BioBlitz 2017

Fox River Park

June 9-10, 2017


Property Description

Fox River Park (262 acres) is part of the Waukesha County Park System and is located southwest of the city of Waukesha along the Fox River. Habitats include a variety of wetlands (riverine wetlands, ephemeral ponds, and wildlife scrapes), river, and a mature mixed-oak woodland.

Interesting Discoveries

  • State-threatened fish species: Northern Sunfish (Lepomis megalotis).
    • Three new county records:
      • Two daggar moth species (Acronicta spp.), known from northern MN;
      • Second-ever WI record: millipede species (Apheloria virginensis), and previously only collected once before from Milwaukee Co.
    • Very diverse insect community:
        • 135+ Butterflies and moths (not including micromoths still in need of ID);
        • 123+ Beetles including 5 firefly genera.
    • Very healthy forest community: Given that 163 homes border the park, it was encouraging to see a diverse understory with mixed-age trees.

General Results 

Count Taxon
1,022 species found (- 1 from reported on site)
20  Fish
12 Amphibians and Reptiles
19  Mammals
51  Other invertebrates
44  Spiders
69  Birds
355  Insects
452  Fungi, Lichens, and Plants

Click the button below to download a spreadsheet of the full results from this BioBlitz:

2017 BioBlitz Results


Partners

Host: Waukesha County Park System

Surveyors

  • Ben Goss Bird Club
  • Carroll University
  • Carthage College
  • Marian University
  • Marquette University
  • Milwaukee Public Museum
  • Purdue University
  • Retzer Nature Center
  • Schlitz Audubon
  • Southeast Regional Planning Commission
  • UW-Milwaukee
  • UW-Madison
  • UW-Oshkosh
  • UW-Parkside
  • UW-Stevens Point
  • UW-Waukesha
  • UW-Whitewater
  • Urban Ecology Center
  • Waukesha County Parks
  • WI DNR
  • WI Natural Resources Foundation

Educational Activities Partners

  • Milwaukee Public Museum
  • Retzer Nature Center
  • Riveredge Nature Center

Event Photos