Crex Meadows supports large numbers of various wildlife, from frogs, snakes, and insects to the large land animals such as White-tailed Deer, Wolves and Black Bear. In 2007 I finally spotted my first Timber Wolf on Crex Meadows. Its been many years I have found their tracks spread out along various roads, but this year I finally stumbled on one, accidently as it laid in a field. This was another good day on the meadows.
As I build up documents and records of various species, I will add them here or break them out into sections. The camera I have been using this year to photograph the insects has not shown itself to be particularily useful for trying to capture a fleeing mammal or flying bird.
The Wisconsin DNR website lists 72 species in 19 families as residents of Wisconsin. Of these 72, three are considered introduced (non-native or exotic).
Rare Mammal Observations are regularly tracked by the DNR. Observations of American Marten (Martes americana), Gray Wolf (Canis lupus), Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis), Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), and Moose (Alces alces) come from DNR field personnel, personnel in other resource agencies, and members of the general public.
The Gray Wolf is the only Wisconsin mammal listed as endangered by the federal government. The Wisconsin population consists of about 250 wolves occurring in about 66 groups (1999). Crex Meadows supports Gray Wolves and the pack is collectively known as the "Crex Pack". There is some indication that this packs territory crosses the St. Croix River into Minnesota and may range as far north as the St. Croix State Park located on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River.
The last known Mountain Lion in the state was killed in 1908. The species once included all of Wisconsin within its range. Mountain Lions are considered extirpated from the state, but a handful of sightings are reported annually. The potential exists for Mountain Lions to re-establish themselves in Wisconsin proper but the terrain of Crex Meadows would only provide a potential crossing area and not a breeding habitat. The nearby St. Croix river valley would provide conditions more suitable for these large cats and the nearby Wild River State Park located on the Minnesota side of the St. croix river has at least one Mountain Lion located in the area, but it has not been determined if this is a breeding population or an isolated individual.
UPDATE- 2009 brought confirmed Mountain Lion sightings to the state of wisconsin. A lone male Mountain Lion was collared in western wisconsin. During the summer of 2009 while chatting with some bear hunters, the man relayed a story to me that a mountain lion had been seen on Crex Meadows. I have been unable to confirm this sighting.
Moose once ranged throughout northern Wisconsin as far south as northern Green Lake and Sauk Counties, but were extirpated from the state in the early part of the twentieth century. In recent years, Moose have been reported in Florence, Marinette, and Oconto counties in the Northeast, Ashland, Iron, Oneida and Price counties in the northcentral part of the state, and Rusk County in western Wisconsin. These represent stray individuals from Michigan and Minnesota populations. The appearance of calves in 1995, 1996, and 1999 suggests that some limited reproduction may be occurring in the state. There are no moose frequenting Crex Meadows that I am aware of, however, there are infrequent Moose sightings along the St. Croix river valley area on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river.
UPDATE- 2008 brought a confirmed moose sighting in Fish Lake Wildlife area. Several sightings of this moose continued for a few weeks. In 2009 a moose was observed crossing County Road F on the west side of Crex Meadows.
The Wisconsin DNR website lists 408 birds in 56 Familys as present in Wisconsin at some time during the year. Some of these birds are migrants and do not nest in the state.
Crex Meadows Bird List has 277 birds listed, including some which are considered State Threatened or State Endangered including the Red-necked Grebe and Osprey, both of which are known to nest in Crex Meadows.
The Wisconsin DNR website lists 35 reptile species in 9 families. I am not aware of a complete list specifically for Crex Meadows. Some of the regionally unique include the Prairie Skink and the Blandings Turtle. I came across a dead snake, which I tentatively ID'd as a Blue Racer however there seems to be some leaning towards this being an example of an Eastern Racer which has taken on characteristics of the Blue Racer.
In my experiences with Crex Meadows, there seems to be a decline of the Eastern Hog-nosed snake recently. For example, this year my only observation of one of these types was a road kill within the Meadows during the summer.
The Wisconsin DNR website lists 19 amphibian species in 7 families. All 19 species are native to Wisconsin.