![]() Mariah Myers, animal ecologist and naturalist at the Leopold Center, sent us another investigative report from the Frautschi Point area. "I was at Frautschi Point yesterday and discovered a trail of downy feathers in the area of the Big Oak Trail near the open grown oak that was hit in the storm last year. All of the feathers were gray and black, none of them appeared to be flight feathers so I don't have an ID but, I would bet on a songbird like chickadee or junco. Not nearly as exciting as the crime scene from a couple of weeks ago. In the area near the owl crime scene, there were pieces of a hornet's nest on the opposite side of the trail and a chunk of the inside of the nest like the honeycomb (not sure technical term) was next to a pile of canid scat that was in the very middle of the trail. I know the scat was there post owl massacre, I noticed it a few days after, but the hornet's nest was not there at that time. I don't think the canine had anything to do with the downed hornet's nest but, it has instilled curiosity as to what did. Today I returned to Frautschi Point, again on the Big Oak Trail, and found more feathers that appeared to match yesterday's discovery and definitely were not there yesterday. As I was investigating the new feathers, I heard a pair of barred owls nearby. The first owl sounded like it was coming from the pines near the main trail that leads to the Frautschi Point parking lot and the responding call came from the pines near the owl crime scene from a couple of weeks ago. I proceeded to investigate and moved quickly in search of the second owl since it seemed closer and easier to get to. Sure enough, I spotted the owl in the very tree next to the crime scene! Attached is a photo of the owl who was being chastised by black-capped chickadees." Mariah confesses that she is "a sucker for investigating and wondering about every little thing that happens." We all appreciate that. Two years ago, a pair of Barred Owls nested in this very area and produced two owlets (see photos). On Jan 23, Brian Schneider reports on e-bird that he heard Barred owls calling back and forth in the area.
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![]() The last days of 2015 brought freezing temperatures and some snow to the area, after a record warm December with temperatures more than 10° above normal. On this sunny Saturday, people were out in droves walking to the Point and on Lakeshore path, enjoying the beauty of the blue sky, the blue lake, still open, and shores outlined in white. All was bathed in the special light of the winter sun close to the southern horizon. Photos Gisela Kutzbach During this exceptionally warm December, which brought us 2.7 " of rain, the woods sparkled with bright greens of mosses, lichens, and even violet leaves. On their holiday walk, Mark and Arezou enjoyed the splendid views of the open lake from the mound loop trail. Freshly shredded red buckthorn on the path, brown oak leaves covering the ground, dark tree trunks reaching toward the sky, and brilliant greens of mosses and lichens on rocks and tree trunks, all combined to an unexpected visual delight in winter. Adam Gundlach, preparing for spring, was casting grass seeds on the Indian mounds. Photos Mark K.
Adam Gundlach, Perserve Field Projects coordinator supervising the field work in Eagle Heights woods, invites us to hike the area during the holidays season. He writes:
"If you are looking for an opportunity to view some of the work happening in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, we encourage you to take a stroll through Eagle Heights Woods this holiday season. Good Oak Ecological Services has completed brush removal in the western expansion of the Indian Mounds Zone, further opening views to the north and west, and bringing the sense of an open oak woodland another step closer to reality. The brush was chipped spread on trails, so until the snow falls (hopefully sometime soon), sections of trail near the brush clearing site are now highlighted with the fresh, orange-tinted remains of buckthorn. Wolfe Tree Service has also addressed some of the worst stretches of hazard trees along trails in Eagle Heights Woods, though more work remains for later this winter. Enjoy a restful holiday." On this first wintery day at the lake, water fowl congregated in large flocks on Lake Mendota. What an awesome sight. Arlene Koziol records it for us with her camera. Please see more on her Flicker site at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/29411257@N00/albums/72157660721474039 Hundreds of American coots are gathering on the lake, moving back and forth in large rafts along the shoreline to find the best feeding spots. Watch them in the movie, as they noisily propel themselves forward with their strong legs and big feet with lobed toes. To become airborne, they patter across the water, while flapping their wings furiously, Two loons, further out in the lake, are calling. Buffleheads and other waterfowl are also taking advantage of good feeding grounds. Arlene Koziol has been watching these birds for days in the bay just west of Eagle Heights Woods. Movie by Arlene Koziol
![]() The warm, dry fall weather this week offered a good opportunity to conduct controlled burns in the Preserve. On your next walk through Eagle Heights Woods, you will notice the ashes of leaves and detritus, as well as the burned remains of young buckthorn sprouts in the central area of the Heights. As the photos show, the boundaries between cleared areas and buckthorn infested areas, still showing green leaves, are now very distinct. The expansive views add to the feeling of being on top of a height. The ancient dolomite rock outcrops on the central plateau are now in plain view on the wood's floor and add to the pleasure of the scenery. Oak leaves on the ground still have considerable moisture content and on this calm day the set fires did not quite achieve the “aggressiveness” desired, but project manager Adam Gundlach called the burning a success. Today, Adam and Amy Jo Dusick of Good Oak contractors were surveying the area. Workers were removing large segments of fallen trees in the vicinity of the mounds. Other prescribed burns this week were especially successful in the Heritage Oak area, combating buckthorn regrowth and young maple tree sprouts. Also burned were the weedy berms which form the boundary of the restored Heritage Oak area toward the university’s Grounds department storage area. Burns were also conducted at Raymer’s Cove prairie and other areas. Photos Gisela Kutzbach It's hard to believe that this photo was taken on November 1 from Observatory Drive. The maple trees on hill have been in glorious colors for six weeks. Madison had no frost in October.
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AuthorGisela Kutzbach and contributors Archives
May 2022
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