Beaver Creek Reserve Hates Dogs??? The Answer May Shock You

Let’s make one thing clear: at Beaver Creek we love dogs. Many of our staff have dogs of

their own, and we all appreciate a good pup. However, we do not love when dogs are at Beaver Creek Reserve, because it’s against our rules. It’s been a rule we’ve had for a very long time, and we will not be allowing dogs at our trails any time soon. With the Coronavirus quarantine, we’ve had a steady stream of people using our trails, which you’re welcome to do! Some of these visitors though are bringing their dogs along, which we don’t want to see. Here are a few reasons why we don’t allow dogs on the trails at Beaver Creek:

• They disturb the natural environment. Maybe you’re saying to yourself “Well that’s not my dog. Floofy is a model of good behavior” Just because you don’t see rabbits and birds running away from you and your dog in terror does not mean that you are not disturbing nature. Regardless of whether your dog is the local menace to squirrels everywhere, they are having an impact. Even if they never catch that squirrel, chasing it up a tree still forces it to expend energy fleeing for its life, an expense that may allow other predators to catch them later on. Dogs are also leaving behind scents and scat. Both of these things can affect wildlife behavior. If your dog likes to munch on plants, or drink water from a puddle, they’re also directly competing with wildlife by taking away resources that those animals need to survive. Dogs may also be a vector for diseases that could be devastating to wild animals.
  
  
• Bringing your dog into the natural environment is a risk to them and you. Your dog can be exposed to ticks and poison ivy in the woods and pass those on to you. Even on a leash, they’re more likely to be digging their faces in the bushes than you are. Lyme’s disease is a real threat to be concerned about when you spend time in the woods, and in the Midwest, there are a variety of tick-borne illnesses that don’t even have names. And if you’ve never had poison ivy, we promise you that’s not something you want to try even just once.
  
  
• Not everybody likes dogs! Some people may be hiking the trails at Beaver Creek to listen to the birds and get away from the sound of barking dogs. Especially when we explicitly DO NOT ALLOW DOGS on our trails. When you visit Beaver Creek Reserve and enjoy our land and our facilities, we ask that you be respectful of other people’s experiences while here and follow our rules.

There are many places in Eau Claire County that offer hiking trails and allow your dogs to be there on a leash. Consider taking a hike at a County Park like Lowe’s Creek, Coon Forks, or Harstead. Or look towards the multiple dog parks in the city of Eau Claire! Many state parks allow dogs on leashes as well. We thank you for your understanding and respect for our rules.

Summertime’s Natural Nightlights

By Ruth Forsgren

On warm, humid summer nights, if you are in the right habitat with little to no artificial light, you may see the flashing and blinking of the fireflies (AKA lightening bugs). One thing to keep in mind is that these little glowing insects are neither flies nor true bugs (AKA Hemiptera), but are instead beetles.  There are over 2,000 species of fireflies in the world and about 150 species in North America. Interestingly though, not all adult fireflies are bioluminescent (produce their own light).  

The bioluminescence of the adults occurs in a dedicated light organ located under the abdomen. The color of the flash depends upon the species of firefly with yellow, green or orange being the most common colors. The light comes from a chemical reaction. The light is known as a cool light because there is no heat by-product as there is in most forms of light production. The fireflies have dedicated cells that absorb oxygen, which is then mixed with a chemical called luciferin. When this combination takes place in the presence of the enzyme (or trigger) luciferase, light is produced.  It is considered one of the most efficient lights in the world, as almost 100% of the energy used in the reaction is emitted as light. For comparison, in an incandescent light bulb 10 % of the energy produces light while the other 90% of energy is lost as heat. Now while not all adult fireflies produce light, it is believed that all firefly species produce light in their larval stage. Many species even have eggs that glow.

