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 pearl-like 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 senses. 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 Center. 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.
