Frog and Toad Come to Call

Frogs and toads are calling!

How well do you know your frogs and toads? The WI DNR recently posted this video with the mating calls of 12 of WI's frog and toad species. 

The DNR writes "Wisconsin is home to twelve species of frogs, including the American toad. The frogs that you hear calling are males. They do this to attract females during the mating season. Certain species can only be distinguished by their call."

Happy hiking - and keep your ears open for these spring calls!

Let's Get Hiking and Learning - May 2024

There's lots of great opportunities in May to get outdoors to learn something new and hike as well! I've listed  a few events I've come across. Click on the event title to find a link to the event or organization.

Be sure to check often with local hiking groups, universities, naturalist-interest groups, nature conservancies, nature centers and their Friends groups, state parks, US Fish and Wildlife centers and others in your area to see what is on offer to help you understand the natural world around you better.

I am including a late entry that happens April 23 sponsored by Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Their guided hikes are AMAZING!!

Spring Bird Walk

 - Tuesday, April 23      6-7:30pm

 - Lytle's Landing Canoe Access, Lytle Road, Onalaska, WI 54650. Please park at the Brice Prairie Conservation Association Clubhouse on Lytle Road

n celebration of the upcoming World Migratory Bird Day, join refuge staff and partners on a bird identification walk through the floodplain forest! We’ll walk one mile or less during this FREE, informal program. We often see many birds close by and our pace will be more of a bird “crawl”!

Please help us make this a good experience for all participants by leaving pets at home. Registration is NOT required. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Bird walks take place rain or shine but may be cancelled if there’s a high probability of thunderstorms. We’ll be walking along the Great River State Trail on a mostly flat surface of gravel or wooden boardwalk. World Migratory Bird Day events take place across our community and across the world to raise awareness for the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats. This year’s theme is “protect insects, protect birds.” Learn more on our national website: https://www.fws.gov/.../world-migratory-bird-day-2024.  Sponsor: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

Guided Bird Hike

 - Saturday, May 4       9-11:00 am

 - Frontenac State Park

Free uided bird walk with FSPA members Janet Malotky and Steve Dietz, leaving from campground kiosk. Walk through a mixed habitat of prairie and woodland, looking for resident and early migrating birds that specialize in these areas. The trail is mowed grass and is well maintained. Bring your binoculars or borrow some from the park office. No need to register. If you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park and Frontenac State Park Association

Friends of McGilvray Road 7 Bridges 35th Anniversary Celebration

 - Saturday May 4      1-3:00pm

 - N8327 Amsterdam Prairie Rd, Holmen

Events include trial history, guided hikes , scavanger nature hunt and more at this free event. Vehicles will be available for special needs so all have access to the trail. Email Ruth Scholze at rscholze73@gmail.com if you need special assistance. Sponsor: Friends of McGilvray Road 7 Bridges

Spring Bird Walk

 - Tuesday, May 7      6-7:30pm

 - Shady Maple Interpretive Trail at Goose Island County Park: W6488 County Road GI, Stoddard, WI 

n celebration of the upcoming World Migratory Bird Day, join refuge staff and partners on a bird identification walk through the floodplain forest! We’ll walk one mile or less during this FREE, informal program. We often see many birds close by and our pace will be more of a bird “crawl”!

Please help us make this a good experience for all participants by leaving pets at home. Registration is NOT required. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Bird walks take place rain or shine but may be cancelled if there’s a high probability of thunderstorms. We’ll be walking along the Great River State Trail on a mostly flat surface of gravel or wooden boardwalk. World Migratory Bird Day events take place across our community and across the world to raise awareness for the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats. This year’s theme is “protect insects, protect birds.” Learn more on our national website: https://www.fws.gov/.../world-migratory-bird-day-2024.  Sponsor: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

Grand Meadow Chert Quarry - Wanhi Yukan 

 - Wednesday, May 8      10 am -noon

 - Whitewater State Park

Our monthly H.O.P. program (Healthy Older People). Archaeologist Tom Trow has been working for four years with the Mower County Historical Society and the Dakota Community of Prairie Island at an extraordinary archaeological site east of Austin. Tom will present the latest research about how numerous tribal communities, a thousand years ago, used the “chert” (or flint) from this quarry for making stone tools - and why this once was the most important place in southeastern Minnesota. He will also preview the plans for opening a public walking trail and interpretive signage at the site this summer. Sponsor: the Friends of Whitewater State Park