Firefly larvae feeding on a slug

Firefly larvae are carnivorous (meat eating). They live underground and feed on worms, snails and slugs. The way they eat is similar to some spiders, they inject numbing fluid and digestive acids into   Some species of fireflies will live as larvae for two years and like many insects will only live a few weeks as adults.
the prey and then suck out the resulting soup. As adults, many fireflies do not eat, or feed on nectar and pollen with one notable exception (you’ll have to wait for it).

The fireflies that we see flying are the males, they are looking for a mate. The females are sitting in the grasses or up on plants and shrubs. 

Female fireflies flash from the ground. 

But finding the little ladies in the dark can be tough so the males flash, if the female likes what she sees, she will flash back. So what about the non-light producing species? They, like many insects, use smell and pheromones to find each other. Each species has its own unique flash pattern that both male and females use (with a few exceptions that I will get to in a moment). If you find an area with fireflies, watch carefully you will notice the different patterns and perhaps different colors. You might notice that some species may have a steady flash pattern (- - - - - -), some may have long and short combinations (___---___ ---), some may have a really long flash with a dip there are so many possibilities!

Flash patterns of several firefly species. 

Now back to that exception that I mentioned a couple of times. There is one group of fireflies, known as the photuris where the female will copy the flash pattern of other species to lure them in. It is believed that the chemical that helps the fireflies light up is distasteful or toxic to predators, females pass this toxin down to their eggs, making the eggs and eventually the larvae and adult toxic. The photuris females lack this toxin. So by mimicking the flash pattern of other species she seduces those males to come down by her, where she captures them and eats them. She is then able use their poison to protect her eggs.

Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains

In some parts of the world the fireflies synchronize their flashes producing a fantastic light show for observers. It is unclear why the flashes sync-up, some scientists think it might be because of competition, each male is trying to be the first to have his light be seen.  The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one place that the synchronized show takes place. Click here to watch a short National Geographic videos on synchronized fireflies.

In the United States there are three main groups of the fireflies that produce light. The photinus, are small reaching about ½ inch in length and they typically have a yellow-green flash. The pyractomena are also about ½ inch long but often have a warm amber colored light.  And then there are the photuris, who are up to one-inch-long and tend to have greener flashes.

Photuris

Photinus

Pyractomena

Fireflies live in a variety of habitats but like warmer areas that have good moisture: open forest areas, forest edge, savanna and yards with gardens.  These conditions are most conducive for the soft bodied prey that the larvae need. A yard that is primarily turf grass does not provide hiding places for the females and it may be difficult for her to get through the grass to the soil to lay her eggs.

If you go out to look for fireflies be sure to pick a humid, warm night when there isn’t a bright moon in the sky. Turn off all outside lights and get as far from streetlights as you can. If you want to catch a firefly to watch it up-close you will need a glass jar with holes poked into the lid. Put a damp paper towel or damp, unbleached coffee filter in the bottom to keep the humidity level high. After you have observed the firefly for a while be sure to release it before you go to bed for the night.

Scientists believe that firefly numbers are declining. There are several possible reasons why. When there is too much artificial light (street and yard lights) it might be too hard for the fireflies to see each other’s flashes. Habitat loss is another probable problem. Studies from the Smithsonian suggest that if the habitat is destroyed the fireflies will not migrate to a new area they simply perish instead. Of course insecticides will kill the fireflies along with killing the slugs and worms that the larvae need to feed upon.

Want to help the fireflies? You can make sure to turn off all outside lights during firefly season. Plant part of your lawn with native flowers to give them someplace to hide and rest. Minimize use of insecticides, and chemical repellents. You can even join a national citizen science project called Firefly Watch. It only requires 10 minutes per week during the weeks that fireflies are flying. If you want more information on Firefly Watch please click here.  

