The EcoLab contains an assortment of interesting animals, with many left to be discovered. Mammals include beaver, muskrat, red fox, raccoon, fox squirrel, red tree squirrel, mink, striped skunk, white-tailed deer, opossum, and others. Mammal tracks are fun to find in muddy areas near water and after a light snow.
The Marian College EcoLab contains a diverse array of habitats and therefore, is quite good birding. We’ve seen over 160 species, but weekly bird surveys continue to turn up new ones, so it’s always exciting! James Cole, the National Audubon Society’s important bird areas coordinator for Indiana, leads a weekly bird walk and survey starting at 8 a.m. on Saturdays from the Colonnade, for more events visit the EcoLab calendar. The data collected on these walks are used to monitor the changes in bird populations as the restoration of the Marian College EcoLab continues. Great Horned Owls, Cooper’s Hawks, and American Woodcock typically nest in the EcoLab. Red-shouldered hawks and Red-headed Woodpeckers have been observed regularly and we are hoping they’ll nest this year. Click here for more information on birds of the EcoLab.
The herpetologist (reptile and amphibian expert) will be interested in surveying the EcoLab’s wetlands. So far, amphibian diversity is strangely low, considering the area and quality of wetlands. Frog species heard during our yearly frog surveys include Bullfrogs, American Toads, Green Frogs, and Cricket Frogs. We have yet to find a salamander in the EcoLab on numerous “minnow trap” surveys. Turtle species caught in the EcoLab include Painted, Red-eared Slider, Snapping, Musk, and Map.
Insect, fish, and other animal diversity is virtually unknown. President Elsener (Marian College) fishes the main pond, but won’t talk about what he catches! He says “They’re all too small to bother. No, you won’t want to bother going there to fish. No, no.” |
