Say 'So Long' to Summer Pests

Blue skies and long, warm days mean summer is here. And after what seemed like the winter that wouldn’t end, many people are ready to head outside and hit the trails. However, the warm weather also brings out some unwanted pests. With an increase in cases of Lyme’s disease in Eau Claire County, many people, especially parents, are understandably nervous. Last year Beaver Creek Reserve collaborated with the Eau Claire City-County Health Department to educate the public on reducing the risk of Lyme Disease and other diseases spread by ticks, mosquitoes, or biting insects.

Different types of ticks carry Lyme and other diseases and you should check yourself and your family thoroughly after spending time outdoors in the lawn, park, or woods. If you find a tick on your family or pet, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward steadily to be sure the entire tick is removed, then clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing the tick, see your doctor and be sure to mention the tick bite.

 If you love the outdoors, what can you do to limit your risks of tick bites in the first place? Some of the most commonsense preventative measures are still the best.

When hiking, stay on groomed trails, and stay to the center of the trails if possible. Wear long pants and shirts with long sleeves, and tuck your pants into socks, boots or shoes if possible. Wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks on you. Again, after hiking or spending time in nature, check yourself, children and pets thoroughly for ticks. There are also a variety of repellants that have been approved by the EPA for use in repelling, and in some cases, even killing ticks. The Center for Disease control recommends three repellents. Permethrin, DEET, and Picaridin are the most effective options.

Let’s take a look at each of these choices. Permethrin is considered the most effective repellent, as it

both repels and kills ticks. Permethrin is a synthetic compound designed to mimic the properties of natural extracts from the chrysanthemum flower. Despite the somewhat natural origins, Permethrin should never be applied directly to skin. Instead, clothing is treated with permethrin and allowed to dry. Once dry, it will not transmit to skin. Treated clothes will remain effective through 50-70 washes. Permethrin is available online and more stores are carrying it. Clothing items pre-treated with Permethrin are also being sold. Beaver Creek sells BugBeWear® brand socks that are pre-treated with permethrin in the nature store.

The next most effective repellent for ticks is DEET. With average effectiveness of 85%, DEET is also the most studied insect repellent. DEET can be applied directly to the skin or to clothing, although it may stain or damage some fabrics. While there have been concerns about negative effects, a concentration of 20-50% is considered safe. Common sense precautions such as not applying products containing DEET to broken or sensitive skin, minimizing skin exposure, avoiding contact with eyes are all recommended. It is also recommended to wash products containing DEET from skin completely after use.

One of the newest repellents on the market in the United States is Picaridin. Picaridin is another synthetic compound made to mirror those of a plant. In this case, plants containing the natural compound piperine found in plants used to produce black pepper. Picaridin has been widely used in Europe and Australia prior to approval for use in the United States in 2005. It can be applied to skin or clothing, is 85% effective in repelling ticks and other biting insects, and is odorless and non-irritating. Several repellents containing Picaridin are widely available.

There are three other repellents shown effective by research; two of the three are approved by the EPA. With an active ingredient derived from wild tomato plants, BioUD has a 90% average efficacy rate and can be applied to both skin and clothing safely. IR3535 is a short name for Insect Repellent 3535 which was trademarked by Merck pharmaceutical in the 1980s. Despite a long chemical name (Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate) this compound is essentially a synthetic amino acid, structurally similar to a beta amino acid found in vitamin B. This repellent works by confusing an insect’s sense of smell. Use of IR3535 has been widespread in Europe for over 30 years and WHO (World Health Organization) studies have proven it not only safe but also effective. IR3535 is the active ingredient in Avon’s popular Skin So Soft Bug Repellent.

The last option is one that is not approved by the EPA but has shown to be as effective as DEET in some varieties. A lot of debate surrounds the use of Essential Oils, especially as a repellent. The most researched varieties were rosemary, geraniol, peppermint, thyme, lemongrass, and cedar. Efficacy depended on the concentration and type of oil.

