SPRING 2025

The Eastern Bluebirds have returned to the park. Photo credit: Debra Cook

Bluebirds of Happiness

by Debra Cook


Out for a walk in the cool of early morning, I listen for the sound, a melodic song, a low-pitched warbling call. Excited, on the post in front of me, the sun flashes on the striking royal blue of the Eastern Bluebird. I can’t help but smile. 

 

Bluebirds are truly “bringers of happiness”. Its cheerful character, bright blue plumage, and lively chatter make it a symbol of joy, hope and good news. Many native tribes revere the Bluebird as a harbinger of light and positivity. Their beauty is not missed by writers.  Henry David Thoreau’s description is perfect…"the bluebird carries the sky on its back.”


The male Bluebird, with the most brilliant blue plumage and rusty red breast, attracts the female by bringing nest material to a future home (usually a nesting box or tree hole) and waves its wings. However, it is the female, with the more overall subdued coloring, that actually builds the nest and incubates the eggs. 


After losing natural nesting sites over the years, the Bluebird population is thriving thanks to the installation and caring of thousands of nesting boxes across the country including right here in High Cliff State Park. 


My morning walk takes me down the park’s south trails to the Open field trail sprinkled with Bluebird boxes.  The Bluebirds have arrived and are already busy preparing their home for the first of possibly 3 to 4 broods of 4-6 powder blue eggs. I continue to meander down the path appreciating the Bluebird’s striking beauty, grateful for their abundant return, eager to visit them at High Cliff throughout the summer and …. still smiling.

  

Click here to read more about bluebirds!

Pat Del Ponte checks a nesting box in the Fall of 2024

Let's Meet Pat Del Ponte, dedicated volunteer and Friends of High Cliff Member

by Donna Franczek


When Pat and Ann Del Ponte and their family moved to the Sherwood area in 1998, they fell in love with High Cliff State Park. They soon became life-long members of the Friends of High Cliff.


As a retired engineer, Pat’s been involved in numerous projects to help the park. He was instrumental in designing the park’s kiosk building, planning the ADA accessible bathroom by the playground, inspecting the general store/museum and, most recently, adding valuable input for the Lime Kiln Trail remediation project. His volunteering passion is also for the birds!


Pat saw a need to maintain the 25 bluebird houses in the southern part of the park. He calls this area, “the quiet end of the park.” As he walked his dog, he noticed the boxes weren’t being kept up. He volunteered to help our bluebirds, who are cavity-nesting birds. He also discovered it’s a year-long commitment! In the fall, he decides if the houses are in the best spots since the bluebirds like large, open areas. Perhaps, some boxes were used by wrens, sparrows, or swallows instead of bluebirds. In October, after the bluebirds have migrated south, he removes bird nests and closes the boxes (plugs the entry holes so mice can’t enter and make nests). In the winter, he builds new nesting boxes, and makes repairs as needed.


Pat noticed the first bluebirds returned during the second week of March this year. Soon, his summer work will begin by checking the boxes every 2 weeks to see if there’s a bluebird nest and eggs. Bluebirds usually lay 4-5 eggs about 2-3 times each summer in a fine, grassy nest. Wrens use sticks, and sparrows use a mixture of what’s available to make a “messy nest,” he clarified as he explained the difference. Finally, he’ll notify Bob Ring, another High Cliff volunteer, who then bands the baby bluebirds. “I enjoy nature, being outside. It’s not work to me,” he said.


Pat finds it rewarding to help others have the experience of seeing bluebirds. Last

summer, he helped an older couple spot their first bluebirds on a sunny morning. The meadow was alive with bob-o-links and meadowlarks, too. The meadow is a gem for its richness of wildlife. Prior to 2000, it was a farm field. On Mother’s Day each year, his Merlin Bird App identifies more than 25 different bird songs!


