Eastern bluebirds are back! Eastern bluebirds are small thrushes with a big, round head and a short, straight bill. Male bluebirds are bright blue above with rusty throats and chests, while females are more subdued, gray above with bluish wings and tails and a soft orange-brown breast. In the early 20th century, these beautiful birds […]
Sandhill cranes are back! This year, the mated pair of cranes that nest every year around the Nature Center came back with their grown-up colt! Soon, the colt will leave its parents to join a group of young cranes called bachelor flocks. They will stay together until they are ready to find a mate of […]
Did you know it is possible to spot adult butterflies in early spring? While most species spend the winter as eggs, caterpillars, or chrysalises, a few survive the cold months as adults. Both eastern comma butterflies (Polygonia comma) and mourning cloak butterflies (Nymphalis antiopa) overwinter in this form and can sometimes be seen flying at […]
Coyotes are in their peak breeding season. Coyotes are active year round, but you are more likely to see and hear them in February. Mating season begins in January and continues through March. During this time, they vocalize more frequently and may roam farther than usual in search of a mate. Coyotes are monogamous and […]
Owl you need is love! In December, we began noticing a pair of great horned owls spending time together in the tall white pine trees by the bus parking lot. The duo quickly became a regular sight, perching long enough to leave multiple owl pellets on the ground below. Recently, these love birds have been […]
How do animals survive winter? In winter, many animals enter a state of dormancy to survive, but not all forms of inactivity are the same. True hibernators reduce their metabolism, slow their heart rate, and drastically lower their body temperature. They enter a very deep sleep that is only occasionally interrupted to meet essential body […]
Cottontails avoid predators in many ways, but camouflage is their best defense. The Eastern cottontail is the most common cottontail rabbit found in the United States and the only type found in Wisconsin. They are common in urban and residential areas and will stick around year-round. While it is not uncommon to spot a cottontail […]
Northern cardinals are among the most recognizable birds in America. This striking year-round resident is a familiar backyard bird, known for its style, highlighted by a prominent crest and a large, thick bill. Male cardinals are bright red with black masks and red bills, while females and juveniles are more subdued, showing pale brown plumage […]
With all of the recent snow, it’s the perfect time to spot animal tracks! When fresh snow settles on the ground, it becomes a natural canvas that reveals the activity of animals moving through it. Identifying tracks begins with noticing the overall pattern before focusing on the finer details. Size, shape, claw marks, tail drags, […]
Have you seen any little red dragonflies around lately? You’ll probably only spot one type this late in the season: the autumn meadowhawk. These dragonflies begin life as aquatic naiads in spring, hatching from eggs laid in the water. By July, they finally emerge as adults, which is much later than most other dragonfly species. […]
