prairie smoke at Holy Wisdom Monastery

May phenology

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Phenology 1 Comment

By Sylvia Marek Phenology is a science focused on observing and recording biological events from year to year and their relationships to the change of seasons and climate. These are the “normal” phenology events we expect to see here and in the Madison area this month. We would love to hear about what you are seeing on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery. Please comment on this post with what you are observing, where at Holy Wisdom and the date you observed the event. No two Mays are the same. Events can be a few weeks earlier or later than …

June phenology

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Phenology 1 Comment

By Sylvia Marek Phenology is a science focused on observing and recording biological events from year to year and their relationships to the change of seasons and climate. These are the “normal” phenology events we expect to see here and in the Madison area this month. We would love to hear about what you are seeing on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery. Please comment on this post with what you are observing, where at Holy Wisdom and the date you observed the event. I have kept monthly phenology records for many years and the following are from my June …

Spring prairie tour

Car McGinley Leave a Comment

Join Sylvia Marek and Greg Armstrong for a tour of the prairies at Holy Wisdom Monastery. May is a wonderful time for a tour as we may see migrating warblers and other birds. We also hope to come across lupine, shooting star, prairie phlox and spiderwort in flower as we walk the prairie. Leaders Sylvia Marek, expert naturalist and one of the best birders in our area. Greg Armstrong, director of land management and environmental education at Holy Wisdom Monastery. No registration necessary, just come. Learn more about what we might discover on the tour in Sylvia’s May phenology (monthly nature …

Outing to Horicon Marsh

Car McGinley Leave a Comment

Spring Bird Migration at Horicon Marsh  Several knowledgeable birders will accompany us on a trip to visit the largest fresh water cattail marsh in the United States. Enjoy seeking out some of the more than 280 species of birds Horicon Marsh has to offer. Bring your bird book and binoculars—let’s go birding! This outing includes a trip into the marsh aboard a pontoon boat, lunch at the Audubon Inn, time in the DNR Explorium museum and a naturalist led walking tour. Meet the bus at Holy Wisdom Monastery for a 7:30 am departure. We plan to return to the monastery around 5:30 pm. Leaders …

Evening tour

Car McGinley Leave a Comment

Join the Friends of Wisdom Prairie for an evening tour in the early spring. It will provide the opportunity to see the emergence of vegetation, budding out of the trees, some early spring flowering prairie plants and migrating birds. With some luck, we might get to see the woodcock doing its mating dance. All in the enchanting light of dusk. Sylvia Marek, naturalist and Friends of Wisdom Prairie Council member and Greg Armstrong, director of land management and environmental education at Holy Wisdom Monastery will lead the tour. All are welcome, so bring your friends!   Photo of female red-winged …