Week of July 7th - 13th

We welcomed Team Yes, U of M Insect Ecology Class, ABLE/HCO, Austin BANK Program, and hosted a Dinner on the Bluff.

Team Yes Arrived on Monday to hold some meetings and also go on the East Treetops course before leaving the next day.

Minnesota teachers arrived at Eagle Bluff on Monday evening for a week of the U of M Insect Ecology Class to learn more about insects and how to incorporate them into their classrooms.

ABLE/HCO arrived on Thursday for some of their own activities as well as Archery, Star Lab, Nature Walk, Rock Climbing, Treetops, and Raptor Program.

The 6th-12th graders of the Austin BANK Program arrived on Friday for some canoeing.

This month's topic for Dinner on the Bluff was Global Climate Changes: Its Impact and Local Solutions by J. Drake Hamilton. The menu that night included Salada Italiane, Roasted Potato Italiano, Italian Style Roasted Summer Vegetable Blend, Pasta E Ceci Al Rosmarino, Ribeye Pizziola, Italian Bread, and Musk Melon Sorbet.


Phenology:

• Eastern Towhees have begun singing again. See above picture by Jim Williams.
• The Indigo Buntings continue to sing.
• Common Yellowthroats have also begun singing again.

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Last Week's Question:
If you are fishing with a small circle-style hook, you are mostly likely fishing for Longnose Gar.

This Week's Question:
What earthworms are native to Minnesota?

Week of June 30th - July 6th

We welcomed Eagle Bluff Night Owl Camp, PossAbilities Youth Recreation, Houston County 4-H, and Fastenal.


Eagle Bluff held our 2nd Night Owl Camp. These campers styaed up late at night and got to sleep during part of the day. While they were here, they did a lot of fun activities such as Star Lab, Rock Climbing, Treetops, walking through the Bat Tunnel, and watching the Sunrise.

PossAbilities Youth Recreation arrived on Monday and stayed until Tuesday. While they were here, they were able to experience West Treetops and Rock Climbing.

On Tuesday, the Houston County 4-H came and went through East Treetops before leaving later that day.

Employees from Fastenal also arrived on Tuesday to experience Group Challenges.

Phenology:

• A Fox Snake was seen outside our office building. See photo above.
• Field Sparrows are beginning to sing again.

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION:

Last Week's Question:
If the Snowy Tree Cricket chirped 65 times in one minute, the temperature outside would be approximately 56.25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Only male crickets can chirp; a sound they make with their wings. Crickets chirp at different rates depending on the species and the temperature. Most species chirp faster when faster when it is warmer.
It is possible to calculate the temperature in the Snowy Tree Cricket, which is found in North America) according to Dolbear's Law. You need to count the number of times the cricket chirps in one minute, then subtract that number by 40, divide that number by 4 and then add 50 to that number, and you'll have the degrees in Fahrenheit.




This Week's Question:
If you are fishing using a small circle-style hook, what kind of fish are you most likely fishing for?

Week of June 23rd - 29th

We welcomed Stringwood, Eagle Bluff Peddlers Camp, Camp Moon Hwa, MN Association of Soil and Water, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, Providers Network, POET Biorefining, Elder Learning Bird Institute, and Upward Bound - SMSU.

Stringwood is a stringed instrument performance camp that has been at Eagle Bluff for the past two weeks practicing and taking classes such as Canoeing, Group Challenges, Trees and Keys, Root River Hike, and Animal Signs. As a part of their camp, they also performed several times in the area.

The Eagle Bluff Peddlers Camp was held from Sunday to Wednesday and biked to different places in Southeast Minnesota along the Harmony-Preston and Root River segments of the Bluffland Trail.

Camp Moon Hwa is a Korean culture camp that brought their 8th-10th graders to Eagle Bluff two different days to experience Rock Climbing, and Group Challenges.

The adults of MN Association of Soil and Water arrived on Tuesday and left on Wednesday. While they were here, they held meetings and also went on South Treetops.

The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center arrived on Wednesday and went on East Treetops and then experienced Group Challenges before leaving on a canoe trip on Thursday morning.

On Thursday, the Providers Network came to hold meetings and also experience East Treetops before leaving later that day.

POET Biorefining came on Friday for some staff bonding at East Treetops.

The Elder Learning Bird Institute came to Eagle Bluff to hike on the trails and do some birding.

Upward Bound - SMSU arrived on Friday to stay the weekend at Eagle Bluff. While they were here, they took Pioneer Life, South Treetops, and Archery.

Phenology:

• Two Cecropia Moths were seen mating in Lanesboro. See photo above.
• The Eastern Phoebes are on their second clutch of eggs.
• Monarch Caterpillars are beginning to hatch out of their eggs.
• A Great-crested Flycatcher was heard calling.

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION
Last Week's Question:
C.F. Bear was one of the first naturalists to work at Eagle Bluff.

