Self-Guided Bird & Nature Outing Tips
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A message from Madison Parks: As you may have heard, Public Health Madison & Dane County released an update to the Forward Dane Plan. Under the revised plan, mass outdoor gatherings are reduced to no more than 10 people. Given the program’s popularity with many Outings yielding nearly or more than 100 participants, we have determined all guided Outings are canceled until further notice. However, here are some tips for outings on your own.
press release: Nature outings are free, fun, family friendly and educational. No registration required, no pets. Wear a face mask, comfortable hiking shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Bring insect repellant and binoculars or a camera if you have one. Remember to wear a mask, maintain safe social distance and avoid forming groups. Post pictures and comments to the Madison FUN Facebook Page! See http://cityofmadison.com/parks/events/bird-nature.cfm for more details and suggestions for Self-Guided Walks and Volunteer Activities. Contact 608-698-0104
Tenney Park, 1650 Sherman Avenue, is a favorite gathering place for birds as well as people! Bundle up and take a healthy winter nature walk at Tenney Park! Stop occasionally to look and listen for birds. What's that quacking noise along the Yahara Canal? Can you spot some winter hardy Mallards with bright green heads? What's that twittering in the bushes? Can you spot some small Dark-eyed Juncos with grey hoodies and white tail feathers? What's that hammering sound in the tree? Can you spot a Downy Woodpecker with bright black and white feathers and a red cap? Bring binoculars or a camera if you have one. See http://FeederWatch.org to learn more about Winter Birds and Bird Feeding. Co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks (Self-Guided Walks), MSCR, Madison Audubon, Friends of Tenney-Lapham and Friends of the Yahara River Parkway.
Cherokee Marsh, 6098 N Sherman Ave. (North Unit parking lot). What you see today at Cherokee Marsh is the result of years of restoration work by retired Madison Parks Conservation Manager Russ Hefty along with Friends of Cherokee Marsh volunteers and other partners. Removing invasive plants and re-establishing native wetland, prairie and oak opening ecosystems has successfully brought back key indicator species including nesting Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Northern Harriers and Red-headed Woodpeckers. See http://cherokeemarsh.org and the Friends of Cherokee Marsh Facebook page for a trail map and read fascinating information about the restoration history. Then take a Self-Guided Walk to explore these wonderful restored ecosystems! From the North Unit parking lot take the River Trail to Hickory Island and watch for a sign where highly invasive phragmites is being removed. Follow the Overlook Trail to the top of North Hill for a great view that was obstructed by a wall of invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn only a few years ago. Take Lu's Pond Loop and follow the new restoration-fire-safe boardwalk to a platform overlooking a large area of historic marsh where old drainage ditches were closed to restore natural water levels. The Woodpecker Trail features a restored prairie to the north and oak opening to the south. See the Friends of Cherokee Marsh Facebook page for more information and a map. Post pictures and comments! When regularly schedules resume enjoy Naturalist led Bird and Nature Outings at Cherokee Marsh at 1:30pm the 1st Sunday every month. Co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks (Self-Guided Walks), Madison Audubon, Sierra Club and Friends of Cherokee Marsh.
Owen Park, 6021 Old Sauk Road. Join Beth Whitaker Sat Dec 12, 2:30pm for an informal walk limited to the first 10 people; wear a mask and maintain safe social distance. Be an Explorer at Owen Park! How did Native Americans find their way and mark their landscape? How did European explorers follow their trails and create maps? What tools are available to you today to orient yourself and navigate in a natural area? Have you heard about fun nature exploration games like Pokemon and Geocaching? See the Friends of Owen Park Facebook page for more information and a map. What kinds of life do YOU see? See the Friends of Owen Park Facebook page for more information and a map. Use a guidebook or cellphone app to help identify what you find and post your pictures and comments! When regularly schedules resume enjoy Naturalist led Bird and Nature Outings at Owen Park at 2:30pm the 2nd Saturday every month. Co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks (Self-Guided Walks), Madison Audubon and friends of Owen Conservation Park.
