Naturalist's Corner - Baby Owl Season

Karla Bloem is the Executive Director of the International Owl Center (IOC) in Houston, MN. She has  been working with owls since 1998, and is a lifelong resident of Houston County. Her dedication to owls is extraordinary and her work supporting education about these marvelous birds and conducting research on them is outstanding. I am pleased to share this very important message on baby owls. This article, from the May 2025 issue of the International Owl Center newsletter, is reprinted with permission. 

Image by Jon Pauling from Pixabay

When young owls leave their nests in the spring, their heads and bodies are still mostly fuzzy so they are often mistaken for orphans in need of help. 

If you find a fluffy owlet on the ground, check its wing feathers: if they are pretty much fully grown in, the owlet is a fledgling and supposed to be out of the nest. Usually mom and dad are nearby watching and taking care of it. 

Owlets are vulnerable to predators when they first fledge, since they usually can't fly well. If the owlet is near your home, keep cats and dogs inside for a few days (and encourage neighbors to do the same) until the owlet and its siblings are flying better.

If an owlet is on the ground, you can use gloves to pick it up and put it up on a branch off the ground so it is safer from predators. If it just hops back to the ground, put it near a leaning tree or at the base of a tree with rough bark. Owlets can actually climb trees (even vertical!) using their beaks and talons. If you can hide and watch/listen at dusk you can verify if the adults are coming to care for the owlet.

If the owlet is too young to be out of the nest yet, is old enough to thermoregulate, and seems perky and uninjured, the best bet is to get it back into its nest. If you can't find the nest or the nest is inaccessible, you can put up a nest box or basket as high up as you can get it in a tree and put the owlet in it. The young owl will call for its parents and they will find and feed it. Call your nearest wildlife rehabilitator if you need help figuring out what is best for the owlet.

If the owlet has blood on it, is lethargic, or seems injured, put the owlet in a cardboard box with an old towel or T-shirt on the bottom, put it in a quiet place away from kids and pets, and call your nearest wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Do not give food or water, since that can kill a chilled or starving owl.

Driftless region rehabilitators include:

• Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Final notes from Marge: 

If you would like to receive IOC's free newsletters
Click here to receive the Owl Center e-newsletter (upcoming programs & events, educational information)
Click here to receive the Owl Conservation and Research e-newsletter(recent research publications, conservation stories, owl conference info)

Also, if you are in the southeastern part of MN and are interested in becoming a volunteer owl rescuer, there is a free training being offered by the International Owl Center. Details below. 

Injured Owl Rescue Class
Wednesday, May 21               7:00 -8:00 pm
International Owl Center, 126 E Cedar St. Houston, MN

Although the International Owl Center is not licensed to rehabilitate wildlife, the nearest rehabilitators in Minnesota are over an hour away and we can't send birds across state lines to Iowa or Wisconsin. Because of this distance, we are often called to help injured owls (and other raptors), so we've developed a network of volunteers to pick up and transport birds to get them the care they need. We'd love to add you to our list of trained volunteers!

In this class you'll find out about laws around helping wildlife, possible disease transmission, how to assess if an owl needs help, how to safely pick up and transport an injured raptor, and identification of different owl species in the area (adults and young). If you are willing to become part of our list of volunteers, we'll collect your contact, location and availability information. We could especially use volunteers in La Crescent, Caledonia, Spring Grove and Brownsville

Dodge County (WI) Ledge Park Trail

Recently, in a post on the Women Hiking WI Facebook page, I was intrigued by a wonderful gem of a hike in east central WI at a small county park between Horicon and Mayville. The video that was shared showed tumbled slabs of rocks, stairways and slots among high rock walls. Oooh.

Since I was heading to a conference in Oshkosh, I thought that exploring that spot on my way would be a perfect break before the serious business of the conference.

Ledge Park is well-named. It is part of a geological formation called the Niagara Escarpment. This arcing limestone formation originates in Canada, just under Lake Ontario curves upwards through Canada into Upper Michigan before descending through Wisconsin's Door County Peninsula before ending in the east central part of that state. While other portions of softer surrounding rock eroded over millions of years, this spine of dolomite endured to create a system of dramatic ledges.

Image - Wikipedia

This particular part of the escarpment has hiking trails on top the ledge. I chose the main trail, a one mile long trail (the red trail on this map) as my main trail. It follows along the rim but for the first half mile or so also has stone and wooden steps that lead to winding trails through a jumble of limestone slots and tumbled rocks under the rim. Pair that with an absolute riot of spring ephemerals in May and you have one of the most beautiful and fun exploratory hikes in Wisconsin.

The paths below the rim are a rock scrambler's dream. There are a few places to descend to a wonderland of narrow labyrinthian trails. They take you in and out of tight spots, climbing over boulders and through slots that lead to dead ends or narrow twisty passage. You won't put on miles but you can spend a long time playing around in the complex off the main trail.

If you ascend back up to the rim, you can hop between the tops of dolomite columns or cross a few by wooden bridges. The trail continues through the woods and behind a long series of campsites on the rim top to extraordinary views of the surrounding area including the massive Horicon marsh. 

