Our recent nice weather continued into this morning, and it was a smidge cloudier but a lot less breezy than yesterday, which made it a lot easier to hear the birds during our weekly wildlife walk.
On my first pass by what remains of the falls, and before I went to meet folks in the parking lot, I found the great blue heron in its usual spot, but it was surrounded by a gaggle of geese, and it appeared to be less than thrilled with that development.
Four folks braved the early November weather, and they got to see wood ducks and the grebe on the pond and the gadwall on the river. Plus, a Cooper’s hawk called attention to itself twice. Granted, it was probably calling to a companion nearby, but it sure did help us find it. Anyway, both of those sightings were pretty far away, but after the walk was done, and we all went our separate ways, one hawk put on a more intimate performance.
The biggest surprise of the morning, however, had to be this crazy-late-season butterfly, an American lady, that stiffly fluttered into view and immediately parked in the sun. I’m saddened to read that “most evidence indicates that American Ladies are unable to survive Wisconsin’s harsh winters in significant numbers. Instead, our summer populations are thought to be replenished each year by butterflies migrating north from warmer regions,” but it does say “in significant numbers” not “at all”, so maybe this beauty will be one of the lucky ones.
Finally, just as I was walking out of the park at the far south end, this little cutie tried to hypnotize me with its unblinking gaze, and it almost worked, until a passerby broke the spell. Ah well, it was fun while it lasted.
Upcoming Events:
- Estabrook Park Fall Park Cleanup from 10AM – Noon, starting in the Beer Garden Parking Lot. If you’ve been itching for a chance to get your hands dirty in Estabrook Park, but removing buckthorn just isn’t your thing, then this could be your next best opportunity.
- Signs of Life in Estabrook Park, hosted by Sierra Club Great Waters Group on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 6:00 – 7:30 pm in St. Rita Square. I hear that this will be open to the public, and registration is encouraged, but won’t be strictly required.
