Red Wing Blackbird It’s been a while since the red-winged blackbirds migrated south for winter, but the return of one to the park this week suggests spring is just around the corner! Red-winged blackbirds are some of the ‘early nesters’ in the park, often making their homes in emerging cattails, and bunches of prairie grass […]
Bridge dedication honors a park supporter who built bridges of cooperation The bridge at Lakeshore State Park is an important point of connection between downtown and the Third Ward and between the Hank Aaron State Trail and the Oak Leaf Trail. And now the bridge officially recognizes someone known for making connections during his many […]
Together with other volunteers we planted more than 1,000 native prairie plants in the newest restoration area (Fox Prairie) of the park Funded installation of 2 new prairie areas using native vegetated mats at the south entrance Completed reconstruction of the accessible fishing pier and purchase of 2 new de-icers to maintain the structure Implemented […]
Naturalist Notes March 2018 While some winter birds still enjoy our waters until they migrate to cooler regions, others are just beginning their return. Still in the waters are the Goldeneyes, Lesser Scaups, and Red-breasted Mergansers. We have sighted the first Tree Swallows of the season. Their wings and tails are dark grey and forked, […]
Naturalist Notes April 2018 As Spring begins to provide us with warmer weather, the first forbs, or flowering plants, are finally bringing a little color to the gardens at the front of the park. Prairie Smoke is the first to emerge! Geum triflorum: Native North American herbaceous perennial in the Rose familyCommon names: Prairie Smoke, […]
Naturalist Notes March 2018 The weather is beginning to warm up and the animals are starting to become more active. During the winter months, you may have seen some Coyote tracks around, and thanks to one of our park visitors, Michael DeBoer, we have photographic evidence of its presence. While Coyotes (Canis latrans) have been known to […]