While I was there on the last day of April, I was surrounded both on the rim and among the lower trails by carpets of Dutchman’s breeches, bellwort, wild ginger, bloodroot, sharplobed hepatica, spring beauty, trout lily, white trillium, violet, false rue anemone, bulbet bladderfern, ramp. By the time you read this, endless shooting stars will be blooming.

I can't recommend this fun spring hike enough. I thank Dineo Dowd for highlighting it and encouraging people to hike it!

THE HIKE
This 2 mile out-and-back hike runs along the rim of a dramatic ledge as well as down below the rim. The rim hike has outstanding views as you traverse some of the ledge columns. For those who like to scramble and explore, stone and wood steps lead you down below the rim to tumbled limestone rocks and slots in a series of short trails. For an added bonus, plan your hike in late April/early May and enjoy massive spring ephemeral blooms.

The Location - N7403 Park Road Horicon, WI, 43˚ 27.706’ N 88˚ 34.875’ W

Located approximately 3 miles northeast of Horicon off Raasch Hill Rd. Follow the park signs to turn onto Park Drive and then a leaft into the park. Park at the first parking lot and hit the trail! 

Trout lilies

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch -Wouters

Looking for more area hikes? Please stop by the web version of the blog and under the "Labels" tab on the right hand side of the blog, click on "find-a-hike". There are over 75 hike descriptions and lists of hikes to try!

I Spy on the Trails - April 2025

Delicate yellow trout lily

Mother Nature is battling climate change as hard as she can but it's tough. April has been colder this year compared to April 2024 which featured drought and atypical warmth. We have thankfully had plenty of April showers especially in the second half of the month. While it dampens the hiking picture with muddy, slick trails keeping us on firm surfaces, our dry fall and winter REALLY needed the moisture. 

Temperatures continued a cooler trend of 30s and 40s through much of the first half of the month before poking up to the 50s, 60s with a hop to 70s as we closed out the final weeks of the month. A few winds still came roaring through and, with the stubbornly low temps, it felt like we remained in the tempestuous month of March.

Sharplobe hepatica
Beaver Creek Valley State Park

It's been interesting checking back on last year's observations compared to this year's. Last year, in early April, many spring ephemerals were up and sassy. This year, emergent plants and ephemerals were slower to pop up. I am observing a 10-14 day delay when returning to hiking sites at the same time as last year. It made the quest for those first ephemerals, a bit maddening but also deliciously suspenseful. By the last 10 days of the month, the ephemerals were starting their bloom with a vengeance. Whew, finally.

The season for these delicate wildflowers is fleeting. If you haven’t gotten out on the trails yet, I encourage you to find time to get out in the next week or two to see the first blooms.  You'll be able to continue through May to catch the succession of others. And if you’re wondering where to catch the best show, stop by this post for some ephemeral hiking hot spots! And a reminder, if you need help identifying some of these lovelies, check out Ruth Nissan and Betsy Knowles guide to the wildflower varieties of Vetsch Park throughout the year.

Wild ginger blossom near it's base
so beetles, it's pollinator, can reach it easily

On April 18, I spotted my first warbler of the season - the yellow-rumped warbler, also referred to by some, as butter-butts. The Driftless region continues to host a variety of warblers and songbirds during the migration period. The constant arrivals of the colorful birds and their lovely songs and calls, combined with the mating calls of frogs and toads, made a lovely soundscape for so many of the hikes this month.

Despite significant rain muddying trails and cataract surgery keeping me down for a bit this month, I still had plenty of opportunities for getting out on the trails and observing. And clearly, compared to observations I noted in the March I Spy post, spring has sprung!

Plant Observations

Flowering/mature plants:

• anemone, false rue
• anemone, rue
• anemone, wood
• bellwort

  

  Blood root encased in their leaf capes

• bloodroot
• buttercup, creeping
• buttercup, little-leaf
• cutleaf toothwort
• Dutchman’s breeches
• fern, bulblet bladder
• fern, lowland bladder
• fern, brittle
• heartleaf foamflower
• hepatica, roundlobe
• hepatica, sharplobe
• Jack-in-the-pulpit
  

  

  minute but spectacular flowers of the
  two-leaf miterwort (bishop's cap)

• mayapple
• meadow-rue
• Pasque flowers (March 25-April 27)
• pussytoes
• putty root orchid
• ramp
• rockcress, lyreleaf
• sedge, needleleaf
• sedge, Pennsylvania
• spring beauty
• trillium
• trout lily, white
• trout lily, yellow
• two-leaf miterwort (bishop's cap)
• violet, birdfoot
• violet, common
• violet, downy yellow
• watercress
• waterleaf, Virginia
• wild ginger

Sprouts

• agrimony
• anemone, candle
• columbine
• fern, brittle bladder
• fern, cinnamon
• fern, interupted
• fern, maidenhair
• harvest lice
• leafy spurge
• motherwort
• prairie dock

