Who Hoots for You?

A barred owl in winter

What's that sound coming from your moonlit backyard on these winter nights? This time of year, normally-elusive owls are making themselves known as they try to attract a mate in time for their winter nesting season. Unlike many birds, who breed in the spring and summer, owls (along with animals like wolves, beavers, lynx and squirrels) are looking for love during these long, cold nights - accompanied by hoots and howls galore. Many owls begin their courtships in late January, and if you listen carefully after sundown, you might hear their mating calls from a nearby tree or telephone pole.

Five owl species regularly breed in Wisconsin, and a few others have been spotted around the state, yet their nocturnal habits, sparse distributions, and early (and chilly!) nesting periods combine to make sightings awfully scanty. From screech owls to the great horned owl, now is the time to hear or spot these cloaked crooners.

One common owl that has been making quite a racket around town is the barred owl. Learn about these raucous raptors and their jumble of cackles, hoots, caws, and gurgles - especially their distinctive "who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all" hooting. See one in action and listen to their calls. Sound familiar?

This snowy owl was spotted in Racine, WI on Dec 22, 2011.
Gregory Shaver  /  The Racine Journal Times via AP

Snowy owls, which are rarely seen south of Canada, have been reported across the northern U.S. this winter, likely being driven further south due to food scarcity in their native Arctic tundra habitat. Keep your eyes and ears out - several have been reported around the area, and a snowy owl with an injured wing was rescued from a barn near Monroe and is being nursed back to health at the Dane County Human Society. [Update: Check out this cool interactive map showing snowy owl sitings around Wisconsin!]

Pass the time until nightfall with these fun links, events and activities:

• Make your own adorable snowy owl friends out of pinecones.
• Want to see what kinds of owls and other birds live in our area? Check out this Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas for a listing of species and other great info.
• Eagle Owls don't live around Wisconsin, but this slow-motion video of Eurasia's largest owl lunging towards a camera is too cool!
• Did you know a group of owls is called a "parliament"? Ever heard of an "unkindness" of ravens or a "rafter" of turkeys? Learn some of the funny names for bird and animal groupings and quiz your friends and family.
• Take a "Snow Moon" Night Walk around the UW Arboretum this Saturday, Feb. 4.
• Race the clock to solve this barred owl jigsaw puzzle.
• Get certified to participate in the Western Great Lakes Owl Monitoring Survey, and you can help to identify and catalogue owls in our area.
• Read about other bird bonding with this romantic tale from the International Crane Foundation.

Have a hoot out there, and let us know if you hear or spot anything!

Family Nature Clubs Update - September 2011

Hi Family Nature Clubbers! We hope you had a lovely summer and were able to spend lots of time outdoors with your family. We’d like to help you keep it up this fall! Read on for some updates and ideas…

UW-Arboretum Earth Partnership for Families – Nature Play Day! Sunday, September 25 • 12:30 pm – 4 pm
September family day at the Arboretum is all about playing in the woods. Children and adults will work together in the nature free-play area to build, discover, and explore. Let your imagination be the guide. Check in with the receptionist in the Visitor Center for directions to the free-play area. Look for other families from our first nature club, Madison Family Nature Club between 12:30-2:00. Visit Madison Family Nature Club on Facebook or email club leader Sandra for more information.

More Upcoming Family Events
September 22-25: Wisconsin Science Festival @ various locations
September 24: Cranes of the World Festival @ International Crane Foundation
September 25: Fall for Donald Park Event 1-4pm @ Dane County Park’s Donald Park
October 1: Hootenanny 6:30-8:30pm @ MacKenzie Environmental Education Center
October 6: Story Time 10:30am @ UW Geology Museum
October 7: Harvest Moon Festival 6-9pm @ Lussier Family Heritage Center
October 8: Autumn Splendor 1-4pm @ Upham Woods
October 8: Draconid Meteor Shower 7pm @ Bethel Horizons
October 15-16: Family Camp Weekend @ Upham Woods

…and many more! Check out Nature Net’s Events Calendar for more information!

Are You Interested in Being a Family Nature Club Leader?
For those of you interested in starting your own Family Nature Club (being the main point of contact, organizing activities and/or delegating roles), we can provide you with resources and tools to get you started – let us know!

Nature Net Resources for Family Nature Clubs
If you haven’t seen these already, here are a few great resources available from Nature Net. Peruse NatureNet.com’s Family Nature Clubs page, Family Resources and Events Calendar, sign up for Nature Net News, visit our Facebook page, comment on our Family Nature Clubs, and check out our blog.

We Want to Hear from You!
Nature Net’s Family Nature Clubs are brand new and evolving. We are hoping to serve as a source for event and activity ideas, resources, and a place to meet other families. If you have ideas for how we could make Family Nature Clubs better for you, please let us know! Check out our resources above and email info[at]naturenet.com with any questions or ideas.

Spread the Word!
Do you know any other parents or families who might be interested? Forward this email, tell them to “like” Nature Net on Facebook, or direct them to the Family Nature Clubs page to get started. We hope to grow Family Nature Clubs together!

