Black Bear, Black Bear How Do You Spend Winter?

We continue to receive lots of questions about hibernation.  We'd like to reach back to the Woodprints archives from the winter of 2015 and share the cover article.

Written by Ruth Forsgren, BCR Naturalist

When I was taking animal behavior and other like classes at UW Steven’s Point, I was taught that black bears were not true hibernators. Animals like chipmunks and woodchucks were true hibernators while bears were loosely defined as deep sleepers. Under the old definition of hibernation that looked solely at the lowering of body temperature to near freezing, bears were not hibernators. Scientists have redefined hibernation to include continuous periods of inactivity and/or reductions in heart and metabolic rates. With these broadened parameters, bears are one of the best-of-the-best when it comes to hibernation. Bears cut their metabolic rate by 50 to 75%, breathing only once every 45 seconds, their heart rate drops from about 100 beats per minute (bpm) to between 8 and 20 bpm, and blood flow to skeletal muscles is reduced by 45%.

                                                                   

Black Bear by Hope Rutledge

There are differences in how animals hibernate. Small animals like chipmunks will store food in the den while black bears store body fat. The den of the chipmunk will usually be below the frost line and sealed. Temperatures in the burrow will not usually drop below freezing. A black bear den is open and will roughly match outside temperatures. A hibernating chipmunk’s body temperature will drop to about 40°F while the black bear’s temperature will only drop about 12° to between 88 to 90°F. Chipmunks will periodically raise body temperatures, awaken, eat stored foods and produce wastes throughout the winter. Bears will go through periods of being somewhat awake but can go up to 7 months without eating, drinking or producing wastes.

During hibernation, a male bear will lose 15 to 30% of their weight, while pregnant females can lose up to 40%. The weight they lose is mostly fat, with little loss in muscle or bone mass. The bears also emerge from the dens without being severely dehydrated or having any loss of organ function.  How they do this is still a mystery, but it is being heavily studied by doctors and scientists that can see many applications benefiting humans, from keeping bed-ridden patients from losing muscle to an induced hibernation state for space exploration. (Click here to learn more about recent research)

Surprisingly it is estimated that 99% of bears that safely enter hibernation will survive the winter. Those that do not survive usually have died from predation or flooding of the den and not starvation. A bear must be ready when winter comes, which means in late summer to early fall they go through a stage known as hyperphagia, or a period of overeating. A bear with unlimited resources can eat 15,000 to 20,000 kcals (1 kcal = 1000 calories) and drink several gallons of water. Later in the fall, the bears will transition by eating less but continuing to drink water to purge the system of wastes.

Photo Courtesy of Joe Motto, BCR Photo Club

Personally, I am a tad bit jealous of the bears. When our winters are exceptionally cold or long I wish I too could put my head between my paws and sleep, at least through a few of the worst days.

Want to learn more about the black bears of Wisconsin?  Come to a special program taught by Dave Schmidt on Saturday, November 4th from 10:00 - 11:00 am at the Wise Nature Center. Click here for more information. 

Explore the Beauty of the Lower Chippewa River

The Tiffany Train Ride is a great way to experience the natural
wonders of the Lower Chippewa River.

The Lower Chippewa River is one of The Nature Conservancy's 327 Critical Watersheds for Conservation. This stretch of the river has designated four Wildlife Areas, three State Natural Areas, one Extensive Wildlife Habitat Area, as well as a 72,000 acre Important Bird Area. These properties are home to 125 rare species, 87 vertebrate Species of Greatest Conservation need and 20 Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern mussel, dragonfly and mayfly species.  139 bird species breed within the Lower Chippewa River Important Bird Area, and 70% of fish species present in Wisconsin are found in the Lower Chippewa River.

If you wish to experience some of the natural wonders found along the Lower Chippewa River, come spend the day with Citizen Science Center staff and special guests on an open-air antique train as it chugs along 14 miles of track through the Tiffany Bottoms on Saturday September 16.  Topics will include property management, use of the area by Native Americans, plants, birds, Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, and more!  Registration fees support the Citizen Science Center. For more details visit our website or the Chippewa Valley Motor Car Association website http://www.chippewavalleymotorcarassociation.ellawisc.com/ or contact Jeanette at csc@beavercreekreserve.org.

Massagauga Rattlesnake, Photo Courtesy
 of Joe Crowley,
Nature Ontario and USFW

Register Now

Written by Emily Lind, CSC Technician

Bigfoot Sighted at Beaver Creek Reserve

You read that right.  Bigfoot and his family will be at Beaver Creek Reserve all summer long, as part of the featured book on the Storybook Hiking Trail.  Some say Bigfoot is just a myth. But real or not, one thing is certain; Bigfoot knows his birds of North America (and trees and mammals, but those are different stories).  Follow the Bigfoot family as they explore nature and learn to identify our common feathered friends.