Species Spotlight: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  (image by Rut Forsgren) 

By Ruth Forsgren

Hummingbirds are fascinating little critters. It is amazing how something so small can capture the hearts and imaginations of so many people, birds and non-birders alike. There are about 350 species of hummingbirds in the world and all of them are found only in the Americas. There are eight species that are considered regularly occurring in the United States and only one that nests east of the Mississippi River, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Female Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Both males and females have a
green back and head.
(image by Ruth Forsgren)

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are small. They average between 2.5 to 3.5 inches long, they tip the scales at a whopping two to six grams (remember that a U.S. pennies weigh 2.5 grams) and their wingspan ranges from three to four inches. Both males and females have a brilliantly emerald green back and head. They would definitely be welcome in the Emerald City of Oz. Adult males have the bright, shiny fire engine red gorget, or colored feathers on the throat. The feathers of the gorget are iridescent. That means that there isn’t pigment causing the color, 

instead it is caused by the refraction of light off of microscopic structures in the bird’s feathers. When thinking of refraction, think of a prism that splits light into strong component colors. If light is not present or is at the wrong angle the gorget will appear dark. The male can control the feathers to an extent, helping to showcase the brilliant color.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird with dark gorget.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird with gorget refracting light.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nest throughout the eastern half of North America.  The habitats that they can utilize include open woodlands, forest edge, parks, gardens and backyards. They usually build their nests on top of a branch anywhere from ten to forty feet above the ground. The nest is built of thistle or dandelion down held together with spider silk and then camouflaged with lichens or moss and take from six to ten days to complete.

The mating dance is fun to watch. The male will do what is referred to as a U dance. He will go straight up usually about six to ten feet (but can go as far as 50 feet up) fly straight back down, over and back up in a U shape. If you look carefully the female is typically in the bottom of the U. Once she has shown interest, if she perches he will fly very quickly from side to side directly in front of her in a face to face dance.

Flying backwards off the feeder.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Hummingbirds are incredibly controlled fliers; they can move their wings differently than other birds. This ability allows them to fly in any direction, forward, backwards, sideways and even upside-down. But one thing they cannot do is walk or hop because their legs are too short. Hummingbirds and swifts were placed in the same taxonomic order; Apodiformes, which means without feet. The only way a hummingbird can scratch or groom its head is by raising the foot up from under the wing.

These tiny flying machines really use up the energy. Their wings move at over 50 beats per second and their heartrate is about 1200 beats per minute or 20 beats per second! They cannot feed at night to refuel their bodies so most hummingbirds spend a lot of their nights in a state known as torpor. Torpor is a form of hibernation. Torpid animals can slow their body processes or metabolism, according to surrounding air temperatures. This allows them to drop their energy consumption down to 5 to 30% of what they normally use when awake and just resting.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds usually return to the Chippewa Valley during the first week of May. The advance guard members are seen first but the main thrust of returners seem to show up when the crabapples, wild plum and serviceberry start to bloom.

Hummingbirds at a sugar water feeder.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Hummingbirds will readily come to nectar feeders. The recipe is simple four-parts water to one-part white cane sugar. Boil the water first, then add the sugar, and stir until dissolved. You can use hot tap water but your mixture will last a little longer if boiled, and for me it is easier to get the sugar to dissolve. DO NOT add red dyes! It is not needed to attract the birds and may actually be harmful to them. Remember that this is a syrup and will get sour in hot weather, so change the mixture every couple days. In the fall leave hummingbird feeders up for about two weeks after your last sighting. Your feeder will not make them stay too long but it might provide the energy needed if there has been an early killing freeze.

So when out in the flower garden keep an eye and ear open for these tiny little flying jewels.

 

Female hummingbird feeding on Salvia
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have a
white throat and white spots on the outer tail feathers.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (image by Ruth Forsgren) 

To All Our Volunteers

By: Kristen Giefer

Our volunteers at Beaver Creek Reserve are incredible assets to the growth and success of our organization. As the AmeriCorps member serving as the Volunteer Coordinator at Beaver Creek Reserve, I am privileged to work with the volunteers that we have. There are a variety of ways a volunteer can be involved at the Reserve, whether it’s through Citizen Science Programs, Hobb’s Observatory Programs, volunteering at special events or at the front desk of the Nature Center, or maintaining our trails and gardens. I know I always have someone to count on when an opportunity arises, which I couldn’t be more grateful for. However, I am not the only person who appreciates our volunteers, here are some stories from Beaver Creek staff members that explain just how much our volunteers mean to us.