Pat knows the park offers a lot of opportunities for volunteers to help. He suggested people find a passion and pursue it. Pat said it’s a wonderful state park with great staff and helpful volunteers. Tristan and/or Nathan from the park send emails listing projects that they need help with. If you can’t make the date/time listed, you can volunteer at your own convenience. To have your name added to the volunteer list, visit OutWiGo to fill out your application with "better impact" or call the park office at 920-989-1106 for assistance.


Thank you, Pat Del Ponte! Our gratitude soars for you.

Lake Flies seen near Lake Winnebago, photo by Rob Zimmer

The Treasures of May

By Rob Zimmer


The month of May is a spectacular time to visit High Cliff State Park. Whether you love spring ephemeral wildflowers, colorful songbirds, birds of prey, the lush greening up of the forest canopy, the spectacular sunsets, waterbirds, such as American white pelicans, great blue herons and more, listening to the sounds of frogs and toads in full song, or simply strolling among the forest shadows, the month of May has something for everyone.


Birdwatchers, of course, flock to High Cliff in huge numbers to witness the annual arrival of colorful wood warblers. Up to 30 different species of warblers can be seen at High Cliff during peak migration time. Normally, the second and third week in May bring in the biggest numbers, as they sweep north along the shore of Lake Winnebago. Other colorful songbirds, such as scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, Baltimore orioles and others can be seen and heard throughout the trails and along the edge of the Niagara escarpment. The best time to see these is just before the trees begin to leaf out. Once the canopy fills in overhead, it can be difficult to spot these treetop singers. Skeins of American white pelicans can be seen soaring over Lake Winnebago, as well as feeding and fishing in schools along the shore and in the marina. Often, they can also be seen basking along the rock breakwaters. Turkey vultures circle in large numbers over the ledge each morning, taking advantage of thermals to test their wings and get a little exercise. Sometimes, on cool mornings, you’ll spot turkey vultures perched upon trees, snags, as well as the on marina break walls with their wings widespread, capturing the sun just like a basking butterfly.


The wildflowers of spring are another treasure of May at High Cliff State Park. Not many places in our state rival High Cliff for the spectacular show of spring ephemerals. Large-flowered trillium, yellow trout lily, white trout lily, spring beauty, Dutchman’s breeches, hepaticas, wild geranium, jack-in-the-pulpit, mayapple, toothwort, as well as many others, can be seen along the ledge, both on the trails at the top of the ledge, as well as in the shadows beneath the escarpment. Throughout early to mid May, the spring ephemerals put on a fantastic show.


As we get to the latter part of May and the canopy fills in overhead, the calming green of the lush forest offers a peaceful and tranquil getaway. Walk along any trails and explore different parts of the park each time you visit. Of course, with May come the lake flies. Usually arriving in the biggest numbers right around Mother’s Day, swarms of lake flies dance and swirl like clouds along the Lake Winnebago shoreline, providing a virtual feast for songbirds that are migrating through, as well as those already on nest and feeding young. While many people complain about the lake flies, it’s important to remember that they are basically the heart of the ecosystem of Lake Winnebago and all of the creatures that can be found here, especially lake sturgeon, purple martins, scarlet tanagers, Baltimore orioles, the migrating warblers and other birds migrating through or raising families. We must look at the bigger picture and realize that, without the lake flies, many of these species would not be here.


By the middle of May, the first monarchs begin to arrive. Native wildflowers that may already be in bloom at that time, such as orange milkweed, wild bergamot, as well as other sources of nectar such as Russian olive, lilac and more, attract monarchs that arrive early in the season. Leopard frogs, American toads, Eastern gray tree frogs, Cope’s gray tree frogs, spring peepers, chorus frog, wood frogs and green frogs are all singing throughout the month of May in the various ponds, quarries and vernal pools throughout the park. Hiking along the horse trail at the top of the ledge, you may be fortunate to find bobolinks, clay-colored sparrow, meadowlarks, eastern bluebirds, brown thrashers, as well as other grassland birds.