Everything kicks off with the opening Storybook Hiking Trail Program on Friday, June 23rd from 12:15 - 1:30 pm at Wise Nature Center at Beaver Creek Reserve.  Authors and illustrators of Walking with Bigfoot: A Beginner's Field Guide to Birds of North America will be the hosts for this very special edition of the Storybook Hiking Trails program.  Sharen and Mark Mellicker of Nature Lover Books, the authors of the Walking with Bigfoot series will be offering a special reading of their book, alongside other fun activities related to the book.


Preregistration is required. To register for the program click here.

Mark and Sharen Mellicker

Where, oh Where Has Our Little Bird Gone?

Courtesy of the BCR Bird Banders

One of the long-term activities of the Beaver Creek Reserve Citizen Science Center is bird banding. Bird banding is the practice of capturing wild birds, placing a uniquely numbered identification band on their leg, and releasing them. The banding of birds in the United States is controlled under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and requires a U.S. Federal Bird Banding and Marking Permit.

Bird banding data are useful for research, management, and conservation projects. It makes it possible to identify individual birds and allows for studies of bird movements as well as providing information on survival rate, population sizes, reproductive success, and other scientific analysis.

Most of the birds we band are small songbirds captured as they come in to feed at feeding stations at the Reserve or nearby private properties. It is not unusual for us to recapture many of these birds, some multiple times. But we rarely get reports that one of “our birds” was found by someone else away from the place it was originally banded. Encounter rates for waterfowl and gamebirds banded by government authorities to manage hunting can be considerably higher, but it has been estimated that fewer than 1 in 10000 banded songbirds are ever reported to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) after being encountered by someone other than the original bander. This number seems to be increasing slightly since the coming of the internet, but it is still exciting when a bander receives a notice from the BBL that a bird they banded has been found.

Over the years, the BCR banders have gotten such reports for several songbirds we have banded, such as Pine Siskins that were probably killed when they flew into windows, one in California and one in Alberta, Canada; a Mourning Dove shot by a hunter in Luling, Texas; a Purple Finch in Entwistle, Alberta, Canada; two American Goldfinches from Texas; and more from much closer in Wisconsin and other nearby states.

It is always with some degree of excitement that we open the attachment in an email with the subject “Report to bander” from the BBL. Whether it informs us of a Purple Finch recaptured by another bander in Entwistle or a Common Grackle that was killed when it flew into a backyard neighbor’s window in Eau Claire, we are always happy to get feedback on where “our” birds have gone.

This week we received such a “Report to bander” informing us that a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak we banded at the Reserve on May 10, 2012 was found dead on May 4, 2017 in Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. This bird was likely on its return migration from somewhere in Central or South America to Wisconsin or farther north when it perished.

Remote encounters with neotropical species, birds like Rose-breasted Grosbeaks that breed in our area in the summer but return to the tropics for the rest of the year, are almost never reported. Prior to last year we had never gotten a report of any neotropical migrant being encountered more than a few miles from where it was banded. In the tropics, where people are less aware of things like bird banding, someone who might incidentally encounter a bird with a band usually has no idea of what to do with it or has no easy way to report it.

Over the years, in addition to the unique 9-digit identification number, bands have been stamped with various short directions on how to report the information to the BBL. Larger bands contain more information than the smaller bands used on songbirds, but in an age before Google and texting these shorthand directions were often cryptic and unlikely to be followed. Stories are told that one such inscription, “Rept Wash Biol Serv” when bird banding was under a government department known as the Washington Biological Service, was discontinued quickly when it was discovered that it was being interpreted as “Repeat Wash, Boil, and Serve” even by people in the United States. Today, bands are more likely to simply give a 1-800 phone number or an internet address for reporting the band number to the BBL.

What about that report from last year? While the report of a banded Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Louisiana was indeed exciting, it reminded us of the one from last year. You can imagine our surprise and pleasure when the notice we received last year was for one of those neotropical migrants and our longest distance encounter ever reported. Another Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak that had been banded by our off-site banders outside of Eleva in June, 2012, had been shot by hunting children on a farm near Somotillo, Nicaragua on December 26, 2015.

Green arrows on map indicate where other birds banded at Beaver Creek Reserve have also been reported.

 If you find a dead bird, check to see if it is wearing a band. If you see a bird with a band coming to your feeder and you have a digital camera try to take pictures of the band. You may not be able to photograph the entire number but could get enough digits to allow tracing the band. Then report the band number (or portion of the number) on the internet at <www.reportband.gov> or by calling 1-800-327-BAND.

The Benefits of Being in Nature: The Kids Edition

We all know the benefits of decreased stress and increased happiness that nature has on adults (read about them here), but does it do anything special for kids? Absolutely! Encouraging children to spend time in nature can have a huge positive impact on their health and mental well-being.

