I Spy on the Trails - March 2026

Spring equinox eastern comma butterfly.
They hibernate over winter
in leaf litter and behind bark.

Wild spring!!

We had amazing and variable weather - snow, rain, sun, ice, blizzard, warmer temps, cooler temps, 80s. As Minnesota meterologist Paul Douglas calls March in Minnesota, "The Land of 10,000 Weather Disappointments" in the "United States of Weather Extremes." Amen, brother!

Trails have been mushy so I've spent most of my time on paved, graveled or grassy trails through prairies, and wetlands. Our blizzard snow let me test out my the deeply discounted Atlas snowshoes that I bought at Madison's annual Canoecopia paddle show in mid-March. They work swell!

Mid-month late snow and cold looked like it might delay a few some of our earliest wildflowers by a few days compared to last year but sharp-eyed hikers spotted the first green ground-hugging leaves of avens, prairie smoke and a few ferns - and garlic mustard,  of course and...

...two of our earliest blossoms arrived this month:

Silver maple is one of the earliest flowering trees

• Tall majestic silver maples in the Black River bottomlands at Lytle's Landing are displaying their delicate flowers that have pushed through their red buds. I seldom see them close-up but a fallen maple across the trail allowed me an eye-level view of these first flowers of the season. They are a real treat to see close up.
• Pasque flowers made their welcome debut and should be around the Driftless area through late April. My phenology notes indicated them blooming on March 24 last year. Nice to see their timely return.  Be sure to seek them out on sunny, sandy prairies or on blufftops or quarry floors through April.

Trumpeter swans on
La Crescent's Blue Lake 

The migration of waterfowl has really picked up with a few of our hardy songbirds joining in their return. As songbird migrations begins in earnest, we are seeing and hearing the earliest returning migrants. Early butterflies are making the scene as well.

Spring prairie burns are starting. It is amazing to see how these burns re-ignite forbs during the ensuing growing season. 

Despite sloppy weather and spending two weeks off the trail while sick, I was able to hit the trails quite a few times this month. I was eager to see the migration action and the first spring flowers and sprouts! Thanks to friends and family who joined me in watching the spring world begin her awakening.

Plant Observations

3/22/26
Image -Kris Lawson

Flowering:

• bloodroot
• buttercuo, prairie
• Pasque flower
• silver maple buds

The series of pictures to the right show 

one clump of Pasque flowers

over a four day period.

The blooms respond to sun, temperature

and timing. It was great fun to see the 

first picture, taken by a hiking friend.

She also included a picture of the 

3/24/26

exact location so I could find it.

Two days later, a friend and I were able to locate the clump.

The buds were more prominent, but

the one opening bloom was closed in

the cloudy 40s temps.

The next day, a sunny 70s, all the blooms

were open and the party had begun.

You can find Pasque flowers blooming through mid to late April. 

If you want to see this clump, head to the pine tree at Holland Sand Prairie. They are right on the path. Others are easily visibly

on the path to the pine as you look left.

Enjoy!

          

Sprouts:

• aster, aromatic
• aster, silky
• aster, silver
• butterfly weed
• cecily, sweet
• columbine
• goldenrod, Canada
• goldenrod, showy
• Dutchman’s breeches
• fern, spinulose wood
• pussytoes
• pussywillows 
• toadflax, bastard
• white avens
• wormwood, field
• yarrow 

Fungi/Moss/Lichen:

• moss, hair
• moss, woodsy thyme
• mushroom, scarlet elfin cup 

Wildlife Observations (seen, heard, detected)

Trempealeau Wildlife Rufuge

Birds:

• blackbird, red-winged
• blackbird, rusty
• bluebird
• blue jay
• cardinal, northern
• chickadee, Black-capped
• cowbird, bow headed
• creeper, brown
• crow, American
• eagle, bald
• flicker, northern
• junco, dark-eyed
• grackle
• hawk, Coopers
• hawk, redtailed
• killdeer
• kingfisher
• kinglet, golden-crowned 
• nuthatch, white-breasted
• phoebe, eastern
• robin, American
• sparrow, house
• sparrow, song
• sparrow, tree
• starling, European
• thrush, hermit
• titmouse, tufted
• towhee, eastern
• woodpecker, downy
• woodpecker, hairy
• woodpecker, pileated
• woodpecker, red-bellied
• woodpecker, red-headed

Waterfowl:

