Day 320

In terms of bigger and better, we love seeing our land move back into a more wildlife-friendly and beautiful space. The restoration plan is in motion and it is working. Since the restoration began, we have noticed an influx of wildlife. This is partly due to the fact that we removed lots of very tall invasive grass and are working to keep that down. We are also seeing native plants take the places of that grass in many places around the property. During winter, we saw so many deer and turkey. In spring, we saw a huge increase in the amount of waterfowl who stopped by during the wet time of the year. Besides geese and ducks, we had migrating sandhill cranes and a pair of whooping cranes. Once the land dried out and the native plants started taking over, the buzz of insects and song of birds filled the air throughout the summer. Now that fall has arrived, the deer and turkeys are taking center stage again.

With all this wildlife all around us, one of our newer goals is to increase the amount of trail cameras we have to capture wild moments throughout the land.

We already utilize one we received from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Snapshot Wisconsin program. We also found one overseeing an abandoned deer stand. I've been able to pick up a few others along the way so we should be able to add a few more to the land and catch some wildlife in action. 

Now we just have to decide where we want to place them.

Right now, we have one trail camera near the back of the property in the woods, strategically placed along a game trail. I think we will add another to the woods on the other side of the land. Once our prairie is in full swing, that could be a spot. Once birdhouses are up, we could add some nearby. If and when we added a more permanent water feature, we would definitely place one there.

No matter what we do, our work continues to improve the land for our enjoyment, but for the animals and plants that call it home.