Field Notes: Research papers
How do scientists talk about their research, and how can you untangle their sometimes overwhelming explanations?
WXPR Field Notes
On the second Tuesday of every month, we hear from our contributors in the field. Susan Knight and Gretchen Gerrish both work for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Limnology at Trout Lake Station. Scott Bowe is the Director of Kemp Natural Resources Station.
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Field Notes: Exploding Plants
Several local plants have exploding fruits. They might not rival the fireworks on the fourth, but they are fun to see.
Field Notes: The Warmouth!
In this month's installment of Field Notes, Scott Bowe of Kemp Station discusses the warmouth. An amazing fish native to Northern Wisconsin.
Field Notes: Flowers that don't play by the rules
Most flowers attract pollinators with fragrant scents, and energy-rich nectar and pollen as rewards for visiting flowers. But this is life, and some flowers don’t play by the rules. Here are three examples: one stinks, one cheats and one is downright treacherous.
Field Notes: Spring Work Begins!
Maple sap flow for maple syrup production occurs during a narrow window in late winter and early spring.
Field Notes: Ten Birds that Changed the World
Stephen Moss’ book, “Ten Birds That Changed the World” is a fascinating exploration of ten bird species with remarkable natural histories and often, disastrous interactions with humans.
Field Notes: Modern maple sap collection
Every spring, Kemp Station taps maple trees and produces a few gallons of maple syrup. In March 2026, we are planning a public demonstration project—moving beyond the simple sap buckets and sap bags—to a modern tubing system for gravity-flow sap collection.
Field Notes: Rings of Time
Many people are aware that trees can be dated by counting the layers of tree rings in a cross section. But, less folks know that fish, snails, mussels, and the teeth of many local mammal species build seasonal growth rings that are used to age individuals.
Field Notes: Horseshoe crabs and health care
Horseshoe crabs are one of the strangest critters ever; they are ancient animals who have been on earth for 450 million years and have scarcely changed in all that time.
Field Notes: Ruffed Grouse in the Northwoods
In this month's installment of Field Notes, Scott Bowe of Kemp Station discusses Ruffed Grouse – a hallmark species in the Northwoods.