Prairie Chicken Booming--April 9-10, 2009

Last week, a van full of hearty Museum members traveled to Prairie Ridge State Natural Areas near Effingham, IL to watch the courtship of the Prairie Chicken. Rain held off for our 5:30 am viewing of the beautiful Prairie Chickens. We watched 14 males duke it out for over 2 hours. Unfortunately the females didn't visit the lek that morning.

In addition to the Chickens, we witnessed a spectacular show by a Wilson's Snipe, as well as flocks of American Pipits and American Golden Plovers.

Prairie Chickens in their lek

American Pipit

American Golden Plovers

Wilson's Snipe doing its mating dance

Amphibian Amble--Saturday, March 28

A hardy group enjoyed a leisurely hike through the beautiful Hadlock Preserve in Ashtabula County searching for amphibians. They were not disappointed. Wood Frogs were were noisily grunting in one vernal pool. Numerous Spring Peepers were chirping away and one chilly Green Frog put in an appearance. Egg masses of Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders were found and leader Judy Semroc brought both out of the vernal pool for hikers to examine. Spotted Newts were located in the beaver pond above the Ashtabula River. Harbinger of Spring brightened the paths along the flood plain. Great Horned Owl pellets provided numerous clues to the mammal life of the forest floor. A Fantail Darter provided an interesting discussion led by participant John Senderak.

As seen in this crayfish shot, the Ashtabula River
certainly deservesits State Scenic River status!

Comparison shot of
spotted salamander eggs (left) and wood frog eggs (right)

Birding Van Trip--Friday, March 6

Thanks for hanging out with us on the van trip on Friday. We appreciated your willingness to visit some sites which differed from the hike description. We hope you all had fun with the unique sightings of the day!

Larry, thanks for the great Long-eared Owl sighting. Andy, thanks for your patience with our nest and behavior questions. Terri, thanks for not allowing Larry to back into anything!! And a big thanks to Bob & Connie for the mini CHOCOLATE bars. Thanks to all who brought scopes so we could obtain some fabulous views of the ducks at Wellington!!

Northern Pintail

American Coot

Long-eared Owl

Bird Banding on Kelleys Island

Today, Museum members spent a day on Kelleys Island nature watching with Leaders Judy Semroc and Larry Rosche and banding birds with Master Bird Bander Tom Bartlett.

Magnolia Warbler

Lake Erie