Nature Net News - September 2011 - Wildflowers and Native Grasses



"For myself I hold no preferences among flowers,
so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous." - Edward Abbey

Dear Reader,

Fall is upon us, but in these last warm days of summer, take a look at the wild beauty that blooms -- our native grasses and wildflowers.

Native plants and wildflowers grow naturally and are deemed "native" because they existed in forests and prairies before pioneer cultivation. Native plants and wildflowers play important roles in the local ecosystems. For example, prairie grasses have deep root systems that help keep soil from eroding and soak up lots of water. This is why many rain gardens (gardens designed to keep runoff from buildings or roads from washing away the local ecosystem) feature native prairie plants!

Learn more about these natural wonders in this edition of Nature Net News today!

Enjoy,
Kathe, Sarah & Brenna The Folks at Nature Net

Did You Know.....
The seed of the Indian Paintbrush is so tiny, that several handfuls can plant a whole acre!

Coneflowers have many medicinal purposes and are used in the manufacture of over 140 medicines and drugs!

Some flowers included in "wildflower" seed mixes, like the Dame's Rocket, aren't even wildflowers at all, but invasive species!

What to Do This Month: Learn about native plants and wildflowers at the UW Arboretum! There is a guided Fall Flower Walk and a Native By Design: Sustainable Gardening Workshop on Sunday, September 18. Can't make those? Take a walk along the trails and observe all the native grasses and wildflowers contained within. You might even be inspired to plant a wildflower garden of your own! The UW Arboretum has compiled a list of plant species native to Southern Wisconsin and grouped them based on what type of gardens they would best complement. Check it out here!

Looking for more? There is a morning Guided Prairie Walk at the International Crane Foundation on Saturday, September 10, and your family (kids 8+) might also enjoy volunteering with the Dane County Parks Prairie Seed Collection (various dates and locations this month). If you're looking for even more prairie action, be sure to attend the Aldo Leopold Nature Center's annual Pipers in the Prairie fundraising gala on September 17, including family activities, dancing, Celtic music and a giant bonfire! Whatever you do this month, consider recording your autumn plant observations with Project BudBurst's Fall into Phenology!

Tricks of the Trail for Parents: Long Grasses and What's Hidden in Them As the days get chillier, it may seem that all the insects are dying, but when you're walking through prairies and woodlands, beware! Long grass can be hiding ticks and other pesky critters. To best guard against them, wear long pants and sleeves and make sure everything is tucked in, so if they do land on you, there's no skin for them to find. After walking in long grass, be sure to check your hair and scalp, along with the rest of your body, for these little buggers.

Instant Outdoor Expert: Native Species Native species are plants and animals that are endemic to an ecosystem or region. Due to this, they are often hardier and easier to care for than non-native species - they have had generation upon generation adapting to the specific climate, flora and fauna of the area.

Found a wildflower, but you don't know the name? Check out the Native Plant Information Network to see what it is!

Featured Nature Net Site
UW Arboretum
Widely recognized as the site of historic research in ecological restoration, the Arboretum includes the oldest and most varied collection of restored ecological communities in the world, including tallgrass prairies, savannas, several forest types and wetlands. It also houses flowering trees, shrubs and a world-famous lilac collection. Educational tours for groups and the general public, science and nature-based classes for all ages and abilities, and a wide variety of volunteer opportunities (including the maintenance of native areas!) for groups, families and individuals are available.
Learn About Other Nature Net Sites

Nature Craft
Wild Grass Key Chain
What you need: scissors, wild grass or raffia, key ring, embroidery floss (optional), beads (optional), flowers and wax (optional).

1. Take several long strands of grass and put them through your key ring. Double them over so they are looped through the ring.

2. Braid your strands together. You may also add beads or embroidery floss as you go.

3. Tie off the braid and wrap embroidery floss around the knot or add beads to the end.

4. Consider weaving in real or fake wildflowers. (You could dip these in wax to keep them from crumbling.)

5. Hang some keys off your new key chain!
Nature Craft Archives

Suggested Reading
"A Child's Book of Wildflowers" by M.A. Kelly (all ages)
"Fairy Dusters and Blazing Stars" by Suzanne Samson (4-8)
"A Prairie Alphabet" by Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet (4-8)
"Wildflowers, Blooms and Blossoms" by Diane Burns (4-8)
"If You're Not From the Prairie..." by David Bouchard (4-8)
"Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers" by Kathi Apelt (9-12)
"Little House on the Prairie" by Laura Ingalls Wilder (9-12)
"Wildflowers Around the Year" by Hope Ryden (9-12)
"A Walk in the Prairie" by Rebecca L. Johnson (9-12)
"Little Blog on the Prairie" by Cathleen Davitt Bell (teen)

Browse Past Nature Net News
Find Family Events on the Nature Net Calendar of Events
Give Us Your Feedback! http://uwarboretum.org/

Nature Net News - May 2011 - Crazy About Cranes

Nature Net News
Your source for tips & tricks for exploring nature with kids
   
Dear Reader,

"The crane is wildness incarnate."
Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

Have you ever seen a crane flying overhead? Even with its long legs trailing behind, the crane manages to look graceful and make flying look utterly effortless.

