FRIENDS OF SAX-ZIM BOG SPRING 2017 FIELD TRIPS & PROGRAMS The Friends of Sax-Zim Bog is continuing to build and offer diverse programming for all of the seasons! The spring and summer listings include a mix of public programs, field trips, naturalist hikes, and workshops! All of programs are FREE. All of the field trips are FREE for members who have donated over $20 in the last year (if in doubt, email Sarah at i...@saxzim.org). If you are not a member, the $20 Field Trip fee includes a membership and 12-months of free field trips. If you have any questions about any of the programs, field trips, naturalist hikes, or workshops, and to RSVP, please contact Head Naturalist Clinton Nienhaus via email at natural...@saxzim.org.
**ROAD CLOSURE ** Currently, Arkola Road between Poplar Road and Hwy 7 is closed! Please follow Hwy 7 south to Hwy 133 and continue to Meadowlands (directions below) ** Saturday, April 15 EARLY BIRDS FIELD TRIP Leader: Clinton 8:00- 12:00 pm Meet at the Welcome Center By early to mid-April, many of our early spring migrants are back to the bog, singing their spring songs and defining territories. Many warblers will not be back yet, however, birds like Eastern Pheobe, White-throated Sparrow, and Lincoln’s Sparrow will likely be on territory and singing! Come out and see some of the early birds to the bog! RSVP to natural...@saxzim.org Sunday, April 16 SPRING EPHEMERALS Leader: Clinton 9:00 am- 12:00pm Meeting at the Welcome Center Ephemeral means short-lived or refers to something lasting a short time. Many plants and sometimes ecosystems can be short-lived, but nonetheless important! We will explore ephemeral ponds and find some species that rely on these short lived pockets of water. LEARNING LOCAL LICHENS Leader: Clinton 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Meeting at the Welcome Center Lichens are all around us, but have you taken the chance to get to know your local lichens? This program will teach you a little about your local lichens, giving ID tips for the most common lichens in the northern reaches of Minnesota. Come and learn about what a lichen is, what they do, and a little about where you can find them near you! Friday, May 5 TRACKING & ANIMAL SIGN Leader: Clinton 9:00 am- 12:00pm Meeting at the Welcome Center Often, when traversing the Sax-Zim Bog, tracks are encountered. But how do you know if you are looking at dog vs wolf tracks? What is the difference between a hole made by a Downy Woodpecker and a Black-backed Woodpecker? We will investigate the activity by critters in the Sax-Zim Bog through an investigation of the area around the Welcome Center. BOG ECOLOGY HIKE Leader: Clinton 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Meeting at the Welcome Center Bogs have a unique set of characteristics that are not found in many other ecosystems in the state of Minnesota. They are also a unique place to experience at any time of the year; however, the summer gives you a true understanding of the uniquely harsh environments in a bog. Join us to learn a little about bog ecology and what makes a bog a bog. Saturday, May 6 POND INVESTIGATION Leader: Clinton 10:00 am- 1:00pm Meeting at the Welcome Center If you have visited the Welcome Center during the winter, you may have noticed a large open space, covered in snow. Have you ever wondered what that space was? It is a thriving pond! This program will investigate what creatures may be in the pond. We will don boots and waders and catch a few of the critters that can be found under the water. This program is perfect for young naturalists and those naturalists who are young at heart! BIRCHES TO BALSAMS TO BLACK SPRUCE: TREE ID PROGRAM 2:00 pm-3:30pm Meeting at the Welcome Center Ecologically speaking, the Sax-Zim Bog is in the middle of the Laurentian Mixed Forest Ecoregion. This designation means that there is a large diversity of trees, both deciduous and coniferous. For bird watching, knowing your trees can be important! It helps define what species may be found where and trees are often used as a reference point to find the hard to see spring warblers! Come out for a short hike around the Welcome Center to learn a few of the common trees in the Sax-Zim Bog and to brush up on your tree ID for birdwatching! THINGS THAT GO BUZZ, CROAK, HOOT, AND BUMP IN THE NIGHT (DUSK/EVE FIELD TRIP) Leader: Sparky 4:30-5:30 pm Early Dinner at Wilbert Café in Cotton (OPTIONAL) 6:00-10:00 pm Field Trip meeting at the Welcome Center Spring in the Bog is full of burgeoning life…and dusk is a great time to SEE and HEAR some of the unique critters. On this evening event we will listen for early season frog species, American Bittern, Wilson’s Snipe, American Woodcock, and search for Great Gray Owls! However, you never know what these late-afternoon-to-dark trips might turn up! RSVP to natural...