Guided Nature Hike

 - Friday, May 10         1-1:45 pm

 - Frontenac State Park

Celebrate the fishing opener weekend with a guided hike to the sandy shores of Lake Pepin! Join us at Frontenac State Park’s Sand Point Trail to hike through a floodplain forest and wet meadow while learning about the ecology of the lands adjoining Lake Pepin and the flora and fauna that call them home. The event will begin at the Sand Point parking lot off US 61 at 1:00 p.m.; the total distance hiked will be approximately 1.7 miles over mostly level ground. In the event of intense spring flooding along the Mississippi, an alternate location will be chosen for the event. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled. This event is free. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park and Frontenac State Park Association

Migratory Birding Hike

- Saturday May 11     7-9:00 am

- Sugar Creek Bluff SNA

In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, a free guided birding walk is being offered to the public. Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring in a beautiful, natural setting as you stroll through the blufflands while learning more about these migratory birds. Guiding this year’s walk will be Krysten Zummo, Gwyn Calvetti and Dr. Stefan Gleissberg, along with staff and volunteers. Participants will be guided in small groups in how to listen for, watch, and identify the various birds that are returning to or passing through the area after wintering as far away as South America. Some binoculars (about a dozen) will be available for those who would like to borrow them. Registration required. Sponsor: Mississippi Valley Conservancy

Carley State Park Bluebell Festival

 - Saturday, May 11   9am - 3pm

 - Carley State Park, 4 miles south of Plainview MN on Wabasha Co. Rd. 4.

Come celebrate the beauty of our spring bluebells, in abundance at Carley State Park. A variety of activities will be offered throughout the day including a family scavenger hunt, Mother's Day card making for kids, and archery for ages 8 and older. Guided Wildflower walks will start at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free, no registration. More info, call Jeremy Darst at 507 312-2301

World Migratory Bird Day

 - Saturday May 11       7:00am - 12:30 pm

  - Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Trempealeau WI

Each year the Refuge celebrates WMBD to encourage support for migratory bird conservation. The theme for this year’s installment of the annual celebration is “Protect Insects, Protect birds”. Join us for a few hours or for the whole celebration!  This is an event for the whole family! Sponsor: Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge

Wilderness Weekends with Emily

 - Saturday, May 11               9:30-11:30 am
 - Winona MN - Location TBD
Come and discover the fascinating aquatic world of Lake Winona and the marvelous creatures that call it home! Our free program will delve into the fundamentals of macro-invertebrates and other aquatic species thriving in the lake. We'll gather samples and conduct observations to identify each species. This event is perfect for families and offers a fun-filled way to get ready for summer while enhancing your critical thinking abilities through hands-on activities! Wilderness Weekends, led by Emily Gorman, is an environmental education program offering an immersive experience to explore the ecosystems and ecological treasures of Winona County. Join us to discover, appreciate, and protect the region's natural wonders. Sponsor: Winona Outdoor Collaborative

Guided Fungi Walk

- Saturday, May 11 10-11:30 am

 - Frontenac State Park

Volunteer Master Naturalist Pam Miller will lead a fungi walk from the campground shower building. The walk will focus on fungi species and habitat in the park and the relationship between trees and mushrooms. You’re wondering – will we find any MORELS? Maybe, but don’t count on it – part of the allure of looking for wild mushrooms is that they’re tricky and elusive! This event is free. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park and Frontenac State Park Association

Kids Fishing Day

- Saturday May 18 8:30am - noon

  - Genoa National Fish Hatchery, S5631 State Hwy 35, Genoa WI

Calling all youth anglers’ ages 5-12 years old! Come and enjoy a morning of learning and fishing @ the Genoa National Fish Hatchery for our Kids Fishing Day!  Registration begins 8:30am - 9:00am Event consist of four learning stations focusing on fish ID and habitats, fisheries conservation, boat safety, and mussels. After an hour of learning they will be set loose on a hatchery pond stocked with 2,500 10-14 inch rainbow trout to test their new found fishing knowledge. Poles and bait are provided. No outside bait allowed. Due to safety concerns and space limitations, no artificial lures, fly fishing, and/or treble hooks will be allowed at the event. Hope to see you there! Questions? Please call Erica Rasmussen, 608-689-2605  Sponsors: Genoa National Fish Hatchery and Friends of the Upper Mississippi 