When applying repellents to skin it is recommended to test a small patch of skin prior to widespread use. Aerosol and spray repellents should be applied to skin (if recommended) and clothing outdoors. Repellents are not recommended for use on infants, and many are not recommended for children under age two. Read all warnings and indications on packaging prior to use. For children age 2-12 it is highly recommended to supervise children when applying repellent. Parents or another adult should apply the product to their own hands and then rub onto a child’s clothing or skin (as directed). More information and tips for reducing your risk of Lyme’s can be found at www.echealthdepartment.org

I Found a Baby Animal, Now What?

The call was received at dusk on an early summer day in 2012.  A gentleman caller, from Chippewa County, stated a continuous crying sound drew him to his wooded backyard where he noticed a hairless animal on the ground.  Based on the information given, I knew time was of the essence for its survival.  Upon arrival at Chippewa Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation (CVWR), a full exam was done on squirrel #17.  She was approximately 3 weeks old and eyes still closed.  Her body was cold, unresponsive and severely dehydrated.  After two weeks in the intensive care area receiving around the clock care, this black squirrel was no longer intake #17 but a survivor who we started referring to as “Blackie”.  Blackie was released back into the wild at 13 weeks old.  She was healthy and full of squirrel spunk. Blackie continues her life’s journeys on the acres surrounding CVWR.  I often see her helping herself to a peanut from the hanging squirrel snacker box.     

The mission of Chippewa Valley Wildlife is to care for injured, sick or orphaned wild ones with the goal of returning them to their native habitat as healthy, productive members of their community; to provide information in response to public inquires about wildlife; and to provide wildlife education to the public. CVWR is licensed by the State of Wisconsin and is an entirely donation-supported nonprofit organization. 

Spring is filled with new life in the Chippewa Valley’s great outdoors.  It is also during this time of the year that CVWR receives numerous questions and inquires about animals that seem to be abandoned, injured, or in need of help.  The frequency of human-wildlife encounters increases, especially those involving young animals.  Most young animals that seem orphaned or abandoned do not need help.  Animals take care of their young in a variety of ways.  Here are a few examples:    

Grey Squirrels will make a nest in trees by using tree cavities or leaves.  Baby squirrels are about the size of a human thumb when born.  At 4 weeks of age, they begin to explore outside the nest area.  They are weaned at 8 weeks old and cannot survive on their own until 12 weeks of age.  If a squirrel is found with its eyes still sealed shut, it has probably fallen out of the nest.  Mothers will usually retrieve their young when they fall out or wander away from the nest.  If the squirrel cannot be placed safely back into the nest, place the young in an uncovered shoe box with a soft ravel- free cloth and place it at the base of the tree.  Infant squirrels injured due to a fall or not retrieved within a couple hours will need assistance.  Juvenile squirrels that follow people or pets are usually orphaned and may need to be taken into care. 

Cottontail Rabbits make shallow fur and grass-lined nests in the middle of lawns, by sidewalks, and in gardens.  A mother rabbit will only feed their young at dawn and dusk and does not stay in the nest during the day.  If a nest is disturbed because of a pet or lawn and garden work, the nest can be rebuilt and the young replaced and the mother will most likely return.  The young leave the nest at 15 days old.  They are a bit smaller than the size of a women’s fist, the ears are up, the fur is thick, and eyes are bright.  They are capable of being on their own and should be left alone. 

Raccoons will nest in tree cavities, brush piles, rock crevices, and buildings.   At 4-6 weeks of age, raccoon kits can walk, climb, run and may explore with their mother.  Weaning occurs at 8-12 weeks; however they will remain with their mother until the following spring.  A kit found wandering alone before the age of 4-6 weeks of age, is usually an indication that the mother has been gone for several days (trapped or dead) and will need assistance.  A mother raccoon will usually retrieve their young when they fall out or wander away from the nest.  A healthy kit found outside of their nest can be placed in a ventilated box within close proximity to the nest overnight for the mother to retrieve.  If the kit is still there the next morning, assistance is needed. 

White-Tail Deer fawns have the natural instinct to lie in the grass quietly and wait for the doe’s return to nurse.  Fawns are protected from predators by their lack of body odor and by their coloration.  The mother deer only comes to feed the fawn every few hours.  She then retreats to a safe distance so as not to enlighten predators to the young’s location.  Unless a fawn seems injured or is walking around calling, it does not need help.   

