tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33816670710126353282024-03-12T23:41:25.650-04:00The Contented NaturalistFinding and sharing amazing bits of nature.Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-81759860389198370012019-07-24T07:00:00.000-04:002019-07-24T07:00:05.361-04:00Helping birds build nests in my yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQooEMy-ejk/XTN2to9PreI/AAAAAAAABkk/inWogp39WHwBUncZXaGYMVHkuQP-CbqngCLcBGAs/s1600/dummy%2Bnest%2Bup%2Bclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQooEMy-ejk/XTN2to9PreI/AAAAAAAABkk/inWogp39WHwBUncZXaGYMVHkuQP-CbqngCLcBGAs/s400/dummy%2Bnest%2Bup%2Bclose.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside view of the house wren's dummy nest. I love the wren-shaped hollow in the middle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the second spring in a row, a male house wren used my
window birdhouse to hold one of the dummy nests he showed his mate. House wrens
apparently make several dummy nests for the female to choose from. Just like
last year, though, she chose a different location to actually lay her eggs. Phooey! So that started me
wondering whether there was anything I could do to improve the chances she
might actually use my birdhouse next year. Would she prefer a different
location? Or should I make better materials available for the male to use?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_zg6S0CS9g/XTN2t-G32qI/AAAAAAAABko/i5RP-LvzjqIj5CbpGmn9anvbtx5R5XYgQCEwYBhgL/s1600/outside%2Bview%2Bof%2Bdummy%2Bnest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_zg6S0CS9g/XTN2t-G32qI/AAAAAAAABko/i5RP-LvzjqIj5CbpGmn9anvbtx5R5XYgQCEwYBhgL/s400/outside%2Bview%2Bof%2Bdummy%2Bnest.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside view of the nest. Both years, twigs or grass stems stuck out of the entrance. I'm not sure if this is typical for the species, or just my individual bird.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I researched house wrens’ nest preferences, I
realized I could also explore other neighborhood birds’ nesting requirements.
If I added more possible nest sites to my yard, like birdhouses and large bushes, and provided
appropriate nesting materials, maybe I could convince even more species to nest
in or near my wild back yard!<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/" target="_blank">Cornell Lab of Ornithology</a> has lots of
information on birds, from how to ID them to their habitat and life histories.
I looked for the species I know visit my yard in the summertime, figuring
they’d be my likeliest nesters.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, my backyard birds are either cavity nesters,
or branch nesters. Birdhouses can attract cavity nesters, since they look close enough to the tree holes the birds normally use. On the other hand, birds that normally build their nest on open branches aren’t
likely to use a bird house. But of course birds don’t always go by the book. An
ornithologist friend of mine discovered a house wren pair that was raising
their young not in a cavity nest, but in an open cup nest built on some branches! Weirdos. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In doing my research, I also found that <a href="http://www.nestwatch.org/">www.Nestwatch.org</a>
has downloadable plans to make <a href="https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/right-bird-right-house/" target="_blank">birdboxes for various species too</a>.
I’m definitely adding "building birdhouses" to my project list. Maybe something to work on this
winter? Nestwatch also lists <a href="https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/features-of-a-good-birdhouse/" target="_blank">helpful features of good birdhouses</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> to guide aspiring nest hosts like me.</span></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
<u>Cavity Nesters</u></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A lot of birds like to nest in the hollows of dead or dying
trees. Whether they add materials to the cavity, or just use the soft decayed
wood that’s already there, varies by species. These birds are one of the main
reasons for leaving dead trees standing in your yard when possible,
rather than cutting them all the way to the ground. But if you don't have any dead or hollow trees in your yard, birdhouses make a reasonable alternative!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>Carolina Chickadee</b>—moss, bark strips, and hair</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>T<b>ufted Titmouse</b>—leaves, moss, grasses, bark
strips, soft fur and hair</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>W<b>hite-breasted Nuthatch</b>—fur, bark strips or
shreds, grass, feathers</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>D<b>owny Woodpecker</b>—wood chips</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>R<b>ed-bellied Woodpecker</b>—wood chips</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>House Wren</b>—twigs, feathers, grasses, hair,
snakeskin</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>C<b>arolina Wren</b>—bark strips, grasses, leaves, pine
needles, hair, straw, feathers, shed snakeskin</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">
<u>Branch Nesters</u></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other birds prefer to build nests on the branches of trees
or shrubs, or even under the overhang of building eaves and bridges. While you
wouldn’t build a birdhouse for these species, you can still provide materials
for them to use. On winter hikes, I enjoy spotting the empty nests that had
been hidden during the summer.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>Northern Cardinal</b>—branch fork in a shrub. Uses
twigs, leaves, bark, grasses.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>Blue Jay</b>—branch fork in a tree. Uses twigs, grass.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>Mourning Dove</b>—branch, also frequently nests in
gutters, eaves, flowerpots. Uses twigs, grass, and pine needles.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>House Finch</b>—tree branch, also structures
like hanging flowerpots, vents, & streetlamps. Uses fine stems, leaves,
twigs, and feathers.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>E<b>astern Goldfinch</b>—branches in a shrub. Uses
spider silk, plant fibers, and fluff from seeds like dandelion and thistle.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>E<b>astern Phoebe</b>—under the overhang of building
eaves or under bridges, especially near running water. Uses mud, moss, leaves,
grass, and animal hair.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>N<b>orthern Mockingbird</b>—Shrubs. Uses twigs,
grasses, rootlets, and leaves.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>American Robin</b>—horizontal tree branch, or
on/under structures like eaves, gutters, and light fixtures. Uses
twigs, grass, feathers, and mud.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You might have seen suggestions to provide
bits of string and yarn or even dryer lint for nesting birds. When I was a kid, we often draped scraps of yarn on bushes outside, in hopes that birds would weave them into their nests. But it turns out string and lint aren't actually safe or useful for the
birds. Dryer lint turns hard and crumbly once it’s gotten wet, rather than staying soft or helping hold the nest together. And even short bits of yarn can tangle around baby birds’ feet and toes. I don't want to hurt or endanger the baby birds in my yard, so I won't be using yard scraps for my nest material kits.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of the nest materials I listed are already available in my yard, like the drifts of dry leaves that collect in corners. Others I will tuck into clean, empty suet feeders to make little supply stations for inquisitive birds, as described <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/providing-nest-material-for-birds-dos-donts/" target="_blank">here</a>. I don't put out suet in the summertime, so the suet cages are available for use. Fat can go rancid in the Maryland heat, and softened fat could also foul a bird's feathers. So next spring, I'll stuff the cleaned cages with materials like bark strips, dry grasses, plant fluff and odd feathers. I have lots of milkweed plants in my yard, and plan to collect some of their seed fluff when the pods ripen this fall.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the long term, I also want to add more shrubs and bushes to my property. I have a back yard that's mostly underutilized in terms of gardening-- it has a few trees that were already there when I moved in, but I haven't changed things very much beyond <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2016/11/log-pile-for-wildlife.html" target="_blank">adding the log pile</a>. The back is partly to mostly shady, so isn't conducive to most pollinator plantings. But birds don't need the sun quite as much as bees and butterflies and flowers do. So I might focus my back yard landscaping on bird habitat. Stay tuned! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Do you have any birds nesting nearby this year? Have you discovered birds nesting in odd places? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFg_rkstgPA/XTN2tv9mn0I/AAAAAAAABks/BD-vcKrpqxwEoKSAi4GVDlsRGYIzkaMjwCEwYBhgL/s1600/inside%2Bnest%2Bwith%2Bgrasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFg_rkstgPA/XTN2tv9mn0I/AAAAAAAABks/BD-vcKrpqxwEoKSAi4GVDlsRGYIzkaMjwCEwYBhgL/s400/inside%2Bnest%2Bwith%2Bgrasses.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wren mostly used twigs this year, but also some tall grasses complete with seeds. Handy snacks, perhaps?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:decorative;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
line-height:107%;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:734856287;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-1033716954 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-90596076062907883282019-07-03T07:30:00.000-04:002019-07-17T20:19:31.039-04:00Could Raising Captive Monarchs Mess Up Migration?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0yWz0tb6hk/WocvsBFAxjI/AAAAAAAABRI/nVKZfDTe7jkMmGWJgjRXNSIyrqv_HIBdwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Monarch%2Bon%2BNew%2BYork%2BAster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0yWz0tb6hk/WocvsBFAxjI/AAAAAAAABRI/nVKZfDTe7jkMmGWJgjRXNSIyrqv_HIBdwCPcBGAYYCw/s400/Monarch%2Bon%2BNew%2BYork%2BAster.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A late-season male Monarch butterfly nectars on my New York Asters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
