Hamilton Prairie Walk
Hurstville Interpretive Center, Jackson County
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Codfish Hollow Hill Prairie Walk (Hamilton Prairie)
Wednesday, September 12th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Sponsors: Jackson County Conservation Board, Iowa Prairie Network, Iowa Native Plant Society.
Leaders: Ray and Patti Hamilton.
Take a walk on a native prairie and enjoy viewing flowers in bloom.
60 acre parcel, 20 acres of one dozen prime native prairie covered limestone outcrops, interconnected with 20 acres of 30 year old very local ecotype reconstructed prairie, and 20 acres of mixed grassland, woodland and savanna edges. Managed as a local biological preserve for 34 years. We should see blooms from 1/2 dozen varieties of asters, ladies tresses orchids, and a seasons worth of over 100 varieties of native prairie plants. Home of 5-lined skinks, one of the worlds northern most population of original native purple coneflowers, prairie butterflies (one variety which may be visible on this trip is the only recognized population in eastern Iowa), seasonal nighthawk nesting, and seasonal woodcock nesting and lots more. Occasional visitors include bobcat and pileated woodpeckers.
Location: 4 miles east of Maquoketa on 35th street
Directions: From Highway 64 at east edge of Maqouketa, turn north onto Highway 62 and go one mile to 35th street (also Codfish Hollow Road). Turn right (east) onto 35th/Codfish Rd, and go 4 miles to the prairie which will be seen at the corner of Codfish Rd and 288th Avenue. Located near Codfish Hollow Barnstormers.