The Oak Savanna

This is the oak savanna at our farm north of Lily Lake, IL. A small, 3 acre remnant, this oak savanna is a humble reminder of the type of ecosystem that once expanded across the entire Northern Illinois landscape. A Midwestern bridge, oak savannas are a distinct type of ecosystem that filled the spectrum between the dense forests of the east and the expansive prairies of the west. Bur Oak was the dominant tree in the savanna, with its fire resistant trunk and strong, deep roots. Loosely grouped, these massive pillars of the prairie defined the savanna ecosystem.
For most of my life this savanna has been my laboratory for my exploration of the natural world. Only recently, however, have I really discovered the importance of the oak savanna as a native ecosystem and come to realize its place in the life and well-being of so many species that face an ever increasing threat from human demands for land, water, space, and resources. Today, with increased fragmentation, urbanization. commercialization, and modern agriculture, the oak savanna is a threatened ecosystem. Very few high quality remnants remain, and many quality remnants are lost to the pressure of development.
It's amazing what comes to life in the savanna during the spring and summer. It doesn't look like much now, but in a few months this remnant will be home to numerous plant, birds, insects, and animals. Trout Lilies, Prairie Trilliums, and Mayapples signal the oncoming of spring. Bluebirds return to claim their nesting territory as early as the last week in March. Later Scarlet Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Phoebes, Kingbirds and Meadowlarks, Indigo Bunting, Red-tailed Hawks, numerous warblers and sparrows make their appearance, some staying to breed during the summer, and some just passing through.
This remnant is where I have invested most of my energy in restoration projects. Last year Kim and I put up our first Eastern Bluebird boxes. Within two weeks we had our first pair of Bluebirds checking out the new real estate. They finally decided on one, and spent the summer with us. Quite a treat! The pair produced one successful chick, which we monitored throughout the breeding season.
We also inter-seeded a mixed-height prairie seed mix purchased from Prairie Moon Nursery. Prairie restoration, as I've come to find out, is a huge test in patience. Hopefully there will be some early hints of success with the inter-seeding this growing season.
With the days getting longer day by day, I can almost hear the cheer-cheerful-charmer song of the Bluebird following us around the yard. I can almost see the brilliance of the first Prairie Trillium blooming in the savanna. Weather reports remind me, however, that snow is expected tomorrow, so I guess I'll just have to dream of spring for now.