Week of May 4th - 10th

We welcomed Randolph Heights Elementary, Lewiston-Altura Intermediate, Dike-New Hartford Junior High, Texas Roadhouse, Holy Childhood School, Transfiguration Catholic School, St. Hubert School, Workforce Development, Christian Heritage High School, and hosted a Mother's Day Brunch.

On Monday, the 5th graders of Randolph Heights Elementary arrived for a visit until Wednesday. While they were here, they were able to experience Oneota, Karst Geology, West Treetops, and Archery.

Lewiston-Altura Intermediate also arrived on Monday with their 5th graders. They participated in Root River Hike, Animal Signs, Pond Life, and East Treetops before leaving on Wednesday.

Also joining us for a 3-day visit were the 8th graders of Dike-New Hartford Junior High. While they were here, they took Pioneer Life, Canoeing, Forest Ecology, GPS Pathfinders, and South Treetops.

Employees of Texas Roadhouse visiting Eagle Bluff on Tuesday and Thursday to practice their shooting skills at our .22 Rifle Range.

Holy Childhood School arrived with their 6th-8th graders on Wednesday. They experienced Stream Lab, Wildlife Ecology, Amphibians, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, and Oneota before leaving on Friday.

The 6th graders of Transfiguration Catholic School also arrived on Wednesday and stayed until Friday. While they were here, they participated in Beginning Orienteering, Group Challenges, Stream Lab, and East Treetops.

Also arriving on Wednesday were the 7th graders of St. Hubert School. They took Group Challenges, Forest Ecology, Pond Life, and South Treetops before leaving on Friday.

Workforce Development arrived on Friday for a meeting.

Christian Heritage High School arrived on Saturday with their 9th-12th graders to go on South Treetops.

On Sunday, Eagle Bluff held a Mother's Day Brunch where about 250 people came out to celebrate the holiday.

Phenology:

• A Chestnut-sided Warbler has been seen. See photo above by Jim Williams.
• American Redstarts are back in the area.
• Blue-winged Warblers are singing.
• Indigo Buntings are still returning.
• Black-throated Blue Warblers have been seen.
• Black-throated Green Warblers have been spotted.
• Spotted Sandpipers are in the area.
• Solitary Sandpipers are in the area.
• Cliff Swallows can be seen down by the river.
• Bank Swallows can also be seen down by the river.
• Tree Swallows are nesting in a Bluebird nestbox.
• In one of our Eastern Bluebird Boxes, the Bluebird Eggs have hatched!
• Marsh Marigolds are in bloom.
• Eastern Towhees are singing.
• American Basswood is leafing out.
• Nodding Trillium is beginning to bloom.
• Bellwort is in bloom.
• Wild Geranium is in bloom.
• Elderberry is in bloom.
• Morel Mushrooms are coming up. YUM!
• Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have returned.
• Baltimore Orioles are back.
• Gooseberries are in bloom.
• Nannyberries are also in bloom.

Thought for the Week:
"A society is great when old men plant trees knowing they will never sit in their shade."
Greek Proverb

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
The name “grosbeak” is from the French word grosbec and means “large beak.”

This Week's Question:
What are the differences between a Morel Mushroom and a False Morel?