panorama
Summer 2020
Red-shouldered Hawks Page 4
Aerial Insectivores Page 5
Prairie Flowers Page 8
WELCOME HELEN BOOMSMA Executive Director
Summer is here and with it the glorious sunlight and warm breezes that make the Center so welcoming. It’s been a unique year, however, in which trail access, as well as many activities and programs, had to be temporarily delayed due to COVID-19. During this time, we assessed the best way to move forward, prioritizing the health and safety of all in our community. We will be continuing to monitor ongoing developments. We appreciate the support we have received from our members and visitors as we safely reopened the Center. Now, the trails are as inviting as ever, full of wildlife, lush foliage, and beautiful flowers dotting the landscape. The natural world maintains its peaceful ambiance for hikers who visit. Currently, you can access our trails, with morning, afternoon, and evening spots available when you pre-register. As I write this, children are enjoying lively days learning about nature at our summer camps, which are in full session, with modifications to protect the safety of campers and staff. We are also offering outdoor programming for small groups, including many guided nature hikes. Two of our summer events have been reimagined. The Schlitz Audubon Art Fair will highlight local artists selling original, nature-inspired artwork. It will now feature one or two artists every Sunday in our Great Hall for six weeks, beginning August 23. Our yearly Gala, normally a summer event, has been rescheduled to take place October 23 as a virtual event. Watch our website for details. While the Center was closed, employees across departments created activities for people to enjoy at home, offering them on our website’s Nature From Home page. These activities will remain available for people to enjoy. If your organization is looking for some virtual nature experiences for children this summer, we offer opportunities for deeper engagements – contact registration@schlitzaudubon.org to learn more. In this issue of Panorama, you’ll encounter the fascinating world of avian aerial insectivores, learning how these birds hunt and fly, as well as their diverse array of behaviors. Discover our replanted rain garden near the southeast corner of the Visitor Center. The picturesque view of this space complements its functionality as a way to keep storm water from washing into Lake Michigan. You’ll learn about some of the colorful wildflowers you’ll see while traveling on the boardwalk through the prairie. Also, read about the sounds you’ll hear while hiking on summer evenings at the Center when trails come alive with nocturnal wildlife. While our programming calendar is not included in this addition of Panorama, we have a full schedule of engaging programs and events over the next few months; look for them on our website. If you’d like to visit for a hike, go to the online calendar for a visiting time that works for you.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers Aliah Berman President John Grunau Past President Benjamin T. Pavlik Treasurer Meg Kinney Secretary Jane B. Bell VP-Development Mark Siler VP-Governance Board Shane Delsman Heidi Dondlinger John E. 'Jack' Gebhardt Timothy J. Gerend Amy Giuffre Matt Haas Margarete R. Harvey Debra Katz Diane O'Connor Sanderson S. ‘Andy’ Read Benjamin F. Rikkers John Schaub Carol Wolcott Past Presidents John H. Kopmeier, Jr. Philip R. Smith Dennis L. Fisher Terrence K. Knudsen Thomas J. McCutcheon Thomas B. Fitzgerald Randolph H. Dean Stephen F. Geimer Thomas J. Drought David K. Hoover John S. McGregor Margarete R. Harvey Director Emeritus Dorothy K. Vallier (1910-2013)
The honorariums and memorials that would normally appear in this issue will be listed in the fall edition of Panorama. Schlitz Audubon is an independent, locally supported partner of the National Audubon Society.
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Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
SEASONAL SIGHTINGS
Katydid in the prairie.
Visit the Center and discover the beauty of summer evenings! AUBREY ELLICKSON FULSAAS Naturalist
Hiking our trails in the evening can be an enriching experience full of seasonal sights that cannot be found at any other time. Many animals limit their activity during the hottest times of the day and go foraging for food at dusk when the air is cooler. The white-tailed deer that roam our property will likely be nibbling on red osier dogwood leaves within the western meadows. Cottontail rabbits will be sharing in the bounty of vegetation that has sprouted in the summer sun. With keen eyes, evidence of these foragers can be found along branches that line the trails. The air of summer evenings is filled with a symphony of insect songs. Partaking in an evening hike increases the chances that you will hear these creatures putting on a musical show for you. Crickets and katydids fill the evening with their mating calls, searching for love on our vast 185 acres of land. Contrary to popular belief, crickets and katydids do not make noise by rubbing their legs together, but rather use their ridged wings to chirp. The sound they make is called stridulating, and the warmer the evening is, the more songs you will hear. But no good musical is complete without a light show. As the sun drops over the western horizon, hundreds of fireflies begin their illuminated dance over the prairies at the Center.