  

  Hoary puccoon sprouts

• prairie smoke
• puccoon, hoary
• small-flowered leafcup
• snakeroot, black
• Solomon's seal
• Solomon's seal, false
• Solomon’s seal, hairy
• Solomen's seal, smooth
• sweet cecily
• verbena, hoary
• white avens
• wild geranium
• Wild strawberry
• wormwood, field
• yarrow

Fungi

• amber jelly roll

  

  Split gill mushroom

• artist’s conk
• morel mushroom
• scarlet elfin cup
• split gill mushroom
• turkey tail

Wildlife Observations (seen, heard, detected)

Birds:

• blackbird, red-winged
• blackbird, rusty
• bluebird
• blue jay
• brown thrasher
• cardinal, Northern
• cedar waxwing
• chickadee, black-capped

  

  Eastern towhee

• cowbird, brown-headed
• creeper, brown
• eagle, American
• egret, snowy
• finch, house
• flicker, northern 
• goldfinch
• grackle, common
• heron, great blue
• indigo bunting
• killdeer
• kingfisher, belted
• kinglet, gold-crowned
• kinglet, ruby-crowned 
• meadowlark, Eastern
• nuthatch, white-breasted
• owl, barred
• phoebe, Eastern
• robin, American
• shrike, northern
• sparrow, chipping
• sparrow, field
• sparrow, house
• sparrow, lark
• sparrow, song
• sparrow, vesper
• white-crowned sparrow
• sparrow, white-throated

  

  Yellow-rumped warbler

• swallow, tree
• thrasher, brown
• towhee, Eastern
• titmouse, tufted
• vulture, turkey
• warbler, yellow-rumped
• warbler, yellow-throated 
• woodpecker, downy
• woodpecker, hairy
• woodpecker, pileated
• woodpecker, red-bellied
• wren, house
• wren, Carolina 
• wren, winter
• yellow-bellied sapsucker

Waterfowl:

• blue-winged teal
• bufflehead
• Canada goose
• canvasback
• crane, sandhill
• egret, snowy
• heron, great blue
• mallard
• pelican
• scaup
• shoveler, northern
• swan, trumpeter
• wood duck

Mammals

Spring peeper, well camoflauged

• muskrat
• squirrels

Amphibians/Reptiles:

• frog, boreal chorus
• frog, spring peeper
• garter snake
• turtle, painted

Insects:

Tri-colored butterfly queen

• bumblebee, tri-colored
• butterfly, eastern comma
• butterfly, mourning cloak
• butterfly, summer azure

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, Holmen WI (5); Vetsch Park, La Crescent, MN (3); Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Caledonia MN (2); Bluffside Park, Winona MN (2); La Crosse Marsh Trails, La Crosse WI (2); Sugar Creek Bluff, Ferryville WI; Lytle’s Landing (2); Reno Quarry, Reno MN; Mathy Quarry, La Crosse WI; Apple Blossom Overlook Park, La Crescent MN; Wagon Wheel Trail, La Crescent MN; Riverside Park, La Crosse WI;  Yellow River Forest, Harper's Ferry IA; Dodge County Ledge Park, Horicon WI.

Oooh, look what we found -
a tasty morel mushroom
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

A helpful note scratched in the mud directed hikers
to look towards a lovely bloodroot cluster 
Beaver Creek Valley State Park, MN

Let's Get Hiking and Learning - May 2025

May is a big month for the return of songbirds from down south The listings of events below are full of celebrations, guided hikes and opportunities to see and hear them. You can also follow their radar-tracked, nightly migration flights into our area at the Birdcast website.

For more information on the events, where available, please click on the brown event titles for a link to the program or hike. I will be updating this post throughout the month as new events are announced, so feel free to stop back for the most updated info.

Rescheduled Arbor Day Tree Planting

 - Friday, May 2          8:30-11:30 am

 - La Crescent Old Hickory Park

The City of La Crescent is seeking volunteers to assist city staff in planting trees and shrubs for Arbor Day. We will begin the morning with planting at Old Hickory Park. Meeting location will be the south end of the park near Honeygold Court & Jonathan Lane. There are approximately 150 trees and shrubs to be planted including: Hackberry, Honeylocust, Ironwood, White Oak, Black Chokeberry, Amber Jubilee, and Nannyberry. Please be sure to complete the Voluntary Waiver of Liability.  Funding from these trees comes from the ReLeaf Community Forestry Grant through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that was awarded to the City in 2023. Sponsor: City of La Crescent MN

ID Birds - How to Use eBird and Merlin
- Saturday, May 3          10 a.m.
- Frontenac (MN) State Park, Picnic shelter at the top of the park
This is a workshop for people who want to learn how to use the fun, free apps Merlin and eBird to deepen their appreciation and enjoyment of birds. Merlin helps you learn to identify the birds you are hearing and seeing. eBird keeps track of your sightings, helps you figure out where others are seeing birds, and functions as a global citizen science project focused on birds. At this workshop, we’ll learn how to navigate the apps on our phones and then we’ll go outside to use them. The workshop is free but limited to 15 participants. Register here. Sponsor: Frontenac State Park Association

