Rough River Dam Naturalist and Recreation Blog

Eastern Box Turtle near Lake Ridge Nature Trail

I didn’t see many new species of birds this week but there is still an abundance of watchable wildlife at Rough River Dam State Resort Park right now. I’ve heard that the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have arrived in our area but I have not yet made any sightings at the park. Fledglings continue to be nurtured by parents and the air is filled by the songs of the House Wren, Northern Mockingbird, and Gray Catbird.

Good numbers of cottontail rabbits can be viewed on park, particularly prior to dusk on edges of wooded areas and Eastern Box Turtles are still on the move near the Lake Ridge Nature Trail. Some spring wildflowers still remain throughout the park but many have gone dormant for the summer.

Here’s a list of what can currently be seen and heard at Rough River Dam State Resort Park:

Birds:
NEW THIS WEEK - Hooded Merganser (female) (lake cove near beach)
Summer Tanager (on Lake Ridge Nature Trail and Campground)
Baltimore Oriole (near beach area)
Gray Catbird (wooded areas throughout park) Listen to song HERE
Prothonotary Warbler (wooded areas with close proximity to lake)
Northern Parula (Lake Ridge Nature Trail)
Great-crested Flycatcher (Lake Ridge Nature Trail)READ MORE

Northern Parula
Photo courtesy of Steve Nanz Photography

Migratory songbirds continue to make their way to Rough River Dam State Resort Park as we progress further into the spring season. This week saw the arrival of the Summer Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird, Great-crested Flycatcher, and Prothonotary Warbler. I also made my first Northern Parula sighting yesterday near the lodge. Many birds have already become parents and I saw numerous fledglings being fed this week including Eastern Bluebirds and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. I’m also seeing other species of wildlife around the park including Eastern Box Turtles and Cottontail Rabbits. Spring wildflowers are well beyond their peak bloom and some will not be seen again until next March.

Here’s a list of what can currently be seen and heard at Rough River Dam State Resort Park:

Birds:
NEW THIS WEEK – Summer Tanager (on Lake Ridge Nature Trail and Campground)
NEW THIS WEEK – Baltimore Oriole (near beach area)
NEW THIS WEEK – Gray Catbird (wooded areas throughout park) Listen to song HERE
NEW THIS WEEK – Prothonotary Warbler (wooded areas with close proximity to lake)
NEW THIS WEEK – Northern Parula (Lake Ridge Nature Trail)
NEW THIS WEEK - Great-crested Flycatcher (Lake Ridge Nature Trail)READ MORE

Largemouth Bass caught from shore

I’ve been seeing a lot of people fishing from the bank on park lately so I’ve decided to give another bank fishing report for early May. I fished yesterday evening in one small bay that’s a short walk from the lodge and caught ten bass (a mixture of Largemouth and Kentucky Spotted) including four keeper Largemouth. While most bass are in post-spawn mode by now (meaning they’re done with their spawning ritual and focused on feeding before moving deep for the summer), there are still plenty of fish in relatively shallow water that’s easily accessible from the bank. Panfish including Bluegill, sunfish, and crappie can still be caught from shore as well. READ MORE

Prairie Warbler
Photo courtesy of Steve Nanz Photography

I’ve spent most of the week outdoors and have several new additions to the Watchable Wildlife Report this week including birds and mammals. For the sake of room, I’ve removed a few of the mainstay bird species (ones that are common “backyard birds”) to focus on birds that are more uncommon or simply migratory visitors. We’ve had some beautiful weather lately and now is the perfect time to visit the park and be serenaded by the House Wren, American Goldfinch, and Chipping Sparrow.

Here’s a list of what you can currently see and hear at Rough River Dam State Resort Park:

Birds:
NEW THIS WEEK – Prairie Warbler (on Lake Ridge Nature Trail, Campground, other wooded areas) Listen to song HERE
NEW THIS WEEK – Bald Eagle (flying over lake behind lodge)
NEW THIS WEEK – Cliff Swallow (around sandstone cliffs on lakeshore)
NEW THIS WEEK – White-eyed Vireo (behind lodge)
NEW THIS WEEK - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (in trees at campground)
NEW THIS WEEK – Double-crested Cormorant (flying over lake) READ MORE

Poison Ivy

When you visit any of Kentucky’s state park trails, you’ll be greeted with a rules and regulations sign at the trailhead. On this sign is a message that prepares you to experience and accept nature on its own terms and sometimes these terms include poison ivy.

As I’m sure you know, Poison Ivy often occurs in vine form in this part of the country and the oily resin on its parts (leaves, stem, roots, etc.) causes many humans to break out in an itchy rash. Naturally the best way to avoid contact with the plant is to know how to identify it in the field. Poison Ivy has compound leaves (more than one leaf) in clusters of three leaflets. So goes the adage, “leaves of three, let it be!” While this doesn’t mean that every plant with a cluster of three leaves is poisonous, when in doubt, it is best to avoid the plant altogether.

If you’ve come into contact with the plant or if you think there’s a chance that you did, it’s best to wash the area thoroughly with soap and cold water to prevent the spread of the oil. It is important to note that a rash will develop only where skin came into contact with the oil. Contrary to popular belief, the rash cannot be spread by the fluid that may leak from the rash itself.

Be smart in your walking and hiking adventures and maintain a safe distance between low-lying vines when possible – especially if they're adorned with leaves of three!