The insects are not the only instruments in this composition of sounds. Throughout the summer, frogs of different species begin calling throughout the evening. The tenor “plunk� of the green frog may reverberate over Mystery Lake, or the soprano trill of the Eastern gray tree frog may call out over Teal Pond. The sound of the bullfrog fills out the bass in this band, with a low mooing sound reminiscent of the bovine from which it got its name. Plan your evening hike at Schlitz Audubon to beat the heat and enjoy the sights and sounds of summer. See our website for evening hiking details.
Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
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RAPTOR EDUCATION
Red-shouldered Hawks in Wisconsin
LINDSAY OBERMEIER Raptor Program Director
Earlier this year, we welcomed Atlas, our first Red-shouldered Hawk, to our Raptor Program. She will help educate the public about her species, which is in decline in the Midwest and is threatened in Wisconsin. Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus) are medium-sized hawks in the Buteo genus, a group of raptors that includes Redtailed, Broad-winged, and Rough-legged Hawks. Adults have a deep rufous chest and belly, with fine dark barring down the body. A rusty patch on their wings near their shoulders gives this hawk its name. Their long tail and wings are boldly banded in black and white. Adult plumage appears at two years of age; juveniles are duller in color, with brown streaking and thin bands on the tail. Another sign of the Red-shoulder Hawk is its translucent comma-shaped markings that are seen on the outer areas of the wings while in flight. They have a three to three-and-a-half foot wingspan. Red-shouldered Hawks depend on wetlands and swampy areas for hunting, often hunting from a perch. Although they are generalists, feeding on a variety of prey species, a large portion of their diet includes fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. In addition to wetlands and swamps, they require areas of mature forests, preferring to nest in large trees. Both sexes help with the nest construction, and they will return to the same nesting spot each year, reusing an old nest when possible. Red-shouldered Hawks lay one clutch of two to five eggs. In the wild they live to be 15-20 years old. Their habitat conditions are very similar to what Barred Owls (Strix varia) thrive in, making the two species ecologically equiva4
lent. As Red-shouldered Hawks are diurnal (daytime) and Barred Owls are nocturnal (night), the two can coexist in the same area. This species is found mainly in the eastern part of the United States, spreading as far west as Missouri and Texas. Wisconsin lies in the northern-most region of their distribution. In our state, the hawks are considered “partial migrants,” which means that only a portion of the population will migrate while others stay here year-round. In the fall, migrants will move to southern Illinois or into our southern states, returning in the spring for breeding. Over the past several decades, the Red-shouldered Hawk population has been declining in the Midwest. Environmental organizations, including the Wisconsin DNR, attribute their low numbers to the loss of proper nesting habitat. As wetlands and swamps are drained, and expanses of mature forest are harvested, these birds cannot thrive. Although they can be found nesting in 60 of our 72 counties, their population is low. Because of this, Red-shouldered Hawks are a threatened species in our state. ATLAS, OUR NEW TEACHER As an adult in the wild, Atlas was hit by a car and found herself in wildlife rehabilitation. The incident resulted in permanent damage to her left wing, taking away her ability for strong flight. She was deemed non-releasable and took residence as an educational ambassador at Nature’s Educators in Denver, CO. After hearing that our Raptor Program was searching for a bird just like her, the Executive Director of Nature’s Educators offered to transfer Atlas to us. Atlas will teach audiences about migration along the Mississippi Flyway and the importance of wetland conservation and restoration, as well as offer unique experiences with this beautiful species!
Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
FEATURE
Lifeways of Avian Aerial Insectivores Craig Mattson | Communications Specialist With Contributions from Michelle Allison, Zoe Finney, and Don Quintenz
Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
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FEATURE
If you’ve ever seen a large, swirling congregation of birds over a chimney, or the swooping motion of a bird flying close to the surface of a pond, you’ve probably witnessed a species of avian aerial insectivore. Birds that are aerial insectivores hunt and eat insects while they are flying, often displaying stunning flight patterns in the process. While bats and dragonflies also hunt insects in flight, this behavior creates a specialized range of niches for these birds. Despite individual species of avian aerial insectivores having their primary diet in common, they present a variety of behaviors, are visually distinct, and occupy a diverse array of habitats. Because of this, people can enjoy watching these birds in various habitats around the state and at the Center. FAMILIES OF AVIAN AERIAL INSECTIVORES The four families of birds in this category include swallows, swifts, nightjars, and flycatchers. They are found throughout the Eastern US, with 19 of these species breeding in Wisconsin. All of them are neo-tropical migrants. Many nest in Southeastern Wisconsin through the summer, while others stop over in April and May before migrating further north.
including Barn Swallows, which nest in mud-cake nest cups in the rafters of our Visitor Center. This species will also use nest boxes, and it once nested in caves. Barn Swallows are cobalt blue on top and pale on their breast, with a long forked tail, and you can see them swooping low over our ponds looking for prey. They are the most abundant and widely spread swallow species in the world, breeding throughout the Northern hemisphere.
Tree Swallows nest in cavities and bluebird boxes. Their deep blue iridescent backs and white fronts make them easy to view in summer fields and wetlands, performing aerial acrobatics while catching insects, oftentimes at MysAerial insectivores have a number of special adaptations that allow tery Lake. They will form enormous them to live within their niche. As a group, their mouths are soft flocks an hour before sunset over their and wide, enabling them to scoop up insects while flying. Wings roost sight before they drop and settle in. are often long, pointed, and narrow, giving them the ability to maThe largest of the swallows, Purple Martins live near lakes and neuver deftly, and helping them master catching insects. ponds and nest near a water source. The males are deep blue Three of these families – swallows, swifts, and nightjars – possess with a glossy sheen, and are dazzling to watch while sweeping many similar traits, while flycatchers display unique capabilities. up insects. They migrate in huge flocks, roosting by the thousands in late summer. SWALLOWS As a family, swallows mainly eat aquatic insects such as mayflies and stoneflies. There are six species of swallows in Wisconsin, 6
Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
FEATURE FEATURE SWIFTS As their name suggests, Chimney Swifts roost in chimneys, unable to perch because of their feeble legs. They spend their days flying, and go inside to shelter at night. They became prevalent in the cities during the 1800s when their habitats - caves, cliffs, and hollow trees – were lost to an increase in the number of buildings being constructed. They are often seen in silhouette, and are smudge-grey with long curved wings and a small body, flying almost constantly, even to bathe. Swifts, like swallows, will often hunt in a swarm. People may see them form large, tornado-like aggregations when the birds are feeding at dawn and dusk. They also can fly to hunt in continuous fashion, often in a zigzag pattern.
An early spring migrant, the Eastern Phoebe’s appearance is considered a sign that spring has arrived. A brown and white songbird with fluffy brown head and white chest, it likes open woodlands and can also be found at Mystery and Boardwalk Ponds. Its call sounds like its name, “phoebe,” which is quicker and raspier than the similar sounding Black-capped Chickadee call. Nests are made from mud and grass, and are found on human-built structures at the Center. Also found at the Center, the Eastern Kingbird prefers grasslands for habitat and nests near the open area of the Lake Michigan Terrace. It’s dark gray on top with a white chest and tip of tail, and a hidden crown of yellow, red, or orange. Kingbirds make an electric-sounding zapping call. This bird species aggressively defends its territory, harassing other birds that get too close. To hunt, They sally or flutter over grassy areas to hunt insects, though they will also eat fruit.