As you may have heard, <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2019/06/18/1904690116?fbclid=IwAR2Cnr5iiKcc6H1u1uVxqXtFBYOZk7Oo9CS4sgmfUUqT_TO4FSmkJQww4TA" target="_blank">alarming new research about raising Monarch butterflies</a> was published recently, by<span class="highwire-citation-authors"><span aria-describedby="qtip-1" class="highwire-citation-author first has-tooltip hasTooltip" data-delta="0" data-hasqtip="1"> Ayşe Tenger-Trolander</span>, <span aria-describedby="qtip-0" class="highwire-citation-author has-tooltip hasTooltip" data-delta="1" data-hasqtip="0">Wei Lu</span>, <span class="highwire-citation-author has-tooltip hasTooltip" data-delta="2" data-hasqtip="2">Michelle Noyes</span>, and <span aria-describedby="qtip-3" class="highwire-citation-author has-tooltip hasTooltip" data-delta="3" data-hasqtip="3">Marcus R. Kronforst</span></span>. Their study found that indoor-reared fifth-generation Monarch butterflies did not display southward flight in tests, which means they wouldn't migrate properly. Uh-oh!<br />
<br />
I haven't been able to access the entire article yet, just the abstract linked above, and <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/06/monarch-butterflies-raised-captivity-don-t-migrate" target="_blank">a write-up in <i>Science</i></a>. But even those limited sources give me concern about my techniques in raising Monarchs. The researchers raised both commercially-bred monarch caterpillars and wild-caught. Although they used the caterpillar generation that's supposed to migrate, both groups had neither the elongated wings of migratory individuals, nor showed predominantly southward flight under test conditions. (They attached the mature butterflies to poles in the experiment, so they could observe which directions each butterfly would head. <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/99/15/10162" target="_blank">Previous research</a> has shown that in these conditions, migratory monarchs reliably try to fly southward.) The scientists even raised some wild individuals outdoors until the point of pupation, and found that if those individuals eclosed indoors, they too seemed to have lost the tendency to migrate!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHDFcexVfzk/W4CrMokI4TI/AAAAAAAABcc/hF7yok-xuNUPk68JIKSp5AiRjCdmNVK6gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/pupae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHDFcexVfzk/W4CrMokI4TI/AAAAAAAABcc/hF7yok-xuNUPk68JIKSp5AiRjCdmNVK6gCPcBGAYYCw/s400/pupae.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my Monarch chrysalids last year, raised indoors & then released after eclosing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Not unexpectedly, this has thrown the butterfly-raising community into a bit of a tither. Are we actually exacerbating the threats to monarch migration as we try to help? When our efforts include raising the caterpillars indoors, especially the migratory generation, it looks like maybe so.<br />
<br />
From what I'm seeing on various email groups, Twitter, and Facebook, many caterpillar hobbyists and citizen scientists are distraught. Should we change our habits and maybe abandon the hobby of raising monarchs?<br />
<br />
Honestly, I've already been somewhat concerned about my butterfly raising. <a href="http://akdavis6.wixsite.com/monarchscience/single-post/2018/09/11/New-statement-from-monarch-conservation-groups-says---For-the-love-of-God-stop-mass-rearing-monarchs-in-your-kitchens" target="_blank">This isn't the first study</a> to indicate we might be doing more harm than good, for one thing. I had thought, though, that the main problem was using captive-bred caterpillars, like classrooms might when they mail-order caterpillars from who knows where in order to have them on time for the lesson plan. Since I only raise wild-caught individuals (whether starting as egg or already-hatched caterpillar), I hoped I wasn't doing too much damage.<br />
<br />
But another effect of captive-raising caterpillars can be to allow weak genes to survive and get passed along. Since I'm protecting the caterpillars from natural stresses, a trait that would have made an individual less likely to survive isn't actually a problem, and may end up expressed in the next generation too. Especially if I raise every monarch caterpillar I can find, I might still be making my local population less fit. Now this new research just adds more support to reconsidering my actions.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpDaNhi04DY/W3oxhysquWI/AAAAAAAABb4/z7X_4gUrk5o54eL5UHsJa1xPoU6aA326gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/monarch%2Bin%2BJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpDaNhi04DY/W3oxhysquWI/AAAAAAAABb4/z7X_4gUrk5o54eL5UHsJa1xPoU6aA326gCPcBGAYYCw/s400/monarch%2Bin%2BJ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Monarch caterpillar lived its entire life outdoors at Brookside Gardens, where I found it getting ready to pupate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I can't speak to what anybody else will or should do, of course, but here are ways I'm planning to change my caterpillar husbandry:<br />
<ul>
<li>In general, I will collect and rear no more than 50% of the eggs and/or caterpillars that I find in my garden, of each species. The rest I'll leave wild and unbothered, to fend for themselves. (This also means I'm not reducing the amount of available food for hungry birds!)</li>
<li>For monarchs in particular, I will rear no more than two caterpillars per generation for the first four generations each year.</li>
<li>Once the migratory generation's eggs are laid, starting around August in my area, I won't raise any monarchs. </li>
</ul>
I also considered trying to create an outdoor setup for raising monarch caterpillars, rather than keeping them in my office indoors. That will take quite a bit more planning, however, so stay tuned.<br />
<br />
Another idea was to raise monarchs indoors until they look ready to pupate. Then I could move them outside while they pupate and later eclose. Although I'm not sure exactly what the pupa get from being outdoors, the new research does indicate it's a crucial factor in triggering migration: "In fact, merely eclosing indoors after an otherwise complete lifecycle outdoors was enough to disrupt southern orientation."<br />
<br />
I'm not changing how I raise Black Swallowtail caterpillars, or other non-migratory species, as much as I'm changing my treatment of monarchs. I'm definitely reducing how many I raise, going by the 50% rule above. Also, if I find a single egg or caterpillar on any day, I won't bring that in at all. I know I still might be changing something essential in these butterflies by raising them in the protected environment of my office. However, I do call them "pets" sometimes because I know they may not be the same as totally wild individuals. I guess they're kind of half-wild; I do release them as soon as they eclose. I always hope they make my local population larger, going on to mate and lay more eggs that lead to more caterpillars. This summer I'll keep thinking about whether I feel comfortable bringing them inside any more.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rT19sQm4eI0/WOGHc4l8SDI/AAAAAAAABLs/CWHkF0awVQkBAf3y1RgwNlCi2ppwe-ukgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/caterpillar%2Beating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rT19sQm4eI0/WOGHc4l8SDI/AAAAAAAABLs/CWHkF0awVQkBAf3y1RgwNlCi2ppwe-ukgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/caterpillar%2Beating.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As much as I love watching the caterpillars up close, am I being selfish by bringing them inside?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Do you raise butterflies indoors, or have you ever? What do you think about this new research? I'd love to hear your thoughts, whether you plan to stop raising butterflies at all or keep on caring for them like you always have. Perhaps you even have a totally different method of raising caterpillars than I do. Whatever the case, please leave a comment below to keep the conversation going! Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-22184467391749179202019-06-28T16:03:00.001-04:002019-06-28T17:40:22.091-04:00The Saga of a Soggy CaterpillarHow long can you hold your breath? The <a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-time-breath-held-voluntarily-(male)" target="_blank">current human record for holding one's breath</a>
is 24 minutes and three seconds, by professional diver Aleix Segura
Vendrell. Wow! I can't hold mine for much longer than a minute. But even
Mr. Vendrell's effort pales in comparison to insects-- some insects
actually can hold their breath (that is, not inhale) for days! According
to <a href="https://bioone.org/journals/Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America/volume-102/issue-3/008.102.0316/Hypoxia-Tolerance-in-Adult-and-Larval-iCicindela-i-Tiger-Beetles/10.1603/008.102.0316.short" target="_blank">this article</a> in <i>Annals of the Entomological Society of America</i>, larvae of various <i>Cicindela</i> Tiger Beetles can survive being submerged in hypoxic (low oxygen) water for between 60 and 120 hours. Wow.<br />
<br />
But
the tiger beetles have evolved that ability to survive, since their
larvae burrow into sand which is liable to flood for days. What about
solely terrestrial insects? Like, say, butterflies and their larvae?
Turns out even they can survive a bit of dousing, or at least one of my
caterpillars this summer did.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuNBL96TiNE/XRZt9Lh-2DI/AAAAAAAABj8/U5Vo8t3abqk_ZgwMOTTOEWypG6W7wlPqACLcBGAs/s1600/first%2Binstar%2BBlack%2BSwallowtail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuNBL96TiNE/XRZt9Lh-2DI/AAAAAAAABj8/U5Vo8t3abqk_ZgwMOTTOEWypG6W7wlPqACLcBGAs/s400/first%2Binstar%2BBlack%2BSwallowtail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First instar Black Swallowtails are barely larger than the type on a park brochure!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One
day I came home and checked on a day-old Black Swallowtail caterpillar
like the one shown above, only to find that it had slipped under the
surface of the water reservoir instead of staying on its dill sprig.
(Note to self: watch out with tiny caterpillars and tiny dill sprigs!)
My heart nearly stopped. I had even watched this egg being laid by the
butterfly right beside me as I weeded the garden, so I was especially
attached to this particular caterpillar. I had no idea how long the
caterpillar had been underwater-- it could have happened hours ago. But
just in case, I fished out the little body. How on earth do you give CPR
to a millimeters-long caterpillar? For that matter, I don't know if you
even <i>could</i> do CPR for caterpillars. Like other insects, they
breathe through multiple openings, called spiracles, along their sides.