Mallard Ducks will make a concealed nest in wetland grasses or by bodies of water, but can also be found in flower pots, parking lots, or on rooftops.  Ducklings are born with eyes open and a covering of downy feathers; however depend on the hen for warmth and protection.  Ducklings, at 24 hours old, are often seen when the mother is leading them to water.  The hen stays with her brood approximately two months after hatching with the young being able to fly.  Seek advice if there is concern about the nest being in a dangerous place or the hen is unable to get the ducklings to water.   If a duckling is alone, look and listen for any sign that the mother and siblings are in the area, for it is not uncommon for a duckling to get temporary separated from the others.  If the family is not located or does not accept the young within an hour, the orphan will need care. 

A young animal’s best chance for survival is to be raised by its natural mother.  It is important to make every effort to try to return the young to its mother.  CVWR should be contacted immediately if:

• The animal appears injured
• The animal is bleeding
• The animal is emaciated
• The animal’s parent is dead or no longer in the area (trapped and relocated)
• The animal has been handled by a predator
• The animal is shivering
• There are flies, fly eggs, or maggots present on the animal
• The animal is in a dangerous location   

Chippewa Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation may be reached at 715-838-0326

Monetary donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible- Thank you for your support

Mailing address is 8135 Burnell Drive, Eau Claire ,WI 54703  

Elise Bauer, Chippewa Valley Wildlife

More information that can help determine if a baby animal was abandoned can be found at: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/orphan.html 

Savanna Inferno: Burn Baby Burn

Jerry Polden and Jerad Polden, Beaver
Creek Reserve staff

On Tuesday, April 23, with the help of some volunteers, Beaver Creek staff conducted a controlled burn on our 2.5-acre savanna.  Burns are conducted on the savanna on a four-year rotation.  It’s not something we do for fun – although it is kind of fun.  Savannas are an uncommon habitat type in the state of Wisconsin and maintaining savannas, in its original state, is best accomplished through burning. In the state’s history, many more acres of savannas have existed.  Fires formed the original savanna landscape, and were either started by acts of nature or were set by native people in order to control brush and increase the productivity of mast and fruit producing shrubs and trees.  Burns also made traveling across the landscape easier.

Savannas are typically burned in the spring to best suppress the sprouting cool season grasses, and, if the fire is hot enough, the burns are used to kill back the brush and tree species that are constantly trying to invade. Beaver Creek’s savanna is burned to promote the growth of warm season prairie grass species and wildflowers endemic to savanna areas.  A scattering of bur oak is also a part of the savanna landscape and, since they are resistant to fires, they persist – burn after burn.

The burn this spring was less than ideal.  A week before the burn, floods deposited a layer of silt that coated every leaf and blade of grass.  The resulting burn was cooler than desired and more work will have to be done to treat the invading brush and tree species.  But, the burn will recycle nutrients beneficial to all of the prairie plants, and we will definitely notice a response to the burning. 

In a few weeks, the blackened areas will be gone, and a sea of growing green vegetation will predominate.  It’s fascinating to watch nature at work.  Come over to Beaver Creek Reserve and check it out for yourself!

Jim Schwiebert

Beaver Creek Reserve Naturalist

The Bat-astrophe

While we had Jack Frost nipping at our noses during the chilly winter months in Wisconsin, the bats that hibernate in Wisconsin’s caves had something much more grim nipping at their noses. White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease that has been plaguing hibernating bats since its discovery in 2006. The primary effect of this disease is that the bats are waking up frequently during hibernation. This state of restlessness exhausts their energy supplies, causing them to die from either exposure to the elements, starvation or dehydration.

"Little Brown Bat; close up of nose with fungus, New York, Oct. 2008. 
Credit: Ryan von Linden/New York Department of Environmental Conservation" 
(whitenosesyndrome.org)

The Wisconsin DNR has estimated that 5.7-6.7 million bats have fallen to WNS in the last decade, making this the most prominent loss of wildlife in North American history. This staggering mortality rate signifies that the decline in some bat populations is approaching 100%, which would mean extinction for them. The extinction of certain cave bat species would be devastating in itself but also devastating for the ecosystems that the bats play a large role in. Bats are not only pollinators but they are also a natural, effective form of pest control as they consume agricultural nuisance insects as well as harmful insects that carry diseases, such as the West Nile Virus.  

