Life is reawakening around the Center with spring’s arrival. Along our trails you can spot vivid blooms nourished by refreshing rains and warming weather. Listen for nature’s chorus of bird and amphibian calls as you explore the changing landscape. For many, birding is one of this season’s highlights. Trails open at 7:00am from April 19 through June 1 for those wishing to take in the spectacular sights and sounds of migration.
In this issue of Panorama, discover how the saturated soils and uniquely adapted plant life of wetlands attract a vibrant community of birds. From Belted Kingfishers to Blue-winged Teals, you’ll learn where you can find a wide variety of birds in the wetland habitats of Schlitz Audubon. You will also uncover the vital role of raptors in ecosystem health, and how studying their populations can inform pivotal conservation initiatives.
With the return of the growing season, we’re offering guidance for cultivating your spring garden of perennials, shrubs, and trees. From planning to planting to maintenance, tips from seasoned horticulturalist Sandy Manning can help your garden flourish for years to come. Stock up on wildlife-friendly plants by attending our June 8 Native Plant Sale and find gardening themed items year-round at our Nature Store, located in the Great Hall of the Visitor Center.
While at the Center, engage with the arts by viewing our second floor Art Gallery. See the Nature School Art Show through April 23 and the Fox Point-Bayside School District Art Show from April 28 through May 23.
During your visit, you may notice that the Feeder Grove is under construction. This area, located outdoors to the west of the Great Hall entrance and viewable from inside, is on the cusp of a breathtaking transformation. The space will soon become a beautiful birder’s paradise, filled with native plants, feeders, and a bubbling water feature designed to attract diverse species. Our goal is to captivate already avid birders and inspire greater curiosity and learning in novices.
We have much to look forward to, from the Feeder Grove renovation to our upcoming annual Gala on June 6. This evening of celebration and stewardship will highlight our magnificent raptors and their role as community conservation ambassadors. With novel experiences planned, the Gala is sure to be an unforgettable night.
We welcome you here at the Center as each spring day brings fresh discoveries and connections. Grab your hiking shoes and indulge your sense of wonder out on the trails!
Early Birding Hours
Gates open at 7am Saturday, April 19 —Sunday, June 1
Front cover: A Green Heron at Mystery Lake
Admission
FREE admission to Members Adult: $10 | Youth: $7 (ages 3 — 17) 2 and Under: Free | Military: $7 1111 East Brown Deer Road | Milwaukee, WI 414-352-2880 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
Hours
Monday-Sunday | 8:30am-5:00pm
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Benjamin T. Pavlik
President
Evan Kirkstein
Treasurer
Leia C. Olsen
Secretary
John Schaub VP-Governance
Barbie Brennan Nelson VP-Development
Directors
Jane Bell
Joseph A. Camilli
Renee M. Clair
Alexandra Stankiewicz
Krems
Jonathan T. Luljak
Carrie Nichols
Jeff Rusinow
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
Timothy J. Gerend
John Grunau
Aliah Berman
Shane Delsman
Director Emeritus
Dorothy K. Vallier (1910-2013)
CREDITS FOR PANORAMA
Director of Marketing & Visitor Experience
Nancy Quinn
Creative Lead Design & Photography
Zoe Finney
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Anna Ostermeier
Schlitz Audubon is an independent, locally supported partner of the National Audubon Society.
Enjoy the Season of Renewal at the Center
AUBREY ELLICKSON FULSAAS Environmenal Educator
Each dawn of spring brings about new developments within the habitats of Schlitz Audubon, making every hike a unique adventure. Uncover nature’s fresh sights, sounds, and smells while wandering our diverse trails.
As ice thaws from the surface, movement emerges beneath the water. In April, you can observe delicate fairy shrimp in many of our ponds, including Turtle Pond and Teal Pond. These fantastical creatures are less than one inch long and swim upside down, their feathery legs giving the illusion of fairy’s wings. By May, the ponds are awash with the sounds of amphibian songs, including that of the American toad, whose whistling hum vibrates waves across the water’s surface. Thousands of pearllike toad eggs line the shallow waters of Mystery Lake, where the tiny black tadpoles will swim by June.
