Menomonee Valley - Flying Critters
by Lainet Garcia-Rivera
They are waking up, they are coming soon, they are flying during the night, their movements are smooth.
The bats will come out of hibernation once the temperature is high and stable to gorge themselves on bugs. Once you see a bat, rest assured, spring is here - no more snow, no more temperatures below 32F, no more nights without bats!
Help us track bat phenology in the Valley by joining our volunteer bat squad. Contact Anne Reis This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.
Washington Park - Ah, the Sweet Songs of Spring
by Tim Vargo
As an ornithologist, I naturally gravitate to birds to mark spring's return. At Washington Park, birds slowly trickle in until the phenological event I anticipate most happens... ice melt on the lagoon. Once this happens - look out! Herons, grebes, kingfishers, ducks, sandpipers and other water birds come flooding in!
Look for these on your own or join our Wednesday Morning Birdwalks.
Wood Duck - must be seen to be believed
Belted Kingfisher - The emphatic rattle call precedes a bill-first dive for fish
Great Blue Heron: stately and elegant... whose call sounds like a cat choking on a furball.
Riverside Park - Fluttering in the Forest
by Matt Flower
In a spring forest, colors other than ash gray, brown and tan tend to stand out and catch your eye. There are three colorful friends you might see on a walk through Riverside Park
Mourning Cloak Butterfly - you may see adult, overwintered males resting in sunny patches on the forest floor.
Red Admiral Butterfly - the quick, erratic flight and flash of its red band of color will be sure to catch your eye.
Question Mark Butterfly - the soft orange glow and cryptic camouflage of this spring butterfly make it a favorite among naturalists.
Summary
Like a compelling novel, we all love a good introduction and spring never ceases to disappoint. From field to forest to stream, the month of April marks the beginning of a new year of flora and fauna that reminds us of our place in nature and why we love to love it.