Mouth-to-mouth wouldn't exactly work.<br />
<br />
Out of desperation, I just blew gently on the soggy, limp little black caterpillar. And it started to move! As the line from <i>Monty Python and the Holy Grail</i>
goes, "I'm not dead yet!" I transferred the caterpillar carefully to a
fresh sprig of dill, and kept it under close observation for a few days.<br />
<br />
Once
it was clear my caterpillar was out of danger, I became curious. Could
caterpillars hold their breath at will? How, and for how long? This
question sent me down a rabbit hole of research. I haven't yet found
information specific to caterpillars, but did find one intriguing paper
from 2005: "Insects breathe discontinuously to avoid oxygen toxicity,"
by Stefan K. Hetz and Timothy J. Bradley (<i>Nature</i> 433, 516-519).
The researchers suggested that unlike us continual-breathers, insects
keep their spiracles closed most of the time, opening them briefly and
infrequently to release carbon dioxide and inhale just enough oxygen.
The original paper is behind a paywall, but it's summarized in <a href="http://livescience.com/123-insects-hold-breath-days-air-kill.html">this article at LiveScience</a>.
So my caterpillar didn't hold its breath, exactly, so much as just keep
its spiracles closed and use the oxygen already in its system, while it
was underwater. Pretty cool!<br />
<br />
Over the next few
weeks, the caterpillar munched down all the dill I could provide, and
grew quite normally. Despite the underwater episode, it actually turned
out to be one of my largest caterpillars ever. Now, I don't actually
measure my caterpillars, either their length or their overall weight-- I
take a fairly hands-off approach most of the time. But just eyeballing,
it seemed larger than the other caterpillars I had raised a few days
before.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrEKbGglUAU/XRZvHull46I/AAAAAAAABkM/NQWEIJr8Ldktg4F1Ih-c8Jv6pwRMQPG6gCLcBGAs/s1600/fat%2Bformerly%2Bsoggy%2Bcaterpillar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrEKbGglUAU/XRZvHull46I/AAAAAAAABkM/NQWEIJr8Ldktg4F1Ih-c8Jv6pwRMQPG6gCLcBGAs/s400/fat%2Bformerly%2Bsoggy%2Bcaterpillar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So fat and happy! And no longer soggy in the least.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It
pupated not long after I took this photo, and then successfully eclosed
yesterday: a healthy female. Even my husband remarked that the
butterfly seemed larger than usual, corresponding with its large larval
size. After a few minutes of warming up in the sunshine, off it
fluttered. Hooray!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKjRqIifCXo/XRZvmoLQsJI/AAAAAAAABkU/_sQ48wR0EIElyvo3X5zHfFsxomiw6BJNgCLcBGAs/s1600/totally%2Bnot%2Bsoggy%2BBlack%2BSwallowtail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKjRqIifCXo/XRZvmoLQsJI/AAAAAAAABkU/_sQ48wR0EIElyvo3X5zHfFsxomiw6BJNgCLcBGAs/s400/totally%2Bnot%2Bsoggy%2BBlack%2BSwallowtail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The freshly eclosed Black Swallowtail, ready to fly off into my yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So
moral of this story is: don't give up, even if your caterpillar falls
into the water. They're amazingly resilient. No wonder they and other
insects are predicted to take over the world someday!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-37081631148015877892019-01-26T10:07:00.000-05:002019-01-26T10:07:38.914-05:00The Best Time To Hang a New Birdfeeder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kl95SxSbY6o/XExttB9mNGI/AAAAAAAABik/AjhLlMzONXQi13UfzxzLpogiLL2LxStuwCEwYBhgL/s1600/lonely%2Bbirdfeeders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kl95SxSbY6o/XExttB9mNGI/AAAAAAAABik/AjhLlMzONXQi13UfzxzLpogiLL2LxStuwCEwYBhgL/s400/lonely%2Bbirdfeeders.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No birds yet! The dropping level of seeds indicates the squirrels have visited, however.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A common frustration with wild bird feeding is how long it takes birds to notice (and visit) a new feeder. For those first several days, when the only attention you’ve attracted is from the neighborhood squirrels, it’s all too easy to wonder if the birds <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/may/18/mockingbirds-human-recognition" target="_blank">hold some grudge against you</a>, or if you did something wrong. <br />
<br />In fact, this is totally normal. It can take a while for birds to even notice something new, and then longer before they feel safe venturing closer. Annoying, but typical. When I first put my back yard feeders up, <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2018/12/for-birds-shelter-equals-safety.html" target="_blank">mentioned in this post</a>, it was almost three weeks before I saw many birds on them! <br />
<br />
However, there is one trick you can use to get faster attention to a new feeder. The secret is low competition, great advertising, and honestly, a little bit of luck-- because the absolute best time to hang a new feeder is right after a snowstorm.<br />
<br />
When fresh snow blankets the ground, the birds’ usual sources of food will be covered up as well. Without their favorite spots competing with your new feeders, the birds should be quicker to try something unfamiliar, to say nothing of desperate for something to eat.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B9bSr3fOi2I/XExqz3klucI/AAAAAAAABiE/klz_vUa5VIsJVoCyWn-TCn6yDCwuD6Y1QCEwYBhgL/s1600/snowy%2BBrookside%2BGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B9bSr3fOi2I/XExqz3klucI/AAAAAAAABiE/klz_vUa5VIsJVoCyWn-TCn6yDCwuD6Y1QCEwYBhgL/s400/snowy%2BBrookside%2BGardens.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much to eat here! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The snow also gives you a perfect opportunity to advertise your new feeder. First, pack down the snow under your feeder by stomping around, or smushing it down with something flat. (Otherwise the seed will just sink into the soft snow.) Once you have a nice dense layer, sprinkle plenty of black oil sunflower seeds on the packed snow. The dark seed contrasting with the white snow should catch the attention of birds searching for food, hopefully leading to your first feathered customers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBTOVswNw9o/XExqz1M3v3I/AAAAAAAABiI/XMuLLDXe_zE6_eTRd6atFspE2dxIADcdACEwYBhgL/s1600/seed%2Bon%2Bsnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBTOVswNw9o/XExqz1M3v3I/AAAAAAAABiI/XMuLLDXe_zE6_eTRd6atFspE2dxIADcdACEwYBhgL/s400/seed%2Bon%2Bsnow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These days when I scatter seed after a snowfall, I have birds within minutes! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_BUlnHmzvg/XEx0wZmAWLI/AAAAAAAABis/jwi-34yUnEAbU8UMc_li24ijgjFuX-Q0QCLcBGAs/s1600/birds%2Bon%2Bsnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_BUlnHmzvg/XEx0wZmAWLI/AAAAAAAABis/jwi-34yUnEAbU8UMc_li24ijgjFuX-Q0QCLcBGAs/s400/birds%2Bon%2Bsnow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You don't need a huge snowstorm for this method to work. Here the snow was only a couple inches deep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
To attract even more birds to your yard in the winter, you could also put out a heated birdbath. The birds' usual water sources are likely frozen or covered with snow, so a source of fresh water will be very welcome to local birds. You might even attract species that don't eat bird seed, like bluebirds or robins. You can buy a bird bath heater for about $40, or you could put out a pan of fresh water each morning just until it freezes, then bring it back inside to thaw. I recently ordered a heater for my birdbath, so while it didn’t arrive in time for our first snowstorm, I should have it in use before the end of the winter. (Stay tuned!)<br />
<br />
In order to survive, birds need the right combination of food, water, and shelter. The more of these that birds can find in your yard, the more likely they’ll show up. By hanging a new feeder right after a snowstorm, when food is desperately needed, you’ll likely get a faster response than when natural foods are easy to find. Win-win!<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy watching birds in your yard this winter, along with any other animals that might show up, like squirrels, rabbits, deer, and even foxes. I’d love to hear about what you see!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMvAcmVgkzk/XExttMS_SaI/AAAAAAAABig/-c7paT4Tjr0YgDviDjM2ax5Fx75DnUUVQCEwYBhgL/s1600/snowy%2Bsong%2Bsparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="400" height="250" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMvAcmVgkzk/XExttMS_SaI/AAAAAAAABig/-c7paT4Tjr0YgDviDjM2ax5Fx75DnUUVQCEwYBhgL/s400/snowy%2Bsong%2Bsparrow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once the birds are drawn to your yard, they'll soon explore your feeders as well. This Song Sparrow looks pretty cozy as more snow falls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-68250640967037323372019-01-09T09:00:00.000-05:002019-01-09T09:00:06.484-05:00Wildlife Garden Tools: Native Plant FindersWant to help wildlife in your yard? Try growing the plants they’re already used to in the wild, also known as native plants. For gardeners who aren’t sure how to start building backyard habitat, there are lots of native plant resources online. I’ve compiled a few that I find useful. Whether you’re hoping to attract birds, butterflies, or bees, these sites can help you figure out what to grow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQlB2XuCyTk/XDVlMYivAeI/AAAAAAAABhU/RFxwxZpq_RYevkabUPBdpCaSWp36qWh1gCEwYBhgL/s1600/pollen%2Bbee%2Bon%2Bmilkweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQlB2XuCyTk/XDVlMYivAeI/AAAAAAAABhU/RFxwxZpq_RYevkabUPBdpCaSWp36qWh1gCEwYBhgL/s400/pollen%2Bbee%2Bon%2Bmilkweed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Carpenter Bee picked up both pollen and nectar from the Swamp Milkweed in my yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><a href="https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/" target="_blank">The National Wildlife Federation's plant finder</a> has you enter your zip code to see a list of native plants for your area, ranked by how many caterpillar species (butterflies as well as moths) each plant supports. Since most birds rely on caterpillars to feed their babies, this site can also help you support birds as well as butterflies and moths. Yum!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.audubon.org/native-plants" target="_blank">The Audubon Society also offers a native plant finder</a> that is based on your zip code. You’ll get a list of plants for your area that are easy to grow and should be available at native plant nurseries. Beside each plant’s description you’ll also see thumbnails of the birds it attracts. Audubon also lists nearby nurseries (and their web sites). identifying types of birds that may be attracted to each suggested plant, and basic appearance and culture needs for each plant. There’s even a “Buy Now” button for each plant, with options of either “buy local” (nearby Audubon chapters that offer plant services, nearby native plant nurseries) or “buy on Amazon.” Before you click “buy on Amazon,” you can follow a link to read tips about buying plants online.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OU1QfdXFaCY/XDVlMYxgWeI/AAAAAAAABhg/OIsNgoMwwKoSflMpHr8Udq1RDt3NwQ5PQCEwYBhgL/s1600/monarch%2Bon%2Basters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OU1QfdXFaCY/XDVlMYxgWeI/AAAAAAAABhg/OIsNgoMwwKoSflMpHr8Udq1RDt3NwQ5PQCEwYBhgL/s400/monarch%2Bon%2Basters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarchs love late-booming flowers like these asters. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><a href="https://www.wildflower.org/plants-main" target="_blank">The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center </a>in Texas hosts helpful resources about native plants on its web site. You can find information about commercially available plants that are native to your state, explore plants that are especially good for bees or for hummingbirds, and even find a list of nurseries that carry native plants. You’re supposed to be able to narrow that supplier list by state or zip code, but that tool seemed broken as I write this. A workaround is just to click “show all suppliers,” and scan the list to find nurseries or seed sources that are near you. <br /><br /><a href="https://mtcubacenter.org/native-plant-finder/" target="_blank">The Mt. Cuba Center,</a> in Delaware, is a native plants botanic garden. While the garden is closed during the winter, the web site has lots of information about native plants for the Mid-Atlantic area. It won’t help you much if you live in another part of the country, but the site does give you much more detail about the specific plants and their culture & habitat needs than National Wildlife Federation’s tool. You can also refine the list by plant type, amount of sun needed, foliage type, and/or flower color, to find just the right plant for your garden.<br /><br />Lastly, the Habitat Network and Project Yardmap are great resources that unfortunately have just lost funding. All of the articles are still available, and will eventually be moved over to <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/" target="_blank">Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds</a> web site. Until January 31, 2019, you can still find resources at <a href="http://content.yardmap.org/learn/">http://content.yardmap.org/learn/</a>, such as pictures of birds in your area sorted by what kind of food they like. You can click individual birds to find out their <a href="http://content.yardmap.org/learn/which-birds-which-plants/" target="_blank">specific plant preferences</a> and other habitat needs. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_rmuybZOik/XDVrRgIxHJI/AAAAAAAABho/5FhYtr2oqLk8s8TfRfaJCh7MF-h1Ff1BgCLcBGAs/s1600/goldfinch%2Bon%2Bsunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_rmuybZOik/XDVrRgIxHJI/AAAAAAAABho/5FhYtr2oqLk8s8TfRfaJCh7MF-h1Ff1BgCLcBGAs/s400/goldfinch%2Bon%2Bsunflower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinches love seed-bearing flowers like this sunflower. Coneflowers are also popular.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Of course, even better than online plant finders like these would be personal observation and experience. If you’re willing to wait a year or two before deciding, then you could try to find the plants on your list in the wild. That way you can see how it looks through all seasons, and observe how many birds, butterflies, or bees visit. <br /><br />But you probably don’t want to wait that long. (I know I usually don’t!) So your next best choice would be to ask for advice and impressions from folks who have long experience with the plant. If you don’t have neighbors like this, you could try social media—there are tons of gardeners online who are happy to share our knowledge. <b>You could also ask me in the comments below! </b><br /><br />Whatever you choose to do, and whatever plants you select, have fun! Even “failed” gardening still gets us outside and brings us more in touch with nature. So in that sense, there’s really no 100% wrong plant selection. Just keep planting more, you’ll eventually find the ones that work best.Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-79172662271722459652019-01-04T15:28:00.000-05:002019-01-04T15:28:45.540-05:00Achievement Unlocked: My First Mega!How did you do on your goals for 2018? I managed to complete one of mine in the last few weeks of the year: to spot (and log on eBird) at least 150 different bird species. Yay! My 150th bird wasn’t exactly ordinary, either: a species that’s only been seen in the US one other time. That’s what birders call a mega rarity, or mega. Although I’ve been birding for several decades now, this is the first mega I’ve ever chased.<br />
<br />
I’ve seen locally rare birds before, like the Snowy Owls that occasionally make their way south to the mid-Atlantic area. But megas are another level. <a href="http://listing.aba.org/checklist-codes" target="_blank">The American Birding Association (ABA</a>) classifies birds in six levels, or codes, of rarity for the U.S. and Canada. <br />
<br /><ul>
<li><b>Codes 1 and 2: Regularly occurring North American birds.</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Code 1 species are widespread and usually numerous.</li>
<li>Code 2 species are harder to find because their range is restricted, there are fewer of them, or they are very secretive. </li>
</ul>
<li><b>Code 3: Rare</b>. These species occur in very low number, but show up annually in the ABA checklist area. Some are visitors, others are year-round residents.</li>
<li><b>Code 4: Casual</b>. These species are usually not observed every year, but have been recorded six or more times, including three or more in the past 30 years. That way a pattern can be discerned.</li>
<li> <b>Code 5: Accidental.</b> These are species that have been recorded five or fewer times in the ABA area, or have fewer than three records in the past 30 years. Because of the infrequency of sightings, birds in this group don’t seem to have a pattern of when/why they show up in our area.</li>
<li> <b>Code 6: Cannot be found.</b> Species in this group are probably or actually extinct or extirpated from the ABA area, or else all survivors are in captivity. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Of course, each bird species has its own range and preferred habitat, and that may not include all of the ABA territory. So a lot of code 1 or code 2 birds would be exceedingly rare outside of their normal territory, for example finding a code 1 Juniper Titmouse here in suburban Maryland. Generally, though, the higher code birds are harder to find. <br />
<br />
The bird that put me at 150 species for the year, a Great Black Hawk (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Buteogallus urubitinga</span></i>),
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style> is in the coveted code 5 group. The first time one was seen in the US was in April, 2018, on South Padre Island in Texas. After that, one was found in Maine in August, then seen sporadically until it showed up in Portland in late November. At that point it settled into Deering Oaks Park, a small city park with a multitude of very well-fed squirrels. It even turns out that the Texas and Maine birds are the same individual, with an identical pattern of flecks on the underside of the bird’s wings, as described in <i><a href="http://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/birdwatching/great-black-hawk-texas-maine" target="_blank">BirdWatching</a></i>. Now that’s one far-traveling bird—from its normal range in central or South America to Texas, and then all the way up to Maine!<br />
<br />
I know several birders who drove from my area all the way to Maine just for the chance to see this hawk. Seeing the bird wasn’t my primary reason for going to Portland this winter, though—I was heading up to visit family for Christmas.<br />
<br />
Our trip almost didn’t happen, though. A week before we were supposed to drive up, I developed an extremely painful kidney infection. Ow! I had to go to urgent care while visiting my mom in Florida, and got put on some heavy-duty antibiotics. They couldn’t work fast enough for our next trip to Maine, though, I still wasn’t well enough a week later, when we had planned to drive up. I knew I was truly sick when even the thought of seeing such a rare bird wasn’t tempting.<br />
<br />
But we did make it to Maine, only a few days late. I owe a huge thanks to my wonderful husband for doing all of the driving. Thanks, hon! <br />
<br />
Anyway, we were busy with family celebrations all day on Christmas, but I kept checking the Cumberland county rare bird alerts, following other birders’ accounts of their sightings and hoping the hawk would still be there the next day.<br />
<br />
My first try for the bird was not successful. Victor, my sister Cory, and I drove over to Deering Oaks about 10:00 am, late by most birding standards. We wandered the park, peering up into every tree and shrub, but no luck. A few other groups of birders were there too, some with really high-powered scopes and cameras. One birder pointed out a Red-tailed Hawk in some nearby trees, but nobody had found the Great Black Hawk. We decided to go elsewhere, and maybe try for the hawk again later. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnZVHguJ9tE/XC-8k2vjK1I/AAAAAAAABgg/pNMBPlmevHwhpTHJaIdLvltkF9fzNJkiQCLcBGAs/s1600/Deering%2BOaks%2Bhawk%2Bsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnZVHguJ9tE/XC-8k2vjK1I/AAAAAAAABgg/pNMBPlmevHwhpTHJaIdLvltkF9fzNJkiQCLcBGAs/s400/Deering%2BOaks%2Bhawk%2Bsign.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love that the city posted these signs all over the park, helping ensure folks treated the bird respectfully. The numbers to call in case you observed the hawk in distress are a nice touch too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The second time we looked for the bird, after some lunch with my dad, luck was finally in our favor. The hawk had been found by others by the time we got to the park. It was easy to spot, by the huge cluster of birders admiring it from a short distance away. The hawk was perched in a tree beside the main road, and seemed totally unfazed by cars driving past mere feet away. A jogger even ran right under its perch, and the hawk seemed only barely curious. It probably had just eaten, and was still feeling the food coma. (Who knew birds got food comas like we do?)<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I had left my camera at home in Maryland. Arrgh! However, a very kind birder who was allowing passersby to look at the bird through his scope, also let me take a hasty digiscoped photo with my cell phone. It’s not the greatest, but hopefully good enough for proof.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVrDb2-F_LA/XC-8kzfhMjI/AAAAAAAABgk/fLm7-V-aXGMMnITi94DKnBkcnUSkNpszgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Great%2BBlack%2BHawk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="400" height="350" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVrDb2-F_LA/XC-8kzfhMjI/AAAAAAAABgk/fLm7-V-aXGMMnITi94DKnBkcnUSkNpszgCEwYBhgL/s400/Great%2BBlack%2BHawk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Great Black Hawk, perched about 15 feet above the sidewalk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
What a cool experience. Nobody knows how long the Great Black Hawk will stick around. Will Maine’s frigid winter weather be too much for this bird? If it decides to move on, where will it show up next? So much mystery still surrounds it. <br />
<br />
If you want to see uncommon birds like the Great Black Hawk, you can sign up for rare bird alerts on eBird-- either <a href="https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN10489" target="_blank">for the whole ABA range,</a> or just <a href="https://ebird.org/alerts" target="_blank">for a particular county, state or province</a>.
