April 15, 2023
Cold, snowy spring
I have heard many people complaining about the cold and snowy weather that we are having right now. All of us would love to have it warm and see the spring flowers and get out of our houses after a long and snowy winter. We want the snow to melt and get rid of our winter coats and be able to run around in t-shirts and shorts. A visit to a mall or school makes this very evident. Kids and shoppers run from their cars to the mall or school without a jacket and dressed like summer has arrived.
I wrote the paragraph above a week ago. Today it is Good Friday and the forecast for Easter is for 50 to 60 degrees. We are getting our wishes and it looks like the temperatures will be in the 70's next week. The snow has been melting very slowly up to this point. From what farmers have been telling me, that is good as most of the moisture is being absorbed by the soil. After a dry fall and late summer, this is good news. The soil definitely needed the moisture for spring planting and germination of all the seeds. We will see how quickly the melt will be next week and hopefully it won't runoff too quickly causing flooding.
Here are some recent pictures of the snow, it melting and wildlife in the snow.
This downy woodpecker was down in the snow rather than its usual spot pecking on the sides of tree trunks and branches.
Icicles on the lower picnic building.
Fort Ridgely creek south of bridge by the campgrounds on April 4
It was much higher and murky yesterday (April 7) after more snow melt
Fort Ridgely creek after several days of 80 degree temperatures on April 12. It was flowing quickly with lots of mud and debris.
April 12, looking across the creek at the construction of the new bathrooms. The whole channel was full and flooding over.
Red-tailed hawk flying above the chalet area
Northern harrier flying above the snow just south of Fairfax
Snow still in the camping area April 7
Snow pushed aside for a camping site in campgrounds
South facing hillsides in the park have most of the snow melted
Many trails have snow still on them, It is often easier to walk on snow than ice or mud on the trails. (April 7)
DOT Work on east side of park by Highway 4
Several weeks ago I was surprised to see marker stakes with pink coloring on them in what looked to be random places along the east side of the park. I thought maybe the trail under highway 4 was being widened. I didn't ask Joanne about it until after I saw the trees taken down in some ravines leading to the creek. It turns out the Department of Transportation is going to put in rip rap along highway 4, I assume for erosion control. Below are some pictures of their work. No stone has been put in yet nor have they cleaned up the trees they cut.
Furthest north ravine
Ravine straight east from the south bridge over Fort Ridgely Creek.
Upcoming Interpretive Programming
Earth Day Nature Walk
What better day than Earth Day to take a walk in the woods with amateur naturalist Bix Baker. Some of the early wildflowers should be in bloom by then despite the late spring with snow just recently melted. Many migrating birds should also be passing through. All state parks are free on this day so come and enjoy a leisurely walk It may be muddy so wear old shoes.
April 22, 2023
10 – 11am and again 1 -2 pm Meet in the chalet parking lot.
Global Big Day for Birds
Join birders from across the world who are counting and cataloging as many birds as possible on this Global Big Day for Birds. Last year, during this annual event, 51000 people from 201 countries submitted 132000 checklists of birds. We will do this during a walk together through the woods and prairies of Fort Ridgely State Park. We will be using 2 apps from The Cornell Lab (eBird and Merlin Bird ID} to help identify and catalog the birds that we see. Experienced and beginning birders are welcome. Bring cameras, binoculars and any other equipment you use. If you want to do your own checklists you should download eBird on your phone prior to the walk. You can do a checklist at home before and/or after the walk.
May 13, 2023
10 – 11am and again 1 -2 pm Meet in the chalet parking lot.
April Wildlife
Some birds like woodpeckers, bluejays, cardinals, chickadees and some sparrows stay here all winter. Some usually fly south in the winter but if conditions are right a few will overwinter here when most fly south. Robins are in this category. I have seen a few robins in the park off and on all winter. Several weeks ago big groups of robins were at Fort Ridgely . They were flying all around the park as we walked. They were out in the snow and up in the trees. A farmer we know used to say that robins need to have three snows on their wings before spring can come. I would say that they had over 3 snows on their wings this year after they came.
Grackles, pelicans, geese, ducks and trumpeter swans are three birds that come back from their southerly migrations in huge numbers this time of year.
Grackles have arrived!
Some Canadian geese and a greater white-fronted goose (in the water)
Pelicans flying around above the Minnesota River valley. There were 20-30 of them. I am not sure if they were passing through or the group that I have seen other years in the area.
Part of a flock of trumpeter swans in a temporary lake from melted snow near Fairfax.
Geese and ducks in a flooded area near the river.
Get out during the warm weather this week and see all the changes that happen at the park or where you are as the snow melts and the ground and water warm up. There will soon be plants coming up too and soon the spring wildflowers in the woods. I will be looking for Pasque flowers and snow trilliums.
I did not get this sent out until after the warm week (in 80's) and the snow is mostly gone. I have seen snow trilliums and hepatica flowers blooming in the woods but not Pasque flowers yet. There is a good chance of snow tonight (April 15). The rollercoaster weather of Minnesota!!
Here are 2 links to videos I uploaded to YouTube showing the creek on Aprils 12.
https://youtube.com/shorts/VVdRKnR8VUI?feature=share
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ozvB-4v4XIE