When I took my first wander through the Eagle Nature Trail I was impressed with the small community preserve. It resides behind the Alice Baker Memorial Library, and the trail leads the way to Eagle Elementary School.  After my first afternoon on the trail, I stopped in to the library to see if there was any information available about it.  As luck would have it, I spoke with Alli Chase, Library Director, and she filled me in on the history of the trail, and to how the local community came together to turn a dumping ground into native prairie and prime natural habitat for humans and animals alike.

Since that first day, I've been back several times. To celebrate the addition of a kaleidoscope art installation, take a nature journal writing workshop with author Laurie Lawlor, and, recently, to celebrate the publishing release of Laurie Lawlor's book on the true story of how the trail came to be–RESTORING: Prairie, Woods, and Pond. How A Small Trail Can Make A Big Difference.  

The event was well attended, and Laurie's reading of one of her favorite sections of the book was captivating. Dawn-Marie Staccia, a local photographer whose photos appear throughout the book, joined Laurie to personally sign copies.

​The book, written for children 10-14 years of age (and naturalists of any age), explores the history of the area as far back as the glacial age onward, and tells the tale of restoration from the beginning to current days. Along the way Lawlor  introduces the many local residents, including teachers and school children, who played a large part in the restoration. 

The trail serves as an outdoor classroom for students of the school, and the children are eager to participate in weed pulls, and planting of new plants and trees.

​Their discoveries of local wildlife include frogs, salamanders, and deer. They also enjoy snacking on the tasty wild raspberries that grow along the edge of the woods.

​Lawlor expressed in her talk how important local community projects like the Eagle Nature Trail are, particularly in this time of climate change. Collectively working for change that benefits the natural environment is good for us all, humans and wildlife.

​Working together locally we can see the differences first-hand, enjoy the beauty of our surroundings, and taste the fruits of our labor - like wild raspberries.

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Copies of the book were for sale at the event, with a portion of the proceeds going towards the upkeep and ongoing projects of the trail. One recent project was adding signposts to the entrance of the woodland walking trail.

Those purchasing a copy of the book also received a packet of native plant seeds from the Prairie Moon Nursery, for creating their own pollinator garden, and the opportunity to speak with both Laurie and Dawn while having their books signed.

Copies of RESTORING: Prairie, Woods, and Pond. How A Small Trail Can Make A Big Difference can be purchased from local booksellers, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Every spring for the past four years, since we moved into our current house, spring migration has brought large numbers of spring migrants to our backyard habitat.

In fact, for the past four years May 10, specifically, was the day migrants arrived in big numbers.

​About 15 or more species, and multiples of each species.  Baltimore Orioles, Orchard Orioles, Gray Catbirds, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, female American Redstarts, Great Crested Flycatchers, White-crowned Sparrows, Indigo Buntings, a Chestnut Sided Warbler, a Nashville Warbler, and more.

Even in years when the weather on that date was less than desirable, they showed up.  Huzzah!

I've been following the migration forecast every day (Birdcast.info), and my hopes would rise whenever I would see a big forecast of birds headed this way.  On the night of May 9 through early morning of May 10, over 2 million birds migrated over Milwaukee County! That's a lot of birds, folks! 

​But this year, though there were a few early season migrants that trickled in for a quick stop on their way north, May 10 was a very quiet day in the habitat. And an emotional letdown for me.  It's been a difficult spring, lots going on. And I was so looking forward to the bright spot the birds bring to my world. ​

I'm trying not to take the absence of migrant visits personally. I have talked to others who have seen smaller numbers of visitors in their backyards this year.

On the positive side, I've seen photos of lots of bird activity in local birding hotspots, so they are out there. Hopefully, when the opportunity presents itself, I'll be able to get out there and see them. 

But it does make me wonder. With the changing climate, the unusual weather patterns across the country, are the numbers declining faster?  There is much we can do to help with bird conservation, so I'm trying not to panic. I'm trying to maintain hope. And I'm going to add more native plants and shrubs to our habitat.

​Maybe they'll have time to stop by on their way back south in the fall.

Nine times out of ten, I'm out on the nature trail solo.  My husband often joins me on the weekends, but during the week, I generally explore on my own. 

​So, when the opportunity to join a guided bird hike at Forest Exploration Center on May 6 came up, I signed us up.  I'm so glad I did. A birdwatching hike at Forest Exploration Center is always worth the effort, and a guided hike is even more so.