You'll need a free eBird account, easy to create if you don't have one
already. Then eBird will email you daily or hourly (your choice) about
any reported rarities in the area(s) you select. Although I’d never chased a rarity before, I had such fun seeing this one I set myself a goal to see two more rarities this year. Wish me luck! <br />
<br />
By the way, I finished my antibiotics a few days after seeing the Great Black Hawk, and am back to 100 percent. Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-48271394290567785872018-12-05T13:30:00.000-05:002018-12-05T13:36:31.396-05:00For Birds in Your Yard, Shelter Equals Safety<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc-bdpvhp4k/XAbJBEkKZsI/AAAAAAAABfw/QcZNQAFylNQaebcbbTGv4qx7lswO6_1xgCLcBGAs/s1600/www.ContentedNaturalist.blogspot.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc-bdpvhp4k/XAbJBEkKZsI/AAAAAAAABfw/QcZNQAFylNQaebcbbTGv4qx7lswO6_1xgCLcBGAs/s400/www.ContentedNaturalist.blogspot.com.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the birds in my front yard a few years ago, including a <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/search/label/ghost%20bird" target="_blank">leucistic finch</a>. I grew lots of beans that year, as you can see in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you feed the birds, do you have your feeders in your front yard, your back yard, or both? What kind of shelter is available nearby? Do you grow plants specifically for the birds, or leave plants standing in the fall so birds can still use them? If you want to improve what you offer for wild birds in your yard, a good place to start is looking at what kind of shelter they can find.<br />
<br />
In general, you want your yard to feel safe in order for wildlife to come inhabit it. So the more branches you have for birds to perch on, or tangled vegetation for them to hide in, the safer birds are likely to feel in your yard. In theory, that should lead not only to more birds at your feeders, but hopefully also a wider variety of birds showing up in your yard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQeKWdbbzt4/XAbI_7YxFGI/AAAAAAAABgI/XFVRCJ7M90kNPn8q1ONH_xnYZAvkCmYowCEwYBhgL/s1600/Indigo%2Bbunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQeKWdbbzt4/XAbI_7YxFGI/AAAAAAAABgI/XFVRCJ7M90kNPn8q1ONH_xnYZAvkCmYowCEwYBhgL/s400/Indigo%2Bbunting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Buntings live in open woodlands, so if you live close to a forest, adding shrubs and bushes to your yard might get one of these beauties to come visit you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I currently have my bird feeders in our front yard instead of our back yard. I do this because my home office faces the front yard, so that’s where I usually do my feeder watching in the mornings. The front yard also gets more sunlight than the back, so I can grow lots of native plants near my birdfeeders. The plants provide extra food, like<a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2018/11/messy-garden-can-feed-birds.html" target="_blank"> I wrote about in this post</a>, and also provide cover and shelter for the birds.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUkvkLOKfas/W_cgUn0zyiI/AAAAAAAABfU/Xcqi-DjcCTsMxaz1kDGqun0mXYRq_69gACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Purple%2Bfinch%2BF%2Bin%2BIronweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUkvkLOKfas/W_cgUn0zyiI/AAAAAAAABfU/Xcqi-DjcCTsMxaz1kDGqun0mXYRq_69gACPcBGAYYCw/s400/Purple%2Bfinch%2BF%2Bin%2BIronweed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Purple Finch really blends in among the Ironweed seedheads. She seemed pretty content munching on those seeds too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
While having the feeders in the front is convenient to watch, it also gives me somewhat of a disadvantage. Pedestrian and car traffic often goes by on the road there, so the birds may be startled away from eating. Also, the very thing that helps me garden in the front, that no trees loom overhead to shade out the sun, might also make little birds feel in danger from a hawk’s overhead attack.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VG0H3gQ_p8/XAbJA1qaVnI/AAAAAAAABgA/tDSj_9hwmQ00cxKDXDieFa2xNl-7JYy_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/redtailed%2Bhawk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VG0H3gQ_p8/XAbJA1qaVnI/AAAAAAAABgA/tDSj_9hwmQ00cxKDXDieFa2xNl-7JYy_QCEwYBhgL/s400/redtailed%2Bhawk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-tailed Hawks are common in my area, and would definitely be a threat to my feeder birds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFO6j8Y9HTY/XAbI_9oVFjI/AAAAAAAABf4/_vOdi_MMslIgvRGLsNmCZmLm0kX12-O9wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Coopers%2BHawk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFO6j8Y9HTY/XAbI_9oVFjI/AAAAAAAABf4/_vOdi_MMslIgvRGLsNmCZmLm0kX12-O9wCEwYBhgL/s400/Coopers%2BHawk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the winter we also see Cooper's Hawks like this one. It wasn't very clever at hunting, though-- it sat right out in the open, probably wondering why no more birds were coming to the suet feeder. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So recently I’ve wondered if I might see more or different birds, if I had my feeders in the back yard instead. A large maple tree shelters most of the yard there, joined by a couple small cherry trees, a white mulberry, and other shrubs, plus the large oak tree growing next door. All this provides a wide variety of cover for birds. There’s also the log pile shelter over in the corner that I built a year or two ago and <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2016/11/log-pile-for-wildlife.html" target="_blank">described in this post</a>. Basically, the back yard habitat is older and wilder than the front yard. My gardening efforts in the front are much newer, it's only been a few years since I turned a grassy lawn into garden beds. <br />
<br />
This winter I’m going to run a little experiment, by putting additional feeders in the back, and see what shows up there compared to the front. My first back yard feeder has been up for a few days, and I don’t think the birds have tried it yet. The squirrels, of course, discovered it at once. I better make some more squirrel baffles for the back yard! I’ll keep track of my front and back yard birds this winter, and post an update in a few months. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVLEq83TrRI/XAgYUP2cbMI/AAAAAAAABgQ/Mk6zZq9hwXUapcpjZxe4v7FgJTvpSXwkACLcBGAs/s1600/squirrel%2Bon%2Bnew%2Bbirdfeeder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVLEq83TrRI/XAgYUP2cbMI/AAAAAAAABgQ/Mk6zZq9hwXUapcpjZxe4v7FgJTvpSXwkACLcBGAs/s320/squirrel%2Bon%2Bnew%2Bbirdfeeder.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least the new bird feeder is all metal, so I don't have to worry about chewing damage. Darn squirrels!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you think about garden plans for next spring, consider adding a couple bushes or shrubs to help wild birds feel safer there. My next-door neighbor’s evergreen holly hedge is always full of talkative little House Sparrows. You can even consider plants that will give your yard “winter interest”—that is, plants with interesting seedpods, bright berries, or colorful bark, so when the leaves all fall you still have something to look at. Those seedpods and berries can also provide more food for the birds, of course! A few shrubs you and the birds might enjoy are redtwig dogwood, whose bare red bark looks pretty against the snow, and native Winterberry holly, whose scarlet berries are very attractive once the leaves fall. Dried native grasses and their seedpods can be very pretty too. <br />
<br />
If you add some extra shelter for your birds, let me know how it goes!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4hX9kwfRMI/XAbI_5sfPMI/AAAAAAAABgE/QGeDaPyKL0EEZ6ZoYZHMypTn1-qn7jc2ACEwYBhgL/s1600/CarolinaWren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4hX9kwfRMI/XAbI_5sfPMI/AAAAAAAABgE/QGeDaPyKL0EEZ6ZoYZHMypTn1-qn7jc2ACEwYBhgL/s400/CarolinaWren.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Wren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-60493406163512622012018-11-22T16:40:00.000-05:002018-11-22T16:40:44.786-05:00Your Messy Garden Can Feed Hungry Winter BirdsA few weeks ago, <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2018/10/fabulous-purple-finches.html" target="_blank">I posted about how some uncommon Purple Finches arrived at my birdfeeders</a>, part of an irruption (sporadic migration) from Canada this year. They're here because the spruces & other conifers up north didn’t produce as many seeds as usual. The birds came south looking for more food, and a few found it in my yard. While the Purple Finches were happy to join my usual Cardinals, House Sparrows, and White-breasted Nuthatches in eating sunflower seeds, some birds won’t come to a feeder. If you provide the right kind of natural food and habitat in your yard or garden, though, you may be lucky enough to host more than just “feeder” birds in your yard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyvjNGG9IQs/W9eHlkFLZEI/AAAAAAAABc4/dhaWI53UPMMOCVWwKRz9Xr2N3kEH9PlOQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/male%2BPurple%2BFinch%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyvjNGG9IQs/W9eHlkFLZEI/AAAAAAAABc4/dhaWI53UPMMOCVWwKRz9Xr2N3kEH9PlOQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/male%2BPurple%2BFinch%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Purple Finches, who seem to have moved on. Perhaps more will show up soon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />For example, some birds are normally insect-eaters. Some of those head south for the winter, but others who breed up in New England are arriving in my area right now. They’re helpful picking off any aphids or beetles still lurking in my garden. I recently watched a Ruby-crowned Kinglet flutter around my yard, presumably plucking insects off the undersides of leaves. I’ve also watched wrens busily exploring under my garden bench and in the eaves of my porch, plucking spiders out of the dark corners. By allowing insects and spiders to live in your yard, you also help feed many birds!