It is widely known that nature can help you de-stress, but it also improves concentration. For children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), being in nature can reduce the attention fatigue that leads to an inability to pay attention or control impulses. According to the University of Minnesota, “Because humans find nature inherently interesting, we can naturally focus on what we are experiencing out in nature. This provides a respite for our overactive minds, refreshing us for new tasks” (Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellbeing). Studies show that access to nature improves concentration, learning, creativity, cognitive development, cooperation, flexibility, and self-awareness, while also increasing self-esteem and resilience (New Zealand Department of Conservation).

Not only does nature positively impact children’s mental well-being and their cognitive skills, but it also improves their physical health. Children without regular access to nature have an increased risk of obesity, behavioral problems, and irregular sleep habits. A lack of time in nature often signals an increase in screen exposure. Limiting screen time to two hours per day can help reduce violent tendencies, improve academic performance, and promote creativity (University of Minnesota).

Enjoying quality time in nature is beneficial for children’s health both physically and mentally. In addition to these positive outcomes, this time can lead to a love of nature and promote responsible environmental stewardship later in life. It encourages a sense of wonder and exploration for children of all ages, and serves to improve social interaction, while also developing closer relationships and a value for community (National Wildlife Federation).

Looking for ways to get your kids in nature? Encouraging them to play outdoor sports, read books by the window, and exploring local environmental education programs are easy ways to get involved. Check out the three Nature Nooks (Fantasy Forest, Symphony of Sounds, and Little Kid, Big World) along the trails to help kids engage with nature in different ways. If you are looking for a way to blend storytelling and nature, a recent volunteer wrote an inspiring article about the Storybook Hiking Trail that can be found here.

If you want to bond with your kids while engaging them in nature, join Beaver Creek at the Keeping Kids Entertained on the Trail program from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on May 20th. With interactive games and post-hike activities, what's not to love about this event?

De-Stress in Nature

Oohhmmm…oohhmmm…. You don’t have to attend a yoga class to become more mindful of the world around you. By spending time in nature, you can help decrease stress and increase happiness, all while enjoying the great outdoors. There are vast amounts of research about the benefits of being in nature, and one way to access these benefits is by engaging in nature activities here at Beaver Creek Reserve.

According to a 2008 study published in the Lancet, people exposed to trees and green spaces were in better health, and had statistically increased longevity (Mitchell & Popham, 2008). The U.S. Department of Agriculture echoes these sentiments, writing, “Parks and other natural environments are a fundamental health resource.” Spending even a few minutes in the great outdoors has a positive impact on both your physical well-being and emotional well-being in the long term, by reducing the likelihood of some diseases, decreasing depression and stress, and increasing longevity. In the short term, being in nature increases relaxation and reduces muscle tension, blood pressure, and the production of stress hormones. If you can’t make it outside every day, research shows that “even having a simple plant in a room can have a significant impact on stress and anxiety” (Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellbeing, University of Minnesota).

A study conducted by the University of Minnesota reaffirms Beaver Creek’s mission to connect people with nature. According to their report, Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellbeing, “nature inspires feelings that connect us to each other and our environment.” When we’re in natural environments, we feel a sense of unity with our community, are more likely to help each other out, and feel a greater sense of belonging.

If you are looking for a way to take advantage of the benefits that nature can offer you, check out any

of the number of programs Beaver Creek is offering this month. From Phenology Hikes for Elders, to Acoustic Bat Monitoring, to the Hobbs Observatory Astronomical Series, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Snapshot Wisconsin

Beaver Creek has exciting news! We will be partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on their Snapshot project. This project aims to encourage people to participate in citizen science opportunities, something that Beaver Creek is passionate about. It will use trail cameras to snap pictures of native animals as a way to monitor wildlife year-round. Similar to Beaver Creek’s Biotic Inventory, this will help the DNR track wildlife in the area and make wildlife management decisions.

During summer 2016, Beaver Creek performed a Biotic Inventory of the species at the reserve. With the help of both experts and citizen scientists alike, we were able to catalog over 30 species of dragonflies, 12 species of frogs, 27 species of lichen, and more! With our new trail camera and help from the Wisconsin DNR, we can track some of the more elusive animals. You can find the full article on the Biotic Inventory here.

As of now, Snapshot Wisconsin has nearly 600 trail cameras returning over eight million photos! With Beaver Creek’s new trail camera, we can add to this number and help track numerous species on the reserve. We can use your help, too! After photos are collected, they will be uploaded to Zooniverse.org where volunteers and citizen scientists can be a part of this project by helping to classify animals. We are excited to be a part of this project, and look forward to seeing where it takes us!

Interested in learning more about the Snapshot Wisconsin program? Click here to get involved! To help classify animals, click here.