This Week's Question:
What is the estimated temperature outside if a cricket chirps 65 times in one minute?

Week of June 16th - 22nd

We welcomed Camp Kingswood, Scheels Hunting and Archery, Ms. Hay Days, Fastenal, Spring Valley-Wykoff FFA, YMCA Link Program, Upward Bound - SMSU, MIWSAC, Mayo Pediatric Interns, and held Summer Open Ropes.

Camp Kingswood was staying at Eagle Bluff from June 15th - 21st while traveling to Rushford during the day to help with the Flood Relief.

Employees from Scheels came to Eagle Bluff Monday through Thursday to learn about all of the different products in regards to the sports of hunting and archery.

Contestants from the Ms. Hay Days pageant came on Wednesday for Group Challenges and East Treetops.

Employees from Fastenal arrived on Thursday for Group Challenges.

Members of the Spring Valley-Wykoff FFA also came on Thursday and participated in East Treetops and Group Challenges.

Also on Thursday, members of the YMCA Link Program arrived in the afternoon for East Treetops.

Upward Bound from SMSU arrived on Thursday for Archery and South Treetops before leaving on Friday.

MIWAS arrived on Friday and took Group Challenges and West Treetops, and Meetings before leaving on Sunday.

Mayo Pediatric Interns arrived on Saturday fro Group Challenges and South Treetops before leaving later that day.

East Bluff also hosted the first Summer Open Ropes were people pay a fee to go up on the East Treetops course.

Phenology:

• A Common Nighthawk was heard flying around Lanesboro. See photo by Jim Williams
• A Broad-winged Hawk was heard at Eagle Bluff.
• A Red-shouldered Hawk was seen soaring with Turkey Vultures.

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

C.F. Bear was really close with their answer to last week's question. An Osprey can dive up to 3.3 feet into the water.

This Week's Question:

Who is C.F. Bear? Inquiring minds want to know!

Week of June 9th - 15th

We welcomed USFWS & MNDNR Private Land, St. John's Lutheran Church, Fastenal, TRIO Century College, Rochester Safety Patrol, Central Intermediate School, US Fish and Wildlife from Wisconsin, and the Krebsbach/Neumann Wedding.

On Monday, employees of the USFWS and the MNDNR Private Land division stayed at Eagle Bluff until Wednesday and held meetings.

St. John's Lutheran Church brought their 7th and 8th graders on Tuesday for East Treetops.

Fastenal brought some of their employees to Eagle Bluff on Tuesday to experience Group Challenges.

TRIO Century College arrived on Tuesday with their 7th and 8th graders. They were able to experience Archery, South Treetops, Group Challenges, and Beginning Orienteering before leaving on Friday.

Rochester Safety Patrol Arrived on Wednesday for Treetops and Group Challenges before leaving later that day.

Central Intermediate School from Waseca arrived on Wednesday with their 6th graders. They were able to participate in Oneota, Minimum Impact Camping, Root River Hike, and Rock Climbing, Treetops before leaving on Friday.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from Wisconsin arrived Thursday for Group Challenges and East Treetops before leaving later that day.

Eagle Bluff was also the host to the Krebsbach and Neumann wedding on Saturday.

Phenology:

• Spiderwort is blooming. (See photo)
• Wild Indigo is blooming.
• A Ruffed Grouse was seen with her chicks.

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

The answer to last week's question is "Witchity Witchity Witchity."

This Week's Question:

How far can an Osprey dive in the water for fish?

Week of June 2nd - 8th

We welcomed Slim's Woodshed, West Salem Middle School, Longfellow Elementary, Garlough Environmental Magnet School, Riverway Learning Community, St. Mary's Seminary, Oh Day Aki Charter School, Cityview School, U of M Extension Forest Resource Training, New City Charter School, MN Ornithologists Union, and hosted a Dinner on the Bluff.

Slim's Woodshed was a group of adults taking classes on woodworking here at Eagle Bluff Sunday - Wednesday. Slim's Woodshed is located in Harmony, MN.

On Monday, the 8th graders from West Salem Middle School arrived for a morning of South Treetops.

Longfellow Elementary also arrived on Monday with their 5th graders. Before leaving on Wednesday, they were able to participate in Pioneer Life, Archery, Rock Climbing, Group Challenges, and Treetops.

The 4th graders of Garlough Environmental Magnet School arrived on Monday. They were able to experience Beginning Orienteering, Fungus AmongUs, Trees & Keys, and Insects before leaving on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Riverway Learning Community arrived for a day visit with their Kindergarten through 3rd graders to take Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders and Pioneer People.

St. Mary's Seminary brought some adults out to take Group Challenges together.

Oh Day Aki (meaning Heart of the Earth) Charter School brought their 7th-12th graders to Eagle Bluff on Wednesday. They were able to participate in Group Challenges, Oneota, Treetops, and a Discovery Hike before leaving on Friday.