NIGHTJARS Nightjars are known for being strong in the air, but possessing weak legs. The two species in Wisconsin like to sit on logs, where they are well camouflaged. Common Nighthawks are brown with white patches, having long wings and graceful looking flight. They can be identified by their “peent” call. Ranging across North America, they are often seen flying over grasslands and cities look for them above billboards, stadium lights or streetlights, where they are active at dawn and dusk, often flying like bats. CONSERVATION STATUS Many aerial insectivores are doing well and are considered species Another nightjar, the Eastern Whip-poor- of low conservation concern, but this varies by species. Some bird will, is often heard making long chant-like species are in decline to steep decline. The Common Nighthawk sounds in summer. They can be seen has lost 80-90% of its population since 1970. Purple Martins are hunting on moonlit nights, though they in decline in the Great Lakes region, but stable elsewhere in the are also active at dawn and dusk, scoop- country. Chimney Swifts are experiencing loss of habitat as new ing up insects in their large mouth. chimney designs favor smaller flutes unsuitable for nesting, and They breed and roost in gray-brown leaf are actually capped whereas they used to be open. litter, and can be hard to find because of their excellent camoflauge. CHALLENGES TO AVIAN AERIAL INSECTIVORES There are numerous threats to aerial insectivores, but the priFLYCATCHERS mary one is the loss of insects, largely due to the increased use There are 10 species of flycatcher breeding in Wisconsin. To of pesticides and insecticides. Climate change has impacted hunt, flycatchers sally, which means they perch and then fly out their populations as changing temperatures affect the timing to catch insects. Many flycatchers have soft feathers called rictal of flying insects’ emergence. There are also problems with an bristles near their mouths, helping them to grab insects by pro- increase in predator populations and habitat loss. viding a tactile sense and keeping debris out of their eyes during capture. Having an acute visual ability helps all birds, but fly- The aerial insectivores are an important part of the ecosystem. catchers have vision that’s even better than most. It helps them They control insects because of their reliance on them for food, to catch small, fast-moving insects while in flight. They are forest and maintain balance in ecosystems by regulating species comdwellers who occupy slightly different areas of the woods. position. They also cut down on insect-spread diseases. The primary way we can help as individuals is to help maintain their The Great Crested Flycatcher is easy to food source. To do so, avoid using insecticides or pesticides and identify by sight, with distinctive red- plant a native garden to attract insects, that may in turn, bring dish-brown accents and lemon yellow aerial insectivores to your yard. belly. This flycatcher’s call is a rising “wee-eep” whistle that you can hear While you’re visiting the Center this summer, enjoy viewing the while it operates high in the canopy avian aerial insectivores. Consider signing up for an evening of deciduous woods, hunting insects, hiking session to see them up close. You may witness aerial disthough it will also eat whole fruit. plays that will delight you as they swoop over ponds, sally in the forests, or flutter near nests on the Visitor Center!
Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
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PRAIRIE FLOWERS
Prairie Wildflowers TESS CARR Naturalist
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Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
PRAIRIE FLOWERS Schlitz Audubon is fortunate to have high quality prairie both near the Visitor Center and on some of the furthest hikes you can take. You’ll encounter short and tall grasses, with flowers rising above them and some hiding near the ground. These flowers, seeds, and grasses provide ample food for birds, insects, pollinators, and more. One of the first prairie plants you may notice near the main building is wild bergamot, which has a crown of lavender-pink, spindly, tube shaped flowers. These deep, nectar filled flowers attract pollinators such as the rusty patched bumblebee, an endangered species whose whereabouts are currently being monitored by the Center’s conservation department. Along our Gateway Trail, just west of the parking lot, visitors have the opportunity to gaze at flowers in our wet prairie, one of Wisconsin’s rarest habitats. Once abundant, this habitat type has been reduced to less than one percent of its original footprint across the state. If you follow the new accessible boardwalk through the prairie west of the building, one of the highlight flowers planted around our new ponds is butterflyweed, a milkweed and favorite food source of the monarch butterfly. The bold orange, fluted flowers match the wings of the long distance migrator. You’ll also find bottle gentian, with clusters of violet colored, bottle-shaped flowers, sitting on top of whorled leaves. Bumblebees are their main pollinators as they are one of the few insects able to pry open bottle gentian’s closed petals. Further on the property in our western meadows you’ll find another favorite of bumblebees and butterflies alike, prairie blazing star. Tufts of bright pink-purple star shaped flowers ascend a stem that can reach up to five-feet tall. But one of the tallest flowers in our prairies is the golden, sunflower-like compass plant. Each plant can have a dozen or more flowers at the top of its forked stem. The term “compass” comes from the pioneer belief that its leaves would always face in the north-south directions, but this isn’t always true. The leaves and flowers of prairie plants have some interesting and unique characteristics, but their hidden roots are the truly fascinating part of the plant. Each year the stem, leaves, and flowers grow then die back, but the root continues to grow, only going dormant in the winter months. Generally, the roots of a prairie plant go twice as deep as the height of the plant, so a 10-foot tall compass plant can have roots that dig as much as 20 feet down into the soil. During long, dry summers, these deep roots can actually reach groundwater. Prairie wildflowers are well suited for the summer sun, and wildlife are well adapted to using these plants for food and shelter. You can discover these wildflowers, how they interact with the ecosystem and more in our upcoming Prairie Wildflower Identification workshop on August 23. Visit our website for more details and to register!