• Canada geese

  

  Merganser
  Allan Bigras, Merlin Bird ID

• crane, sandhill
• duck, bufflehead
• duck, canvasback
• duck, gadwell
• duck, green-winged teal
• duck, mallard
• duck, merganser
• duck, scaup
• duck, shoveler
• duck, widgeon
• duck, wood
• gull, ring-billed
• pelican, American
• swan, trumpeter

Reptiles/Amphibians

• frog, chorus 
• frog, spring peeper
• turtle, painted

Insects/Arachnids:

• butterfly, comma eastern
  
• butterfly, mourning cloak 

First sighting of bloodroot this season
It's reddish leaves are still wrapped around its stem

What are YOU seeing on your hikes?

A month of hikes
Hikes below in colored, bold type or underlined have links to previous posts OR descriptions/location 
of the trails found online.

Holland Sand Prairie, Holman WI (4); Wagon Wheel Trail, La Crescent MN (2); Ravine Woods, La Crescent, MN;  Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI (2); Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge, Trempealeau WI (2); Edna Taylor Conservation Park, Monona WI; Bluffside Park, Winona MN (2); Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area, Bernard IA; Yellow River State Forest, Harpers Ferry, IA ; Lytle's Landing, Brice Prairie WI (2); Reno Quarry, Reno MN

Bushwhacking and working on tree identification.
Still just 50/50 on tree ID skills.
Image - Kris Lawson

The "I Spy on the Trails" column is a phenology (the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals) journal to chronicle year-round the weather, plant life and wildlife I observe while hiking. It is very useful in helping me compare observations from year-to-year. The column is published monthly from September through April and then twice-a-month from May through August when warm weather brings the natural world back to vibrant life.

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Great views in Yellow River State Forest - sunny and 60's

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Let's Get Hiking and Learning - April 2026

Image - Kris Lawson

For more information on the trips, where available, please click on the brown event titles for a link to the program or hike. 

This post will be updated throughout the month as new events are announced - usually an additional 5-8 as the month goes on - so feel free to stop back for updated info.

April Events

Enviro-Wednesdays

 - Wednesday, April 1               7:00-8:15pm

 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse WI
Enviro-Wednesdays is an adult (ages 14+) nature series on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 PM at The Nature Place (unless otherwise noted). Free, no registration necessary.  Join us to enhance your nature knowledge. Different topics and speakers every month!  Sponsors: The Nature Place and Friends of the Marsh.

Nature Saturday for Families

 - Saturday, April 4          9:30-11:30am

 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse WI

Join us for a free family event at The Nature Place on the first Saturday of each month. Each event provides a unique seasonal opportunity to learn about the critters and nature patterns found within our region's ecosystem. If you have a question about the event, please reach out to our Community Programs Manager, Steph Hanna at Steph.Hanna@natureplacelacrosse.org **Weather notices or immediate updates regarding one of these events will be shared on our FB stories the day of the event. Sponsor: The Nature Place

Looking to the Future Through the Lens of Climate and History

 - Wednesday, April 8              10:00 am - noon

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Join us on Wednesday for our monthly A.L.P.'s (Advanced Learning Program - formerly called HOP) facilitated by the Friends of Whitewater State Park! In April, we welcome Christine Johnson, Manager of the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area. She will help us understand how climate and the land’s history are shaping the decision-making of today. She will discuss how these influences are impacting the preservation of the historic Marnach House, habitat management, and even the Master Plan for the site. Sponsors: Friends of Whitewater State Park/Whitewater State Park.

Recycled Messy Kids Art

 - Wednesday, April 8        4:30-5:30 pm

 - Onalaska Public Library, 741 Oak Ave S, Onalaska, WI

Join us for messy, handmade fun at the Onalaska library. We'll celebrate care of the Earth and each other with nature and recycled art projects inspired by the children's novel Wildoak by C.C. Harrington.
The event will feature a special recorded video message for La Crosse County youth from author C.C. Harrington! Best for ages 7 and up. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

Perrot Park (WI) Spring Fling

 - Saturday April 11       10:00am - 3:00 pm

 - Perrot State Park, 26247 Sullivan Rd, Trempealeau, WI

Horse-drawn wagon rides. Enjoy music with Under Paris Skies from 11-3. Learn nature skills and crafts with Happy Dancing Turtles. Make a bird or wren house to take home. Plant native seeds in a pot to start your own butterfly garden. Join a walk with the naturalistLight snacks or bring your own lunch. Thanks to Invenergy for the wagon rides, to Black Oak Land Management for the music, and Happy Dancing Turtle for fun and informative education. As always, thanks to staff at for making this happen. Sponsors: Friends of Perrot State Park/Perrot State Park

