Wisconsin weather. Photos G. Denniston.
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![]() Mariah Myers is sharing her experiences in the Preserve with us. Read her bio at the end of this post, and enjoy spring coming to the Preserve. Mariah writes: "On Monday (March 28), I met with Gisela Kutzbach and we hiked the Big Oak Trail from Frautschi Point to the Biocore Prairie. Of course, I brought my almost 13-year old partner in crime (golden retriever), Sandi along for the morning. I often tell people that Sandi gets most of the credit for any nature-related observations that I make. Between Sandi's stopping every 10 feet to investigate a new smell and me stopping every 15 feet to take a picture or do my own investigating, our short distance walks can take two to three hours. There were many new and exciting signs of spring to take note of on our walk. One of the first things that we saw was a sea of green moss covering the forest floor. Mixed in with the fresh green moss were the minute sprouts of various woodland wildflowers. We had to observe carefully at times, to be sure not to miss anything. Some of the more obvious signs of spring which started a few weeks ago, were the serenading songs of cardinals, robins, and song sparrows.
At the intersection of the trail which enters the prairie, I pointed out a soft and spongy part of the trail which in turn was a trail of its own. About a week ago, I noticed what appeared to be a mole tunnel along the side of the trail. It has since expanded further onto the hiking path. We took note of what is left of a decomposing stump and decided this would be an excellent example of nature to periodically observe the rate of decomposition as well as, signs of animals and other natural occurrences. We paused near the manmade shelter on the trail and I made a mental note of how different it looks when not covered in snow. Near the shelter, I showed Gisela the area where I saw a coyote crossing my path last month heading towards the prairie from the Big Oak Trail. Eventually, we made it to the Biocore Prairie and walked over to the picnic table by a bluebird box. While there, we were serenaded by a song sparrow singing at the top of his vocal cords and to the best of his ability. We didn't see any bluebirds but, I told Gisela that I witnessed a pair of bluebirds entering/exiting the box and fending off unwanted house guests (house sparrows, chickadees, etc) two weeks ago. At this point, Gisela and I parted ways. Sandi and I proceeded to walk from the Biocore Prairie out to The Narrows, hiking the trail along the lake. Passing the wetland, there were a few pairs of mallards and Canada geese, and many red-winged blackbirds making their presence known. On the lake, I saw a group of about 10 buffleheads and a grebe trying to stay afloat the rough water. Upon the hike back to Frautschi Point, I stopped once more at the bluebird box and sure enough, there was a male bluebird in the tree calling and ready to fend off unwanted visitors. I did also see my first of the year tree swallow swooping through the air, catching insects. Mariah Myers: I am a Naturalist at Aldo Leopold Nature Center and a frequent visitor of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. I have a B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University and nature photography is not just a fun hobby but, it is how I find peace. I moved to Madison from west central Illinois 1.5 years ago with my now almost 13 year old Golden Retriever, Sandi. I discovered the Preserve last spring and immediately fell in love. First with Picnic Point, a very popular destination in Madison. Then, one day I decided to walk further than before and we ended up at Frautschi Point. Sandi and I try to walk the Big Oak Trail at least once a week, sometimes three or four times a week. I give Sandi most of the credit for our discoveries because while she stops frequently to smell everything, it forces me to slow down and take in nature as I see and feel it, becoming more observant with each stop.
