Friends Field Trips Spring-Summer 2023Wednesday, May 17
Warblers of Frautschi Point 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. We will focus on seeing warblers through leafy foliage and also look for other spring migrants. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Meet at the Frautschi Point parking lot, 2662 Lake Mendota Drive. Leaders: Roma Lenehan (rlenehan@charter.net, 608-238-5406) and Jill Feldkamp Saturday, May 20 Amazing Audible Amphibians 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. After sunset, springtime ponds and wetlands come alive with the calls of frogs and toads. Join DNR Conservation Biologist Rori Paloski and Friends President Will Vuyk on a search for as many species of frogs, tree frogs and toads that we can hear. Meet us at the entrance to Picnic Point. From there we will use our ears to explore the marshes of University Bay and Picnic Point peninsula. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leaders: Will Vuyk (wvuyk@wisc. edu) and Rori Paloski Sunday, May 28 Martins and Bluebirds (FUN) 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. The purple martin house and the Bluebird Trail at the Biocore Prairie were installed by the Friends to entice these birds to nest in the Preserve. Field trip leaders will describe the appearance, habits and nesting behaviors of purple martins and bluebirds. Leaders will also describe the Friends’ efforts to protect birds from their enemies. Hopefully you’ll get a peek at some baby birds, too! Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leaders: Jeff Koziol ( jeffkoziol@ gmail.com, 847-331-2430) and Richard Ness (Richard.s.ness@ wisc.edu) Saturday, June 3 Beginning Birders: Meet the Birds of the Prairie Advanced registration required (Rain date Saturday, June 17) 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Join Anna Walther of Madison Audubon to celebrate National Prairie Day by getting to know the birds of the Biocore Prairie! Participants can expect to see, hear and learn to identify some of the many bird species found in this tallgrass prairie. We will meet at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve entrance and walk to the Biocore Prairie together. Binoculars and field guides will be available, and participants are welcome to con-tact the trip leader with requests and accommodations. While there is a walking path around the prairie, some areas have rough terrain and tall grasses, so athletic shoes and long socks/pants are recommended. This walk is co-sponsored with Madison Audubon. NOTE: Participation is limited to 12 people. Advanced registration is required at madisonaudbon.org and opens on April 22nd. Meet at the Picnic Point kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leader: Anna Walther (awalther2@wisc.edu, 262-237-9343). Wednesday, June 14 Lake Mendota Boat Trip Advanced registration required (Rain date Friday, June 16) 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Learn about Lake Mendota and the shoreline of the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve from a different perspective aboard LIMNOS2, the UW Center for Limnology’s research vessel for teaching, research and outreach. Group size is limited to 12; reserve your place early for this popular field trip. Meet at Hasler Limnology Laboratory one block west of Memorial Union. Register with Leader John Magnuson ( john. magnuson@wisc.edu). Sunday, June 25 Preserving the Preserve (FUN) 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Join UW Preserve staff as they showcase ongoing ecological restoration projects and give an update on the Preserve Master Plan—all the while enjoying the trails, sights and sounds of the Preserve in summer. Meet at the Frautschi Point Parking Lot, 2662 Lake Mendota Drive. Leaders: Preserve Staff (contact: bryn.scriver@wisc.edu) Sunday, July 16 Summer Citizen Science Sampler 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Did you miss the Friends Spring Citizen Science Sampler or just want to learn more? Summer brings a whole new season of citizen science opportunities! Join us to learn about ways to contribute to citizen science in the Preserve and beyond by observing plants and insects and more! All you need is your curiosity; we’ll provide you training to get started! Citizen Science is one of the best ways to gather biological data (monitoring) in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, which drives future management decisions. Your help and interest are appreciated! Meet at the Picnic Point kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Coordinated by Anne Pearce (anne.pearce@wisc.edu) Sunday, July 23 Class of 1918 Marsh (FUN) 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Take a hike around the marsh to learn the history and biology of this wetland. John Magnuson will discuss the threats to the marsh from invasive cattail species and from chloride concentrations, drawing on his own research. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leader: John Magnuson ( john. magnuson@wisc.edu) Sunday, August 27 An Introduction to the Lovely Mosses and Other Bryophytes of UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve (FUN) 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Join doctoral candidate Brandon Corder with the UW Department of Botany for a fascinating nature walk. Look for and learn about the miniature worlds of mosses and ferns that border the Lakeshore Preserve paths. Brandon will demonstrate how to use the iNaturalist app to help you identify plants, learn interesting facts about them and report sightings as citizen science for research. Free, welcoming, student and family friendly! Meet at the Picnic Point kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leader: Brandon Corder (bcorder@wisc.edu) |
Free public field trips are one of the most valuable contributions the Friends make to the Preserve. They have been organized every spring and fall for over 10 years on various topics and are all led by Friends volunteers. Many are professional naturalists and emeritus faculty and staff. The Friends also partner with other environmental organizations for field trips.
Field trip coordinator: Signe Holtz Bird and Nature Outings Free, family-friendly walks on the 4th Sunday of the month. Bring your binoculars and camera. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Friends of Urban Nature, and Madison Audubon Society. Meet at the Picnic Point Kiosk, across from UW Lot 130 (2004 University Bay Drive). Contact Paul Noeldner (608-698‑0104). Fall 2022 - Winter 2023 field trips
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