Fossil Field Trip
- Saturday, May 3          10am- noon
- Whitewater (MN) State Park Gooseberry Glen

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, then drive out of the park 9 miles to hunt for fossils. Bring transportation. For more information, contact Carolyn Kocken at 507-312-2301 or by email at carolyn.kocken@state.mn.us Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Wild Edibles: Introduction to Foraging in the Driftless
 - Saturday, May 3             1:00-4:30pm    or

 - Sunday, May 4                 1:00-4:30 pm
 - Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, 28097 Goodview Dr, Lanesboro, MN
Discover nature's free grocery store! The forests and valleys of Southeastern Minnesota can provide a plethora of palatable plants and mushrooms. We'll learn the basics of how confidently and safely identify, gather and prepare some common edible species, then we will hit the trails! We will prepare some tasty treats using what we've gathered entirely on-site. It's fresh, local, organic, and fun! Be prepared to explore off-trail areas. Registration fee: $45 per person. PLEASE NOTE: This class is designed for participants new to foraging, and will accordingly cover the basics of identifying wild edible plants and mushrooms. This event is open to ages 12 and up. Sponsor: Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

Early Morning Bird Hikes

 - Tuesday May 6           6:30-8:00am

 - La Crosse River Marsh - meet at Myrick/Hixon Eco Park parking lot

Start your day by checking out the spring migration. Bird walks start at 6:30 a.m. and last until about 8 a.m. You’re welcome to leave early or stay later. Leaders: Bobbie and Pat Wilson and Dan Jackson. Bring binoculars and a bird guide if you have them. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

Nature Explorers: Dragonflies
- Tuesday May 6               10-11:00 am
- Frontenac (MN) State Park
This is one in a free series of nature programs for children ages 3-6. Learn about nature in the Lake Pepin area with stories, crafts, and outdoor exploration. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Additional sessions: June 3(Fish of MN), July 1 (Rocks Rock), August 5 (Make a Walking Stick), Sept 2 (Catch a Butterfly), Oct 7 (Spooky Critters). Sponsors: Project Get Outdoors and Frontenac State Park Association.

Spring Bird Walk
- Tuesday, May 6             6:00 - 7:30 pm
- Shady Maple Interpretive Trail, Goose Island County Park, W6488 County Road GI, Stoddard
In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, join refuge staff and partners on a bird identification walk through the floodplain forest! We often see many birds close by and our pace will be more of a bird “crawl”! We'll have a few extra pairs of binoculars for folks to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. For the comfort of all visitors and to help us see more wildlife, please leave pets at home. As you enter the park, the trail is located off of the first left turn by the flagpoles. If you see picnic shelter #1, you've driven too far and missed the turn. Please parallel park along the road, leaving as much room as possible for other visitors. Walks take place rain or shine but may be cancelled for high probability of thunderstorms or heavy rain. We’ll be walking along a mostly flat, unpaved trail. We recommend bringing drinking water and bug protection if you'd like it. Ticks may be out at this time of year. World Migratory Bird Day events take place across the world! This year’s theme is “shared spaces: creating bird friendly cities and communities.” Learn more on our national website: https://www.fws.gov/story/2025-03/world-migratory-bird-day-2025 Sponsors: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge; Audubon Upper Mississippi River; the Friends of the Refuge - Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8; La Crosse County Forestry, Parks and Recreation (who help us maintain this lovely trail!) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-St. Paul District.

Guided Migratory Bird Hike - Advance registration is required and space is filling up
- Saturday, May 10            7-9:00 am
- Sugar Creek Bluff, Ferryville WI

In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, a free guided birding walk is being offered to the public by Mississippi Valley Conservancy. 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. Sugar Creek Bluff, a 440-acre bluffland nature preserve near Ferryville, Wisconsin, rises from the banks of Sugar Creek near the Mississippi River. With its beautiful meadows, forests, and prairies the property provides much needed habitat for rare and threatened bird species. Birds seen on previous hikes through this State Natural Area have included the red shouldered hawk, the whip-poor-will, the grasshopper sparrow, the cerulean warbler, and the blue-winged warbler. Sponsor: Mississippi Valley Conservancy

Early Morning Bird Hikes

 - Thursday May 8           6:30-8:00am

 - Hixon Forest, La Crosse - meet at lower Hixon Trail parking lot, off Milson Ct.