Two curious owlets at the Willow Creek savanna are the joy of many photographers these days. They have left their precariously located basket nest and are now safely anchored on high oak tree branches, two fuzzy balls warming each other and seemingly well nourished. The watchful parents sit nearby, each in a different tree. Photos G. Kutzbach. Please send us your photos so we can post them. ([email protected])
![]() On March 17, the CEE 578 – Senior Capstone Design team presented their preliminary report on the Analysis and Design of Storm Water Erosion Mitigation for the Eagle Heights Community Gardens. A panel of four judges from industry positively evaluated their presentation and report and also gave them feedback for further improvement. Several of their college mentors and professors were present, as well as representatives from the Friends, the Gardens, and Preserve staff. The photo taken before the presentation exudes the amazing team spirit of the group and their satisfaction to have completed real-world professional work. In this project, the students gained professional experience and the Garden Community now has a design plan for solving their storm water problem. The team of two civil and four geological engineering students addressed the flooding, runoff, and erosion problems around the compost stockpile area in the southeast corner of the gardens. They were given certain design constraints, including not impacting any of the garden plots.This large stockpile consists of fall leaves collections, garden weeds, horse manure, and lake weed, leading to problems of nutrient-rich flooding during large rain events. The runoff drains into the adjacent Bill’s Woods. The students developed three alternatives to mitigate this problem and recommended a system of three bioswales to direct rainwater around the stockpile rather than through it. In addition, a rain garden to infiltrate all the water from the drainage area was proposed that would require use of Bill's Woods land and removing trees. The solution would also require a readjustment of the existing access gravel road toward the south. Capital costs were also presented. Some of the labor for installation could possibly be provided by gardener volunteer hours. The Friends provided some financial support for materials and printing, as well as mentoring. Photos by G. Kutzbach ![]() Jeff Jaeckels sent us this expressive photo with us of the Great Horned owlet and parent. Thanks you you for sharing. Faye Lorenzsson, who built the wire nest, writes: "It's hard to believe the owls finally chose the artificial wire nest over their usual natural hollow after snubbing it for 5 seasons. Perhaps their normal hollow is deteriorating, but I would have expected them to select that lovely nest box [attached to one of the oaks] over a tree fork" with a wire nest, but "there is really no accounting for taste =)" (see details in the previous blog) Paul Noeldner, who networks with many birders in the Madison area reports: "A pair of Great Horned Owls in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve has already nested and hatched Owlets According to Chuck Henrikson with the UW Vet School, their normal nesting period in Wisconsin is Feb 14, Valentines Day to Mar 17, Saint Patricks Day. Since hatched Owlets were spotted by March 2 this year, this indicates their 32 day nesting period started at least 2 weeks earlier than normal, around the last week in January. Nelson Institute Capstone student Hannah DePorter who helped a Lakeshore Nature Preserve team implement an Owl Cam project last year, located and photographed one of the owls on their nest. The nest is an artificial wire and stick cone installed by a prior student Faye Lorenzsonn several years earlier as a research project to see if they would use a human provided box or stick nest, and which they prefer. We look forward to more pictures. The owl nest location is not being publicized to help avoid additional human presence that might disturb their natural activities.
Hannah also captured pictures of the Bock Laboratories Red-tailed Hawk nest and one of the Red-tail pair that have returned to the same nest location again this year and will soon begin laying eggs. More updates to come! ![]() The UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve's Willow Creek Great Horned Owl pair is already sitting on eggs in late February according to UW Veterinary Senior Lecturer Chuck Henrikson. According to Chuck the time for Great Horned Owl nesting incubation in Wisconsin, with typically 2 to 4 eggs, averages 32 days, roughly from Valentine's Day to Saint Patricks Day. During that time the female does most of the incubating. The Willow Creek pair can often be quietly observed from the Lakeshore Path near the DeJope "Green Dorm". Look for large lumps with 'ears' on medium to high limbs next to the trunks of old Oak trees and White Pines. The presence of top predators like Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, Foxes and Coyotes reflects the quality and importance of preserving native habitat in UW natural areas and borders large and small throughout campus. In turn the majestic trees, quiet nature nooks, birds, and wildlife provide healthy nature recreation and moments of awe and beauty as part of daily UW Campus life, and inspiration for careers and natural science education opportunities for students. We look forward to seeing basketball size fluffy cream white owlets soon!
Last weekend, Mike Parsen and Will Waller met with the six Senior Capstone students in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE 578, advisor Prof. Charlie Quagliana) for a tour of the Eagle Heights Community Gardens to review the area and discuss current issues with storm water run-off. The goal for the students’ Senior design project is to create a realistic and cost-effective solution for the storm water problems in the community gardens and to reduce flooding and nutrient-rich runoff from the gardens into Bills Woods. Maria Kealey, one of the students, states, “I think the team is very motivated by the fact that if we succeed, our design might actually be implemented. As Civil and Geological Engineering students, many of our design projects are much more theoretical. Personally, this class might be the only exception to that after five years at UW-Madison!”
The students are responding to a Request-for-Proposal, which provides background about the Preserve and identifies the problem of erosion and nutrient transport south of the gardens and down through Bill’s Woods. The Senior Capstone students will develop mitigation systems for this area, in collaboration with their industrial mentors and stakeholders, including the Friends and Preserve staff. The Friends are supporting this worthwhile design project with a $1000 donation to pay for student expenses, including printing costs. Laura Wyatt, Preserve Program Manager, reports on a visit to the Preserve this morning: "The Preserve is gorgeous with the new snow; plan a visit soon!" The fluffy snow covers every tiny branch. Enjoy and bring your camera.
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AuthorGisela Kutzbach and contributors Archives
May 2022
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