Our network

Urban Wildlife

Living next door to bees: The pitfalls and perks

Living next door to bees: The pitfalls and perks

Madison buzzed last year when urban beekeeping became legal, but not everyone loves living near a hive. While they are relatively few, the city has received some complaints about beekeepers over the last year.

According to zoning administrator Matt Tucker, there are 39 beekeeping licenses out in Madison, and only about three or four have had complaints lodged against them since the ordinance passed in February 2012. This is comparable to complaints about Madison's urban chicken raisers, Tucker said.

He noted the issues that most commonly come up with beekeepers have to do with the personal responsibility of keepers, like hives resting closer to lot lines than the ordinance allows.

Loni Broesch has filed multiple complaints about her neighbor and said she's miserable living next to a beekeeper.

Madison flora and fauna slowly signal spring

Madison flora and fauna slowly signal spring

Although March 20 marked the arrival of the spring equinox, Madison is still shivering in cold temperatures. According to the National Weather Service Offices, the average temperature on March 20 was 15 degrees this year, while the same day last year reached 71 degrees.

"[We've] got snow covering the ground for a longer period than normal, and we still have it now," said Levi Wood, a naturalist at UW Arboretum, after guiding a public tour titled "End of Winter" in the Arboretum on March 24. That day turned out windy and snowy, with a high temperature of 31 degrees.

"This is becoming one of the longer lasting, snowier winters any of us can remember," wrote Wood in the trip's note on the Arboretum website.

In the freezing wintry air, a few species still surfaced to herald the spring in Madison, including the skunk cabbage, a plant distributed near the Wingra Woods in the Arboretum.

New African lion arrives at Henry Vilas Zoo

New African lion arrives at Henry Vilas Zoo

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi on Thursday announced the arrival of a new female African lion at Dane County's Henry Vilas Zoo.

The lion came to Madison from the Sedgewick County Zoo in Wichita, Kan.

Ronda Schwetz, director of the zoo, said that Shakura is just over two years old and is a young adult. The Lion Species Survival Plan, which works to preserve a species over generations, sent Shakura to pair with Henry, the older male lion currently at the zoo.

The SSP makes matches to help produce the healthiest and most genetically sound offspring possible for the long-term health of the whole population.

"Shakura is very energetic and fun to watch on exhibit. She has taken to her new surroundings very well," said Schwetz in a Dane County news release.

Mayor proclaims Saturday ‘Bird Day’ in the city

Mayor proclaims Saturday ‘Bird Day’ in the city

Local, national protection groups bringing awareness to pet birds    

The City of Madison joins a national non-profit in celebrating the feathered kind on National Bird Day Saturday.

On Dec. 19, Mayor Paul Soglin signed a proclamation making Jan. 5 Bird Day in the city. Soglin wrote he “encourage[s] our citizens to conserve and protect the world’s birds from cruelty and extinction.”

The city’s Bird Day coincides with the same day it is celebrated nationwide through Born Free and the Avian Welfare Coalition.

Monica Engebretson, wildlife biologist with Born Free, said National Bird Day is about to protecting and appreciating birds.

“Birds are actually not domesticated animals like cats and dogs,” Engebretson said. “They belong in the wild and it is very challenging to meet their needs in a home environment.”

Olbrich's holiday display, train exhibit is back

Olbrich's holiday display, train exhibit is back

The 2012 Holiday Express offers a tropical theme

Madison’s unique recreational garden facility is hosting its annual holiday exhibit for the month of December that includes model trains throughout the Atrium.

The Holiday Express Flower and Model Train Show at Olbrich Botanical Gardens on Madison’ Far East side offers its holiday display in a tropical theme, including tiki sculptures, stained glass art and tropical plant life.

"(Olbrich staff) brought in some interesting tropical plants from our greenhouses, like palm trees with twinkling lights, along with an element of fun with the pink flamingos," Olbrich spokeswoman Sharon Cybart said. "Of course, we still have poinsettias and model trains, so visitors seem to be enjoying everything with a new twist."

The exhibit also incorporates holiday lights, the traditional Christmas poinsettias and large-scale model trains.

Wisconsin Bat Festival to be held at Warner Park

Wisconsin Bat Festival to be held at Warner Park

The Wisconsin Bat Festival will be held at Warner Park on Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event costs $10 for adults. Children get in free with a paying adult.

Bats make good moms, organizers said, which makes the Mother's Day weekend event fun for the whole family.

The event will include live bat programs, children's activities, exhibits and much more.

Meet live bats from around the world and visit with Wisconsin's backyard bats.

Come face to face with fruit bats from Africa and Asia, a Vampire Bat and encounter the largest bat in the world, the gigantic Malayan Flying Fox which has nearly a 6-foot wingspan!

For more information, visit: http://wiatri.net/inventory/bats/batfest.cfm.

Another Mom Makes Herself At Home On Madison College's Campus

Another Mom Makes Herself At Home On Madison College's Campus

A mother duck has built her nest on the Madison Area Technical College's Truax campus and she is getting some support on from a Madison College employee.

"This is her second year there," said Dave Hendrix. "Last year, I didn't find out she was there until the baby ducks were already gone. But this year she came back."

Hendrix said the nest has been there for about 25 days in the auto parts wing of the campus. He said that's how he came up with the name A.P. Tech.

"I would think that if I was a duck that was in need of some help like that, I hope that there would be somebody nice enough to do that for me," Hendrix said.

This isn't the first time Hendrix has shown his nuturing side. He also helped a mother duck that built her nest on the Truax roof 20 years ago.