Start your day by checking out the spring migration. Bird walks start at 6:30 a.m. and last until about 8 a.m. You’re welcome to leave early or stay later. Leaders: Bobbie and Pat Wilson and Dan Jackson. Bring binoculars and a bird guide if you have them. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

Webinar: Discovering Purpose, Meaning and Creativity Thru Nature As We Age
- Thursday, May 8              1 - 2:00pm

Nature enriches lives at every stage, offering benefits to our health, well-being, and sense of connection. In this free webinar, five inspiring leaders from across Minnesota share how they are finding purpose, meaning, and creativity in nature as they age. Their stories highlight ways to build community and protect the health of the natural world. You’ll also explore resources from Age-Friendly Minnesota’s online Nature Resource Center. Join us to discover how nature can inspire flourishing—for yourself and for the world around you. Register here Archived webinars on nature and older adults are also available at this webpage. Sponsor: Age Friendly MN

Childcare Training: Enhancing Wellbeing Through Nature-Based Mindfullness
- Thursday, May 8              6-8:00pm
- La Crescent (MN) Public Library
Join Project Get Outdoors to learn how nature connection supports healthy bodies and brains. We'll practice nature-based mindfulness activities to share with children. Dress to be outdoors. To register for this FREE event, contact: saragrover@yahoo.com Sponsors: Project Get Outdoors and La Crescent Public Library.

World Migratory Bird Day Festival
- Saturday May 10              7:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488 Refuge Rd, 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! Some of the activities include early bird hikes at 7:00 and 9:00 am and a guided photography hike at 10:30 am. There will also be bird banding demonstrations, a DIY fun and easy bird feeder station, local organizations will have informational booths, books giveaways, and a native plants garden raffle! River Valley Raptors will have live birds on site. At the Outdoor Wonder Learning Center, we will have the 2024 Best of Refuge Photo Contest Exhibition for participants to admire 8:00 – 9:00 am. Additionally, we will also have three presentations as follows: “Birds and Windows” at 9:00 am, “Dark Skies” at 10:00 am and “River Valley Raptors” at 11:00 am. Hiking groups will be limited to twenty participants and ALL bird hikes during WMBD require pre-registration. There will be multiple simultaneous hikes starting at 7:00 am and 9:00 am the day of the event. Please call (608) 539-2311, ext. 2 to register your spot in the festivities of this year’s WMBD! Sponsor: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

Carley State Park Bluebell Festival          
- Saturday, May 10            9:00 am -3pm                  
- Carley (MN) State Park

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. Carley State Park is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Whitewater State Park on Wabasha County Road 4. For more information, contact Jeremy Darst at 507-312-2301 or by email at Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Sand Point Bird Walk
- Saturday May 10               9 - 11:00 am
- Frontenac (MN) State Park, meet at the Sand Point parking lot

Walk through the riparian forest and along the beach to Sand Point. Warbler migration! We will look for migrants such as the Blackburnian Warbler and Northern Waterthrush as well as residents such as the Prothonotary Warbler and American Redstart. Listen for the ethereal call of a Wood Thrush. Bring binoculars. The trail is well maintained and flat. The full loop is approximately 2 miles long, but you can head back whenever you need to. No need to register. If you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. This event is free. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Hemlock Trail Plant Walk
- Saturday, May 10                  9- 10:00 am
- Wildcat Mountain (WI) State Park

Want to learn more about wild plants and how to identify them? Join the Kickapoo Valley Plant Lookers on their monthly plant study along the Hemlock Trail. The study will focus on the floodplain forest, the wet cliff and the hemlock relicts. Each month, the same trail/route will be used to observe the same plants in different stages of growth. The Hemlock trail is moderate to difficult with some steep sections leading up to the overlook. The trail can be wet and slippery. Sturdy shoes and bug repellent are recommended. The event will be held rain or shine. Please meet in the Lower Picnic area parking lot. Info: Emily.Alf@wisconsin.gov 608-337-4775 Sponsor: Wildcat Mountain State Park

Wildlife Ecology - Wilderness Weekends with Emily
- Saturday, May 10                    9:30-11:30am
- Farmer's Community Park, Winona

We’ll meet at Farmer’s Community Park for wildlife ecology education. More details to come in April 2025. 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. This program offers an exciting opportunity for nature enthusiasts, students, families, and anyone passionate about environmental education to engage with the natural world through immersive activities that invite us to dive deeper into our understanding of nature. Join us to discover, appreciate, and protect the region's natural wonders. Registration required. Sponsor: Winona Outdoor Collaborative

Magnificent Mammals
- Saturday May 10                        10-11:00 am
- Whitewater (MN) State Park Nature Store

Mammals have many adaptations, or traits that have changed to enable them to survive in their environment. Many of these adaptations shape the habitat these mammals live in. Explore some of these adaptations from their fur to their teeth and even more at this program. Make observations, interact with specimens, and participate in hands-on activities to learn more about the magnificent mammals that shape Southern Minnesota! For more information, Contact Carolyn Kocken at 507-312-2301 or by email at carolyn.kocken@state.mn.us. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Wild Edibles: Introduction to Foraging in the Driftless
- Saturday, May 10             1:00-4:30pm    or

- Sunday, May 11                1:00-4:30 pm
- Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, 

