Friends Field Trips in Spring and Summer 2014Effigy Mounds in the Preserve, April 19 (Saturday) 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm- Visit several effigy mound groups and discuss some environmental and cultural issues that may have influenced this ceremonial tradition of mound building that lasted from about 700 – 1100 A.D. Meet at Chamberlin Rock, next to the Washburn Observatory, 1401 Observatory Drive. Parking is on the street in front of the Observatory and in lot 26. Additional parking is by the Lakeshore Path in lot 34. Leader: Paul Borowsky (886-6777)
Spring Wildflowers of the Preserve, May 4 (Sunday) 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm- Experience the beauty of spring wildflowers as we hike through some of the restored wooded areas in the Preserve. Meet at Picnic Point parking lot. Leader: Glenda Denniston (231-1530) Mother’s Day Lakeshore Nature Preserve Bird Hike, May 11 (Sunday) 7:30 am – 10:30 am- Join us to look for migrant and resident birds. Picnic Point is a migrant trap in bad weather and can produce spectacular collections of migrants. Co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society. Meet at the Class of 1918 Marsh parking lot. Leaders: Peter Fissel (226-0260), Roma Lenehan (238-5406) Warblers of Frautschi Point, May 14 (Wednesday) 7:30 am – 9:30 am- While we will focus on seeing warblers through the leafy foliage, we will also look for other spring migrants. Meet at the Frautschi Point parking lot on Lake Mendota Drive. Leader: Roma Lenehan (238-5406) Bird Banding at Biocore Prairie, May 17 (Saturday) 8:00 am – 12 noon- Come by anytime during hours above and learn about bird banding (hands-on, if you choose). See birds up close and learn about the contributions of banding to our knowledge of birds and our efforts at conservation. Co-sponsored by Madison Audubon Society. Park at Frautschi Point or Picnic Point lot and walk up to the Biocore Prairie above Eagle Heights Gardens. Leader: Mara McDonald (274 2534) Lake Mendota Boat Trip, June 10 (Tuesday) 10:00 am – 11:45 am- (Weather date, Friday, June 13: 10:00 to 11:45 am) Learn about the ecotone (transition) between the Lake and the Preserve. Find out about the changes in Lake Mendota over the years. We will be onboard the LIMNOS, operated by the Center for Limnology for teaching, research, and outreach. Group size is limited to 12. Reserve a place by email to trip leader. Meet at Limnology parking lot 8. Leader John J. Magnuson ([email protected]) Pretty Things with Wings, July 6 (Sunday) 10:00 am – 12:00 noon- Join us in a search for butterflies, dragonflies, and an occasional bird. Bring your binoculars. Co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society and the Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association. Meet at the Picnic Point parking lot. Leader: Edgar Spalding (265-5294) NOTE:This Field trip has been re-scheduled to July 6 (originally July 13). Native Pollinators in the Preserve, July 20 (Sunday) 9 am – 11 am- Join us looking for pollinators in the Preserve while we learn about the diversity, lifestyles, and crucial role of pollinators. Meet at the Picnic Point parking lot. Leader: Susan Carpenter (886-7504) Geologic History of the Preserve and Madison Lakes, August 2 (Saturday) 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm- On a warm day in early August, think about glaciers that were here 25,000 years ago as we talk about geology on a walk to Picnic Point entrance. Meet at Chamberlin Rock, next to the Washburn Observatory, 1401 Observatory Drive. Parking on the street in front of the Observatory and lot 26. Additional parking is in lot 34 or at Picnic Point lot and walk up. Leader: Dave Mickelson (262-7863) Bird and Nature Walks, every 4th Sunday in the month, 1:30 – 3:00 pm. These informal outings welcome students, families and kids. Discover the gentle paths that wind through prairies, woods, and wetlands. Enjoy vistas along the Lake Mendota shoreline and Picnic Point. Walk leaders and participants share their knowledge about the birds, animals and plants along the way. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Preserve and Madison Audubon Society. Meet at the Eagle Heights Community Gardens, 3016 Lake Mendota Drive just up the hill from University Bay Drive. Leader: Paul Noeldner (608-698-0104) Field trip sign-in sheet |
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.
NEW: Bird and Nature Walks, every 4th Sunday in the month, 1:30 – 3:00 pm. These informal outings welcome students, families and kids. Discover the gentle paths that wind through prairies, woods, and wetlands. Enjoy vistas along the Lake Mendota shoreline and Picnic Point. Walk leaders and participants share their knowledge about the birds, animals and plants along the way. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Preserve and Madison Audubon Society. Meet at the Eagle Heights Community Gardens, 3016 Lake Mendota Drive just up the hill from University Bay Drive. Leader: Paul Noeldner (608-698-0104) July 27 August 24 September 28 October 26 November 23 Class of 1918 Marsh-
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