A Walk through Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary

For this virtual walk, we are going to focus on the prairie first!

What is a prairie?

A prairie is defined as a grassland with very few trees.

This photo shows the prairie in the fall in September.

Notice all those yellows? Those are the Goldenrods, a later blooming prairie plant which is a nectar source for pollinators late in the season.

Amongst the yellow of the goldenrods, you will often find a purple plant growing alongside them. Called Wild Bergamot, this prairie plant is another favorite of pollinators.

If you ever get the chance, we recommend using your sense of smell to experience the unique, minty scent that also identifies this prairie plant.

In fact, here is a Hummingbird Hawk-moth taking a sip of nectar from some bergamot while flying! This moth's common name comes from the fact it is often mistaken for hummingbirds.

Also receiving the gift of nectar from bergamot is a Pipevine Swallowtail! These beautiful black, orange, and blue butterflies can be seen flying from flower to flower at the bird sanctuary, making it difficult for our staff to photograph them!

Another splash of purple in the prairie is found when the Pokeweed berries ripen! While not edible by humans, these berries provide food for many birds at Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary: Mockingbirds, Northern Cardinals, and Mourning Doves.

(US Forest Service)

While Pokeweed towers among other plants in the prairie, this next plant is found much closer to the ground. Self-heal grows between 20-30 cm tall and has you guessed it: purple flowers! Bees and wasps especially like to visit them.

This plant has traditionally been used as medicine for sore throats, hence the name of self-heal.

(The Wildlife Trusts)

On the bird sanctuary, the cycle of life means there are many decomposers hard at work, breaking down material and helping new soil form. This fungus, or mushroom, was spotted growing along the trail near the sanctuary's parking lot!

Did you know fungi aren't a plant or an animal? They are their own unique group of organisms!

After wandering around the prairie loop, let's take a woodland trail!

Here we will see different plants than the direct sunlight loving ones found in the prairie. For example, Jack-in-the-Pulpit grow here! Recognized by their curled up leaves and stripes.

Resembling an umbrella, May Apples have very large leaves. Their white flowers are hidden underneath, a pleasant surprise to look for while hiking! You rarely find just one plant growing alone, you will normally find many growing in one area.

Unlike pokeweed, their fruits are edible!

Walking along the edges of the woodland is where you will find Wild Blue Phlox. This plant typically comes in blue to lavender colors, and occasionally can be pink or white. Pollinators such has butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds will visit this woodland plant.

(Prairie Nursery)

Walk deep enough into the bird sanctuary, and you will come across one of the many small creeks that exist here.

What wildlife do you think might live here? Or sip water from the stream?

Of course we can't forget about birds at Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary!

Featured here is a White-breasted Nuthatch. These small birds walk down trees upside down hunting for insects to eat and nuts to crack open.

(Cornell Lab).