Naturalist Notions Blog

Paul Regnier writes about viewing and experiencing the Natural Door. Contact him at doorcountypaul@gmail.com and visit doorcountynatureandtravel.com for nature tours and more.

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Walking and Hiking Your Way Through Door County – 1: Logan Creek Property

By Paul Regnier Hiking Door County’s natural areas has been a passion of mine for over 20 years. What better way to know your home landscapes, an extended backyard if you will? Let’s take a look at a few of my favorite destinations for you to explore the forests, geography and beaches in Door County. Perhaps you’ve discovered a few favorites of your own. Logan Creek Property Managed by The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, this 180-acre natural area begs a visit in spring, when early …

Birding in Door County – Summer: June, July and August

By Naturalist Paul Regnier Summer birding is variable. Birds are quieter but not necessarily less active. Birds are busy, feeding a brood of screaming beaks and teaching fledglings how to be birds. Bird song is less evident and bird finding is more unpredictable than in spring, but for the watchful eye there’s plenty of birds to watch. Visit protected bays of undeveloped shores of parks and preserves. Watch for Eastern Bluebird boxes, along interior roads, for busy adults feeding young. …

Walking and Hiking Your Way Through Door County – 2: Hotz Trail at Newport State Park

Door County’s diverse geographical features provide outstanding outdoor opportunities for a wide range of hiking abilities. From idyllic to adventurous, to gently sloping beaches lakeside, to the rocky rough escarpment of the bayside, there is truly something for everyone. Hotz Trail at Newport State Park. This coastal gem of a park features 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline! Newport is Wisconsin’s only wilderness designated State Park. Much of the Hotz trail is upon ancient sand dunes…

Birding in Door County – Autumn: September, October, November

Fall: September, October and November Migrating waterfowl and shorebirds peak during the early fall season – so head for bays with shallow waters and, if possible mudflats. A spotting scope is a valuable tool for scanning distant shores. Autumn birding season can be a challenge for even the seasoned birder. In late summer or early fall birds molt – replacing worn feathers. For some birds, molting brings on not only a new set of feathers, but also a different set of colors and patterns. T…

Walking and Hiking Your Way Through Door County – 3: Eagle Trail at Peninsula State Park

Peering over rich summer green treetops to the blue waters below, a flock of bleach white gulls wing along the shoreline. I soak in one of my favorite iconic Door County landscapes; Eagle Harbor. From this solid rock perch, carved into the Niagara Escarpment, is a view known to bald eagles and peregrine falcons for thousands of years before becoming a State Park. Even though the access trail to this site is short, the reward to the hiker is no short of awesome. Eagle Trail at Peninsula …

Birding in Door County – Winter: December, January, February

Winter: December, January and February Winter is the season of dramatic change. Many of our local birds are south and some of the northern birds also move south, some to Door County – which species and in what numbers is a yearly guess. For winter birding success, remember water and food. Find open water – Anclam Park in Baileys Harbor, Northport Dock, Sister Bay marina, and Sturgeon Bay canal for over wintering ducks, geese and swans. Search for berry-laden shrubs and trees along village…