Spring at Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake Naturally

By B.A. Hiker

March 2011

Spring  arrives  March 20th. Signs of spring are already showing around the park. Robins have been seen and heard. Male cardinals are singing both to attract mates and to let rivals know that they have a territory staked out. Maple trees are beginning to respond to the warmer days by starting their sap flow. In the morning, when temperatures are below freezing, you may notice sapcicles hanging from injured maple branches.

One of the most interesting early signs of spring in the park is the eastern skunk cabbage. Eastern skunk cabbage grows in the more moist sections of the woods, marshes, and along streams. In late February and early March, the flower of the plant will emerge from below the leaf litter and snow.  The leaves will come later.  The flower is three to five inches high and a purple-brown color.  What is most interesting about the skunk cabbage flower is its ability to withstand cold temperatures.  The flower actually produces heat.  In fact, the temperature in and around the flower can be up to 40 degrees F. warmer than the surrounding air temperature.  This warmth attracts pollinating flies and sends a skunky scent through the woods.  On your next hike through the woods, see if you can spot this early sign of spring.

Bird Hike at Mirror Lake

Friends of Mirror Lake and Seth Peterson Conservancy fund a naturalist for summer hikes on most Saturdays. Each hike has a different destination and educational theme. In late May, I attended the bird hike with our naturalist, Marty Heidke and expert birder Peter Grimm. The hike commenced at the park office and ventured out on the Hastings loop trail. As we walked along everyone shared some nature facts as we identified trees, various fungus or insects. This hike had two children on it who were eager to learn facts about the forest. We did not see many birds on the start of the hike, but Peter identified each bird call as we stopped to look for it’s origin. We eventually saw bluebirds sitting on the bluebird house along Hastings road. Among the birds seen or heard were the house wren, blue winged warbler, song sparrow, catbird, towhee, ovenbird, cardinal, field swallow, bluebird, tree swallow, sandhill crane and hairy woodpecker.In July and September, full moon hikes were scheduled after the nature program at the amphitheatre. Other hikes in the park aren’t really hikes, but kayak tours on the lake.   If you join us next summer on a nature hike you won’t be disappointed. Hope to see you there!