The day, as it turned out, was cloudy and gray, drizzly. But not too cold. And, fortunately, the rain subsided just shortly before we started. Danielle Pahlisch, a local artist and naturalist, was our guide for the day.

​She began the program with a short introduction to the SOS Save Our Songbirds organization. The group is an initiative between the Natural Resources Foundation and the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership. They sponsored the days Bird Migration Celebration by providing lots of information on how to locally, personally, contribute to the conservation of birds and their habitat.

Danielle presented demonstrations of simple ways to avoid bird window strikes, which result in the preventable deaths of a billion birds each year in North America. A factor in the frightening decline of our songbirds. 

The evidence of the decline of bird populations is disheartening, and overwhelming. Especially to those of us who love to watch them, photograph them, and listen to their songs. Not to mention they are a major factor in the biodiversity of the planet. 

SOS Save Our Songbirds have a mission to bring solutions to the general public. Simple acts and changes can make a huge difference to the birds in our midst, and well beyond.

​From window collision prevention, to adding native plants into our gardens and habitats, and drinking bird-friendly coffee.

​For more details on what you can do in your own home, visit their website for a wealth of useful information. 

Danielle explained some of the tools of the birdwatching world: binoculars, a bird identification guide, a notepad or phone for making a checklist of birds seen; and the benefits of being citizen scientists and reporting checklists of the birds seen in a specific area (or "hotspot") to Ebird.org (online or via app).

When witnessing a bird, sound counts, too.  You may not actually see clearly (or at all) a bird, but if you have heard its call or song, you can identify it that way. By ear, or by recording it and using the recording to identify it via apps designed to do just that (Merlin). How cool is that?

Of course, a camera is a welcome tool, too, especially if you enjoy photographing the birds that you see. Though sometimes the photos are just a blur of action. But that's the challenge. :)

Next, we hit the trail. The main trail at Forest Exploration Center is a 1-mile, all accessible, crushed gravel loop. A mostly easy walk, with a slight slope. Once within the the forest we are surrounded by trees: large oak, maple, ash, and basswood trees, along with a dozen or so other species native to the region.

The large oaks are king when it comes to supporting the biodiversity of the forest. Even the stems of an oak leaf are longer than other leaves, and can serve as a sturdy perch for resident and migratory birds.

​They support more moths, butterflies, and insects than any other tree species. In turn, providing shelter and food sources for more birds and animals than any other tree species. They also have been known to live upwards of 200 years, some to a ripe old age of 400 years!

Danielle explained that a portion of the outer perimeter of the Forest Exploration Center is in the process of being turned into an arboretum, which includes some trees not native to the area.

​An experiment due to climate change, with the installation of some trees that are native to warmer regions of the United States.  With monitoring over time they will be able to track whether or not the non-native trees might thrive in, and benefit, the changing ecoregion.

Moving through the forest, Danielle pointed out the beautiful educational kiosks that line the walking trail. The signs are updated throughout the year to highlight various seasonal changes, wildlife visitors, trees, and plant life.

​If you're walking the trail, take some time to appreciate the wealth of interesting information the displays provide. Walking through the forest in spring, you'll find many highlights about the birds that can be found within the habitat. 

Birds can often be found skirting across the forest floor, in search of insects and seeds for food. Fallen trees may no longer be living, but they are filled with life. Fungus, insects, nooks and crannies where small critters can perch or take shelter.

We took some time to search among the brush piles, and fallen trees and shrubs for tiny, feathered beauties. Danielle introduced one of the younger birders to a birds-eye view of a cardinal with a pair of binoculars.

In early spring, before all the trees have fully leafed out, you can spot last years nesting spots. Danielle pointed out one such bird nest, way up high in a tree branch along the trail.

​And then a few other highlights, including spring woodland plants like jack-in-the-pulpit, and great white trillium blooms, one of springs first woodland flowers. 

​And, hidden, up high on a tree, a flying squirrel nesting box. Did you even know we had flying squirrels here? We do!

Arriving at the end of our hike, we had spotted several birds, some migratory, some resident. By ear we had discovered a great crested flycatcher, in the brush pile a red cardinal, and a hermit thrush. Overhead a red bellied woodpecker was spotted, a yellow-rumped warbler, an American goldfinch, a chickadee, and a blue jay. For a late afternoon hike, and a gray day, it was a good list. And a walk in the forest can't be beat, at any time.

​Thanks to Danielle, and the rest of her crew, for an excellent hike! We'll be back!