The WNS prognosis is bleak, but the future's looking bright as treatment methods have been developed and are being tested this year. One of the possible treatments is a preventative vaccine that is being administered to the bats by Wisconsin DNR biologists along with University of Wisconsin researchers and the US Geological Survey. Despite this vaccine being in its early stages of testing, the results are looking promising. The second form of treatment is the use of an ultraviolet light to kill the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. Another treatment is an anti-fungal agent that is distributed in caves with a “bat-fogger”. This treatment method was deployed in 2017 in a railway tunnel in Northern Georgia and when examined the following year in April 2018, there were 26 more bats present than there were the previous year. With these new developments, hopefully, in the years to come cave bats will have a more restful sleep through the winter months. 


White-nose syndrome affects four of the seven species of bats in Wisconsin, with three species listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. It’s important now more than ever that we learn about these bat species with the large threat that WNS poses towards them; which has been made easier in the past decade with new bat monitoring technology and practices. Acoustic Bat Monitoring is one practice that utilizes specialized devices to pick up echolocations from bats and marks each echolocation with a GPS coordinate, which is then sent to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). From there, the DNR can tell what kind of species it is because each species has its own unique echolocation. 


If you’re interested in learning more about these misunderstood night critters, you can come out to Beaver Creek Reserve and participate in our Acoustic Bat Monitoring program on April 24th, from 7:30-9:15 PM. At this program you will learn how to use the Citizen Science Center’s Acoustic Bat Monitoring device which will collect data about these endangered species through both driving and walking surveys. We've been doing bat monitoring at the Citizen Science Center since the winter of 2008, with over 100 surveys conducted. Registration ends on April 23rd. 

Give Green: Gifts for the Nature Lover

For many people, the few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a hectic time. There is a lot of cooking, cleaning, family time, and of course, last minute shopping for all those people on your shopping list to be accomplished.  Here at Beaver Creek Reserve, we can alleviate some of that holiday stress by helping you find the perfect gift for the nature lover in your life. 

For the Little Nature Nuts

"Experience" gifts are very popular this season.  Consider giving a membership or tickets to an event or program. 

Activity kits that get kids hands-on with STEM projects like growing crystals, mining gems, building a clock from a lemon, and more!

We have plush stuffed animals of some of the critters you can see when you go exploring here.

There are also children's books that teach them about nature in a fun and interactive way.

 For the Avid Hiker or Outdoor Lover

• Tick repellent socks - treated with permethrin these socks are designed to repel ticks.  They are washable and the permethrin will not leach or stain clothing. $20 per pair for adult and youth cotton, $22.95 for wool & $12 per pair for kids.
• There are also guides for hiking, identifying plants and animals or journals for documenting your findings. 
• Don't forget to stay hydrated while exploring with one of our Beaver Creek water bottles or thermoses. 

 Stocking Stuffers 

• For gifts $10 and under for the kid's stockings, we have a variety of small coloring books and toys, as well as glow in the dark stars and other room decor. 
• Other gifts that wouldn't break the bank include: nature themed wash cloths and jewelry, and Beaver Creek merchandise, such as a key chain, a patch and a notepad. 

And gifts under $5 are 15% off the month of December!!

 For the Teachers in your Life

• Show the teachers you know that they're appreciated with some of our gift like the Beaver Creek coffee mugs, zipper pouches and nature inspired jewelry. 
• There are also fun gifts for the classroom like a wooden pencil jar, sticky notes and our 2019 Beaver Creek calendar. 

For the Bird Lovers

• We have a variety of gifts for bird lovers, including bird feeders and houses, and a variety of bird watching books, so they can identify these airborne creatures. 
• Along with these gifts, you can also adopt a bird for someone through our bird banding program. When you adopt a bird, you will receive an adoption certificate, a bird's banding number, a 5x7 photo of that species and an information sheet about the species you adopt. 

All bird books are 15% the month of December!