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNjnSu2dazg/W_cZwB3o8jI/AAAAAAAABfE/b1FUSpBLaHYj_dQUs_rhspJ7mdG-7RaTwCLcBGAs/s1600/RC%2Bkinglet%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNjnSu2dazg/W_cZwB3o8jI/AAAAAAAABfE/b1FUSpBLaHYj_dQUs_rhspJ7mdG-7RaTwCLcBGAs/s400/RC%2Bkinglet%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We only see Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the winter around here, so it's always exciting when I spot the first one for the season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OGsobXmS8E/W_cZwBSMMuI/AAAAAAAABfA/LsSuR494CsoqxTLq5lo4L9L_0CRGl1oVgCLcBGAs/s1600/R-CKinglet%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1OGsobXmS8E/W_cZwBSMMuI/AAAAAAAABfA/LsSuR494CsoqxTLq5lo4L9L_0CRGl1oVgCLcBGAs/s400/R-CKinglet%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hmm, any tasty bugs up there?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Later, as winter drags on, insects are harder to find. So a lot of these birds will be looking for additional food, such as berries or other small fruit. Shrubs like Serviceberry or Spicebush, and trees like Crabapple or Dogwood provide the food that will help these birds survive the cold. Any of these plants would make great additions to your wildlife garden. I usually recommend native plants, but even some ornamental and non-native plants can provide food. The Bradford Pear in my neighbor’s yard has recently been filled with Robins, Blue Jays, and Starlings devouring its small, hard fruits. <br />In previous years I've sometimes seen Cedar Waxwings in that tree too, although they haven't shown up yet this year.<br /><br />Shrubs also collect leaves and other detritus like twigs and bark chips beneath them. That’s where lots of garden invertebrates live, such as snails, sowbugs, spiders and insects. Since birds also like to perch in the branches at night, by planting shrubs you’re essentially providing a birdy bed and breakfast!<br /><br />Because I let most of my plants die back naturally and don’t do much deadheading (removing old flowers before they become seeds) or other fall “cleanup”, I have lots of different seeds for my winter visitors, in addition to the sunflower seed in my feeders. Some birds that are seed eaters don’t come to feeders, so I can still attract and feed them by taking a hands-off approach in the garden. (Less work for me, too-- bonus!) Currently I have seedheads from Ironweed, Joe-Pye Weed, Boneset, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, and Agastache in my garden. This also means that on days I forget to refill my feeders, there is still food available for the birds.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tUkvkLOKfas/W_cgUn0zyiI/AAAAAAAABfQ/e1NsKk_05f4Eo0lV1pO9sQre7JL_mY9BQCLcBGAs/s1600/Purple%2Bfinch%2BF%2Bin%2BIronweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tUkvkLOKfas/W_cgUn0zyiI/AAAAAAAABfQ/e1NsKk_05f4Eo0lV1pO9sQre7JL_mY9BQCLcBGAs/s400/Purple%2Bfinch%2BF%2Bin%2BIronweed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Purple Finch female nibbled on some of the Ironweed seeds in between feeder visits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Finally, birds need water just as much as we do. When the temperature is below freezing, many of the local birds’ usual sources may be frozen over or hard to reach. Providing water can attract many birds that shy away from traditional feeders. If you have a bird bath already, you’ll need to have a way to keep it from freezing over too. I’ve experimented with DIY methods over the years, reluctant to buy a gadget if it wasn’t really necessary. I tried just pouring boiling water onto the ice in my birdbath every morning, for example. The birdbath refroze pretty quickly, though, so that didn’t seem like a very good alternative. In fact, I never saw birds take advantage of the warm water for the short time it was thawed each morning. There probably wasn’t enough time for them to notice the water. So I ended up using an aquarium heater to keep my birdbath thawed. That heater died last winter, though, so I’ll have to get a new one soon.<br /><br />If you want to provide habitat to help migrating songbirds this fall and winter, it’s really as easy as leaving seeds and fallen leaves in your garden and yard. Remember, messier is better for birds in your garden in the wintertime! <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2015/11/messy-garden-for-wildlife.html" target="_blank">I’ve posted before about my messy garden too</a>. <br /><br />I hope you see interesting birds in your yard and garden this winter! I’d love to hear about them in the comments. <br />Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-40387528604397156022018-11-03T08:00:00.000-04:002018-11-03T08:00:06.170-04:00Happy Owloween!For Halloween this year I wanted to let my birder and naturalist colors fly. So instead of the usual face on my pumpkin, I decided to carve something appropriately spooky but more from the natural world.<br />
<br />
I started a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/MDnaturalist/jack-o-lanterns/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a> to collect patterns and ideas. Let me tell you, there are some seriously talented pumpkin carvers out there! I found a lot of very intricate patterns-- gorgeous, but I knew I needed to be less ambitions. So I kept looking for something simpler.<br />
<br />
I admired lots of bat silhouettes, cats, and spiders before finally spotting a lovely silhouette of an owl with full moon. It looked like getting the exact angle of the shoulders might be tricky, but was still a simple enough shape that I might have a chance at success. I found it in a <a href="https://www.diynetwork.com/content/dam/documents/DIY/2015/CI-Kori-Clark_Pumpkin-carving-template-owl.pdf" target="_blank">DIY Network article pin</a>-- the art itself is copyright Paper & Pigtails for DIY Network. I saved the image and resized it to fit my already-purchased pumpkin.<br />
<br />
Once I had the size right, I created a stencil by razoring out the negative space. Next I taped the stencil onto my hollowed-out pumpkin and traced the design on with a marker.<br />
<br />
I ended up using two knives to carve this pumpkin. One large one for cutting the top off the pumpkin and for taking out big chunks in the design, then a smaller one for finer details and better shaping, like to get my moon actually round, and to refine my owl's eartufts.<br />
<br />
I ended up omitting a few details that were too intricate for my knife skills. But I think I came pretty close, and my owl is definitely still recognizable!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K__bugcVFnM/W9zsDb5O0fI/AAAAAAAABd4/6zecwrd1fuYYWqf_zqNn66tBdqPyZrCqACLcBGAs/s1600/pumpkin%2Binside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K__bugcVFnM/W9zsDb5O0fI/AAAAAAAABd4/6zecwrd1fuYYWqf_zqNn66tBdqPyZrCqACLcBGAs/s400/pumpkin%2Binside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My freshly carved pumpkin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The next day, the owl had started to tip over outside of the pumpkin, so we fastened it to the side with a toothpick. This is something I would note for future carvers-- the tenuousness of the carved owl's connection to the rest of the pumpkin. You may want to strengthen or reinforce the owl right away, rather than wait for it to fall over first.<br />
<br />
I liked the design so much I took the stencil and also used it as a Halloween window decoration. We put it behind purple tissue paper and shone a flashlight on it to create this look:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MOFlDdexho/W9ztHtNe5ZI/AAAAAAAABeE/5NI6I7rlFPw0EiOLnBI_eUl7p_S6qsljQCLcBGAs/s1600/window%2Bsilhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MOFlDdexho/W9ztHtNe5ZI/AAAAAAAABeE/5NI6I7rlFPw0EiOLnBI_eUl7p_S6qsljQCLcBGAs/s400/window%2Bsilhouette.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The purple glow is very spooky, don't you think?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I do have one thing to admit, however. Although I love eating crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds, the last few years I've saved my pumpkins' seeds with the intention of roasting them. But then weeks later I still haven't done it, and the seeds have grown mold in my fridge. Blech! So this year I decided to skip the moldy fridge step and dump all the seeds and pulp into my compost bin. Who knows, maybe next summer one of the seeds will sprout and I'll have volunteer pumpkins by next Halloween!<br />
<br />
Cool facts about Great Horned Owls, the species I think is depicted here:<br />
<ul>
<li>They eat skunks! This owl's poor sense of smell actually benefits it when time comes to make dinner from a pungent skunk. It's even been reported that some of these owls leave the smell of a skunk behind on remnants of other prey. </li>
<li>They nest very early in the season. If you live in Great Horned Owl territory and appropriate habitat, you could try putting up a nesting box for these large owls in your back yard. The Nestwatch project from Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers <a href="https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/birds/great-horned-owl/" target="_blank">plans for building and posting one</a> if you're interested. </li>
<li>Often, though, a Great Horned Owl pair just takes over an old nest built by another species, as did the pair that I saw in Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. Petersburg, Florida last year. (I included the nest in my <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2018/01/2017s-ebird-challenge.html" target="_blank">year-end eBird wrapup post</a>.)</li>
</ul>
Stay tuned for my attempts to turn the pumpkin into a set of bird and squirrel feeders.<br />
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-69211277351979021382018-10-30T07:00:00.000-04:002018-10-30T07:00:05.435-04:00Fabulous Purple Finches<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyvjNGG9IQs/W9eHlkFLZEI/AAAAAAAABcw/laNMboKQ2PY59GbRkHCUwsg7G0xSBrBpgCLcBGAs/s1600/male%2BPurple%2BFinch%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A purple finch sits on a pole, eyeing the viewer." border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyvjNGG9IQs/W9eHlkFLZEI/AAAAAAAABcw/laNMboKQ2PY59GbRkHCUwsg7G0xSBrBpgCLcBGAs/s400/male%2BPurple%2BFinch%2B2.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Purple Finches that arrived in my yard recently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Most winters, I spend hours peering at the birds at my feeders, in futile hopes of spotting a Purple Finch amid the throngs of House Finches. The two species look fairly similar, but while I have House Finches all year, the Purple Finches only come to my area in the wintertime. I suppose most people wouldn’t care which is which, or which one happened to show up from year to year. But I’m not quite like most people—I’m a birder.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGYVNh7chpg/W9eLTorl5kI/AAAAAAAABdE/zY6cevaqLDccAHB7M8N7BPyqFJe2_ksjwCLcBGAs/s1600/birding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="I use binoculars to gaze across the Potomac River." border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGYVNh7chpg/W9eLTorl5kI/AAAAAAAABdE/zY6cevaqLDccAHB7M8N7BPyqFJe2_ksjwCLcBGAs/s400/birding.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birding at the C & O Canal this summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For me the thrill of seeing a new species for the year, for the season, or even the first time in my life can last for days. I use <a href="https://ebird.org/home" target="_blank">eBird </a>to track the number of different species I see each year, as well as my lifelong sightings. <br />