Historic Marnach House Open House
 - Saturday, May 18         10am-4pm

 - Elba MN

Wagon rides given at the top of each hour with tours given at the house. Crafters on site and free snack and beverage for all. Come out and enjoy the house and its history and the Whitewater Valley along the way.. The Nicholas Marnach House is the restored home of a Luxembourgian pioneer family in Whitewater Township, Minnesota, United States, built 1857–1860. The house is about 3mi north of Elba, Minnesota, within the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area, a state wildlife preserve adjacent to Whitewater State Park. Updates on the even can be found on this Facebook page

An Afternoon of Environmental Education

 - Saturday, May 18        2:00-5:00pm

 - Kiwanis Shelter, Winona Park & Recreation

1340 Prairie Island RoadWinona

Join us and Happy Dancing Turtle for an afternoon of environmental education! Each organization will present on environmental education, followed by an open house-style event to engage with activities and materials provided. Registration required. Sponsor: Winona Outdoor Collaborative

Saturday Morning Hike with a Naturalist

- Saturday, May 25 10 am

 - Frontenac State Park

Take a short, guided hike with volunteer naturalist, Bruce Ause! Bruce will lead visitors along trails through the upland area of the park pointing out a variety of natural features as they are encountered. Dress for the weather and bring sun and tick protection. Binoculars and cameras are nice accessories, but not necessary. The hike will last about an hour. This event is free. Vehicles entering the park are required to have a State Park vehicle permit. Permits are $7 per day or $35 for an annual sticker. These hikes continue weekly throughout the summer and into early fall. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park and Frontenac State Park Association

Falcons Live - Raptor Program

- Sunday May 26 11am-1:00pm

 - Frontenac State Park

Meet at the Ranger Station. he peregrine falcon has long fascinated people across the globe, known for its dramatic migration and amazing flight. Where 60 years ago there were none, today nearly 350 nesting pairs of falcons make their home in the Upper Midwest. Jackie Fallon, with the Midwest Peregrine Society, will present this program with several live birds to help us understand the past, present and future of peregrine falcons in Frontenac State Park, Minnesota, and Upper Midwest. Make sure to bring your camera for a great opportunity to see these amazing birds. The event will take place right next to the ranger station. This event is free. Vehicles need to display a valid MN State Park Permit upon entering park. Please stop by the office or purchase beforehand. $7 one-day permit, $35 year-round permit. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park and Frontenac State Park Association

Artists Along the Trail - Plein Air Event

 - Saturday June 1        7:00 am - 1:00 pm

 - Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
Come celebrate National Trails Day with us! Over a dozen artist will be set up creating plein-air art along trails at the refuge. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the participating artists creating plein-air art from 7:00 - 11:00 am and see their creative process. Visitors are invited to the Outdoor Wonders Learning Center from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm where artists will set up their easels to share their morning work. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Sponsor: the Friends of Trempealeau Refuge.

Many Artists from the refuge event will be displaying their artwork in the Crush Pad at Elmaro Vineyard & Winery during the Month of June.

Yellow River State Forest Hike- Paint Rock Unit Trails - IA

Paint Rock Overlook

I started hiking the trails in Yellow River State Forest of Iowa last November during the gun deer season in Wisconsin and Minnesota. A group of friends and I wanted to hike freely without worrying about crowded woods and sometimes incautions deer-season-only hunters.

This state forest is located right along the Mississippi River not far from the Effigy Mounds National Monument near Harper's Ferry. It has dramatic steep hills and high bluffs which make for great hiking. As a former tree plantation, it also has old roads for many trails so the hiking can be pretty easy on wide old roadbeds.I began my exploration with a few visits to Luster Heights unit last fall. 

From there, I headed over into the Paint Rock Unit blufftop trails. There are two trailheads to explore the four miles of the main blufftop trails (Mississippi, Big Bear and Mud Hen). Both trailheads are just south of Harper's Ferry. While I split my hikes into two different days so I could scout both trailheads, the hike from either trailhead as an out-and-back can definitely be done as one hike.

Ravines on Mississippi Trail

The reward: dramatic ravines and oak forests with clear understories; abundant wildlife and plant life and interesting up and down and twisting trails that take you for miles of gorgeous hiking.