          28097 Goodview Dr, Lanesboro, MN
Discover nature's free grocery store! The forests and valleys of Southeastern Minnesota can provide a plethora of palatable plants and mushrooms. We'll learn the basics of how confidently and safely identify, gather and prepare some common edible species, then we will hit the trails! We will prepare some tasty treats using what we've gathered entirely on-site. It's fresh, local, organic, and fun! Be prepared to explore off-trail areas. Registration fee: $45 per person. PLEASE NOTE: This class is designed for participants new to foraging, and will accordingly cover the basics of identifying wild edible plants and mushrooms. This event is open to ages 12 and up. Sponsor: Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

Mother's Day Wildflower Hike
 - Sunday, May 11          10am
 - Mt. Hosmer Park, Lansing IA
This hike is created to give moms an opportunity for a little outdoor relaxation break while also exploring Iowa’s spring wildflowers. We will meet at the Mount Hosmer Overlook. The Mother’s Day Hike will be a guided trail hike for participants to explore Iowa’s short-lived wildflowers. Participants should dress for the weather with appropriate layers and outerwear. Any dogs must be on a leash at all times. In the case of inclement weather the hike will be cancelled and announced via the ACCB’s Facebook page. There is no registration require and for more information on this event call the ACCB at (563)538-0401. A full schedule of upcoming events hosted by the Allamakee County Conservation Board and the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center is available by following the ACCB on Facebook or on our website https://www.allamakeecountyconservation.org/event-directory. Sponsor: Allamakee County Conservation Board

Early Morning Bird Hikes

 - Tuesday May 13           6:30-8:00am

 - La Crosse River Marsh, La Crosse - meet at Myrick/Hixon Eco Park parking lot

Start your day by checking out the spring migration. Bird walks start at 6:30 a.m. and last until about 8 a.m. You’re welcome to leave early or stay later. Leaders: Bobbie and Pat Wilson and Dan Jackson. Bring binoculars and a bird guide if you have them. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

Climate Ready Woodlands 
- Wednesday, May 14          10:00 am - noon
- Whitewater State (MN) Gooseberry Glen shelter (see park map)

Join us for our monthly H.O.P. into the Park program (Healthy Older People with Angela Gupta from the UofM extension office, as she describes work underway to help land managers improve the resilience of Minnesota's woods to climate change. As Minnesota’s climate changes, forests will face increasing pressure from tree diseases and pests, heavier and more frequent rainfalls, warmer temperatures, and prolonged drought. New research in forest management, especially around climate change and invasive species, has highlighted the need for updated recommendations for tree selection. Using modeled climate response data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the USDA Forest Service Climate Change Tree Atlas, University of Minnesota Extension created, piloted and updated a suite of regionally specific recommendation lists of climate-resilient trees and plants and through iterative feedback updated that work in the fall of 2024 (z.umn.edu/climateready). These lists also incorporate the benefits of trees and understory plants for charismatic microfauna, such as insects, which are often overlooked during planting decisions despite fulfilling critical roles in forest ecosystems. Through adoption of these recommendation lists, managers and stewards can holistically improve forest health by enhancing the resilience of Minnesota’s woods to climate change. As usual we will be meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the park but as many of you know the office has been closed due to unforeseen circumstances, so we will be meeting at the Gooseberry Glen Shelter. We are not expecting inclement weather, but plan to meet rain or shine. Sponsor: Friends of Whitewater State Park

Nature in the Neighborhood: An Urban Exploration

 - Thursday, May 15          4:30-5:30pm

 - Meet at the Winona Senior High School parking lot, 901 Gilmore Ave, Winona, MN

Happy Dancing Turtles and the Winona Area Public Schools Community Ed are partnering for a walk around the neighborhood to discover all the neat nature right in our backyards! Join Delaney  to take a leisurely stroll around the Winona neighborhood and discover the wildlife that is all around us, but we may not notice! These walks are geared towards adults in the Winona area. Registration is $10 and can be found here, Sponsors: Happy Dancing Turtles and the Winona Area Public Schools Community Ed

Refuge Strong Event

 - Wednesday May 14           7:00-8:00pm

 - Concordia Ballroom, 1129 La Crosse St, La Crosse WI

Learn how to take steps to support our local Refuges. We are inviting environmental groups to discuss problems, create plans, and seek ways to network more effectively. Multiple experts and volunteers will provide brief narratives with time for questions and answers. Learn about current data about local staff, budgets, and closing offices. Learn how to be Refuge Strong. We are the Friends group for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge - La Crosse District. The La Crosse District is one of four districts in the 261-mile-long Refuge and encompasses Refuge properties between lock and dam # 6 in Trempealeau and lock and dam # 8 in Genoa. The waters between these dams are Pool 7 and Pool 8. Our mission is to serve as a bridge between the Refuge and the surrounding communities. We are dedicated to building awareness, enjoyment and support of the Refuge through; engagement, environmental experiences, education, and habitat enhancement. The Board of FOR78 is starting an advocacy effort to support our Refuge and staff during these times of decreasing staff, slashing budgets, closing of offices, and privatization of public lands. Sponsor: Friends of the Refuge - Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8

Early Morning Bird Hikes

 - Thursday May 15           6:30-8:00am

 - Hixon Forest, La Crosse - meet at lower Hixon Trail parking lot, off Milson Ct.