Memberships

• Gifting a yearlong membership would allow someone to be able to visit any time at no cost to them, along with reduced prices on programs and summer camps and a discount at our gift store.
• There are single memberships available for $30 a year and a membership for the whole family is just $40 for the year. 
• A membership would also enroll them in receiving our Woodprints newsletter either via mail or email, so they can stay updated on upcoming events. 

And the best part?  All the proceeds of any of these purchases go right back to supporting Beaver Creek Reserve's mission of connecting people with nature. 

Thanking the Fathers of Conservation

Thanksgiving is almost here and every year I try to find something new to be thankful for. Now more than ever, the environment and natural landscapes face a monumental threat in the form of human behavior, so I’ve decided to be thankful for the select group of individuals who recognized this threat and took the first steps toward eradicating it. 

"We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging
to us. When we see land as a community to which we
belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."
-Aldo Leopold

First, I would like to thank Aldo Leopold. Leopold was born in 1887 in Iowa, where he caught the conservation bug at an early age. About a decade after graduating Yale Forest School, Leopold made the move up to Wisconsin where he began most of his conservation and restoration work. Perhaps his most infamous ecological experiment was the restoration of an old farm land just outside of Baraboo, WI. During the weekends that he was at “the Shack”, Leopold spent his time planting pine trees and restoring prairies. This experiment highlights his ideas of “land ethics”, which calls for a caring relationship between people and nature - something we could use a little more of today. 

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it
attached to the rest of the world." -John Muir

Second, I would like to thank the “Father of our National Park System”, John Muir. Muir was born in 1883 in Scotland, but then later moved to the United States. Muir wore many hats, some of which were as a naturalist, a farmer, an inventor, an explorer, a writer, and a conservationist. A fateful trip out to California’s Sierra Nevada region changed Muir’s life forever. The beauty of the natural landscape at Yosemite National Park had Muir in awe and so he began working to ensure that this beauty would remain untouched. In 1892, Muir and some of his supporters formed the Sierra Club, where they fought against business men and others who wanted to diminish the borders of Yosemite. 

"Conservation means development as much as it means protection.
I recognize the right and the duty of this generation to develop and
use the natural resources of our land; but I do not recognize the
right to waste them, or to rob, by wasteful use, the generations that
come after us." -Teddy Roosevelt

Lastly, I would like to thank Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States and was arguably one of the most environmentally conscious presidents this country has ever seen. Shortly after becoming president in 1901, Roosevelt founded the United States Forest Service (USFS) with the Department of Agriculture where he established five national parks, 150 national forests, four national game preserves, 51 federal bird reserves, and 18 national monuments through enabling the American Antiquities Act. It’s estimated that Roosevelt protected about 230 million acres of public land during his presidency. 

Resident Reptile

I enjoyed a hike at BCR on the cool afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 4th. On the trail that parallels the Eau Claire River, arriving down the east ridge and following the flow westward, I came across a 2' snake just lying there on the trail. It was motionless except for a flitting tongue and curled tail tip, and it was emitting a hissing sound at about 30-second intervals. It posed for photos, showing off colorful bull/rattler type symmetrical designs and a flat head; it was very unusual looking. I touched it gently, first with a hiking pole, then gloved fingertips, but got no response. I stepped over it and resumed the hike up onto the west ridge and back to the trailhead.

Internet "research" zeroed in on heterodon platirhinos, an Eastern Hognose snake, also known as "hiss adder, blow viper, spreading adder, bastard rattlesnake..." It's native to North America, usually southern Georgia, and their diet favors amphibians, particularly toads. The hissing sound appeared to be coming from the middle of the body, not the mouth...(maybe off-gassing a digesting toad?)

 

I missed other photo ops that day; a large 4-foot plus crane was wading in the shallows and it startled a small duck-billed bird that flew over the creek backwaters. Thank you for the many hours of exercise, solitude, and photos throughout the various seasons.

BCR member Keith Luer, Eau Claire
(*From our naturalists: Yes!  This is a Hognose snake.  As far as we know their diet consists solely of toads.  Also, our property is outside of the range of most crane species other than Sandhills.  There was a pair of Sandhill Cranes that were attempting to nest near this area. While we do not doubt Mr. Luer's knowledge, Great Blue Herons are more likely to be seen this time of year.  We thank Keith for taking the time to share his story and photos with us.)