Favorite Fall Hikes This Thursday

Looking for some great hikes this fall? Come join the staff from the Ice Age Trail Alliance at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center as they guide you on a virtual tour through some of the unique places in the Ice Age Trail.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a thousand mile footpath—entirely within Wisconsin—that highlights the Ice Age landscape features while providing access to some of the state's most beautiful natural areas. If you’re looking for new places to hike close to the Madison area this fall, you don't want to miss this presentation!


Here are the specifics:

REI PRESENTS: FAVORITE FALL HIKES ON THE ICE AGE TRAIL, A PRESENTATION FROM THE ICE AGE TRAIL ALLIANCE
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday, September 22, 2011
FREE

 
Visit Rei.com/Madison to register. Pre-registration is required.

Hope to see you there!

Fishing with a Green Heron

Did you know that the Green Heron is a natural "fisherman"? 

Green Herons, like the one shown here at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, commonly drops bait onto the surface of the water and grabs small fish that are attracted. 

Like any smart fisherman, it uses a variety of baits and lures to attract different catches and can be seen using insects, twigs, earthworms, or feathers to bait its prey. Now that breeding season is over, Green Herons can be seen "fishing" in our area, but you'll have to look carefully! Although they are common in watery habitats across much of North America, this bird can be difficult to spot because it spends a good deal of time standing motionless amid dense waterfront vegetation.

Here are some more cool facts about Green Herons to share with your young birder:

• Green Herons are part of a complex of small herons that sometimes are considered one species. When lumped, they are called Green-backed Heron. When split, they are the Green Heron, the widespread Striated Heron, and the Galapagos Heron.
•  Green Herons tend to wander after the breeding season is over, seeking favorable foraging areas and do not travel far, but occasionally some travel greater distances, with individuals turning up as far as England and France.
  Green Herons typically lay 2-6 pale, green eggs per season
  Green Herons nests resemble a basket of sticks, placed in small tree or shrub, usually over water. Nests in small, loose colonies.

Find out more about Green Herons and how to get your kids birding at Bird Sleuth.

To see more of ALNC's Green Heron, click here.

Happy birding!