Mink or Fisher?
It's Critter Cam time again. Although we checked this camera just last weekend, the captures go back to last winter as you can see. It's pretty clear that this critter is either a mink or a fisher, but it's not…
A Little Good News for the Bats
Back when I worked at Devil’s Lake State Park in the early ‘90s, naturalist Ken Lange (the park’s first naturalist) would tell us that the north shore bat colony was over 1,000 strong. By 2010, that often-quoted number had dropped…
Groundhogs: The Overlooked Stars of Devil’s Lake State Park
Did you know that Devil's Lake State Park is home to groundhogs? These furry creatures are closely related to marmots, a popular sight in national parks out west. In fact, in some national parks such as Olympic NP, the public…
Pileated Woodpeckers: Nature’s Tree Carvers
If you've ever hiked through Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin, you may have heard the distinctive drumming sound of a Pileated Woodpecker. The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found in North America. At about 16-19 inches in length,…
Loons Return To Devil’s Lake
As spring arrives in Devil's Lake State Park, one of the most exciting events is the return of the common loon. Known for their haunting calls, these waterbirds are a sight to see as they glide through the crystal-clear waters…
Prescribed Burn, Merrimac Preserve
Yesterday evening, a prescribed burn was conducted on the Merrimac Preserve which is located just east of Roznos Meadow on the southeast corner of Devil's Lake State Park. Smoke from the fire was visible from Devil's Lake and the city…
Vulture’s Return 2023
You know what they say, "The early vulture gets the carrion!" One sure sign of spring at Devil's Lake State Park is the return of the Turkey Vultures! Their return is so regular that a now-retired maintenance worker at the…
Snowshoeing Off Trail
It's snowshoe season at Devil's Lake State Park!! With anywhere from 5 to 10 inches of snow on the ground and more to come this week, it's a wonderful time to get out and explore! And while ice cleats are…
Bats of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Just after Halloween, we took advantage of the late-season warmth to ride the Elroy-Sparta State Trail north from Kendall, Wisconsin up to the first of 3 historic train tunnels which are some of the main attractions on the Elroy-Sparta. Of…