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As May arrives, the quiet whisper of Spring turns into a full-on chorus along the Kinni. Trees that were budding in April, burst with green as ephemeral wildflowers like bloodroot and violets ‘pass the torch’ to longer lasting blooms such as wild geraniums and jack-in-the-pulpit. The prairie at Kelly Creek Preserve will quickly transition from warm brown tones to a full spectrum of color, and the forest floor will soon be covered with ferns at the Drewiske Nature Preserve. The banks along the Kinnickinnic will hum with the movement and sounds of insects and birds; each species finding new life with the warmth and sunlight promised by longer days.
Bird activity hits a seasonal stride this month, with migrating species arriving daily to begin nesting. Flashes of orange and yellow will start to fill the sky as Baltimore orioles and warblers like the yellow-rumped and common yellowthroat return to the area. The Kinni River creates the perfect atmosphere for kingfishers, mergansers, and eagles as they search for the surging food supply that comes along with springtime. Dragonflies emerge from the river, fresh from their watery larval stage.
May brings motion. Growth without pause. The soil warms up, the light lingers longer and longer, and every organism seems to be lit with the excitement of new beginnings. May is the perfect month to discover KRLT Nature Preserves, whether it’s birding at Kelly Creek, foraging at Drewiske, hiking the trails of the Community Forest, or keeping up with the restoration efforts at the Headwaters Preserve. So grab your hiking shoes and get outside because we are no longer waiting for spring…we’re swept up in its current!
Happen to see something interesting during your next walk along the trails? We want to see! Send a picture to me at Jane@kinniriver.org for a chance to have your story highlighted on social media or next month's e-newsletter.
Photograph taken by Mark Ritzinger
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