ThinkingAfield.org

You can help track frog and toad population trends in Michigan by listening for their calls this spring. Data is collected throughout the state, and anyone who is interested is welcome to participate. Frog and toad survey data collection takes place April through July, so now is the perfect time to plan your survey route and brush up on frog and toad calls!

Find the frog and toad survey instructions and route description form, along with calls and other information, on our Michigan’s Frogs and Toads page.

Email DNR-FrogSurvey@Michigan.gov with your survey route or questions. New survey routes should be submitted by April for approval. Survey routes should include 10 different stops that will be surveyed three times during the survey period.

After a flurry of snow covered the Flat River State Game Area, DNR staff mowed over the snow to benefit the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. These pale blue, dime-sized butterflies can only be found in small pockets of savanna habitat where wild lupine grows in the open sunlight. Karner blues depend on lupine for survival, as females lay their eggs on the plant and emerging caterpillars feed on the leaves.

For Karner blue butterfly populations to thrive, the area must be periodically burned with fire or mowed to remove any large woody species that may cast shade on the lupine. To protect the lupine and over-wintering egg clutches, mowing can only occur when at least 4 inches of snow has accumulated. This winter habitat management activity will produce flourishing native wildflowers and fluttering insects this spring and summer.

Learn more about the Karner blue butterfly.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding property owners to check your home and other man-made structures for bats. If you find any, you still have time to exclude them before bat maternity season begins.

Bat maternity season is the time when bats gather to give birth and raise their young, and it runs from April 15 through Aug. 15. During this time, it is illegal to block bats from their roosts. If bats are excluded during maternity season, flightless young can become trapped inside the structure and die. Therefore, now is the time to check your home for any entry points, ensure that no bats are present and make any necessary repairs. Read more

>
Winter in Michigan is a great time to go birding. While many of our summer species have headed for warmer places to spend the winter, for a number of species, Michigan is their warm place. Northern forest and tundra species, like this northern hawk owl (pictured) and the snowy owl, make special appearances in Michigan during the winter months. Some of our summer residents stick around in the chilly weather but change their summer finery for more muted winter colors, which makes for plenty of fun challenges in winter birding. Find birding trails and winter birding opportunities.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission’s next regular meeting is Thursday, Feb. 11. Due to COVID-19 public health and safety guidelines, the meeting again will be hosted in an online format.

You can register to watch the meeting live online using this link. After registering, you’ll receive an email with info on how to join the webinar. Those who want to provide public comment should call 517-881-9630 or email NRC@Michigan.gov.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. with the Committee of the Whole, and the agenda includes additional information related to migratory game bird hunting, Pure Michigan Hunt winners and land transactions. Read more