Impacts of Light Pollution on Bird Migration

 - Saturday April 11               1:00 pm

 - Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center, 1944 Columbus Road, Lansing, IA

The Upper Iowa Audobon Society will present on the impact that artificial lights at night can have during seasonal bird migrations. Local efforts to monitor and control light pollution, as well as what we can do to help combat the issue will be presented. Sponsors: Allamakee County Conservation Board/Upper Iowa Audobon Society

Recycled Messy Kids Art

 - Tuesday, April 14       4:30-5:30 pm

 - Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library, 702 Industrial Dr, West Salem, WI

Join us for messy, handmade fun at the  library. We'll celebrate care of the Earth and each other with nature and recycled art projects inspired by the children's novel Wildoak by C.C. Harrington.
The event will feature a special recorded video message for La Crosse County youth from author C.C. Harrington! Best for ages 7 and up. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

Recycled Messy Kids Art

 - Wednesday, April 15       4:30-5:30 pm

 - John Bosshard Memorial Library, 1706 Henry Johns Blvd, Bangor WI

Join us for messy, handmade fun at the library. We'll celebrate care of the Earth and each other with nature and recycled art projects inspired by the children's novel Wildoak by C.C. Harrington.
The event will feature a special recorded video message for La Crosse County youth from author C.C. Harrington! Best for ages 7 and up. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

Recycled Messy Kids Art

 - Wednesday, April 15       4:30-5:30 pm

 - FJ Robers Library, 2548 Lakeshore Dr, La Crosse WI

Join us for messy, handmade fun at the library. We'll celebrate care of the Earth and each other with nature and recycled art projects inspired by the children's novel Wildoak by C.C. Harrington.
The event will feature a special recorded video message for La Crosse County youth from author C.C. Harrington! Best for ages 7 and up. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

Parked at Home: Effigy Mounds National Monument

 - Monday, April 16          6-7:00 pm

 - online virtual presentation

Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home. Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we’ll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites. Each hour-long program includes a presentation and time for questions and answers. This week, Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry IA is featured. In the Upper Mississippi River Valley, there were thousands of sacred earthen mounds built by American Indians. During this talk, a ranger from Effigy Mounds National Monument will discuss the cultural landscape within the Monument, which includes over 200 mounds in geometric shapes, as well as bears and birds. This talk will also discuss the continued use of the landscape, including the underexplored industrial history of the site. From a sawmill run by Jefferson Davis, to the web of logging roads and quarries constructed by laborers, the lands that now comprise the park contain thousands of years of human history. Stop here to register for the whole free series and get the link for the Effigy Munds presentation as well! Sponsors: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor/Effigy Mounds National Monument

Sand Point Bird Walk

 - Saturday, April 18            9 - 11:00 am

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the Sand Point parking lot off Hwy 61

Walk through the riparian forest and along the beach to Sand Point. Hope to see winter resident birds of the forest as well as early spring migrating waterfowl. Bring binoculars. The trail is well maintained and flat. It can be muddy following rain. The full loop is approximately 2 miles long. When birding, this can take 2-4 hours depending upon how many birds we’re seeing, but you can leave whenever you would like. No need to register but if you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park and Frontenac State Park Association.

Fossil Field Trip

- Saturday, April 18           10:00am -noon

- Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

During this program we will go and look for ancient sea life that lived in the area hundreds of millions of years ago. We'll start with a brief introduction at the visitor center, then drive out of the park 9 miles to hunt for fossils. Please bring your own transportation. For more information, please contact Jeremy Darst at 507-312-2301 or by email at Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us. If you need an accommodation, please call or email the event contact listed above by two weeks prior to the event. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park.

Geology of the Driftless

 - Saturday, April 18       1-4:00pm

 - Yellow River State Forest Forestry Office , 729 State Rd, Harper's Ferry IA

It’s been said if you had to divide Iowa into two parts there would be Northeast Iowa, and then the rest of the state. The Paleozoic Plateau is what makes our area different… but what exactly does that mean Come learn about the bedrock that makes us unique!  Local geologist Phil Burgess will share is knowledge of the Paleozoic Plateau and answer questions about the geological history of this region.
After the presentation kids and grown-ups alike are welcome to bring any local rock or fossil you have Phil will tell you its fascinating history - which will likely go back more than a million years! The conversation will be engaging and questions are highly encouraged. Sponsor: Friends of Yellow River State Forest

The Water Cycle for Kids with Happy Dancing Turtles

 - Thursday, April 23         4-5:00 PM

 - La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St

Join Nora and Delaney from Happy Dancing Turtle and explore the wonders of water and how we can help keep it clean. Become a water droplet and take a journey through the water cycle! Sponsors: La Crescent Public Library/Happy Dancing Turtles

Free Minnesota Parks Day

 - Saturday, April 25

Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there's a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. With a free day in each season, it's a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new - or visit an old favorite at a new time of year! Whether you stay for the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outside, you'll make memories that will last a lifetime. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping, rentals, or special tours. The goal is to encourage families and friends to spend time together in nature. Research shows many health and wellness benefits to spending time in nature. According to ParkRx, contact with nature improves one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. Getting outdoors makes exercise more fun and can boost mood and immunity. The American Psychological Association shares that exposure to nature is linked to benefits including improved attention, lower stress, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even increases in empathy and cooperation. Additional dates for free park days in 2026: Saturday, June 13; and Friday, November 27, 2025. Sponsor: MN DNR

Wildcat Mountain Earth!Work!Play Day
- Saturday, April 25                        9:00am- Noon

 - Wildcat Mountain State Park, E13660 Hwy 33, Ontario, WI

Bring along friends and family to join park staff and the Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park for this fun annual stewardship event and celebration of Earth Month. Activities may include tree planting, campground and trail clean up, invasive species removal, picnic table maintenance and litter clean-up. Bring sturdy footwear and some work gloves. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park. After volunteering, we encourage you to stay and recreate in the park for the afternoon! This event is weather-dependent. For more info, contact Emily Alf, emily.alf@wisconsin.gov, 608-337-4775. Sponsors: Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park and Wildcat Mountatin State Park

Signs of Spring Hike
- Saturday, April 25                  10:00am - noon
- Whitewater (MN) State Park, trout Run Trailhead parking lot past the South Picnic Grounds, 19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN
Explore the signs of spring and how nature is interconnected at Whitewater State Park on a guided hike. Participants will use their observations and easy-to-use science tools to compare plants, waters, and signs of animals across different habitats, amidst the backdrop of beautiful spring ephemeral wildflowers. This program for ages 8+ features an easy to moderate 1.5 mile hike. No registration necessary.  For more information, contact Jonathan Ismail at 507-312-2300 or by email at jonathan.ismail@state.mn.us. If you need an accommodation, please call or email the event contact listed above by two weeks prior to the event. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park.

Earth Fair
- Sunday, April 26           11:00am-4:00pm

 - Myrick Park and the Nature Place, La Crosse WI

A FREE family-friendly event celebrating Earth Week  Kids activities, Farmers market, Live music, Local artisans, Food vendors, Eco Education, and SO MUCH MORE. Also featuring the Nature Place Critter Mobiles, Sustainability Institute Green Goose Chase Mini Missions, Friends of the Marsh Marsh Walk, Drum Circle, Recycling Relay with Happy Dancing Turtle, Story Times & Activity Stations with La Crosse County Library, Y on the Fly Van, hands-on activities, prizes, live raptor demonstration, and Rainbow Ridge Farm animals! Visit our website for a schedule of events and full list of vendors.Sponsored by the Sustainability Institute

Guided Marsh Hike at Earth Fair 2026
- Sunday, April 26                11:00am -4:00pm

 - Nature Place, Myrick Park, La Crosse WI

Join Dr. Chuck Lee, Emeritus Professor of History at UWL, for a free and informative hike and discussion about the marsh and all of those who depend on it. This hike is part of Mississippi Valley Conservancy's Linked to the Land series of educational events which are hosted across the Coulee Region. The La Crosse River Marsh, at the confluence of the La Crosse and Mississippi Rivers, is a thousand-acre wetland located in the middle of the City of La Crosse in western Wisconsin. This marsh not only provides the city with critical flood protection, clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities, but it also helps to create a sense of community and bolsters the local economy. Local organizations, community members, and city government are all working together to protect and care for this vital resource. Bring your binoculars and your questions to make your hike even better. Sign up for this hike here. After the hike, stay for loads of Earth Fair fun for the whole family. There will be hands-on activities, guest speakers, information from many wonderful conservation-minded organizations, food vendors, and opportunities for outdoor play. Visit EarthFairLaCrosse.com to learn more! Sponsor: Mississippi Valley Conservancy

Do you know of other April hiking/learning events I should include? Just drop me a line in comments or the contact box on my web version of the blog.

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and IA.

Naturalist's Corner - Spring Teaser Weather

I was delighted by this article in the Spring 2026 issue of The Rattlesnake Buzz, a quarterly newsletter from Iowa’s Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB).  Ross Geerdes, the Director of the ACCB and the Driftless Area Education and Visitor's Center, wrote a great piece about how spring's fluctuatioin temperatures are both a challenge and a promise to both naturalists and those who love the outdoors. 

By way of introduction of himself, the ACCB and the Center, Ross writes: "I have been with the Allamakee County Conservation Board sine 2013. I was the first full time naturalist with the county. The Allamakee County Conservation Board's education program began offering in-school programs in the fall of 2013 that included live animals, hands on activities, and environmental education programs designed to fit the curriculum and lessons the teachers were already offering to the students. We also began increasing public programming with programs such as kayaking, Fullmoon Snowshoeing, prairie hikes and The Summer Naturalist Speaker series. 

In 2017, with the opening of the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center we continued to work with schools in Allamakee County to offer in school programs while expanding our offerings to schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa to offer field trips to the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center. In 2023, after the retirement of longtime Director Jim Janett, I was promoted to the Director role. We currently oversee the managment of 28 parks, boat landings, and public areas in Allamakee County. Our parks offer users access to the Upper Iowa River, the Yellow River, the Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Refuge, as well as many coldwater trout streams offering year round outdoor activities for residents of Allamakee County and the midwest." You can read more about what the Conservation board and visitor Center offers at their website. This article is reprinted with permission.

Spring Teaser Weather: When Winter Isn’t Quite Done With Us 

by Ross Geerdes

View of Village Creek from the Driftless Center

As I sit down to write this article, the staff from the ACCB is finishing cleaning up from a late winter storm that left the Driftless Area with nearly a foot of snow. This massive snow dump comes in the wake of a February warm spell that saw temperatures reaching 60 degrees for highs and the mid 40s for the overnight low. While warm spells are not uncommon for many of us, they are just a tease; so before you reorganize your closet, remember that spring teasers are famous for keeping us guessing.

A “spring teaser” is a brief stretch of unseasonably warm, pleasant weather that pops up in late winter or very early spring. Temperatures may climb 15–25 degrees above average for a few days, causing the snow to melt away. Fishermen begin to exchange their ice augers for their trolling motors, gardeners may start their indoor seeds and sow their early season seeds like garlic and onions. Even people who don’t maintain a life list of birds begin to notice the arrival of robins and bluebirds while the grass looks just a shade greener. Then as suddenly as the warm air appears the cold air returns, snow blankets the ground, and we rush to protect our newly emerging plants.

Spring teasers are emotionally powerful and the psychological shift is real: longer daylight, warmer temperatures, and birdsong all signal change. Not only is the sun powerful to humans but if you listen to a cardinal sing or see a turkey they seem to have a bit more pep in their step! Perhaps they are saying “We made it!” After months of gray skies and long underwear, even two sunny days can lift moods and spark optimism. Driftless Area residents begin to don shorts, even if it is only 50 degrees, campers open the window to air out the mothballs, runners swap treadmills for trails, and local ice cream shops quietly reopen their windows.

While these warm stretches feel wonderful, they can create a few challenges. Believe it or not, wintertime provides conservation agencies with a chance to do projects that may not be possible at other times of the year.

When the days begin to warm and the sap begins to flow in trees, you may look forward to tapping your sugar maple trees; however, the flowing sap puts an end to timber stand improvement. TSI, as we call it, is the selective cutting of trees to inhibit the growth of other trees. Every fall and winter staff walks our woods with an Iowa DNR Forester and we mark trees to be cut. We do this to help the growth of higher-priority trees, oftentimes oak or walnut.

We also manage some of our forests for white pine trees. White pines are native to Iowa, but most of the white pines around Iowa have been planted 20, 30, or maybe 40 years ago. In areas like Waterville Pines Park and Waterville Farm 55 we have naturally occurring white pine trees that date back prior to Iowa’s statehood. By removing other trees from around these native white pines we can ensure that they are healthy and vigorous to give off seed to provide for the growth of new native strain white pine trees.

Spring’s back-and-forth pattern is part of the seasonal transition. Atmospheric patterns are still battling between lingering winter air masses and strengthening spring warmth. According to the Iowa State Extension office, the annual last frost for Allamakee County is somewhere around April 26 —this means you may not need to wear your long underwear anymore, but the mornings are still frosty. The sun will quickly warm things up after it rises, but the afternoons cool just as quickly when the sun drops below the bluff top. During these times hypothermia is a real concern and dressing in clothing made of materials like wool can keep you warm even if you do work up a sweat. We like to joke about forecasters being wrong all the time, but in the springtime it is important to check forecasts frequently, especially if you’re traveling or have outdoor plans like hiking or fishing.

Spring teasers can feel like nature is playing tricks on us, though they do serve as a promise—spring is coming and SOON. Each warm spell tends to last a little longer. Each cold snap becomes a little less intense. Now it won’t be long before the mushrooms will be popping and the turkeys will be done gobbling!

Nature Sneak Peek - March 2026

Pasque flower

Now that winter is (mostly) over, I know you are as excited as I am to see spring on the trails. Warmer weather and longer daylight hours are jumpstarting our annual migrations and life is slowly pushing back out. 

I thought I'd put on my naturalist's hat and remind us of what we may encounter on the trails this month. This isn't an exhaustive list; just something to help us get our eyes and ears ready for early spring phenological changes!

Wetlands

Waterfowl

Sandhill Cranes - listen for the raucous calls in wetlands and keep an eye on the sky

Canada Geese - their flying v's will be more obvious as they head north to their nesting grounds

Swans - tundra and trumpeters will begin rushing through this month. They don't stay long since they want to snag prime nesting areas

Pelicans - will be wafting back up to their summer feeding grounds 

Great blue herons - will be heading back so keep an eye out for the first returnees

Ducks  - many species of ducks will be returning, some to nest and some to continue their migration further north

Cable Natural History Museum, Hayward WI

Amphibians/Reptiles

Chorus frogs - the first songs you'll hear are the chorus frogs - think running your finger over a comb

Spring peepers - not far behind, you'll hear the spring peepers which are chirpier To distinguish the calls of these frogs, Cable Museum Natural History Museum has short audio snippets of each frog to help you identify their calls here.

Garter snakes - If the weather runs warm through the month, you may catch a glimpse of these elusive snakes

Painted turtles - will be emerging from their overwintering underwater in mud and sunning to restore body temperature and muscle function 

Forests and Prairies

Songbirds and other birds

American eagle

Woodpeckers - they are starting their territorial drumming in earnest which echoes through the woods

Robins, bluebirds, grackles, starlings and red-winged blackbirds are the first migrants to arrive. Watch for killdeer and meadowlarks and listen to our winter birds (cardinals, nuthatches, chickadees, finches, sparrows) begin their mating and territory songs

American woodcocks - this unusual bird has a spectacular mating dance that begins after sunset in open fields near woods. Prime time is in March and into early April 

Dark-eyed junco - this bird overwinters with us and will soon be leaving for its nesting grounds up north. Enjoy these sprightly birds during their last days in the Driftless

American Finches/Northern Cardinals - the males are starting to molt their winter plumage and grow in their mating colors; watch for bright yellow feathers on finches and more complete fire engine red on cardinals

Eagles - are much in evidence on the river, perched in trees and in their nests as the rivers and sloughs open up

Birdcast graphic

You can follow the daily migration predictions at Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology’s Birdcast (with other partners) through the spring. They even have a dashboard you can use for your county to check the action predicted. Pro tip: during the mid-March through the end of May migration periods turn off outside lights from midnight until dawn to support birds in their nightly migration.

 

Plants/Fungi

Scarlet elfin cup fungi

Skunk Cabbage - a definite early riser in the wetlands

Pasque Flower - the first to put out her blooms on the prairie 

Sprouts - look for the first shoots of wild strawberry, early buttercups and violets

Watercress - available throughout the winter in springfed streams; harvesting in months with an "r" in their name means fewer bugs. The warmer it gets, the buggier (a true biology lesson while cleaning!)

Scarlet elfin cup - this tiny bright red beauty is an early bird...uh, fungi 

Eastern comma butterfly

Insects

Eastern Comma Butterfly - it is common, but these little beauties are a delight to spot 

Mourning Cloak Butterfly - a dark winged butterfly, it is one of the first to emerge

Deer ticks - 'nuff said!

As I made this list I thought, that's alot of change  - and it's just the opener and intro to what's coming in the next few spring months. Keep a sharp eye out - and enjoy!

See you on the trails!

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Trumpeter swans fly over Reno Quarry March 2022

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Yawn...The Ticks Are Awakening

Longtime blog readers expect my frequent posts in late winter warning of muddy trails during freeze/thaw cycles - and alternative "firm trail" hiking suggestions.

And most of you know that hot on the heels of the last winter snows and March's warming temps, I will be sharing my annual alerts on tick re-activation in the woods and fields. 

Along with the robins, grackles and cries of migrating waterfowl, the time of ticks is once more upon us. When temperatures hit the 40s, ticks can become active. They will remain active from now until consistent freezing temperatures return in fall. 

In the Driftless area, it is the blacklegged deer tick that is of most concern. It's bite can transmit Lyme's disease as well as anaplasmosis.  What makes this early spring warming so critical is that not just adults are active, but their nymphs are too - and those little buggers are sneakily small. 

A. Nymph    B. Adult male     C. Adult female
Image/Text - Ohio Department of Health

This isn't to say we shouldn't get out hiking/bushwhacking in woods and fields as they firm up. Instead, it's to remind of us to exercise some common sense precautions for tick-free fun on trails.

When I gear up for spring trail hikes, there are a couple of things that help keep me worry free and tickless:

Pre-hike:

• Pre-treat hiking clothes and gear with Premethrin which typically lasts for 6 weeks or 6 washes before application needs to be renewed
• Use insect repellants with DEET or picaridin on exposed skin
• Choose lightcolored hiking clothes/gear so that ticks can be more easily seen.
• Spray boots and tuck pants legs into boots OR wear knee-high or ankle-high tick gaiters pre-treated with Premethrin
• Consider investing in chemical-free Rynoskin, light nylon long sleeve shirt/leggings gathered at wrists, waist and ankles (learned this tip from a Canadian paddler who did lots of spring paddling - and its a keeper)

Post-hike:

• Toss hiking clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes on high. If clothes need to be washed, do them in hot water
• Shower/bathe asap once off the trail to more easily wash off ticks
• Use mirror to do a full body check if returning from ticky areas. Areas to be especially mindful of: hair, behind the knees, between legs, on and around ears, under arms, around the waist
• Remeber in spring, the nymphs are impossibly small so really be aware as you do body/clothes checks
• Check gear and boots to make sure ticks haven't hitchad a ride

I typically head out on 50-60 March-May spring hikes with plenty of bushwhacking (any fungi, flower or fern screams at me to leave the trail and come closer) and have had no problems with ticks over the last five years that I've been doing the above routines. 

For more tips on way to prevent tick bites on the trail, on pets and around the outside of your home, check out this brief but excellent brochure from the Ohio Department of Public Health on being tick-smart.

An ounce of prevention and some careful investment can make the difference in spring hiking enjoyment.

See you on the trails!

Not tick bait!
Off-trail amidst the wildflowers
in Rynoskin and knee-high tick gaiters

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

I Spy on the Trails - February 2026

February prairie

We entered the month under the full Snow Moon and clearer skies have paraded a host of planets and constellations in our night skies. February is always a transition month. Still wintry, but the tug of spring is felt everywhere. 

Imbolc humor

It's no wonder. For those in the know on Celtic celebrations, Imbolc ushers in the month. This ancient holiday celebrates the halfway point between the winter solstice and upcoming March spring equinox. It heralds a time of longer, lighter days; sometimes wildly varying temperatures and the very earliest mating and migration for many birds. 

Buds getting feisty

Early buds begin to push out and some trees are beginning to display a fuzziness in their crowns as their buds enlarge in response to longer days and more sunlight. For those who have passed red osier dogwoods, their stems are reddening and are a clear and welcome sight against the usual grays and browns of late winter bushes.

Uncertain temperatures abound. After a crisp start, a run of high 40s and 50s mid-month brought a significant thaw over a two-week period. Trails became mushy/muddy and hiking switched over to solid surface trails. The freeze/thaw time is probably hardest for those who like to hit the woods trails. But care, restraint and using alternate trails prevents erosion and degradation, keeping the trails solid once the thaw is out and trails once more are firm. 

Ice shards along the Mississippi River's edge

A late, narrow-band snowstorm at the end of our third week brought 8-10" of welcome snow, perfect for some final winter snowshoeing. And of course after a last week of 10s and 20s, 40's popped back before a final string of 20's to end the month.

On the trails, I've noticed deer, eagles, hawks, chickadees, bluebirds, woodpeckers, starlings, trumpeter swans, beaver action and v-flights of Canada geese. Friends have reported seeing robins, starlings and horned larks. The titmice and dark-eyed juncos still remain but I expect they will be migrating back to their northern nesting grounds shortly. Once ponds, rivers, creeks and other waterways open from the ice, I expect we will see waterfowl migration begin in earnest. 

Looking back over the past 3 months of winter, I enjoyed 41 hikes and snowshoe treks in the Driftless. Despite challenging temperatures and conditions, this past winter held multiple outdoor delights and a fairly consistent snowcover to keep bluffs and coulees gorgeous and white. 

Still, I look forward to March and all the spring changes we'll see as the days lengthen and temperatures climb. It promises to be an exciting month for nature lovers.

A tiny wild strawberry peeks out

     

  A Poem for Imbolc

At the halfway point

between solstice and equinox

spring latches hooks into winter

and pulls us into the light.

        --Megan Schliesman

See you on the trails!

A month of hikes
Hikes below in colored, bold type or underlined have links to previous posts OR descriptions/location 
of the trails found online.
Bluffside Park, Winona MN (3); Mathy Quarry, La Crosse WI (2); Yellow River State Forest Luster Heights Unit, Harper's Ferry IA; Pine View Campground, Sparta WI;  Reno Quarry, Reno MN; Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harper's Ferry IA; Hixon Forest, La Crosse WI (2); Reno Spillway, Reno, MN; Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI; Holland Sand Prairie, Holman, WI; Wagon Wheel Trail, La Crescent MN; Ravine Woods, La Crescent, MN; Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitor's Center, Brice Prairie WI

Reno Spillway

The "I Spy on the Trails" column is a phenology (the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals) journal to chronicle year-round the weather, plant life and wildlife I observe while hiking. It is very useful in helping me compare observations from year-to-year. The column is published monthly from September through April and then twice-a-month from May through August when warm weather brings the natural world back to vibrant life.

Image - Kris Lawson

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trails Updates 2/23/26

The planning and work towards the 100 mile Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail (MHDT) is really starting to coalesce. As a reminder, the trail is a multi-year effort to create a hiking/backpacking trail in southeastern Minnesota similar to the Ice Age Trail. 

It's been six months since the last update so let's take a peek

The map that the group produced originally has been updated below to show the work that has been accomplished and the coming year's plans. The gray area on the map shows a wide swath of land between Chatfield Mn and the Mississippi River where the trail might go. That gray area contains public land like wildlife and state management areas, state forests, state parks and private lands that could possibly be connected to create the trail. The MDHT group plan is to work with willing landowners and partner with them to procure easements to allow the trail to pass through portions of their land. They are also working with communities to have trails pass through them so hikers can enjoy all that southeastern Minnesota has to offer.

So what's new?

The area in green above shows where the planners have secured access, This area includes the 6.5 mile Lost Creek Hiking Trail near Chatfield as well a designated 2.5 mile trail through Chatfield. 

The area in yellow, which includes Eagle Bluff Environmental  Center and the Big Woods/Newburg area and Beaver Creek Valley State Park to the Caledonia area, are area that are going to be worked on in 2026.

Grant funds secured from the MN Environmental and Natural Resource Trust Fund in 2024 allowed the group to hire a full-time director and purchase trail building equipment that will make building trails easier. Grant writing is underway to secure additional funds.

To read details of the 2026 plans, please stop here.

To stay updated, you can follow their FB page, stop by their website and/or subscribe to their newsletter. All in all, it's pretty exciting.

Additional posts on the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail:

• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail 7/25 Update
• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail Introduction 10/18/23
• Minnesota Driftless Trail Development Update 5/1/24
• Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trails Updates  2/7/25
• Helping to Make the Dream Come True  3/7/25