Perricone-Schaid Tract: Queen Anne Prairie Core

LOCATION

Greenwood Township, IL

Located off Route 47, approx. 0.4 miles south of Thayer Rd.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nFzYmW16X7edWhsFA

GPS Coordinates: 42°24’30.4″N 88°26’19.3″W

DIRECTIONS

The main entrance to this 64-acre tract is located approximately 0.4 miles southwest of the intersection of State Route 47 and Thayer Road, in Greenwood Township, Illinois. Look for a small parking area with a brown refuge sign and kiosk on the west side of State Route 47.

There is a second entrance lane to the south of the adjacent homesteads, providing access to the oak woodland. Please park to allow road access for farm equipment as needed.

Traffic moves quickly on Highway 47, so be cautious when entering and exiting the site. Note that the lane may become muddy in wet weather.

HOURS

7 days a week, 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset, unless otherwise posted.

TRAILS

There are no established trails at this site. Feel free to wander anywhere!

DESCRIPTION

Perricone-Schaid Tract features 61 acres of land bisected by the Nippersink Creek; previously cultivated land which has been restored to prairie.

The southern end of the property is a small, high-quality oak woodland. Look for woodland flowers as you walk through this tract. You may see nesting birds, and great horned owls have also been seen in these treetops.

HUNTING & FISHING

Hunting in season is permitted on this site. For federal hunting rules & regulations, refer to:
fws.gov/refuge/hackmatack/visit-us/activities/hunting

SITE HISTORY

Two separate sets of transactions, each facilitated by Openlands, have led to the creation of this contiguous parcel.

The northern segment was purchased from the Perricones in 2016, transferred to USFWS in 2018. Restoration efforts on this prairie area began with the removal of encroaching non-native shrubs followed by seeding to increase species diversity. The site has also served as a source of prairie seed that is collected and utilized on other sites.

The southern section, consisting of an established oak savanna, was bought from the Schaid family in 2017 and became part of the refuge in 2020. Shrub removal with subsequent dispersal of seed from shade-loving natives began in 2024.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE

Sandbar Willow
Photo by Robb Hannawacker on Flickr

The site is bisected by Nippersink Creek, creating a tapestry of wet and dry prairie and savanna. Sandbar willow marks the path of the creek through the site. Although this species can be aggressive, it is also valuable for erosion control, and provides shelter for deer, rabbits and wild turkeys.

The flowers, as pictured right, are cross-pollinated by bees and flies. The plant provides nectar, pollen, and foliage for a wide range of insects, including wasps, beetles, and butterfly larvae. Many birds feed on the buds and catkins, including wood ducks, evening grosbeaks, white-crowned sparrows and common redpolls.

Sedges are highly adaptive plants, thriving in diverse conditions. They are superb at stabilizing soil for erosion control. Birds such as marsh wrens, sedge wrens and cranes feed upon the seedheads. These plants can be identified by their angular stems, unlike the rounded stems of grasses. Sedges have edges!

Walk though the prairie in summer and early fall to be rewarded with swaths of color from prairie plants such as yellow coneflower, gaura, monarda and showy goldenrod.

Palm Sedge
Photo by Pam Morgan on Flickr

SPECIES OF SPECIAL INTEREST

adult bald eagle, photo by Gary Rothstein, Flickr

Adult Bald Eagle
Photo by Gary Rothstein on Flickr

Bald eagles have been spotted at this site, hunting for prey along the Nippersink Creek. The eagle’s diet consists mostly of fish. If they cannot find fish, they will eat what they find, including waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion.

Their distinctive flight is best recognized by slow, powerful, rowing beats. The mature eagle’s white head, white tail, yellow beak and yellow feet are also recognizable features.

You might also see juvenile bald eagles, which look quite different from adults. They do not have the white head and tail. Juveniles have mottled, dark brown plumage, and look a bit scruffy. It takes four to five years for an eagle to develop its characteristic white head and white tail feathers.

Juvenile Bald Eagle
Photo by maskirovka77 on Flickr

Friends of Hackmatack NWR

P.O. Box 413
Richmond, IL 60071
friendsofhackmatacknwr@gmail.com

Call 262-448-3558 to listen for the latest updates on upcoming activities. If you need to reach us, please leave a message and we will return your call.

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