@saxzim.org Sunday, May 7 AMERICAN KESTREL MONITORING PROGRAM Leader: Clinton 9:00 am- 12:00pm Meeting at the Welcome Center American Kestrels are the smallest falcon in North America and are a ubiquitous feature of open landscapes throughout the state. However, these colorful falcons have become less common through their range due to a number of factors. At the Sax-Zim Bog, we regularly monitor American Kestrel nest boxes… but how do you get involved? This program will give you basic information about American Kestrels, how and where they nest, and how you can help these beautiful birds! RSVP to natural...@saxzim.org AMAZING AMPHIBIANS Leader: Clinton 1:00 pm-4:00pm Meeting at the Welcome Center Amphibians are an incredible group of critters! Not only are the indicators of water quality, but they have very diverse life histories! Tiger Salamanders utilize water for breeding, but often can be found in fields. Wood Frogs can freeze solid during the winter, only to revive in the spring and breed! There are even two species of salamander in northern Minnesota that lack lungs! Come learn a little more about these wonderful creatures and maybe try your luck at catching a frog or two! Tuesday, May 9 MAY NATURALIST HIKE #1 Leader: Clinton 9:00 am-12:00 pm Meeting at the Welcome Center Naturalist Hikes are a great way to explore the bog and have the option to learn about a bog or ask all of the questions you can think of about the plants and animals in the Sax-Zim Bog! Our hikes will meet rain or shine, so please come prepared for the weather. Bring binoculars, cameras, insect nets… or anything that can help you enjoy a hike exploring the diversity of the Sax-Zim Bog! Wednesday, May 10, 17, 24, 31 WARBLER WEDNESDAYS Leaders: Sparky and Clinton FOUR Warbler Wednesday Field Trips this year! 6 am- 12:00pm Meeting at the Welcome Center Warblers! That is what the target of this weekly field trip will be! Of course there are other species of birds to see in the bog during this time: up to 75 species can be expected in one day! The Sax-Zim Bog is home to many species of warbler, including Connecticut Warblers, who draw folks from across the country each year! Join us each Wednesday to find these beautiful and diverse songsters! RSVP to natural...@saxzim.org Wednesday, May 17, 24, 31 WILDFLOWER WEDNESDAYS! Leader: Clinton 1:00- 3:00pm Meeting at the Welcome Center If you don’t want to join the early birds for Warbler Wednesdays, come out after lunch to see some iconic bog wildflowers! The Sax-Zim Bog is a diverse set of habitats with a flowering plant list over 200 species! Bog orchids, carnivorous plants, and boreal forest specialties can all be found in the expanses of the bog. Be prepared for a leisurely hike, perhaps venturing in to the bog at times! (BRING A LUNCH IF YOU PLAN TO DO BOTH THE WARBLERS IN MORNING AND WILDFLOWERS IN P.M.) Thursday, May 25 May Naturalist Hike #2 9:00 am-12:00 pm Meeting at the Welcome Center Naturalist Hikes are a great way to explore the bog and have the option to learn about a bog or ask all of the questions you can think of about the plants and animals in the Sax-Zim Bog! Our hikes will meet rain or shine, so please come prepared for the weather. Bring binoculars, cameras, insect nets… or anything that can help you enjoy a hike exploring the diversity of the Sax-Zim Bog! DON'T FORGET TO PUT BOG BIOBLITZ V ON YOUR CALENDAR....SAT. JULY 22 ALSO DRAGONFLY & FERNS/LICHENS WORKSHOPS this summer... To see this info and future field trips/workshops, please visit www.saxzim.org See you in the Bog! Sparky Stensaas 2515 Garthus Road Wrenshall MN 55797 218.341.3350 sparkystens...@hotmail.com www.ThePhotoNaturalist.com www.KollathStensaas.com www.SaxZim.org ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