Spring plants push through winter’s brown blanket of decaying leaves. These early risers take advantage of April and May’s open tree canopy. The first to surface include the marsh marigold, whose striking yellow flowers pepper the ephemeral Salamander Pond near the Pavilion Courtyard. Scattered along the bluff edge near our observation tower, the dainty pink flowers of the spring beauty make an appearance. At the bottom of the Lake Terrace trail sits a rare but invaluable plant, dutchman’s breeches. The white flowers, which resemble pantaloons, are almost exclusively pollinated by queen bumble bees. They rely on this nourishing food source to begin their annual colonies.
A springtime hike is a menagerie of delight for all the sens-
es. The cool rains of April soak into the dry soil and release a pleasant and familiar smell known as petrichor. The early alliums, including wild leek and nodding onion, can release a savory scent through the forest, while the illustrious skunk cabbage produces a conspicuous aroma befitting its name.
May astounds with its symphony of sounds, as birds vie for the best mates and nesting habitats in a spirited competition of territorial song. From the brash “conk-la-ree” of the Red-winged Blackbird to the bubbly “cheerio, cheery-me" of the American Robin, every walk through the trails is sure to feature a chorus of distinct avian voices. Hikers can use free phone apps like Merlin Bird ID or register for our many expert-led bird programs to refine their bird song identification skills.
The warm sunshine of June spotlights exciting occurrences in our skies. The hatching of insects, triggered by warm temperatures, leads to a lively aerial dance of Barn Swallows through the open prairies of Gateway Trail and near the Visitor Cener. These industrious avian hunters can consume up to 60 insects per hour! This fuel powers their diligent creation of cup nests along the eaves of our Veranda. Each nest requires up to one thousand individual trips to scoop for mud, which they collect in their beaks.
Take time to explore the trails this spring using your senses, and discover the wonder within this season of reawakening, rejuvenation, and rebirth.
Wild leek emerging
How Raptors Signal Ecosystem Health
ERIN TOOHEY Raptor Educator
Raptors play an integral role in Wisconsin’s diverse ecosystems and can alert us when conservation investigation and action is needed. An ecosystem is a community of living beings and non-living factors that interact with each other in their environment. Living things include animals, plants, fungi and microbes, while non-living factors include things like air, water, soil, and sunlight.
The nature of these interactions is summed up well by this core principle of ecology: everything is connected to everything else. Perhaps the most familiar example of this concept is the food web. A food web is made up of many overlapping and interconnected food chains. Each food chain is one possible path of nutrients and energy through an ecosystem, with each non-living and living thing in the chain being essential to the path.
The role of predators, often depicted at the top of a food web, is important for monitoring the interactions in an ecosystem. When the interactions within a food web are balanced, it creates a healthy ecosystem that provides natural diversity of plants and animals, clean air and water, and healthy soil. If something changes, it will affect the living and non-living things that interact with it through a chain reaction.
If a predator’s population declines, such as that of the Red-shouldered Hawk, it can lead to cascading impacts across the food web. Red-shouldered Hawks are a Wisconsin State Threatened species who prefer mature hardwood forests, ideally with a water source nearby. Human development is causing many of these habitats to fragment or vanish altogether. If the hawk population continues to decline, it could lead to the populations of rodents, amphibians, and fish they prey upon
to increase. As a result, these animals would consume more invertebrates. During their aquatic larval stage, invertebrates help maintain water quality. If they disappear, it could lead to lower water quality, which impacts many other living things in the overall ecosystem.
Indicator species are organisms whose presence, or absence, can signal overall ecosystem health. When their populations are stable or increasing, it can mean that the ecosystem is thriving. In contrast, population decline raises the alarm on a potentially bigger picture issue.
In the 1960s, changes in raptor populations alerted us to the negative ecosystem impacts of synthetic insecticide DDT. Peregrine Falcon populations suddenly plummeted because their eggshells were too thin, causing the eggs to break apart during incubation. By investigating the relationships in the ecosystem, scientists discovered that DDT was the cause. It was creeping through the food web because the birds that Peregrine Falcons were hunting were eating insects poisoned by DDT. This discovery resulted in a ban on DDT and, with strong efforts from the conservation community, the recovery of Peregrine Falcon populations.
Raptors today still indicate when there is a problem in their ecosystem. American Kestrel populations have been declining, particularly in the Northeastern and Southern US. Though more information is needed to be sure, scientists hypothesize that pesticides, changes in farming practices, or increased urbanization are potential causes. Continuing to study the relationships of these raptors to their ecosystems will help scientists better pinpoint causes and determine how to help nature recover.
