Wesselman Nature Society: Canoe Evansville

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Wildlife along the creek is abundant and incredible to watch through the changing seasons. There isn’t a day that you won’t see some activity. The animals that you see on the naturally protected narrow upper part of the creek are quite different then the calmer and wider lower part of the creek.

Did you know? The habitat along an inland waterway is called a Riparian Habitat.

	Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) can be seen throughout the year, floating on the water or remain hidden, nesting in tree cavities and nesting boxes. Alone, even the largest nature preserves cannot sustain healthy populations without protected corridors for migration and distribution of seeds. Next to Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, the Pigeon Creek has some of the richest natural biodiversity within the City of Evansville.	Alone, even the largest nature preserves cannot sustain healthy populations without protected corridors for migration and distribution of seeds. Next to Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, the Pigeon Creek has some of the richest natural biodiversity within the City of Evansville. Connecting the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, Audubon State Park, and many other natural areas in southwestern Indiana and adjoining Kentucky, the Pigeon Creek corridor is crucial to the success of the region’s wild and natural ecosystems. Unique in its location at the center of an urban area, deer along the Creek can be seen year round. Also, as part of the Mississippi Flyway, Pigeon Creek is host to many avian species making their way north for the summer or south for the winter. Great blue herons are seen on nearly every tour, having several rookeries in the area. PDF of Riparian mammals and other animals PDF of Riparian Wildflowers Mammals – Signs and Tracks
	One of the most industrious of inhabitants is North American Beaver (Castor canadensis). The trapping of beaver was a critical factor in the early developing years of Evansville. We now know they are critical to the ecosystems of both riparian and wetland habitats and should be left alone. Beavers are often spotted during trips, tending to their dams in the smaller creeks and culverts draining into the Pigeon.
	A visit to Pigeon Creek reveals numerous migrating and resident birds including cardinals, red-bellied woodpeckers and this juvenile northern flicker (Colaptes auratus).
	As temperatures warm, Red-slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) climb on to floating logs to rest and catch a few rays.
	An easy way to keep track of what you see on any one of our trips is to print off one of our checklists and bring it with you! Choose from Riparian Birds, Mammals and other Animals, and Wildflowers.