Start your day by checking out the spring migration. Bird walks start at 6:30 a.m. and last until about 8 a.m. You’re welcome to leave early or stay later. Leaders: Bobbie and Pat Wilson and Dan Jackson. Bring binoculars and a bird guide if you have them. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

Springtime Photography Hike

- Friday, May 16        5:00pm

 - Luster Heights Unit, Yellow River Forest, Harper's Ferry IA

Spring is in the air! Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board for a Springtime Photography Hike on Friday, May 16th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. The Springtime Photography program will be a guided hike for participants to explore the landscape that is bursting with new life! Join Assistant Naturalist Becca for a hike looking for all the new subjects for photography. Bring a camera (phone or professional) to explore what spring has in store! Meet at the Luster Heights Unit of Yellow River State Forest. Located 5 miles South of Harpers Ferry on the Great River Road (Hwy 364) on the East side of the Road. Turn onto Luster Height Road; there is a parking lot 1 mile on the left. To register or receive more information on this event call the ACCB at (563)538-0401. A full schedule of upcoming events hosted by the Allamakee County Conservation Board and the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center is available by following the ACCB on Facebook or on our website: 
https://www.allamakeecountyconservation.org/event-directory  Sponsor: Allamakee County Conservation Board

Bird Banding Demonstrations
- Saturday May 17           7 - 11:00 am
- The Shady Maple Trail at Goose Island County Park

           W6488 County Road GI, Stoddard WI

As you enter the park, the trail is located off of the first left turn near the flagpoles. If you pass Shelter #1, you’ve driven too far and missed the turn. Parallel parking is available along the road; please park in a way that leaves maximum space for other visitors. Stop by anytime during this time frame! Bird banders will set up nets in the early morning and bring birds back to a station to be banded. Enjoy a rare close-up view of residential and migratory birds while quietly watching as banders measure, weigh, band and safely release birds. A variety of experts will be on-site to help identify birds and explain how and why we band them. Please leave pets at home. Bug protection, long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended. Birding is an interactive and immersive way to experience wildlife on the Refuge! The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is situated in world-class birding territory along the Mississippi Flyway, making it one of the most popular activities for locals and destination birders alike. Sponsor: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

Outdoor Skills Open House

 - Saturday, May 17          10am - 2:00 pm

 - Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, 28097 Goodview Dr, Lanesboro, MN

This free event gives you and your family the chance to come and sample the outdoor activities & skills that Eagle Bluff has to offer! Some activity options include: GPS exploration; Compass Use; Archery; Fire Building; Rock Climbing (indoor); Shelter Building Stop by anytime from 10 AM - 2 PM, and please RSVP if you are able, but walk-ins are welcome as well! This event is open to all ages, though anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. We want to ensure all are able to access enjoyable outdoor skills, so we don't require any fees for attending this event. That said, we have a suggested donation of $5 to continue to allow us to offer this and other great events. Sponsor: Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

Fungi Walk with a Master Naturalist
- Sunday, May 18                  

 - 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Frontenac (MN) State Park, meet at the campground shower building
On this guided fungi walk, we’ll talk about wild fungi and their relationship to trees, and see if we can find anything interesting. While May is traditionally a good month to find morels, we guarantee nothing except that you’ll learn a few things for searching on your own, too. Wear shoes and socks, long pants and sleeves, and bring tick protection. Questions? Email Pamela Miller at pamelamarianmiller@gmail.com. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Early Morning Bird Hikes

 - Tuesday May 20           6:30-8:00am

 - La Crosse River Marsh, La Crosse - meet at Myrick/Hixon Eco Park parking lot

Start your day by checking out the spring migration. Bird walks start at 6:30 a.m. and last until about 8 a.m. You’re welcome to leave early or stay later. Leaders: Bobbie and Pat Wilson and Dan Jackson. Bring binoculars and a bird guide if you have them. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

Injured Owl Rescue Class

 - Wednesday May 21    7-8:00 pm

 - International Owl Center, 126 Cedar St, Houston, MN

Although the International Owl Center is not licensed to rehabilitate wildlife, the nearest rehabilitators in Minnesota are over an hour away and we can't send birds across state lines to Iowa or Wisconsin. Because of this distance, we are often called to help injured owls (and other raptors), so we've developed a network of volunteers to pick up and transport birds to get them the care they need. We'd love to add you to our list of trained volunteers! In this free class you'll find out about laws around helping wildlife, possible disease transmission, how to assess if an owl needs help, how to safely pick up and transport an injured raptor, and identification of different owl species in the area (adults and young). If you are willing to become part of our list of volunteers, we'll collect your contact, location and availability information. We could especially use volunteers in La Crescent, Caledonia, Spring Grove and Brownsville. We may do an online program at another time.

Early Morning Bird Hikes

 - Thursday May 22           6:30-8:00am

 - Hixon Forest, La Crosse - meet at lower Hixon Trail parking lot, off Milson Ct.