These beautiful creatures are seen as symbols of wisdom in China, good fortune and happy marriage in Japan and longevity in both. The Greek god Apollo was said to use the form of a crane when he visited the mortal world, and in Europe, cranes were associated with vigilance and loyalty.

These classic beauties make their home and travel through our region. So what are you waiting for? Come, learn, and marvel at Wisconsin's cranes in this issue of Nature Net News!

Enjoy!

Kathe, Sarah & Brenna
The Folks at Nature Net

Did you know.....
Sandhill crane chicks usually hatch in early May.

In order to stop the extinction of whooping cranes, people dress up as whooping cranes and teach orphaned chicks how to fend for themselves.

There are 15 species of cranes around the world, but there is no evidence of cranes ever existing in South America.

The oldest crane in captivity lived to be 83 years old!

Learn more crane facts here and here!

What To Do This Month:

Visit the International Crane Foundation!

See the crane family at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center!

Make paper cranes using instructions from the International Crane Foundation (ICF).

Attend the Family Nature Club Kickoff Potluck this weekend! Connect with your family and the great outdoors at Nature Net’s Madison Family Nature Club Free Kickoff Event this Saturday, May 7, from 4-6:30pm at the Glenwood Children's Park (602 Glenwood Street, Madison, 53711). RSVP today!

Tricks of the Trail for Parents:

Crane Boogie
Cranes are known for their unique dances, which they use for courtship, social skills, exercise, and just plain fun. Their dances are filled with jumps, leaps, head spins, wing flaps and twirls. Read this ICF crane behavior guide, view some crane photos, and head outside and make up your own family crane dances!

Instant Outdoor Expert:

Crane Utensils
Cranes have wickedly sharp-looking beaks. This is because cranes are omnivorous. Their diet consists of plant seeds and tubers combined with critters that skitter and squirm out of grasp, including fish, snakes, amphibians, and insects. The crane uses its long neck to quickly thrust its beak and capture critters - sometimes spearing dinner on their beak. Sandhill cranes also use their beaks to probe the ground for small insects and grubs.

Featured Nature Net Site

The International Crane Foundation The International Crane Foundation (ICF) commits to a future where all crane species are secure - a future where people cooperate to protect and restore wild populations and their ecosystems. These efforts sustain the places where cranes live, to the benefit of countless other species.

ICF differs from most nature centers and conservation facilities in that its activities single out a very specific subject - cranes - rather than treating the natural history and general ecology of a region. But the focus on cranes is not limiting; instead it provides ICF an opportunity to address a series of issues not tied to a particular place: endangered species management, wetland ecology, habitat restoration, and the critical need for international cooperation.

Visit ICF between 9am-5pm every day between April 15 - October 31 . Visit indoor and outdoor exhibits, view different crane species from around the world, learn about conservation efforts and explore the grounds. Check out this interactive map before you go!

Learn About Other Nature Net Sites

Nature Craft

Crane Mobile

What you need: folded paper cranes of various colors and sizes (instructions here), thin string, approx 7 ft. of colored yarn, large needle, 2 dowels/sticks/pencils, beads (optional). See illustrated instructions here!

1. Tie yarn around one of the dowels and form a cross with the other.

2. Wrap string around the sticks going clockwise, looping the string twice around every stick. When you have made a sturdy cross, tie off yarn and trim extra.

3. Thread needle with thin string.

4. String your cranes by sticking the needle through the puffy part of their bodies. You can thread several on top of each other or just string them singularly. You can also tie beads at the end or between your cranes. See here for bead techniques.

5. Tie strung cranes to hang from your dowel cross. Double- or triple-knot them.

6. Double-knot 1 ft. of string on one side of the horizontal part of the cross. Then double knot the end on the other side of the cross so that you have a loop.

7. Trim off any extra string or yarn and hang your crane mobile!

Nature Craft Archives

Suggested Reading:
"The Crane Wife" by Odds Bodkin (all ages)
"The Paper Crane" by Molly Bang (4-6)
"Counting Cranes" by Mary Beth Owens (4-6)
"Saving the Whooping Crane" by Susan E. Goodman (4-8)
"Eno"Enora and the Black Crane" by Arone Raymond Meeks (4-8)
"Lord of the Cranes" by Kristen Chen (4-8)
"Song for the Whooping Crane" by Eileen Spinelli (4-8)
"Grandfather's Dream" by Holly Keller (4-8)
"The Princess Who Danced with Cranes" by Annette LeBox (4-10)
"Brolga, the Dancing Girl" by Ainslie Roberts (6+)
"The Crane Maiden" by Miyoko Matsutani (6-10)
"The Crane Girl" by Charles and Veronika Martenova (6-10)
"Sandhill Cranes" by Lynn M. Stone (6-10)
"The Crane's Gift" by Coralyn Bradshaw (7-14)
"Arap Sang and the Cranes" by Humphry Harman (8-12)
"The Whooping Crane" by Bonnie Graves (9-12)
"Crane Crossing" by Mark Dubowski (9-12)
"Whooping Crane" by Rod Theodorou (9-12)
"Cranes and Storks" by Steven Otfinoski (9-12)
"Jane on a Crane" by Jane Dava (9-12)

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