Turville Point, 1156 Olin-Turville Court. Join Andria Blattner Sun Dec 13, 1:30pm for an informal walk limited to the first 10 people; wear a mask and maintain safe social distance. Winter Snowflakes are Fascinating! You have probably heard that no two are alike. Snow goes through several transformations from a fluffy light blanket that insulates the ground to densely packed snow that is strong enough to make igloos, to partially melted hard crusts that help protect critters living beneath it. See http://tinyurl.com/MadisonFUNAdventures "Magic of Snow" for some Fun Facts about snowflakes. Then take a Self-Guided Walk at Turville Point on a snowy day to enjoy snowflakes drifting down and the beauty of nature under a fresh blanket of white snow. Bring a magnifying glass to look at individual snowflakes! What birds and animals are out and about in the snow along beautiful Lake Monona in winter? Post your comments and pictures on the Friends of Olin-Turville Facebook page! See the Friends of Turville Point Facebook Page for some of Ron's history facts, pictures and a map! Try to find the locations on your walk. When regularly schedules resume enjoy Naturalist led Bird and Nature Outings at Turville Point at 1:30pm the 2nd Sunday every month. Co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks (Self-Guided Walks), Madison Audubon and Friends of Olin-Turville.
Starkweather Creek. Join Naturalist Paul Noeldner Sat Dec 19, 10am by Goodman Community Center for an informal walk limited to the first 10 people; wear a mask and maintain social distance.Celebrate the Winter Solstice and the return of longer days with a Winter Walk along Starkweather Creek! What's happening around you this year as Climate Change causes more extreme spells of warm, cold, and wet weather? Is there snow on the ground? Is there ice on the creek? Do you see tracks or other signs of birds and animals that remain active in winter? See http://tinyurl.com/MadisonFUNAdventures to learn more about the Winter Solstice and other Fun Facts. Bring binoculars or a camera if you have one. See the Friends of Starkweather Creek Facebook page for more information and a map. Post your pictures and comments! When regular schedules resume enjoy Naturalist led Bird and Nature Outings at Starkweather Creek at 10am the 3rd Saturday every month. Co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks (Self-Guided Walks), Madison Audubon, Goodman Community Center and Friends of Starkweather Creek.
Warner Park, 2930 N. Sherman Ave.Join Naturalist Kathlean Wolf Sun Dec 20, 1:30pm at the Rainbow Shelter for an informal walk limited to the first 10 people; wear a mask and maintain safe social distance. While the traditional celebrations of United Statesians encourage a hustle-and-bustle of shopping and travel, natural rhythms tell animals to slow down and conserve energy. How will insects, birds, mammals (including you), and plants cope with the dark days of winter? See http://tinyurl.com/MadisonFUNAdventures and select "Animals in Winter" to learn about hibernation, torpor, crypto-sleep and other 'cool' ways animals survive winter by slowing down. See the Wild Warner Facebook page for more information about this topic and a park trail map. When regularly schedules resume enjoy Naturalist led Bird and Nature Outings at Warner Park at 1:30pm the 3rd Sunday every month. Co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks (Self-Guided Walks), Madison Audubon and Wild Warner. See http://cityofmadison.com/parks/blog and the Wild Warner Facebook page for more details and suggestions for Self-Guided walks and Volunteer Activities.
Edna Taylor/Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive. Join Naturalist Paul Noeldner Sat Dec 28, 10am for an unofficial walk limited to the first 10 people; wear a face mask and maintain safe social distance. Celebrate the Holidays with a Walk at Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Edna Taylor Conservation Park! Time in Nature is wonderful for both physical health and a sense of well-being. Seeing living things and natures beauty is important to many people. Quiet areas create a sense of sanctuary. What gifts of nature do you feel you receive on a walk? Do you think these gifts of nature are also important to the birds and wildlife you see? Bring binoculars or a camera if you have one. When regular schedues resume enjoy Naturalist led Bird and Nature Outings at Edna Taylor/ALNC at 10am the 4th Saturday every month. Co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Parks (Self-Guided Walks), Madison Audubon, Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Friends of Edna Taylor. See http://cityofmadison.com/parks/blog and the ALNC and Friends of Edna Taylor Facebook pages for more details updates and suggestions for Self-Guided Walks and Activities.
Lakeshore Nature Preserve, 2002 University Bay Drive (Picnic Point parking lot) View a Virtual Board Tour of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve at http://FriendsLakeshorePreserve.com to meet some of the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and learn about the natural places they love to visit and remember. Take a Sentimental Journey Walk Any Day in December to Enjoy Your Own Memories of the Preserve - and Create New Ones! What is YOUR favorite spot? Would you enjoy volunteering with the Friends in some way? Email your pictures and comments to dbdubielzig@gmail.com! Post pictures and comments on the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve Facebook page! When regular outing schedules resume come back to enjoy Naturalist led Bird and Nature Outings at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve at 1pm the 4th Sunday every month co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Audubon and Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.