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 They
spin, they think, they look like leaves
Whirligig beetles are found on top of fresh, quiet water, spinning
about like bumper cars. The have eyes split for double vision; the top
of their eyes can see above the water and the bottom half can see
below!
Ants have the largest brain of any insect. Combined, the number of
brain cells in a colony of ants is about equal to the number of brain
cells in a human.
A round-headed
katydid usually resembles a green leaf, but be on the lookout for this
rare pink form of the late-summer songster. Every year a few of these
specimens turn up within their range, which covers a large part of the
eastern U.S.
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Hogback Ridge Preserve was left to Preservation Parks in the estate of Mary Barber McCoy in 1998. With initial renovations made by the Kiwanis Club of Delaware, the District offices were moved to the 37 acre site in 1999. In 2001 and 2002, the building underwent a complete renovation, increasing the office space and functionality of the building without increasing its size. It now houses not only the District offices but also the Mary Barber McCoy Nature Center. The Park District purchased an adjoining five acres, bringing the total to 37 acres in Brown Township. This purchase added two ponds and a meadow to the woodlands and stream corridor of the original site.
Facts
- 37 acres of mixed habitat, including wooded ravine systems, stream corridor, two ponds and small meadow
- Opened in 1999
- Houses Park District administrative offices
- Hours of operation: Park 7:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.; Nature Center Saturday 9:00 a.m. Dusk, Sunday Noon Dusk
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Restrooms
- Drinking water
- Trail
- Window on Wildlife viewing area
- Mary Barber McCoy Nature Center
- Meeting/conference space for rent
Future Plans
- Expanded wildlife viewing area
- Expanded picnic facilities
- Wildlife viewing blind
- Expanded trail system
Trails at Hogback Ridge Preserve
Woodland Ridge Trail - This 1/2 mile mulched loop trail can be entered either near the parking lot or near the nature center. It follows the ravine ridge through an upland woodlot. Along this trail you will see a large stone deposited by a long-ago glacier and many varieties of wildflowers in season. If you are observant, you may also see a pileated woodpecker, or the holes made in the trees by one, as well as groundhogs, ground squirrels and deer. During bird migration seasons, you may catch a glimpse of a variety of warblers. And, you may see nuthatches, gold finches, downy, hairy and red-bellied woodpeckers, as well as Carolina wrens and blue-gray gnatcatchers.
Approximate walking time: 15 minutes.
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