Start your day by checking out the spring migration. Bird walks start at 6:30 a.m. and last until about 8 a.m. You’re welcome to leave early or stay later. Leaders: Bobbie and Pat Wilson and Dan Jackson. Bring binoculars and a bird guide if you have them. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsor: Coulee Region Audubon Society

Saturday Morning Walk with Naturalist Bruce Ause
- Saturday, May 24            10-11 a.m.
- Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the campground shower building/kiosk
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 Bruce’s walks are by far our most popular offering. Come see why! You can follow Bruce's blog, Wacouta Nature Notes, to learn more about nature in SE MN. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Snakes of the Blufflands
- Saturday, May 24              2-3:00pm
- Whitewater (MN) State Park Visitor Center
Sixteen of Minnesota's seventeen kinds of snakes live in the Blufflands. Learn how we can live, work, and recreate in the Blufflands and still conserve these awesome creatures. See a live fox snake. Bring a camera for a picture of your loved one touching a live snake!  For more info, contact Carolyn Kocken at 507 312-2301 or carolyn.kocken@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Falcons Live!
- Sunday, May 25            11 am.-1 pm
- Frontenac (MN) State Park next to the ranger station
The 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 the 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 Association and Frontenac State Park

Saturday Morning Walk with Naturalist Bruce Ause
- Saturday, May 24             10-11 a.m.
- Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the campground shower building/kiosk
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 Bruce’s walks are by far our most popular offering. Come see why! You can follow Bruce's blog, Wacouta Nature Notes, to learn more about nature in SE MN. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Nature Explorers: Baby Animals

- Wednesday, May 28             10-11:00 am
- Lake City (MN) Public Library
This is one in a free series of nature programs for children ages 3-6. Learn about nature in the Lake Pepin area with stories, crafts, and outdoor exploration. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Additional sessions: July 23 (Nature at Night), Sept 10 (Migrating Animals). Sponsors: Project Get Outdoors and Frontenac State Park Association.

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

When Did That Bird Get Here?!?!

Birdcast -The Cornell Lab

You may have noticed in the April "Let's Get Hiking and Learning" post, that there were quite a few bird related hiking and learning opportunities. Hold onto your hats though - the May events post publishing on April 25 is chockfull of even more Driftless guided bird-related events sponsored by multiple organizations and agencies. They are ready to celebrate the great spring bird migrations with you!

What's the timing on this migration?

The early arrival of robins, red-winged blackbirds and grackles in March prepares us for the massive influx of songbirds arriving again to nest here or to continue to nesting grounds further north. April is the month that songbird migration really begins to build. New arrivals pop up every day. 

Who doesn't love being outdoors and recognizing the song of a newly returned -or migrating through -meadowlark, Eastern phoebe, Eastern towhee, ruby- and gold-crowned kinglet and the always amazing variety of warbler songs? These returns heat up in April and continue to swell into May and June.

Most of the migration occurs at night. This information and so much more is available on Birdcast . If you haven't used this website yet, I highly recommend it.

The Cornell Lab, Colorado State University, UMassAmherst and a host of partners developed Birdcast, a bird migration online mapping tool and dashboard. It's an amazing online tool to help you not just access live daily forecast across the U.S. of migrating birds through June 15, but also see localized updates of your area (based on NOAA radar stations data). 

Below is a chart of La Crosse WI action on April 21, 2025. The page also includes the predicted species of birds migrating through the area and also the numbers of birds as the night goes on and migration heats up. Data is updated every 6 hours.

The robust website also delves into the history of the project, project partners, the importance of low lighting or turning off lights during migration seasons, and more. They have a particularly clear explanation of how they use the radar data combined with algorithms to arrive at each forecast. 

If you haven't used The Cornell Lab's Birdcast website yet, I highly recommend it. It can deepen your understanding and appreciation of the birds that fill up the spring woods and soundscape around you.

Frogs Are Awake!

Image - Cable Natural History Museum

In another sign of spring, frogs and toads have started their raucous mating call season.  Over the past week of wetland hikes, their lovely sound has been in the air. 

True confession: I have a tin ear. So while I am hearing spring peepers, my hiking friends are also distinguishing wood frogs and boreal chorus frogs in that soundscape. I'm impressed by their skill - and also hopeful I can learn those calls better.

So far, I have been relying on last year's blog post with a short video of WI frog/toad calls. When I'm on the trail, I just search for "frogs" and the post comes up. I listen to the video but it goes so quickly, I'm not sure I am identifying the frog/toad species correctly while I'm out in the wetlands or near ponds.

Naturalist Emily Stone of the Cable (WI) Natural History Museum to the rescue! On the Museum's website, there is a frog call identification post based on a program they developed for first grade field visits. Along with the short 22 second video of the calls (image posted above), each frog call has a luxurious 15-20 second clip alongside a picture and identifying details of the amphibian.

This will be my new go-to. As a former children's librarian, I always believed that any adult learner, working on a new skill, can benefit from looking at/reading (and listening to!) children's educational materials. 

So here goes!