Also on Wednesday, the 5th graders of Cityview School arrived for a three day visit. While they were here, they experienced Archery, Insects, Root River Hike, Treetops, and Group Challenges.

The U of M Extension Forest Resources Training held a meeting on Thursday.

New City Charter School arrived with their 7th-8th graders on Friday. They were able to take Birds and Rock Climbing before leaving on Saturday.

The Minnesota Ornithologists Union organized a trip to Eagle Bluff for some birding fun! A total of 57 species of birds were found by the group of 10 birders before getting rained out on Saturday. The list of those species will be listed in the phenology section of the blog!

Eagle Bluff also hosted a Dinner on the Bluff on Saturday night. The artwork of five regional artists were spotlighted while the meal was Tossed Salad, BBQ Spare Ribs, BBQ Chicken, Marinated Veggie Kabobs, Roasted Red Potatoes tossed in Garlic Dill Butter, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Variety of Rolls, Rhubarb Crisp a la mode.

Phenology:

• Indigo Bunting (See photo by Jim Williams)
• Northern Cardinal
• Rose-breasted Grosbeak
• Scarlet Tanager
• Field Sparrow
• Chipping Sparrow
• Eastern Towhee
• Song Sparrow
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• American Crow
• Mourning Dove
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Red-headed Woodpecker
• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
• Northern Flicker
• American Robin
• Wood Thrush
• Eastern Bluebird
• Gray Catbird
• Baltimore Oriole
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Common Grackle
• European Starling
• House Wren
• Chimney Swift
• Tree Swallow
• Northern Rough-winged Swallow
• Eastern Phoebe
• Eastern Wood-Pewee
• Great Crested Flycatcher
• Acadian Flycatcher
• American Redstart
• Ovenbird
• Blue-winged Warbler
• Common Yellowthroat
• Red-eyed Vireo
• Yellow-throated Vireo
• Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
• Rube-throated Hummingbird
• Cedar Waxwing
• Belted Kingfisher
• Wood Duck
• Canada Goose
• Great Blue Heron
• Wild Turkey
• Ruffed Grouse
• Ring-necked Pheasant
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Broad-winged Hawk
• Bald Eagle
• Turkey Vulture
• Barred owl

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Last week's question was about Reverse Sexual Dimorphism. That is when the female of a species is larger than the male of the same species, and it is usually applied to Raptors.

This Week's Question:

What does the song of the Common Yellowthroat sound like?

Week of May 26th - June 1st

We welcomed Roosevelt Middle School, Harvest Preparatory School, City Brewing Company, Longfellow School, Tomah Middle School, Flood Recovery Partners, IBM Speed Team, Zion Lutheran, and the Hayes Birthday.

We all enjoyed a nice Memorial Day Weekend and on Tuesday, Roosevelt Middle School brought their 6th graders for a day of Group Challenges, Pond Life, Treetops, Rock Climbing, Fungus AmongUs, Wildlife Ecology, Root River Hike, and Beginning Orienteering and left in the afternoon.

On Tuesday, Harvest Preparatory School arrived with their 5th graders. They were able to experience Archery, Oneota, Wildlife Ecology, Pond Life, and Amphibians before leaving on Friday.

The City Brewing Company from La Crosse arrived on Wednesday to bond their employees with East Treetops and Group Challenges.

The 5th graders of Longfellow School came on Wednesday for a three day visit. While they were here, they participated in Wildlife Ecology, Treetops, Stream Lab, and Root River Hike.

Tomah Middle School brought their 6th graders on Wednesday. They were able to take Pioneer Life, Canoeing, Fungus AmongUs, Pond Life, Treetops, Archery, Group Challenges, and Karst Geology before leaving on Friday.

The Flood Recovery Partners group came on Friday to go on East Treetops.

The IBM Speed Team also arrived on Friday to participate in Group Challenges.

Zion Lutheran arrived on Saturday to do Group Challenges and East Treetops.

The Hayes Birthday group came on Saturday to celebrate by gong up on West Treetops.

Phenology:

• Gray Treefrogs are now breeding. See photo above.
• A Fawn was seen nursing it's mother.
• Honeysuckle is now blooming.
• Virginia Waterleaf is now blooming.
• Junebugs are now prevalent.
• White-tailed Deer now have their reddish coat.
• An Adult Stonefly was seen.
• A Mother Fox and her Kit were seen running across a road.
• A Helgermite was seen down by the river.
• Hoary Puccoon is blooming now.

Thought for the week:

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in as well as pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to beauty and soul alike."

John Muir

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

The surprising answer to last week's question is over 10,000 birds die in the U.S. each year by hitting windows. With more and more people putting up bird silhouette decals on their windows, hopefully that number will go down.

This Week's Question:

What is Reversed Sexual Dimorphism and what animal is usually associated with it?