Beaver Creek would not be where it is today without its volunteers.  I work with many of them regularly at the front desk, and this past year especially I have found myself leaning on them pretty heavily to keep the nature center front desk staffed and open.  Each volunteer at the front desk brings something different to the table, from amazing proofreading skills, to data entry, and even baking.  But what they all have in common is that they are kind souls who are always willing to help.  Some volunteers I get to see every week, some are able to be on call and fill in as needed.  I always look forward to chatting with them and learning from them. There are many wonderful people out there, but I think that BCR has really hit the jackpot with our volunteers.
-Hannah Becker, Office Manager

Greg Hirsch guides visitors
around the Butterfly House
at Butterfly Fest, 2019.
Photo by Ruth Forsgren.

I just completed my first year at Beaver Creek Reserve, and I am completely amazed by the ambitious and generous volunteers we have! Beginning with our Butterfly House and Lab volunteers who put in long days and extra hours to take care of our Monarch Butterflies and share their incredible knowledge with the public, to volunteering with our community programs. We are incredibly grateful to have so many hard-working volunteers that care so much about Beaver Creek Reserve, and I'm very excited to see what the future holds for all of us. Thank you to all our volunteers!!
-Megan Giefer, Naturalist

A huge thank you goes out to the many volunteers it takes to make our Butterfly House the attraction that it is at Beaver Creek!  Countless hours are put in by people helping plant the House and gardens, caring for caterpillars in our lab, collecting butterflies, and serving as the face of Beaver Creek as guides in our Butterfly House.  This absolutely could nothing happen without all of you!  We owe you so much, and you ask nothing in return but to serve!  Thank you all!

-Jim Schwiebert, Naturalist

Volunteers working on the beehives at
Beaver Creek. Photo by Ruth Forsgren.

Being a volunteer at Beaver Creek Reserve not only benefits BCR, it benefits the volunteer.  When we moved to the Chippewa Valley almost 12 years ago, we had a one year old and no friends or family in the area.  My husband was starting a new job and I was going to be a stay at home mom.  Being isolated in a new place with no support system was extremely difficult for me and I needed something to get me out of the house.  On a weekend outing, we discovered Beaver Creek and I immediately applied to be a weekend receptionist volunteer.  I tried to work one shift each month and did this for almost 7 years!  It was a fantastic way to get out of the house, use my brain again, and give back to an organization that has the same priorities as me.  It made me feel good to be useful in a role outside of being a mom, which also helped me be a better mom. Because of the connections I made while volunteering, I was able to transition to a staff position as the Database Coordinator at BCR.  As an employee I still get to work with many volunteers at Beaver Creek which is an added benefit. I learn something new every time I work with a volunteer.  Each person brings their own expertise and can share it with others benefiting BCR and myself personally.  Volunteering is a win-win for everyone!

-Julie Felske, Database Coordinator

Our Volunteers make our office run more smoothly. They each bring a different set of past career knowledge that gives us an invaluable well to pull from.  If we need help with policy changes all the way to cutting out hundreds for colored hearts they are up for the task.  Each of them is a joy to work with and I sincerely appreciate all they do. THANK YOU!
-Kirsten Holmes, Office Assistant

Sherry Sprague teaching campers about snakes during
Nature Nuts, 2019. Photo by Ruth Forsgren.