Be sure to visit often throughout the month of May to witness the rapid changes and the comings and goings of dozens and dozens of varieties of birds, insects and the constant parade of wildflowers that decorate the woodlands, prairie and wetlands.

 

Large Flowered Trillium, photo by Rob Zimmer

Thank you, Volunteers!

By Beth Braun


An appreciation lunch was hosted by park staff for park volunteers on March 27, 2025. Staff provided sloppy joes, some sides and beverages. Twelve volunteers attended and enjoyed the food while visiting with staff and other volunteers.


Ranger Kyle Pasch gave a presentation highlighting the volunteer accomplishments in 2024. There were 2,244 recorded volunteer hours in 2024. Kyle said those hours equaled a full- time staff position! There are currently 158 active volunteers for the park.


Kyle also listed the tasks volunteers helped to accomplish. These included the following: picnic table repair; summer camp hosts; hazard tree cleanup; fishing rod setup; ski trail grooming; plow stake install; landscaping/weed whacking; Lime Kiln waterfall work; marina wall repair; Lime Kiln Ruins cleanup; nature program prep; invasive species removal; wood duck box construction; tree fencing/watering; prairie seeding and chipping/clearing road shoulders. The 2024 Arbor Day tree planting & park cleanup alone had 74 volunteers, resulting in 231 volunteer hours.


Thank you to all of the park volunteers. We couldn’t do it without you!


To have your name added to the volunteer email list, visit OutWiGo to fill out your application with "better impact" or call the park office, 920-989-1106. Feel free to volunteer outside of these scheduled days too. 


Many hands make for light work!

High Cliff Arbor Day Tree Planting and Park Clean-Up was a big success on Saturday, April 26, 2025


Our work day started at 9:00 am with over 70 volunteers showing up to plant trees and/or pick up litter in the park. Park Rangers Tristan and Nathan had an area marked for tree planting. Every flag needed a tree and soon the volunteers were digging, breaking up soil, mulching, and watering the little saplings. With all the support, we planted 300 trees in the upper pavilion area! The species included 100 white pine, 100 white oak, and 100 black cherry. At noon, the Friends of High Cliff served-up a well-deserved lunch.

The park looks tidy and ready for a busy summer ahead thanks to our volunteers!

 High Cliff - Spring 1898

Ice Out and Baby Chicks!

By Cynthia R. Mueller, Retired High Cliff Naturalist


Ice shoves signal the coming of spring and warmer weather on the shores of Lake Winnebago. Strong winds break up large, thick sheets of ice and pile them along the shores of Lake Winnebago. This has been a magnificent display of nature’s power through the ages. Total “ice out” was not far behind.


Warmer temperatures also bring potential for severe weather. Waterspouts – mini tornadoes on the water- have always been common on the lake. Sometimes these tornadoes intensify and make their way onto shore and cause considerable damage, even with a rock ledge in their way. One such tornado hit the village of High Cliff and caused serious damage to the lime plant’s company barn and surrounding buildings.


As people started to venture out more in the spring, the High Cliff General Store bustled with activity. New items started arriving, such as fresh flour, sugar, and other dry goods staples. Ladies and gents alike looked forward to the new Sears and Roebuck catalog. Among hundreds of items that could be ordered for delivery to the store included spices, coffee, reading glasses, medicinal cures, and even baby chicks. Some springtime favorites for the ladies included carded fabrics in bright new colors and patterns, spooled yarn and thread, and corsets. Although probably not big sellers at High Cliff, fancy dress patterns and silk gloves were fun to look at but were ordered mainly for weddings or other special occasions. The latest canned nails, pocket watches and knives, guns, window glass, buggy parts, and fire bellows were ordered by men in the village.


It was puzzling at first to look at Walter Cheever School’s teachers’ registers to understand why boys attending the school were missing from school attendance records in the spring. The fact was that most of the boys were needed to help the men prepare the fields for planting. Among those students was August Sternhagen, age 8. He went on to be my grandpa! To keep up with schoolwork, the boys studied by kerosene lantern at night. They must have been so very tired at the end of the day!