Atlas, Red-shouldered Hawk
WETLANDS: An Avian Oasis
MICHELLE ALLISON Environmental Educator
Great Blue Heron
FEATURE
Schlitz Audubon’s trails meander through nearly 30 acres of wetlands, offering ample opportunities to spot the diverse species of birds they attract. Wetlands exhibit several traits that distinguish them from other ecosystems found in our region. Containing water for at least part of the year, they have highly saturated soil. As a result, plants found in wetlands have unique adaptations that allow them to live in aquatic or semi-aquatic conditions. Emergent plants grow with their roots underwater and have leaves that extend above the water’s surface, like cattails and water lilies. Submerged plants dwell below the surface, providing food and shelter for fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. This beautifully complex community attracts a variety of bird species which rely on wetlands for food, shelter, nesting habitat, and as a migratory stopover site.
ABUNDANT FOOD FOR WADERS
Wetlands provide ideal habitat for fish, amphibians, small mammals, and invertebrates – key food sources for large wading birds like the iconic Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). Sporting bluegray plumage and able to reach a statuesque height of four feet, the Great Blue Heron’s long legs allow them to wade into the shallows and hunt for their prey by sight. Once their prey is in reach, herons extend their necks with a quick burst, grasping their meal with spear-like bills.
The Great Egret (Ardea alba), another member of the Heron family, displays bright white plumage, a long yellow bill, and black legs. This impressive species stands at
nearly three feet tall, wading and hunting in the same manner as the Great Blue Heron. In the nineteenth century, Great Egrets were nearly hunted to extinction when it became fashionable to adorn hats with their stunning feathers. The newly formed Audubon Society began the conservation movement which would go on to protect egrets and other birds hunted for their feathers.
SECRETIVE MARSH BIRDS
A marsh refers to a type of wetland with water depths between six inches and six feet. They are often dominated by tall emergent plants, such as cattails or wild rice. Large marshes, like Horicon Marsh, may contain areas of open water resembling small lakes, as well as shallow areas that occasionally dry up. Birds take advantage of the opportunity to hide in the dense vegetation scattered throughout marshes. Some bird species are so adept at camouflaging that birders and field researchers find it difficult to locate them by sight alone!
The Sora (Porzana carolina), about the size of an American Robin, looks petite compared to other members of the Rail family. Soras have a uniquely patterned coloration of brown and gray feathers, contrasting with a bright yellow bill and legs. They flick their short tails while strutting through the marsh, picking up seeds and invertebrates to eat along the way.
The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) showcases some of the best camouflage of any wetland bird. A little larger than crows, American Bitterns are medium-sized members of the Heron family. Their vertically streaked plumage in shades of brown allow them to blend in seamlessly with reeds and cattails. These birds stand remarkably still and are known to extend their long necks towards the sky to become virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding plants.
NESTING SITES
Accessible water and plentiful tall emergent plants also make wetlands ideal nesting sites for the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Males possess an unmistakable plumage of black feathers, set off by bright red and yellow wing patches. In contrast, females have a streaky brown appearance. Typically, they build nests low to the ground or water’s surface, using cattail leaves for support. Breeding Red-winged Blackbirds, males and females, become highly aggressive when defending their territories, as anyone who has gotten too close to a nesting site will attest!
Forested wetlands, such as hardwood swamps, floodplain forests, and woodland rivers and ponds, provide excellent nesting
conditions for the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Unlike any other Wisconsin waterfowl, they perch on branches and nest in tree cavities around 25 feet off the ground! Soon after hatching and unable to fly, ducklings leap out of their cavity and land with a splash if there is water below. If the tree is on dry land, ducklings may take a bounce or two on the ground. They do not get hurt because at this age they are mostly fluff and cartilage. The female immediately leads the ducklings to water, which can be up to a mile away. This family unit remains in their wetland habitat until the young are able to fly.
WATERFOWL REFUGES
As summer progresses, many ducks and geese favor wetlands over the waterbodies they frequented in spring. At this time, waterfowl begin to molt out of their breeding plumage. Waterfowl go through a synchronous molt, meaning they replace all their feathers over the course of a few weeks. During this process they are unable to fly, so they take shelter in wetlands. Areas with both open water and dense vegetation offer the best protection from predators.