<br />
The reason I longed for a Purple Finch in my yard is their infrequent visits to my area. They’re not rare overall, but they don’t make it to the DC area every year, to say nothing of my own neighborhood & yard. I have house finches in my yard all year, including numerous youngsters begging food from their parents in the late summer. Purple Finches, however, spend the warmer months much farther north—in Canada and northeastern U.S. They only venture as far south as DC in the wintertime, if at all.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6cSOpT-aznY/W9egd57byeI/AAAAAAAABdQ/Cu0qZMHH9oAGpkUOm8KARjP9DsiidbaGQCLcBGAs/s1600/white-throated%2Bsparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6cSOpT-aznY/W9egd57byeI/AAAAAAAABdQ/Cu0qZMHH9oAGpkUOm8KARjP9DsiidbaGQCLcBGAs/s400/white-throated%2Bsparrow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A White-throated Sparrow from last winter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Other birds also come to my area only in the winter, like Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows. But while these birds are regular and reliable winter residents, the Purple Finches don’t always show up here. Their winter movements depend in large part on the size of the cone crop in their Canadian breeding grounds. How good a year conifers like pines, firs, and spruces had affects the amount of food available if the birds stayed north for the winter. In poor years for conifer seeds, we mid-Atlantic birders have a much better chance of seeing uncommon winter visitors like the Purple Finch and Pine Siskin. <a href="http://jeaniron.ca/2018/wff18.htm" target="_blank">Ornithologist Ron Pittaway makes an annual winter finch forecast </a>to help birders know whether they can expect movements of these longed for species. The summer of 2018 was a poor cone crop, according to Pittaway’s report, and indeed Purple Finches have been seen all over the midAtlantic region, including my yard. For once, examining every finch at my feeders paid off!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_-bvK0AqgI/W9eqbB0srlI/AAAAAAAABdw/8eEAqFZVg3MVAZRfA6hIrc3vSywb_iuNgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Male%2B%2526%2BFemale%2Bpurple%2Bfinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Three House Finches eating sunflower seeds from a bird feeder" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_-bvK0AqgI/W9eqbB0srlI/AAAAAAAABdw/8eEAqFZVg3MVAZRfA6hIrc3vSywb_iuNgCEwYBhgL/s400/Male%2B%2526%2BFemale%2Bpurple%2Bfinch.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Purple Finches were pretty hungry when they arrived. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In fact, the Purple Finches arrived in my yard even before I saw many of my winter regulars like White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. The first thing I noticed about them was the bright white line over the females’ eyes, called a supercilium. Females are brown and streaky, much like the female House Finch. Males of both species are washed with pinkish-purple. They also have a more intense supercilium as well as a darker stripe down the sides of their chin (called a malar stripe). On the Purple Finch, these stripes are pink, while the House Finch's marks are brown. I had to double-check in both Peterson and Sibley field guides to make sure, but yes indeed, I finally had my Purple Finch! The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Project Feederwatch has a v<a href="https://feederwatch.org/learn/tricky-bird-ids/purple-finch-house-finch-and-cassins-finch" target="_blank">ery helpful description of Purple Finch and House Finch field marks</a> as well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HigWqoPK-JY/W9eqbKhyo_I/AAAAAAAABdk/dW1AJlu7cZArLtl7beH2cYvjUkWnAiLXwCLcBGAs/s1600/House%2B%2526%2BPurple%2BFinch%2Bfemales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="221" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HigWqoPK-JY/W9eqbKhyo_I/AAAAAAAABdk/dW1AJlu7cZArLtl7beH2cYvjUkWnAiLXwCLcBGAs/s400/House%2B%2526%2BPurple%2BFinch%2Bfemales.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female House Finch on the left, female Purple finch on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That was my 137th bird species for this year-- tantalizingly close to my goal of 150! Will more uncommon birds visit my yard this winter? I sure hope so. Have you seen any interesting birds this fall? I’d love to hear about them in the comments. <br />
<br />Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-75488428602017068172018-09-14T22:51:00.002-04:002018-09-14T22:51:48.208-04:00Hurricane Florence Versus the ButterfliesWith Hurricane Florence smashing into the East Coast of the US this week, just as Monarch butterflies are starting to migrate, I wondered how the insects would be affected by such a huge storm. Would they be able to survive, or would this be a major setback for the struggling species?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUwYJM6-U3A/W5xzOd9N0qI/AAAAAAAABck/KvETFuZu7gwHQluthuhhokj8KNB1UodIQCLcBGAs/s1600/Monarch%2Bnectaring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUwYJM6-U3A/W5xzOd9N0qI/AAAAAAAABck/KvETFuZu7gwHQluthuhhokj8KNB1UodIQCLcBGAs/s400/Monarch%2Bnectaring.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male monarch nectaring on a New York Aster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's a little hard to tell right now of course, the storm only just arrived in the Carolinas today. But I found some anecdotal stories about how Monarch butterflies survived previous hurricanes that made me feel a little less anxious.<br />
<br />
According to <a href="https://journeynorth.org/tm/monarch/fall_hazards_hurricanes.html" target="_blank">this post from Journey North</a>, butterflies and caterpillars are likely to take shelter before a bad storm hits. Perhaps they can sense the sudden drop in pressure or something else that precedes the storm, and know to get out of the way. <a href="https://journeynorth.org/tm/monarch/FallHazards_HurricaneIke.html" target="_blank">Another post on Journey North</a> quotes Florida monarch-watcher Harlen Aschen, who says he's seen butterflies withstand even 50 mph winds, clinging to plant stems. <br />
<br />
In 2015, Hurricane Patricia also smacked into Arizona just as the western population of monarchs was due to migrate through there. According to <a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/world/2015/10/26/hurricane-patricia-monarch-butterflies/74664720/" target="_blank">this news article from azcentral.com</a>, in a fortunate turn of events, the monarchs actually moved their path eastward, out of the way of the hurricane! Wow. That's pretty significant. Did they know to do that? Or were they just luckily and coincidentally blown off track? We don't really know.<br />
<br />
So the biggest risk to butterflies from a major storm isn't likely to be of hurting the butterflies themselves, but instead destroying the habitat they depend on. If a lot of areas get flooded, nectar sources the butterflies need to fuel their migration could be hard to find. <br />
<br />
So what can we do to help butterflies make it through hurricanes? I found a few suggestions. <a href="http://www.birdsandblooms.com/blog/how-butterflies-seek-shelter-from-a-storm/" target="_blank">Birds and Blooms magazine recommends</a> we gardeners add lots of places in our yards for butterflies to find shelter. Strong tall plants for them to cling to, lots of loose earth and rotting leaves for caterpillars to hide in, and loose stone walls or log piles with lots of crevices into which butterflies can crawl. After the storm passes, if there was a lot of flooding in your area, the remaining nectar sources will probably be minimal, but butterflies will still be as hungry as ever. Since fall is a great time to plant anyway, why not add some additional late-blooming nectar sources to your yard, like goldenrod and asters? The more blossoms you can add to your yard after the hurricane, the better for any passing butterflies. <br />
<br />
So get through this storm. Then once it passes, you can look for ways to help your local butterflies recover or to help protect them from the next storm. Be safe out there!Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-2172129479370546812018-08-25T07:00:00.000-04:002018-08-25T07:00:06.171-04:00Monarch Caterpillars at Last!This summer has been a very sparse one for caterpillars in my yard so
far. I’ve found not a single Black Swallowtail egg or caterpillar, nor
seen any adult butterflies. As I mentioned <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2018/07/surprise-moth-survival.html" target="_blank">in this post about my Promethea Moth</a>, I had only one
overwintering Black Swallowtail chrysalis this spring, which eclosed
shortly after its cage had blown away during a storm. By the time I
found the cage again, the trapped butterfly (and its companion Spicebush
Swallowtail) had died for lack of food. Poor things.<br /><br />
I
hoped that the wild population did better than my captives, but I
haven’t seen any signs of that yet. I’m letting dill volunteers sprout
all over my garden, though, just in case there are a few wild Black
Swallowtails nearby. <br />
<br />
That being said, though, my
caterpillar hobby didn’t go bust this summer after all. Over the last
few weeks, my yard’s milkweed patch was finally discovered by Monarch
butterflies! I have both swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common
milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). My husband spotted a Monarch paying
special attention to the swamp milkweed while I was at work one day.