If Beaver Creek didn’t have such a vast crew of volunteers, there is no way I could run many of my programs or camps. One example that immediately comes to mind is Nature Nuts. I have 72, five and six year olds that join me for the week long Nuts Camp each year and without strong volunteers there is no way I could run that camp. These volunteers not only help teach and lead, but they also pretend, get excited and show amazement right along with my campers. The second example comes quickly to mind is the Holiday Crafting for Kids program; on this Saturday before Thanksgiving program, these awesome volunteers come ready to help the kids to glue, paint, tie, build their crafts. Then there are my, what I will call the behind-the-scene support crew volunteers, they are ones who help me with pre-cutting, pre-gluing, collecting sticks or whatever other seemingly silly things I ask them to do that help make the programs so smoother. As I write these things down, I think of more and more examples of how volunteers positively affect my work, and without whom I couldn’t do my job as effectively, and there is no way in a short paragraph I can thank them all, but every single one is important to me and I truly do thank you all!
-Ruth Forsgren, Naturalist

Dan Mittag and Jerad Polden
performing a controlled burn
in our oak savanna, 2019.

It's no secret that volunteers are why Beaver Creek is what it is today. Our Citizen Science Center is built around the idea that anybody can make an important contribution to science. Citizen Science volunteers are always getting out there in the woods, prairies, and rivers. They're the ones peeking into nest boxes, using wacky devices to survey for bats, and watching out for invasive species. It's inspiring to see how much our volunteers care. The CSC has been host to many different projects that have brought some of the most amazing and interesting people through our doors. I always feel lucky to know so many good people because of Beaver Creek.
-AJ Leiden, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator

I really appreciate getting to know all our volunteers. It has been so great to get little sneak peeks into their lives through stories about their families, grandkids, pets, plants, crafts, etc. Thank you for all that you do!
-Elizabeth Botz, Human Resources & Training Intern

Larry Kolbrek and Judy Valen serve hot chocolate to
snowshoers at our Candlelight Snowshoe Hike, 2019.
Photo by Ruth Forsgren.

Beaver Creek Reserve started as an effort by concerned locals who saw a need for area youth to connect to nature.  More than 70 years later, Beaver Creek has grown, changed and prospered, because volunteers, much like those who started the youth camp, have a passion for conserving the environment, protecting plants and animals, and educating the public on their importance. Volunteers are the heart of our organization, we are grateful to all who volunteer whether for one hour a year, or several hours each week.  Your time and dedication is what allows us to innovate while remaining relevant, and to ensure our mission continues well into the future. Sincerest thank you to you all!
-Brianne Markin, Marketing & Development Coordinator


With only being an intern at Beaver Creek, I’m not in as much as full-time staff. However, there’s one thing that’s certain, Beaver Creek Reserve has the sweetest volunteers around. These volunteers are willing to help with literally anything and do it with a smile on their face. They all seem to be so happy, content and enthusiastic all the time. I’m inspired by all of their demeanors! They all pose a good example on how to just enjoy life and not take anything for granted.
-Amy Oldenburg, Marketing Intern

-Jeanette Kelly, Citizen Science and

Education Director

MAPS bird banders, 2018.

Since I have come to Beaver Creek Reserve our volunteers have been one of our most important resources. So much of what happens at Beaver Creek wouldn’t happen without many extra hands to help make it happen. I look forward to seeing our bird banding volunteers every week. Many of them have spent many hours training and understanding birds all of which is volunteer hours. They are dedicated to further our understanding of birds and to producing well collected data to be used by scientists around the world. I have seen them come out in all weather conditions and stay out late into the night all in the name of science. They are amazing people and are the reason for the strong banding program here at Beaver Creek Reserve.

-Tully Frain, Bird Intern

Day of Caring volunteers working
on the fire pit shelter, 2019.

Thanks to volunteers Beaver Creek was started 70 years ago! Ever since we have started, we truly couldn't have done all of the amazing things that we do without all of your help. Volunteers log thousands of hours every year that would total 5-6 full-time staff on average, that's an amazing impact! Not only are the hundreds of volunteers helping to spread our mission of "connecting people with nature" they are also dear friends and neighbors of Beaver Creek and we all look forward to seeing you each time you come to help us out. Thanks for all you do to Beaver Creek!