The new feathers are called an eclipse plumage because the “brilliance of the males is dimmed.” Males come to more closely resemble their female counterparts for a time, until they molt into their breeding plumage once again. This transformation is especially apparent in Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) as their head turns from a brilliant emerald to mottled green to dull brown.
WETLAND BIRDS OF SCHLITZ AUDUBON
Visitors have many opportunities to observe wetland birds from our trails throughout the year. In the summer, Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) perch on the overhanging branches of Mystery Lake, taking short flights to catch insects and returning to the same perch.
The Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) finds an overhanging branch a bit higher up and uses it to scope out fish in the water below. The Kingfisher takes off into a headfirst dive, splashing down to catch a minnow and swallow it whole.
In autumn, migration begins as birds fly south to their wintering grounds. Wetlands tend to be dryer this time of year, exposing areas around the edges of ponds where migrating sparrows stop to forage. On quiet fall evenings, a Barred Owl (Strix varia) can be heard calling to his mate across the canopy of Turtle Pond. They will soon be
ready for the nesting season in the forest’s hidden wetland.
As winter sets in, diving ducks like Greater Scaup (Aythya marila), Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), and Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), congregate in the open water of Lake Michigan, and can be seen from our beach with a spotting scope.
When snow and ice begin to melt, migration is already underway again for many birds. Shorebirds journey a great distance to their breeding grounds in Canada. The shallow wetlands of Teal Pond and Molly’s Pond offer a valuable stopover site for birds like the Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria). Probing the pond’s edge, they forage in the mud for the food needed to fuel a long migration. The Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors), a small dabbling duck, arrives in late March and takes refuge among the aquatic plants emerging from the shallows of Mystery Lake.
Spring is an active time for the Center’s wetlands. In April, American Woodcocks (Scolopax minor) take flight in the evenings to perform their famous “sky dance.” The wet prairie between Dragonfly Pond and Teal Pond provides excellent cover for nesting Woodcocks. In May, the ground-dwelling Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) visits ephemeral ponds for an essential stopover during migration. Springtime wetlands offer prime nesting habitat for a variety of birds. Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and Mallards build ground nests on the island of Mystery Lake. If you visit in April and May, you can see these waterfowl families swimming along with fuzzy goslings and ducklings in tow.
Wood Duck
AGuideforYourSANDYMANNING
As trees bud and migrating songbirds return, the warming days of spring invite us to start cultivating our gardens. Choosing native plants improves your chances of seeing local and migrating wildlife in your yard, as they provide valuable food and shelter. Whether you’re planting perennials, trees, shrubs, or a combination, this guidance can help them flourish!
PREPARING & ASSESSING THE AREA
Once you determine your planting area, remove as many pre-existing plants as possible all the way down to the roots. Now, turn your attention to soil health, which is essential to overall garden health. Soils in residential areas are generally low in organic matter, but you can easily enhance them by adding shredded leaves or compost. It’s best to select plants adapted to the existing soil pH and texture, as it’s difficult to maintain changes to these conditions over time. Also observe how much sunlight reaches the area, as some plants are more adapted to shady conditions while others require full sunlight.
FINDING YOUR PLANTS
concentrating on the areas around each plant’s roots.
MULCHING & WEEDING
Now that you have determined which types of plants you’ll need, it’s time to stock up! For native plants, sources closer to home are best. Check local nurseries, native plant sales, or neighbors with plants to share. Schlitz Audubon hosts two native plant sales annually and you can purchase native seeds from our Nature Store.
INTENTIONAL PLANTING
Thoughtful arrangement and spacing will help plants succeed in the long run. Start with the largest perennials, shrubs, or trees, as these require the most space. Use the container you will be transplanting from as a reference for the planting hole size: it should be two to three times wider and about the same depth. Avoid disturbing the soil at the bottom of the planting hole to prevent the plant from sinking as it’s watered. When you purchase shrubs and trees, the roots may be balled and covered in burlap. If this is the case, your hole should be three times wider than the root mass and a couple inches less deep. This ensures that the root flare (where the trunk widens into roots) will not be covered by soil.
