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