-Erik Keisler, Executive Director

There are so many more incredible stories and memories Beaver Creek Reserve staff have because of our volunteers. Their unique skills and willingness to always lend a hand, as well as their kindness and generosity, not only benefit the lives of the visitors who come to Beaver Creek, but also anyone who has the privilege to work with them. I am so proud of our continuously growing volunteer program at Beaver Creek Reserve, and the work volunteers have done to build our organization into what it is today. We truly couldn’t do what we do without their continued support and dedication. To all our amazing volunteers, we appreciate each and every one of you; here’s to 73 more years of environmental stewardship, education, and growth!

From all of us at Beaver Creek Reserve, thank you!

Blooming Spring

Spring Blooms - Chippewa County (image by Ruth Forsgren) 

By Ruth Forsgren

In my mind there are few things that bring me as much joy as finding the woodland spring flowers starting to bloom. I don’t know whether it is their colorful little greetings after a long, brown period or that being small they can be difficult to find and the excitement of the hunt brings me happiness. A forest that is carpeted in spring beauty will readily capture my eye and camera lens, but upon closer examination comes the triumph of finding the small, shy yellow violet or that bloodroot bloom tucked into a fallen tree that makes my walk in the spring forest an adventure.

Spring woodland -
Chippewa County 
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Almost all of the spring flowers blooming in the woods are called spring ephemerals. Ephemeral comes from the Greek word ephêmeros which means lasting a day. So spring ephemerals are only here for a short time, they must emerge, bloom and set seed before the leaves are out on the tree canopy above. Once the trees leaf out they shade the plants on the forest floor and many of the true ephemerals will wither leaving just the root, rhizome or corm underground to store the plants energy until the following spring when sunlight once again warms the forest floor.  I would like to share with you a few of my favorite spring ephemerals.

un-opened Bloodroot
flower
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Fond little girl memories of the joy of picking daisies might be what leads to bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) being one of my favorite spring flowers. The Bloodroot flower hasseveral delicate, bright white petals that surround the lemon yellow stamens and is supported by a blood red stalk. When the deeply lobed leaf first emerges it completely surrounds the flower, almost as if it is afraid that the flower cannot stand on its own.

Each flower only lasts for one, maybe two days before the seeds begin to form. The bloodroot offers no nectar but has abundant pollen that is important to bees in the honey production. The name bloodroot comes from the red liquid found in the stalk and underground in the rhizome. The red fluid is not technically sap but instead is a latex. Native Americans were reported to use the reddish-orange latex as a dye for both baskets and ceremonial body paint; many sources also reference Native Americans use of it as an insect repellant.

Bloodroot Flower (image by Ruth Forsgren)

Bloodroot is an example of a plant whose historical folk medicine uses fall under what is known as Doctrine of Signatures. The Doctrine of Signatures comes from the belief that if a natural object looks like a body part, it can be used to treat diseases that affect that part of the body. So the red blood-like liquid in this plant would of course be useful in curing blood related illnesses. Modern sciences have proven many of these associations to be incorrect and bloodroot falls into that category.

Spring Beauty along the trails at  Beaver Creek Reserve. (image by Ruth Forsgren)

Spring Beauty
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Another favorite spring flower of mine would have to be spring beauty (Claytonia virginica). At Beaver Creek Reserve, spring beauty carpets our lowland forest areas in a sea of bright purplish-pink. Reaching a height of three to six inches the sheer multitude of these plants are what pack quite a punch. The next time you encounter spring beauty I encourage you to stop and get down close to these delicate little flowers and you will find they are quite ornate with their pink and purple petals sporting a deeper pink vein down the middle.

Spring beauty leaves resemble grass blades but are thicker and shinier. Spring beauty attracts pollinators with an abundance of nectar as the reward for visiting the bloom.

Yellow Trout Lily (by Ruth Forsgren) 

Yellow trout lily (Erythronium americanum) with their drooping flowers also fall onto my list of spring favorites. The plant has many common names but I learned it as trout lily, so named because of the coloration of the leaves. The dark green leaves are heavily mottled with maroon markings that resemble the markings found on the sides of a brook trout. The single flower, made of sepals and petals, tilts downward with yellow on the inside and a rich bronze color on the outside.

