Animals at Irwin Prairie - Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Animals at Irwin Prairie
When we think of animals that inhabit prairies, many of us envision great herds of
bison grazing across the short grass prairie of the Dakotas or Montana. In Ohio
we lack wild herds of bison and many of our prairies have succumbed to the plow
of farmers. However, many remnant prairies still remain and Irwin Prairie is a
fantastic one to observe the relationship between animals and these wonderful
landscapes.
Irwin Prairie is unique in that it is mostly comprised of wet prairie that is
dominated by twig rush, blue joint grass, and various other sedges. Just as the
plants are unique, so are the animals that live within them. Many of the species
that we are familiar with cannot survive in the harsh environment of Irwin Prairie.
In the winter time, much of Irwin Prairie is covered in ice and snow. This is a
great time to observe the raptors (birds of prey). The many seeds produced by
the sedges and grasses provide ample food for mice, voles, and other small
mammals which in turn become food for these skilled hunters. Red-tailed Hawks
and Northern Harriers will fly over the prairie watching for the slightest movement
of meadow voles and then pounce on them. Saw-whet Owls and Northern
Shrikes prefer to sit in the pin oaks and wait till a meal presents itself.
As spring roles around, the ice and snow melt and Irwin looks more like a marsh
then a prairie. This is the best time to observe the animals. The open area of the
prairie provides the needed space for the American Woodcock to perform its
ritualistic mating dance. Ducks and geese are abundant in the deeper areas of
water as they dabble for left over seeds and aquatic invertebrates. This food will
provide them the needed nourishment for their long journey north to their mating
grounds.
Spring also provides us with the songs of the frogs and toads. In early spring we
first hear chorus frogs and spring peepers followed later by the tree frogs. The
wet areas provide them habitat to lay their eggs. On calm warm nights their
combined songs can be deafening. Spring also allows us to see one of Ohio’s
rarest turtles, the Spotted Turtle. This handsome little turtle only lives in wet
prairies.
As the days get longer and the summer sun shines, much of the water dries up at
Irwin Prairie. The frogs disperse and the Spotted Turtles burrow under ground
and wait for the rain. Many birds have set up nests and are raising young. Bluewinged
Warblers and Great Crested Flycatchers can be seen catching insects in
the prairie to take back to their young. Irwin Prairie provides these birds with
swarms of insects and the open area for them to catch them.
As the days get shorter and weather cooler, many animals start to feed more for
the winter hibernation or for their migration south. Eastern Hog-nosed snakes

can be seen searching out toads and Black-billed Cuckoos start to raid the tent
caterpillars. Autumn is also fire season. Fire is the reason prairies have very few
trees. And as the plants evolved to fire so has the animals. At the first sign of fire,
the birds fly off and mice head for their burrows. All of the inhabitants of prairies
know how to survive fire. Fire is not only important to the prairie by eliminating
trees it also provides nutrients to next years plant growth.
As you can see different animals inhabit the different ecosystem that is prairies. I
hope that you get out and enjoy these unique areas and its animals that call them
home.
Steve Harvey
Northwest District Preserve Manager
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves