I Spy on the Trails - March 1-15, 2024

The past two weeks have been notable for increasing bird song and migration. Red-winged blackbirds and at least one bluebird returned and joined in the early morning mating and territory calls. Swans, ducks, pelicans, eagles and gulls have been seen in great numbers in the Mississippi River backwaters. Migration is in full swing

Silver hairs on stem of Pasque flower

One of the earliest blooming wildflowers, the Pasque flower, made its appearance during the second week of March. These early harbingers of spring are a delight to find on prairie trails, hugging the ground in small, fuzzy clusters of lilac petals with a bright yellow stamen. Their name derives from "Paschal" (of Easter) since it appears around this holiday. Its sepals were used to color Easter eggs in some European countries.

Cluster of Pasque flowers

If you want to catch these fleeting little beauties, try Holland Sand Prairie (head to the right at the trailhead and follow the western fence near the houses until it descends a hill) or King’s Bluff Trail at Great River Bluffs State Park. Let me know where else you are finding them.

Eastern Comma butterfly

Insects too are back. I spotted butterflies, flies, spiders and wasps while out on hikes. Reports from other hikers indicate that ticks (and even mosquitoes!) are active as well. Stop here and here to read ways to protect yourself from ticks on your hikes.

You can help UMN Entomology researchers track tick distribution, seasonal activity and host associations across MN. Record your tick observations on iNaturalist to contribute to the Minnesota Tick Activity Monitor project which aims to document the species most commonly encountered by people, and improve awareness of when and where people need to look out for tick bites.

A small beach littered with
dried lotus blossoms

Temps stayed mostly in the 50's to 60s range with a few cooler days in the mid 30s and low 40s. Great hiking weather. We were lucky to have one significant rainfall during these first two weeks of March though. With our drought from last fall continuing throughout the winter, this is welcome but we are definitely hoping for more.

While it is exciting to see plant and animal life emerging and returning again, most of what I am observing is 2-4 weeks (or more) early. Combined with continued unseasonably warm weather, it suggests that last year’s record-breaking global and local warmth is more than just a powerful El Niño influence but continuing climate change.

Frost is out of most bluff top and prairie top trails and they’ve been hardening - those trail surfaces are firm enough for hikes. Bluff side trails, low wetland trails and forested areas can still be sloppy and muddy. When choosing hikes, be aware of whether you are heading into mud and consider choosing a different destination to preserve trails and prevent erosion.

Wildlife (seen/heard/detected)

• 
  
  Eastern comma butterfly
• Sandhill cranes
• Trumpeter swans
• Pileated woodpecker
• Bluejay 
• Bluebird
• Red-wing blackbird
• Downy woodpecker
• Robins
• Song sparrow
• House sparrow
• Pelicans
• Muskrats
• Turtles
• Red-shouldered hawk
• Great horned owl

Plant Life

• Pasque flowers (3/11)
• Motherwort (unbloomed)

What are YOU noticing on your hikes?

Milkweed pod

Two weeks of hikes:

Kiep's Landing Dike Trail, Trempealeau WI; Meadow Trail, Whitewater State Park, Elba MN; River Bottom Trail, Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge, Trempealeau WI; Holland Sand Prairie, Holland WI (3); Wagon Wheel Trail, La Crescent MN; Mathy Quarry, Quarry Trail and overlooks, La Crosse, WI, Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI

All images - Marge Loch-Wouters