Fishers are rarely, if ever, seen by hikers walking through the woods. The public generally knows very little about these shy creatures. Dr. Michael Joyce, Wildlife Ecologist at the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth, shared information on the long-term research being done at the Institute on Fishers.
Herons have returned to Beaver Hollow!
Great blue herons have returned to the rookery for another season! These large, ancient-looking birds are interesting to watch over the three and a half months they occupy the nests at Beaver Hollow. Some of the birds you see this year may be the same individuals as last year, however, they may have brought a new mate with them. They’ll lay 3-6 eggs over a few days and incubate them for a month. After hatching, the chicks will grow fast on the plentiful food their parents catch in the marsh and wetlands and bring back to regurgitate for them. The young will leave the nest in 2 to 2½ months, however, they’ll remain with their parents feeding in the wetlands for another month or more before they head to warmer climes. Herons were still foraging in the wetlands in October last fall!
Related Posts