Once you place the plant, fill in any gaps with soil dug from the hole and skip adding soil amendments like fertilizer. This will encourage roots to spread further into the ground faster. Now fill in open spaces with smaller plants using species-specific spacing and sunlight recommendations. Finally, water thoroughly,
Mulching helps hold water in the soil, reduce weed growth, and protect garden edges from lawnmowers or trimmers. Cover the planting area with organic materials such as wood chips, chopped straw, or shredded leaves. Aim for an even layer that’s about 2 inches thick and leave space around each plant’s base.
As you admire your new garden, draw a map and label each plant’s placement. Their appearances can change dramatically through their life cycles, so this will prevent you from accidentally weeding them out in the future. As your garden grows, keep up with weeding to reduce competition for water and nutrients.
WATERING
During the first full year after planting, monitor the soil moisture with a moisture meter or a simple finger test. It’s best to water deeply, making sure the entire root area is receiving water. After watering, dig a small hole in the garden bed to determine how deeply the water has permeated and take note for future watering sessions. When the garden is freshly planted, water frequently to ensure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. As the plants establish, gradually reduce the frequency of water to encourage new roots to spread across the bed.
With careful planning and attention to soil conditions, plant selection, and maintenance, your garden can thrive for years to come.
Wild Bergamot, Swamp Milkweed, and Butterfly Weed
DEVELOPMENT
In Memory Of
Max Thomas Andrae
Maralyn & Adam Andrae
Bonnie Behee-Semler
Robert Amich
Mark Brickman
Cheryl Brickman
Andrea R. Carroll
Jack Carroll
Richard A. Cash
Anonymous
Thomas B. Fitzgerald
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Thekla P. Brumder Fund
Daniel James Fransee Family
Pamela Fransee Trust
Nicholas & Linda Geimer
Tracy Geimer
Don Gietzen
Nancy Kohnke
Jackie Gold
Anonymous
Jay & Christine Ahrens
Badger State Vettes Ltd
Deborah & Barry Gold
Mark Gold
Claudia Morris
Romelle Nowak
Thomas & Mary Piekenbrock Hennelly
Pizza Shuttle
Gregory & Therese Pogorelc
Amy Rosenberg
Valerie Schoen
Diane Summers-Yelton & Carey Yelton
Paul Goudy
Geri G. & Marvin B. Olson
John Gray
Lila Ellen Gray
Gordon Merna & Sarah Freeman
Carol Tennessen
Paul M. Hauer
Mark Hauer
Pauli Jeffers
Richard & Barbara Janssen
Adam Jeffers & Rebekah Nagler
Matthew Jeffers
Jonathan & Willette Knopp
Terry & Carole Knudsen
Katherine McCombe
Paul Reich
Rockridge Foundation
Sally & Justin Schuler
Anna F. Miller
Jim Stein & Ellen Schneiderman
Jean Pagel
Henry & Judy Eckstein
Bill Schiessl
Geri G. & Marvin B. Olson
Dorothy Kagen Singer
Catherine Singer
Barbara Rising Stover
Steve & Susan Bell
Valeria & Joseph Downey
Sarah & Tyler Edgren
Michael & Pamela Langan
Don & Patti Quintenz
Anne Stover
Jerry Weisman
Suzy Weisman
Carol Thomas
John Hoffmann
Edwin P. Wiley
Ted Wiley
Jackie Zachar
James & Aaron Zachar
In Honor Of
Harry Banzhaf
H. Spencer Banzhaf
Morgan Doyle & Ian Fitzgerald
Michael Doyle
Pat Frost
Caitlin Rubin
Richard & Charlotte Halfman
Brad & Nancy Halfman
Karen & Jack Kellner
Margie & Sandy Hillback
Terrence Knudsen
Dan & Kay Esposito
Mary Nolan
Kerry Nolan
John Schaub
Anonymous
Erin Toohey
Rosalie & Otto Reinbacher
Uncle Craig
Anonymous
Amanda Zarder
Lauren Zarder
Animal Ambassador Sponsorships
Eddie – Ornate Box Turtle
Jim & Judy Maloney
In Honor of John Emerson Bosler
Anonymous
In Honor of Garrett Trebiatowski
Cheryl Tomke
Emerson – Common Snapping Turtle
Debbie Wiegand & Dan Brever
In Honor of Emmy Lalor
Leah Lalor
In Honor of Mathias John LaBonte
Monica Millen
Harley – Spiny Softshell Turtle