Paint Rock Trailhead (off Paint Rock Road): The first half mile of Paint Rock Trail goes gradually up on an old logging road through beautiful forests of oak and deciduous trees. You come to a junction and can take the Big Bear or Mississippi trails or continue on the Paint Rock trail.

Mississippi Trailhead (off IA Hwy 364)

This trailhead, tucked into a small bluffside parking lot right past the boat landing sign south of Harper's Ferry, takes you steeply up 300 feet for .6 miles along a narrow dirt and rock trail between steep ravines festooned with plant life. The steep ravine walls give dramatic views of rocks and clear canopied forest sides. You scramble up and down a few ravine crossings at various points. The Mud Hen loop trail goes to the right and is a pleasant loop that takes you along the cliffside with views of the Mississippi. This is a more challenging hiking entrance but the rewards - abundant flowers and truly awesome views of ravine walls and rock formations - sell me on this one!

Goat prairie at Paint Rock Overlook

Once at the top, you can stay on the Paint Rock Trail 3/4 of a mile towards the south overlook through a pine forest and oak forest. If you are using the Mississippi trailhead, you can stay on that trail for 2 miles along the cliffside and through ravines to the overlook.  The views of the Mississippi River and its sloughs are spectacular. Effigy mounds, a beautiful goat prairie, rocks wildflowers and abundant birdlife are found here. 

Junctions of trails have wood posts with arrows indication direction and trail names which is helpful. On all narrow bluff top trails that go through the oak leaves, be sure to watch for yellow blazes on trees. It is easy to lose the trail. I used my AllTrails app in spots where there are new blowdowns and it wasn't clear where the trail was.

.

IA DNR map

THE HIKE

There's actually a trail here!

An outstanding series of blufftop trails (covers about 4 miles of hiking on top) that can be accessed from either one of two trailheads. The Paint Rock Rd trailhead is less steep on a wide logging road; the Hwy 364 trailhead is narrow and dramatic as you wind along ravine walls. The mature, canopied forest of oaks and other deciduous trees leaves a clear forest floor so it's easy to explore off-trail. Yellow blazes on trees are huge help when navigating the narrower, leaf-covered trails but bring along a map app as well to help you in areas of blow-down. Spectacular views, abundant wildflowers, effigy mounds and goats prairies make this an amazing hike.

The Location

Paint Rock Road Trailhead hike - 400 ft elevation over about .6 mile wide grassy logging road 
It's a bit tricky to find this trailhead. It is about 1/4 mile off IA highway 364 on the right hand side. You will see a wooden forest sign and a small parking lot. Continue beyond it to the second larger lot by the gate. 

Hwy 364 Trailhead hike - 500 Ft elevation over .5 mile narrow steep dirt and rock strewn trail with some scrambling down and up ravine crossings

Follow Hwy 364 south of Harper's Ferry until you see a boat landing sign on the right. The trail parking lot entrance is immediately after this sign on the right. You will see a brown and yellow Yellow River State Forest sign once you make the turn into this parking lot. 

All images (unless noted) - Marge Loch-Wouters

I Spy on the Trails - April 1-30, 2024

Holy moly, spring is busting out early. We had some fine snow and rain at the beginning of the month followed by warm temps and the wildflowers went, well...wild! 

It also helped that I went south 50 miles into Iowa to hike at the Yellow River State Forest a few times. We saw alot of great wildflowers that aren't quite up yet around here. And the trees were starting to leaf out there which is very early.

Bird migration is in full swing. The waterfowl have mostly migrated through but the songbirds are definitely returning in large numbers,. Adding to the chorus over the past two weeks are Eastern towhee, brown creeper, red-winged blackbird, rusty blackbird, brown-headed cowbird, eastern meadowlark, golden-crowned kinglet, northern flicker and more. Warblers are just starting their migration, although with trees beginning to leaf out, it will be a challenge to spot them.

And speaking of choruses, wood frogs and spring peepers are much in evidence.

It's a fine time to enjoy the spring woods!

Plant life

Dutchman's breeches. Canadian wild ginger,
Bloodroot, scarlet cup

• Shining clubmoss
• False rue anemone
• Lyreleaf rock cress
• Ramps
• Red stemmed feather moss
• Hepatica
• Dutchman's breeches
• Canadian wild ginger
• Bloodroot
• Cutleaf toothwort
• Long talk sedge
• Scarlet cup
• Rockcap fern
• Walking fern
• Bladder fern
• Sharplobe hepatica
• Roundlobe hepatica
• False rue anemone
• Rue anemone
• Liverwort
• Bristly buttercup
• Birdsfoot violet
• Common violet
• Bastard toadflax (unbloomed)
• Trout lily (unbloomed)
• Puddy root orchid
• Wild strawberry
• Spring beauty
• Prickly pear (!) - blufftop, dry prairie
• Virginia waterleaf
• Mayapple
• Hoary puccoon
• Pussytoes
• Sweet cecily
• Bellwort
• Shotting star

Hoary puccoon

Wildlife (seen, heard, detected)

• Red cardinal butterfly

• 

  Red cardinal butterfly 
  nectaring on Dutchman's Breeches
  
  
  

  Mourning cloak butterfly
• Trumpeter swans
• Tundra swans
• Wood frogs
• Spring peepers
• Snapping turtle
• Dragonflies
• Pileated woodpecker
• Red headed woodpecker
• Downy woodpecker
• Red-bellied woodpecker
• Hairy woodpecker
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker
• Eastern towhee
• Tufted titmouse
• Song sparrow
• American tree sparrow
• Golden-crowned kinglet
  
  
  
• Painted Turtle
• Ruby-crowned kinglet
• Chipping sparrow
• Rusty blackbird
• Red-winged blackbird
• Goldfinch
• Black-capped chickadee
• White-breasted nuthatch 
• Northern cardinal
• Northern flicker
• Great blue heron
• Sandhill cranes
• Blue jay
• Turkey vultures
• Brown creeper
• Brown-headed cowbird
• Barred owl
• Wood duck
• Blue-winged teal
• Green-winged teal
• Robin
• Widgeon
• Coots
• Pelicans
• Killdeer

What are YOU noticing on your hikes?

Two weeks of hikes:
Whitewater WMA, Nursery Trail, Altura MN; Mississippi/Big Bear/Mud Hen Trail, Painted Rock Unit, Yellow River State Forest, Harper’s Ferry, IA (2); Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Caledonia MN; Lytle’s Landing, Brice Prairie WI (2); Greens Coulee/Savannah Oaks, Onalaska WI; La Crosse River Marsh Trails, La Crosse WI

On the rocks at Yellow River State Forest, IA
Image -Kris Lawson

Images (unless noted) - Marge Loch-Wouters

Boom! Handy Hiking Guides in the Driftless

Looking for a new place to hike but not quite sure what to expect in length, difficulty, interesting features? Or just need an idea for a new place to try? 

A recent project that Steve Dawson, founder of the Blufflands Hiking group, has undertaken to answer those questions has resulted in a perfect solution.

Steve is an avid hiker and trip leader who loves to get outdoors and explore. He offers lots of group hikes during the year in the greater La Crosse area and further afield too. The hikes are playful, full of sights and experiences and celebrate nature and getting out into it. I have learned about a ton of hikes to try that he has suggested and gone on a couple with the group as well.

Recently, he decided to create trail guides to trails he has hiked. It's a big project but he makes it look easy. Each one page guide describes a trail's length, it's difficulty and it's highlights. He includes a small "approximate" map and the address of the trailhead. He also includes some lovely photos that give you an idea of what you might see on that trail. 

So far, in less than a week's time, he has created eight guides!. He will add to them as he goes along, hoping to get up to at least 30 by the time he's done (but can ever really be done when finding new trails to try?)

These printable guides can be folded up and kept in your pocket - a perfect trail companion. While you can use apps like AllTrails, it's fun to have the words of a trusted hiker guiding you.

Here's a sample of one guide for Mississippi Valley Greens Coulee bluff park in Onalaska WI (a hike he is offering Saturday, Sat April 13 at 10 am - hope you can make it!)

Huge kudos to Steve for doing this great work and being so willing to share his love of hiking and nature and encouraging people to get on the trails.

I'll be using his guides to find lots of new trails.

Join the Blufflands Hiking Facebook group to access the trail guides which are under  the "Albums" tag at the top. You'll be glad you did!

Local Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) Workshops

Sara Holger, who was one of our instructors for the Big Woods, Big Rivers Minnesota Master Naturalist certification training and the founder of Project Get Outdoors, recently shared a number of workshops she will be offering for women and girls 14 and up. Sara is a wonderful naturalist - you can find her at Driftless Naturalist.  She is also a certified Forest Bathing instructor a practice that really opens your mind and eyes to the outdoors. I highly recommend any of her events.