Women and girls sowed large gardens of herbs and vegetables from seeds carefully saved from last year’s fall harvest. My Grandma Anna, just a little girl then, enjoyed growing flowers that would be on display in the High Cliff Rock Gardens above the ledge.


SYRUP

Sap was collected from spiles - little faucets forged from iron or carved from the hollow branches of sumac trees. These taps were inserted into small holes set into the trees with a hand brace.


Early spring was also the time to collect sap from trees in the maple family. On top of the ledge, large stands of sugar maple trees were “tapped” to catch the sweet sap. Wilmer Schultz, former park manager, and his ancestors before him tapped maple trees for generations. All maples, birch, box elder, walnut, and sycamore trees yield sap that, when evaporated over a primitive outdoor fire pit, can be cooked down to syrup. They all have a slightly different flavor.


Drop by drop, sap fell into metal or wooden containers. Depending on the concentration of sugar in the sap, it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. Sap was cooked for hours over a wood fire and then canned with great precision. If you were really good at it, cooking sap to syrup, then cooking a little more to make dry sugar was a mastery. If you have ever evaporated sap to syrup, you know how temperamental and exacting the process is.


Spring at High Cliff made way for a very tedious, yet fun summer season on the lakeshore. Hard work and close neighborly bonds kept the community bonds strong for over 100 years!


This article may not be re-printed or reproduced in any way and is the sole owner of Cynthia R. Mueller. 

High Cliff: Union Lime (1902-1921)

by Daniel M. Seurer


In 1902, shortly after the relocation of the Cook and Brown lime kiln plant from the lakeshore to its current location along Lime Kiln Trail, the first substantial merger occurred within the limestone production industry of Wisconsin. Five regional lime producers, predominantly situated in Calumet and Manitowoc counties, and Fond du Lac County, united to establish the Union Lime Company.


The Union Lime Company was a consolidation of lime production facilities in Calumet and Manitowoc counties. These included the Cook and Brown plants at High Cliff and Grimms, J.W. Ormsby’s plant in Brillion, Hayton, and Marblehead Lime (which operated a plant in Hayton and should not be confused with the Marblehead plant in Fond du Lac County). Furthermore, plants in Fond du Lac County (Marblehead and Hamilton) and Grafton (Ozaukee County) were also incorporated into the merger.


Following this merger, Union Lime emerged as the preeminent lime producer in Wisconsin until the 1921 merger with the Nast Brothers operations in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties, which culminated in the formation of the expansive Western Lime company.


A thorough examination of positively identified images of the High Cliff plant from approximately 1902 to 1920 demonstrates that all three lime kilns remained operational throughout the tenure of the Union Lime Company. Notably, around 1905, the first hydration plant was build at High Cliff.


Lime was transported to the kilns via carts on tracks spanning trestles constructed from cliffside quarries westward to the kilns. The sole remnants of these trestle structures are the limestone buttresses used to support the trestles or bolster the cliffside to establish a stable foundation.


To the south of the lime kiln complex lie the remaining foundations of the crushing plant. The precise construction and operational timeline of this facility remain uncertain. A Western Lime promotional book published in 1926 depicts the High Cliff crusher plant in operation. It is highly probable that the crusher plant was constructed and operated by Union Lime prior to the merger with Western Lime in 1921.


The paper mills of the nearby Fox Valley region served as the primary market for the Union Lime Company. However, plastering and masonry construction also constituted substantial products sold through building material dealers in the local region and as far west as the Rocky Mountains.


FOHC Board Meeting Time Change:

The Friends of High Cliff Board Meetings will now be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 5:00 pm in the park office. The Board does not meet in July and December. Board meetings are open to all.

Established in 1997, the Friends of High Cliff State Park Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that supports, assists, and promotes the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with interpretive, scientific, historical, educational, and related visitor services.

N7630 State Park Rd

Sherwood, WI 54169

920-989-1106

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