Trout Lily bloom
(by Ruth Forsgren) 

When in full bloom the sepals and petals bend back or curl upwards exposing the brown stamens that hang down. The blooming plants will have two leaves while younger, non-blooming will often have only a single leaf. It can take 6 to 7 years before the plant matures enough to bloom.

Dutchman's Breeches
(by Ruth Forsgren) 

I also love the Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria). I think part of my joy is that I have never lived in an area where these grew plentiful so seeing them is a treat; but, I think part of my love is   The leaves are very frilly and soft looking, growing in almost a mound under the flowers. The nectar is well guarded, found at the very tip of the elongated spurs it requires a long proboscis (tongue) to reach it. The time of the bloom coincides with the emergence of queen bumblebees and lucky for them they have the long proboscis requires to reach the nectar.

because there may still be a tiny part of my eight-year-old self and her giggly delight in finding out that they were named because they look like old fashioned underwear, aka breeches hanging on the clothesline.

Trillium (by Ruth Forsgren)  

And I will wrap up my favorites list with two of what I consider showboats of the woodland spring flowers. The great trillium and the Jack-in-the-pulpit. The great white trillium (Trillium grandiflorium) have three large leaves that grow in a whorl with the single white bloom rising above them. The bright white flower will reach up to three to four inches across and can easily be spotted from some distance away when in bloom. The trillium will bloom a little later than some of the spring flowers, just in time for the flight of many species of bees that feed upon its nectar and pollen.

Trillium (by Ruth Forsgren) 

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Flickr image) 

The Jack-in-the-pulpit(Arisaema triphyllum) can reach heights of three feet in rich moist woodlands. The name comes from the flower that resembles the raised covered platform or pulpit in old churches that helped the speaker be heard. In this case I guess the speaker’s name is Jack. What we see and tend to call the flower is actually a modified leaf bract or spathe (the pulpit) which protects Jack. The spathe is green on the outside and purplish or purple striped on the inside and under the hood.   “Jack” is really a spadix or stalk covered with very tiny flowers and can been green or purplish. The bright red seed stalks are found in late summer.

I hope you are able to find some spring woodland ephemerals this year and can start to make your own favorites list. Please remember that these plants should remain where you find them and in fact in many cases would be illegal to pick or gather wildflowers in Wisconsin.

Spring Beauty (by Ruth Forsgren) 

Tracking Natures' Calendar

During this unsettling time, I find that I want to hold on to something that is constant.  In the midst of the Covid-19 news, home schooling my kids, working out of my new home office, preparing three meals a day, and so much more cleaning, I find comfort in seeing the American robin arrive in my backyard.  I am soothed by the wood frogs chorus, seeing the buds on the maple trees, and watching the blue bead lily push through the dirt.  In spite of everything, nature is still happening all around us.  Spring is an extraordinary time to observe, learn about, and enjoy nature.  It may be nature’s busiest time of year.

Wood frog. (image Ruth Forsgren)

Eastern bluebirds. (image Ruth Forsgren)

Have you ever noticed these types of natural events in your own backyard?  The owls begin hooting in February, Eastern bluebirds return in March, fireflies light up in June, and the       leaves begin to change in September.  This timing of events in nature is called phenology.  The word phenology comes from the Greek words phaino (to show or appear) and logos (to study).  Phenology means “the science of appearance”,  so it is the study of the timing of biological events.  These events include hibernation, migration, flowering, reproduction, and emergence. Scientist who study phenology look at the timing of biological events in relation to changes in season and climate.  Simply, phenology is nature’s own calendar of events.

Eastern bluebird arrival at my parent's house.

I grew up in southern Wisconsin on 15 acres of woods where my father introduced me to phenology.  He kept records in his bird book, noting the yearly date that birds arrived in the yard.  Although a bird book, my Dad’s records went beyond birds.  He included when the chipmunks began running through the yard (March 16), when the spring peepers began calling (March 24), when the mourning cloak fluttered by (April 8), or when we had to take care not to step on the shooting stars blooming on the path (May 15).