For more information or to register for a program, contact Sara Holger at sara.grover@yahoo.com. To learn more about the BOW program visit the MN BOW site 

Save Our Trails, Hikers!

Whelp, we are right back in a freeze/thaw cycle on trails after the snow and rain of the past few days. With high temps bringing warmer weather, we are all longing to get out on the trails. 

Please remember though, woods trails are at their most vulnerable in those conditions. Here is a message from the Driftless region's Outdoor Recreation Alliance that I want to pass along:

"Springtime in Wisconsin means many muddy trail systems. Help keep trails in healthy conditions!

Trail users are encouraged to think before they sink. If you’re on the trails during this fragile time of year and begin to leave tracks, it’s time to turn back. If the trails are dry and firm, they are considered suitable for use and are open. If your foot or tire leaves a mark, the trail is closed. Giving the trails a break now will mean less closures needed in the future for extensive repair work.

So what should people do when they’re wanting to head outside but the trails aren’t ready? Before you go, check for a trail report on ORA Trails’ website (www.oratrails.org). Use clues around your home to determine trail conditions. If there’s standing water in the streets, yards or sidewalks, there’s a good chance the trails are not usable yet. Or better yet, visit one of the locations in our area that offer paved or gravel trails that are not nearly as affected by the wet season.

Our trails in La Crosse are maintained and repaired by volunteers and donations toward our work crews, and it takes a lot of work to keep them up to snuff. If you’d like to be a part of the generous group that works hard to maintain our trails, please reach out at contact@oratrails.org or follow our Volunteer Trail Work Nights events!

Have a great weekend and #getoutside!."

I Spy on the Trails - March 16-31, 2024

Pussywillows

March is going out like a lion, that's for sure! It's been a weird two weeks of weather for hiking. Of course, I've been saying that for months now.  But these past two weeks have plenty of starts and stops for cool weather, snow and much needed rain. It has definitely made trails sloppier again and forced me back to paved or graveled trails on many days or simply off the trails on other days.

I was happy to see that my community, La Crescent MN, has put up signs suggesting that people turn back when trails are muddy. It has kept trails at our two bluff parks (Vetsch/StoneyPoint and Eagle's Bluff) in pretty solid shape. That, combined with no leaf blowing on the trails, has made the best spring hiking I've seen in quite a few years at these two bluff parks.

Sandhill cranes at Necedah National Refuge

The hikes, while fewer, have been full of birdlife and plant life. Nesting is in full swing and many birds are migrating back. The sheer number of swans, geese, pelicans and ducks on nearby Blue Lake has been been really spectacular. There is a raucous din many days from that area. The eagles that gathered along the Mississippi River in great numbers early in March have mostly dispersed.

Ramps *just* peeking out

The Pasque flowers are still in evidence. Other ephemerals are *just* starting to peak out. Ramps are early risers and they have been poking through. With the recent rain I look forward to April when my plant list will start growing in earnest.  

Hiking friends and I are planning lots of adventures in April. Temps are predicted into the 60-70s next week with relatively dry days. Let's get our boots on and hit the trails!

Wildlife (seen/heard/detected)

• Pelicans
• Tundra swans
• Trumpeter swans
• Sandhill cranes
• Great blue heron
• Northern flicker
• Tufted titmouse
• Ducks
• Coots
• Mallards
• Eastern bluebird
• Downy woodpecker
• Red-bellied woodpecker 
• Hairy woodpecker
• Pileated woodpecker
• Canada geese
• Bluejay
• Robin
• Cardinal
• Blue jay
• Goldfinches
• Chickadees
• Song sparrows
• Eagle

Goat prairie overlook at Eagles Bluff park,
 newly cleared of invasives by volunteers.
Can hardly wait to see the flowers!

Plant Life

• Pasque flowers
• Hairy wood mint
• Walking fern
• Wood fern
• Horsetail
• Pussywillow
• Ramps

What are YOU noticing on your hikes?

Two weeks of hikes:

Riverside Park, La Crosse WI, King's Bluff Trail, Great River Bluffs State Park, Nodine MN; Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Caledonia MN; Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Necedah WI; Eagles Bluff Park, La Crescent MN. 

Early morning sun over the boardwalk
Necedah Wildlife Refuge

All images - Marge Loch-Wouters