Ornate Box Turtles at Lost Mound Unit Update

Ornate Box Turtles at Lost Mound Unit

Ornate Box Turtles at Lost Mound Unit

 

Attention!!! Ornate Box Turtle Update from Jeramie Strickland and Lost Mound Unit:


I have attached photos that were taken August 26th 2014 at Lost Mound Unit inside of the turtle enclosure. The four hatchlings came from a nest that was laid June 9th 2014. The female was translocated May 2013 from Local Redevelopment Authority property, with the help of the John Rucker and his turtle dogs. The female was moved out of ‘harms way’ because the area is slated for railroad development in the near future. This same female also nested (3 eggs) inside of the enclosure at Lost Mound Unit June 7th 2013. Unfortunately, only one of the eggs seemed to successfully hatch due to partial nest depredation.
This brings our population estimate at Lost Mound Unit to ~57 ornates:
-14 hatchlings from natural nests over the years
-24 headstarts
-10 adult males (1sub adult) -8 adult females

Huge thanks to the partners, volunteers, and staff for their support and assistance with this project!


Jeramie T. Strickland
Wildlife Biologist

I forgot to mention, notice the penny in the one photo and you can get an idea of the size of the baby turtles!

Posted By Connie Zink

Ornate Box Turtles at Lost Mound Unit

Ornate Box Turtles at Lost Mound Unit

Ornate Box Turtles at Lost Mound Unit

Ornate Box Turtles at Lost Mound Unit

3rd Annual Amazing Refuge Race – Saturday, August 16

2013 Winners IMG_0803 Critter Match

Armed with GPS units, teams, will “race” by attempting to complete a series of challenges located on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Teams will be given a set of coordinates for a specific location which they will find using a handheld GPS unit.  Once at that location, teams must work together to complete a task. When that task is successfully completed, teams will receive the next set of coordinates for the next location. Those who finish all tasks and arrive at the finish first, win!

Sound like fun? You may bring your own GPS unit or borrow one for the day. The event will begin at the Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center located at 7071 Riverview Rd, Thomson, IL 61285. Prior to the race, we will hold an introductory GPS course at 8:00 a.m. to learn how to use the unit. The race will then begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude around 1:00 pm.

Registration is required for the race! A team is comprised of a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 6. Teams will be driving and walking to get to their designations.

Registration deadline is August 14th. Call 815-273-2732 ext. 116 or email pam_steinhaus@fws.gov to register or receive more information. There is no cost to enter and is open to all ages.

Plant Uses

 

Bald Eagle Viewing Tours Ending Soon

Bald Eagles by Michael Fitzgerald 1

With the beginning of Spring only six days away, Bald Eagle viewing in huge numbers will be ending soon as the migrating Bald Eagles will be returning to their northern homelands. This Saturday, March 15th is one of the Stewards last scheduled tours for viewing Bald Eagles. We will be visiting Lost Mound Unit, Saturday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in hopes of viewing these magnificent birds as they make their way northward along the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Limited spaces are still available for this van tour. We will meet at Lost Mound Unit Office at 1:45 for our trek into the closed area of the Old Savanna Army Depot. Pre-registration is required and you may sign up by calling Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center 815-273-2732 by 3:00 pm Friday, March 14th, or emailing stewardsumrr@gmail.com The tour is free and open to the public. Tours are sponsored by Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For a complete listing of tours and events please visit our website stewardsumrr.org.

Juvenile Bald Eagle by Connie Zink 2

Spring is Coming

Think SpringBelieve it or not Spring is coming, only six more days until the official start of Spring! What better way to celebrate the start of this new season than to start planning a trip to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center 7071 Riverview Road Thomson, Illinois 61285. Golf Cart Tours of the Refuge will resume on Thursday, May 1st 2014 and run through September. The tours run the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month and the 3rd Saturday. Special tours for groups may also be scheduled by calling 815-273-2732 ext 116 or emailing stewardsumrr@gmail.com. Please check our website at stewardsumrr.org for a complete list of golf cart tour dates.

golfcarttour

Jr. Stewards Registration is due Feb 15

We are looking for interested individuals that love to spend time in the outdoors and that would like to participate in the Jr. Stewards Program. The Jr. Stewards program is a year-long adventure for area youth ages 9 – 14+ creating a lifelong connection with nature. We meet the 1st Saturday of each month beginning in March and ending in December. There is no cost to participate. Time is running out to register so send me your registration before February 15th.  You can get a registration form by visiting the Jr. Stewards page on our website.  If you have any questions, please contact Pam Steinhaus at 815-273-2732 ext 116.

Monitor each box for activity.

Monitor each box for activity.