In Honor of Wally Hertel
Mary Hertel
In Honor of Tanner Trebiatowski
Cheryl Tomke
Raptor Ambassador Sponsorships
Athena – Barn Owl
Jennifer Behnke
Charles & Judy Myers
Bill Stout
Joseph Sutheimer
In Honor of Arely Miramontes Rodriguez
Tyler Jordan
Atlas – Red-shouldered Hawk
Cody Robinson
Juliana Schwehr
Bill Stout
Baron von Screech – Eastern Screech Owl
Michelle & William Darby
John Mahnke
Kathy Mahnke
Denise Schmitt
Sierra Schumacher
Bill Stout
Amanda & Christopher Zarder
Freyja – American Kestrel
Jennifer Behnke
Jacey Bonavia Murray & Kyle Murray
Michelle & William Darby
Lisa Rosenthal
Bill Stout
Amanda & Christopher Zarder
Gimli – Eastern Screech Owl
Jennifer Behnke
Michelle & William Darby
Ali Maresh & Natalie Pike
Jon Neubeck
Bill Stout
Glory – Bald Eagle
Christina Calvert & Michelle Jensen
Peter & Michelle Sorce
Bill Stout
Jim & Cathy Toohey
Bob & Ellen Venable
Loki – American Crow
Jennifer Behnke
Barbie Brennan Nelson & Chad Nelson
Marcel De Ridder & Sandra Heim
Leah Sleger
Bill Stout
In Honor of Jeff & Jack Becker
Carrie Becker
In Honor of Michael Rinehart
Margaret Rinehart
Nicco – Broad-winged Hawk
Jennifer Behnke
Jon Neubeck
Bill Stout
Otis – Peregrine Falcon
Maggie Medicus-Bringa
Charles & Judy Myers
Bill Stout
DEVELOPMENT
On Display: Nature School Art Show
Visit our Mezzanine Art Gallery through April 23 to view assorted process-focused artworks created by Schlitz Audubon Nature School children. In process art’s playful approach, teachers invite students to choose what and how they create by providing materials with minimal prompts or restrictions. This contrasts with product-focused art, in which children follow a teacher’s instructions and strive for a predetermined result.
Process art provides an array of benefits that support early childhood development. Self-directed art explorations help children cultivate a sense of agency, self-regulation, and fine motor skills. Many projects require cooperation, which builds community in the classroom and encourages social and emotional development. Children also hone their communication skills by writing and talking about their unique creations.
At the Nature School we facilitate process art that echoes the patterns of nature. Projects often reflect the ecological happenings around the Center and trails. Timescales of projects vary, and artworks sometimes evolve over many months as the seasons change and new ideas spark. It’s common for the children to create art outside and find inspiration in nature’s colors, shapes, and textures. Children become better stewards by creating ephemeral art with natural materials that they later harmlessly return to the environment.
As you browse our latest gallery exhibit, we invite you to consider how each one-of-a-kind artwork represents a rich learning journey.
Raptor Sponsorships cont. Wedding Ceremony Trees
Perseus – Barred Owl
Jennifer Behnke
Sherry & Richard Lundell
Chad & Krista Pankop
Leah Sleger
Bill Stout
In Honor of Angela Anonymous
Saxon – American Kestrel
Jennifer Behnke
Erin & Terrance Cram
Michelle & William Darby
Bill Stout
In Honor of the Fetters-Rubin Family
Patricia Frost
In Honor of Peter Winckles
Lisa Klingler
Sky Walker – Red-tailed Hawk
Jennifer Behnke
Don Rambadt
Leah Sleger
Bill Stout
In Honor of Sam Zhang
Kirsten & Hui Zhang
Valkyrie – Bald Eagle
Jennifer Behnke
Christina Calvert & Michelle Jensen
James Nelson
Bill Stout
Bob & Ellen Venable
Willow – Northern Saw-whet Owl
Siri Buurma
Michelle & William Darby
Dottie Diggs
Mikaia & Jacob Kelbi
Jodi Reilley
Denise Schmitt
Bill Stout
Zari – Great Horned Owl
Diane Horne
Leah Sleger
Bill Stout
In Honor of Ha Do & Alexander Satchie
Nora & Mark Fardella
In Memory of Kate Frost
Patricia Frost
In Memory of Orchard Utzinger
Patricia Frost
Gifts listed in this issue were received between 10/1/24 - 12/31/24
