This week at Crossroads, we wrap up the final school field trips of the academic year. But learning doesn’t stop then. Our Events Calendar is full of opportunities including wildflower walks, an evening bat hike, and the first of three bird surveys.
Bird surveys? What’s that all about?
No, we’re not distributing tiny questionnaires to chickadees or going around with clipboards, asking warblers how they feel about habitat restoration. Instead, we are conducting what scientists call a bio inventory—a systematic survey of the species living in a specific area. And this month’s efforts are a bit different from what we were doing earlier this spring.
Last month, we were focused on documenting migratory birds—counting the species and individuals stopping over in our preserves on their journey north.
This month, we’re shifting our attention to the birds and bats that are here to stay, at least for the summer. These species breed locally. All wildlife needs access to food and safe spaces to raise their young. Some species are generalists and can thrive in a variety of environments, but others have very specific habitat needs. Specialized creatures rely on native plants and very particular conditions—and when those conditions disappear, these species can vanish locally as well.
We are very fond of birds and bats [who isn’t?], but our interest in them goes beyond affection—they’re excellent indicators of ecosystem health because can fly. If an area doesn't meet their needs, they can fly elsewhere.
Another advantage? Birds are (generally) colorful, active during the day, and relatively easy to identify. And thanks to technology, we can also recognize them by sound. Apps like Merlin help birders match calls and songs to species using sonograms—visual representations of sound that show pitch, duration, and volume. Similar software exists for bats and frogs, enabling us to listen in on the biodiversity of an area even after dark.
In Wisconsin, all of our native bats eat insects. Birds, on the other hand, have a wide range of dietary and nesting preferences. Some require dense shrub layers, others open fields, still others mature forest canopy. And here is the exciting part: if we restore a habitat effectively—bringing back the native plants and structure that these species need—they’ll return. The appearance of certain “indicator species” is a strong sign that restoration is working.
That’s why we’re conducting bird and bat inventories at both the Ida Bay Preserve and our Big Creek Preserve. At Ida Bay, we collected a baseline last year and this year we are measuring the impact of our four year restoration project. Over time, we’ll be able to track changes and measure the impact of our restoration work. At Big Creek, where habitat improvement efforts have been underway for several years, we are beginning to evaluate how our ecosystems are changing.
But, we’re realistic. We don’t expect instant results. Trees take time to grow, wildflowers need time to establish and spread, and climate variability poses new challenges. But with careful observation and ongoing data collection, we can build more resilient, biodiverse landscapes—not just at Crossroads, but by serving as a model for land managers and property owners throughout the region.
So whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a student, or a budding citizen scientist, we invite you to join our hikes and surveys this week. It will be more than just a fun day outdoors—it’s your chance to be part of the science shaping a sustainable future.
Thursday, May 29
3:00 Wildflower Hike at the Ida Bay Preserve
This naturalist-led hike will feature spring ephemerals on the Zenith Street end of the Ida Bay Preserve.Registration not required. Free and open to the public. Meet at the parking lot at 1195 Canal Road, Sturgeon Bay.
Monday, June 2
1:30 Current Ecological Events
Join our Current (Ecological)Events group, in which we deep dive into current articles for lively discussions, deepening our understanding of the natural world! This month, we will review journal articles about ecological restoration. Participants can pick up article packets at the front desk of the Learning Center at the front desk, but this is not required. Drop-ins are welcome. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
June 2 @ 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Nighttime Bat Hike
Grab your headlamps and join us on a night hike as we look and listen for local bats. Free and open to the public. Register at https://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/events-calendar. Meet at Ida Bay Preserve, 1195 Canal Road, Sturgeon Bay.
Tuesday, June 3
3:30 Environmental Explorations-Life in Big Creek
During this after-school program, kids and their adult companions will capture and study the aquatic creatures living in Big Creek Preserve. Geared for elementary students but learners of all ages are welcome. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay
Wednesday, June 4
5:15 am - 7:00 am Bird Survey at Ida Bay
This is a part of the Crossroads bio inventory efforts to document bird species at our Ida Bay Preserve as part of our restoration efforts. For more information and to register, visit https://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/event/bird-survey-ida-bay/
1:30 Wandering Wednesday
Join a naturalist-led hike to visit restoration sites in the Big Creek Preserve. Easy walking. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.