Front cover of my Dad's bird book.

My Dad used to say, “Let’s check the pond…the wood ducks should be here” (April 4) or “Come on, we have to clean out the wren boxes…they’re coming,” (April 25) and “We need to make the hummingbird food” (May 5).  I would think, “What is wrong with my Dad? The pond still has ice, there is snow on the ground, what hummingbirds?”  We would visit the pond, clean out those houses and make the food, and just like my Dad said, the birds would be there.

Male wood duck on pond. (image by Ruth Forsgren)

My Dad's hummingbird records.

As I grew up and had a better understanding of phenology, I loved visiting my parents’ land to watch the change of the seasons.  Our phenological activities changed a little through the years.  My parents would still clean out the nest boxes and make the hummingbird food, but now Dad would say to me, “Let’s go pick black raspberries for ice cream” (July 4) and possibly my favorite “Grab a bottle of wine, the bats are going to come out” (April 15).

Black raspberry perfect for picking. (image Ruth Forsgren)

     

Male red-headed woodpecker.
 (image Ruth Forsgren)

More than just the phenology, other changes in nature can be observed from keeping track of natural events.  Looking through my Dad’s book, I see the red-headed woodpeckers were a common visitor in the yard throughout the 80’s and 90’s.  The last sighting recorded in 2003 tells me how the habitat near my childhood home has changed: the savannahs are gone and the European starlings have moved in.  My parents’ records also note the exciting rarities that showed up.  A pileated woodpecker visited their yard in 1974.  Much to my parents’ delight, another pileated spent the winter of 2014-2015 eating away at my Mom’s homemade suet.


I love seeking out these seasonal changes in nature.  I now have a phenology calendar that I watch throughout the year, making observations in my own backyard.  Spring may be nature’s busiest time of year, so I check the calendar every day, anticipating what will be happening next.  Spring beauties begin to bloom April 27.  Sure enough, when I take my kids for a hike in our woods, they race to see who can be first to find the spring beauty--and they find it.  The long trill of the American toad can be heard in the evening on May 3.  I step outside, enjoying the warming spring nights and hear the chorus of the toads.  Observing a phenology calendar and keeping my own records connects me with nature.  It creates a more intimate relationship between me and the woods I call my home.  It helps me teach my kids to be aware of their surroundings, to notice, to be observant.  It gives me something to look forward to and it gives me sense that even in troubled times, nature is still a constant.

Spring beauty. (image Ruth Forsgren)

Phenology is not a new practice; in fact, there are records dating back thousands of years.  It is believed that the Chinese kept the first written phenology records, while the Japanese have over 1,000 years of records showing the peak of cherry blossoms.  Carolus Linnaeus, who is known for developing binomial nomenclature-- our modern system for the two-part naming of living organisms -- kept track of flowering times across Sweden.  Linnaeus’s work helped create our understanding of modern plant phenology.  Closer to home, Aldo Leopold, Wisconsin’s much loved naturalist and founder of the field of wildlife management, kept phenological records from his beloved “shack.”  His records helped form a better understanding of the world around him and are shared in his book A Sand County Almanac. Leopold wrote, “Keeping records enhances the pleasure of the search and the chance of finding order and meaning in these events.”

Sparrow arrival from my Dad's notes.

Now when many of us are home is a perfect time to begin observing the phenology unfolding in your own backyard.  If you have a Beaver Creek Reserve calendar, check the phenological events listed in there.  You can also search online for a Wisconsin phenology calendar or start your own with a simple notepad and a pen.  I challenge you to start recording the daily observation in nature that you view in your backyard.  Simply write down what you observe and the date.  Keep your notebook and your binoculars handy.  Next year, do the same.  I promise you: you will anxiously await the changes of the seasons, adding to your own phenological calendar every year.  Now go outside and get ready, the grosbeaks are coming!

My Dad's rose-breasted grosbeak records.