Images Top to Bottom Wild Bergamot Butterflyweed Bottle Gentian Prairie Blazing Star Compass Plant Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
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DEVELOPMENT
Revitalizing a Center Rain Garden
CARRIE BECKER Director of Devlopment
Community support keeps Schlitz Audubon thriving. A perfect example of this is the rain garden that flanks the walkway and southeast corner of the Visitor Center. Thanks to a grant from the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, or Sweet Water, and the help of volunteer land stewards, Center staff transformed the area from an overgrown thicket to a beautiful demonstration site for native plantings. Planted in late summer of 2019, the garden will continue to evolve over the coming growing seasons to increase in size, beauty, and function.
undesirable species from a 2,500-square-foot catchment basin and the 8,700 square feet of associated habitats that surround it. Engineered soil, consisting of 70% sand and 30% compost and free of external seeds, was then installed prior to planting to prevent the reintroduction of invasive species.
Finally, planting took place throughout the entire area, which has been expanded to 50% rain garden. Four trees and a mix of grasses, sedges, and flowers were planted, including little bluestem, common fox sedge, and Michigan lily. Once established, these plantings More than just a decorative feature, the rain garden is strategical- will capture an estimated 27,356 gallons of water per rain event! ly positioned to capture runoff from the walkways and rooftop of the Visitor Center. If not detained by the garden, water would flow By demonstrating stormwater management practices to over through this space, through a ravine, and into Lake Michigan. Not 100,000 visitors and program participants annually, this project only would this contribute to lake pollution by runoff, but it would helps educate our community about the importance of healthy also increase the size of the ravine by undercutting its slopes by natural water systems and how we all play a role in maintaining erosion, causing excess sediment to also wash into the lake. them. In order to ensure the rain garden’s success as a demonstration site, a second project phase will occur as funding alThough intended to work as a rain garden when initially installed lows. This phase entails construction of a wheelchair accessible with our building in 2003, the area had become overgrown over boardwalk leading to a teaching platform within the rain garden, time with invasive buckthorn, cattails, and sandbar willow, re- allowing direct access to the project area. ducing the ability of the habitat to capture water. By removing these invasives and planting native plants suited to a wetland en- Sweet Water’s mini-grant program has helped fund several vironment, proper function of the rain garden has been restored. Center projects over the past three years. In addition to the rain garden, Sweet Water funded the Sluiceway, a fun water feature As with all of Schlitz Audubon’s conservation projects, volun- created from ash logs in our preschool garden playspace. This teers were key to making the rain garden happen. Schlitz Audu- summer, Sweet Water funding is allowing us to convert part of bon staff and volunteers prepared and regraded the site, and in- our grassy lot into a native planting buffer to protect Boardwalk stalled soil, seeds, and plants. A team of 40 volunteers devoted Pond from runoff. more than 100 hours to this effort. To learn more about projects like these and how you can get inThe first step in improving the rain garden was removing the volved, contact Carrie Becker at (414) 352-2880 x122. 10
Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
DEVELOPMENT
Summer 2020 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
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Schlitz Audubon Nature Center 1111 East Brown Deer Road Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217
SUMMER 2020 PANORAMA
U.S. Postage
PAID
Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 4168