The Ski Trails at Crossroads were fabulous the week before Christmas….before the rain and balmy weather. Fortnately on a crisp sunny day, students from Sturgeon Bay High School were able to go skiing as a part of their physical education program.
After fitting out the students and watching them take off into the Big Creek Preserve, we sat down on the benches of the Ski Distribution Center (a.k.a. Maintenance Building) to enjoy the sunshine when a cloud…maybe a hundred, perhaps more….. goldfinches (and maybe siskins—they’re the same size and shape) descended on the dried vegetation just beyond the open door.
Clasping the stems of last summer’s growth, they swung, dipped and bounced back, looking almost like bungee jumpers until they established the balance they needed to do what they came for—feed on the seeds of dead flower heads.
Most people looking out would probably call the area just south of our Maintenance Building a “weedy field,” but if you define a weed as “a plant you don’t want,” this field is anything but. Five or six years ago, students from Walker Middle School broadcast the seeds of wild sunflowers, coreoposis, and black-eye Susans and native grasses. Asters and goldenrod established themselves. Vividly beautiful in the fall, these plants produce the seeds which now supply the winter rations for our seed-eating birds.
Acrobatic goldfinch seem to knock down and spill more seed than they eat, but that is fine, because other birds… cardinals, tree sparrows and juncos… like to feed on the ground and soon fly down to the white snow to forage for the dark seeds.Those dark seeds have another advantage. On sunny days, because they are dark, wildflower seeds absorb the heat of even the weakest winter sun. Warmed, the seeds melt their way into the snow and literally plant themselves in the soil. Understand that the seeds of most field flowers are genetically programmed to survive a period of cold and that the freezing and thawing cycles of late winter help break down the seed coats and stimulate germination. So our messy little birds are actually ensuring their food source for future years.
Of course, the all-you-can-eat bird banquet is only possible in unmowed areas. Even around the Collins Learning Center, we now leave our summer gardens standing. We can clean in the spring. Blowing in the wind, the ornamental grasses add interest to the landscaping and birds flock to the seed heads of last year’s composites. They also use last year’s plantings as cover when they perceive danger.
Crossroads is in the process of creating a Fully Accessible Bird and Butterfly Garden around the learning center. By summer, we hope to install seating so learners of all ages can enjoy nature at arm’s length. But this winter, the Entry Level windows of the center provide excellent views of a variety of birds. Birders might just want to stop by to add a few species to their 2017 Bird Year Lists.
While little songbirds are unintentionally planting seeds and birdwatchers are starting their Year Lists, members of Master Gardeners are dreaming about spring and planning their gardens. For that reason, the Education Committee has invited Kori Zakowski, from Sunnypoint Gardens to open the Master Gardener Lecture Series with the program: “What’s New for 2017” Surely among the trends and the new varieties coming on the market, she will suggests plants that will provide nectar for pollinators and seeds for winter birds. This lecture is free and open to the public.
The Friday Film on Friday, February 6 will be a repeat showing of “Chasing Ice”, which refers, not to the low spots on our trails, but rather to an exquisitely beautiful documentary described as “one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet.” We are grateful to the Door County Climate Change Coalition for underwriting the screening rights for this film.
Trails at our three preserves are free and open to the public 24-7. For trail maps and current trail conditions, and cancelations, visit www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan Street just east of the roundabout in Sturgeon Bay, is open 2:00-4:00 daily and during scheduled activities.
Thursday, January 5
1:00-3:300 (snow conditions permitting) SKI FOR FREE
Friends of Crossroads lend ski equipment and snowshoes, free of charge, to residents and visitors of Door County. Go to the Maintenance Building where you will be fitted and then sent out onto our trails to get in touch with nature. Dress for the weather. When in doubt, check the Crossroads Website for current conditions and closures.
Friday, January 6
Friday Film: Chasing Ice
This film documents the acclaimed environmental photograph James Balog’s assignment for the National Geographic: to travel to the Arctic to capture images to help tell the story of the Earth’s changing climate. This screening is free and open to the public. Meet in the lecture hall of the Collins Learning Center.
Saturday, January 7
1:00-3:300 (snow conditions permitting) SKI FOR FREE
Friends of Crossroads lend ski equipment and snowshoes, free of charge, to residents and visitors of Door County. Go to the Maintenance Building where you will be fitted and then sent out onto our trails to get in touch with nature. Dress for the weather. When in doubt, check the Crossroads Website for current conditions and closures.
Sunday, January 8
1:00-3:300 (snow conditions permitting) SKI FOR FREE
Friends of Crossroads lend ski equipment and snowshoes, free of charge, to residents and visitors of Door County. Go to the Maintenance Building where you will be fitted and then sent out onto our trails to get in touch with nature. Dress for the weather. When in doubt, check the Crossroads Website for current conditions and closures.
Tuesday, January 10 Master Gardener Lecture: “What’s New for 2017”
Find out what’s new for 2017. Kori Zakowski, from Sunnypoint Gardens will take us through the new varieties of annuals, perennials and shrubs coming onto the market in 2017. This will be Kori’s sixth appearance at our educational series. Her presentations have been one of our most popular each year. Please join us for a fun and informative program.