When I checked those plants, I found my first monarch egg… and two plump
caterpillars! Clearly there had been monarchs visiting my yard before
that day too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_QLod4BQvo/W3oxhGFD5rI/AAAAAAAABb8/IKW56zXNNfshPviQcBgKzhe65wpiPTh2gCEwYBhgL/s1600/biggest%2Bmonarch%2Bcaterpillar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_QLod4BQvo/W3oxhGFD5rI/AAAAAAAABb8/IKW56zXNNfshPviQcBgKzhe65wpiPTh2gCEwYBhgL/s400/biggest%2Bmonarch%2Bcaterpillar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the first big happy caterpillars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The
egg hatched just a few days later. I actually didn’t find the
caterpillar the day it hatched—I forgot to check the cage that night.
The next day, though, I discovered the tiny hatchling had wandered off
its milkweed leaf onto the side of the cage. I quickly coaxed it onto a
scrap of a milkweed leaf, and pinned that onto a fresh sprig of
milkweed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-ojDLXxqyU/W3oxi0gGCfI/AAAAAAAABcA/wvVZS6Goog8nQLzFhzRsjY80IRT2XgxUwCEwYBhgL/s1600/tiny%2BCaterpillar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-ojDLXxqyU/W3oxi0gGCfI/AAAAAAAABcA/wvVZS6Goog8nQLzFhzRsjY80IRT2XgxUwCEwYBhgL/s400/tiny%2BCaterpillar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So tiny: how much smaller the hatchling is compared to the pin shaft!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Although
I nearly had a heart attack when I realized the hatchling had gone
without food for an unknown time, not staying on the milkweed probably saved it from being
eaten by its ravenous companions. The two older caterpillars were now
eating everything in sight, so I decided to keep two separate cages: one
for eggs and hatchlings, and one for third-instar and older
caterpillars.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIyB7ab6Vlg/W4Cn8zu9dhI/AAAAAAAABcM/j9fj_6OcEIAFAmPinTF0rZzS8vG4f-1LACLcBGAs/s1600/side-by-side%2Bcages.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIyB7ab6Vlg/W4Cn8zu9dhI/AAAAAAAABcM/j9fj_6OcEIAFAmPinTF0rZzS8vG4f-1LACLcBGAs/s400/side-by-side%2Bcages.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggs and babies on the right, late-instar caterpillars on the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Over
the next several days, I kept finding more eggs and caterpillars each
time I went out to the milkweed patch. At first they were all on swamp
milkweed, but eventually I found eggs on common milkweed as well. It
seemed like every time I looked outside there was another monarch
ovipositing! Eventually I gave up on collecting all of the eggs, as I
was running out of room. I figure I’ll let the eggs hatch in the wild
and then bring in caterpillars as I find them, so by then. As of this
writing I have 21 caterpillars from tiny hatchlings to fat
fourth-instars, four more hanging in J, and four chrysalids. Whew!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gpDaNhi04DY/W3oxhysquWI/AAAAAAAABb4/vrLrEgzXOUwgamh_NUwVbm3R1NYRkcPSQCEwYBhgL/s1600/monarch%2Bin%2BJ.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gpDaNhi04DY/W3oxhysquWI/AAAAAAAABb4/vrLrEgzXOUwgamh_NUwVbm3R1NYRkcPSQCEwYBhgL/s400/monarch%2Bin%2BJ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wild "j" that I found at Brookside Gardens a few years ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHDFcexVfzk/W4CrMokI4TI/AAAAAAAABcY/kSyvcGIgG4kk2g6a1lSUDKB8d-PuRszKACLcBGAs/s1600/pupae.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHDFcexVfzk/W4CrMokI4TI/AAAAAAAABcY/kSyvcGIgG4kk2g6a1lSUDKB8d-PuRszKACLcBGAs/s400/pupae.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first two Monarch chrysalids </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This
sudden population explosion is actually pretty typical in my area. The
monarch numbers have been silently building through the summer,
culminating in the fourth and final generation, the migrators. (I think
these caterpillars are the last generation, anyway.)<br />
<br />
So
far, it seems that Monarch caterpillars develop much faster than Black
Swallowtails, especially transitioning from last instar to pupa. The two
first caterpillars went from spinning their silk button to hanging in
“j” (equivalent to how Black Swallowtails hang in their safety belts) to
a glistening green chrysalis in about 24 hours! I didn’t get a photo of
either caterpillar in j because of that, the speed really caught me by
surprise. Black Swallowtails, on the other hand, usually spent a day or
two in prepupa after spinning their safety belt, before finally molting
into chrysalis. I don’t know how long the Monarchs spend in chrysalis
yet, but as soon as the first two eclose I’ll be able to update this
post.Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-85979615612002333262018-08-06T18:00:00.001-04:002018-08-06T18:00:49.753-04:00The Eyes (and Legs) Have ItOne of my favorite things about having a wild-ish yard & garden is seeing amazing tiny critters there. While I love birds, there are only so many species that are likely to stop by my feeders. I never seem to run out of new insect sightings, however, right on my own property! I think maybe I should have considered entomology as a career path, I find the insects (and similar invertebrates like spiders) so fascinating.<br />
<br />
So today I want to show you a few of my favorite recent sightings. I'm not even including any butterflies in this post; these are just some other cool bugs and spiders up close. Judging by the photos I've been taking lately, I am particularly fascinated by eyes and legs. Who knew? <br />
<br />
My first observation this week comes with hundreds of legs, although it's not just a single individual. It turns out that some species of wolf spider carry their offspring around on their backs for weeks until the babies are big enough to catch their own food. I encounter a lot of wolf spiders in my yard and garden, but don't often get to see them with spiderlings still attached. I found this little family while weeding my gravel driveway. That's a lot of little ones!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH_qYC6aWUk/W2eMIdAnV-I/AAAAAAAABa4/DrjWTjUBOG8BIAjESBgbpf_yd760XNHuACLcBGAs/s1600/wolf%2Bspider%2Band%2Bbabies%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH_qYC6aWUk/W2eMIdAnV-I/AAAAAAAABa4/DrjWTjUBOG8BIAjESBgbpf_yd760XNHuACLcBGAs/s400/wolf%2Bspider%2Band%2Bbabies%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I managed to get a couple of photos while she was still out in the open...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-192dTTWjdD0/W2eMXJponII/AAAAAAAABa8/5bpH3zF7__U7bEmJ6BC3bchYyvURdbeRQCLcBGAs/s1600/wolf%2Bspider%2Band%2Bbabies%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-192dTTWjdD0/W2eMXJponII/AAAAAAAABa8/5bpH3zF7__U7bEmJ6BC3bchYyvURdbeRQCLcBGAs/s400/wolf%2Bspider%2Band%2Bbabies%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...before she scurried under a chunk of mulch. Look at all those legs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Where spiders have eight eyes, I think insect eyes are often even cooler. The giant multifaceted eyes of dragonflies, for example. But this little syrphid fly that I found sitting on the center of an echinacea flower, is definitely in contention for best insect eyes ever! I *think* it's a Wavy Patterneye (<i><span class="taxon taxon-320036 species Insecta"><span class="othernames"><span class="sciname">Orthonevra nitida</span></span></span></i><span class="taxon taxon-320036 species Insecta"><span class="othernames"><span class="sciname">); I'm still waiting for confirmation/correction from other folks on iNaturalist. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="taxon taxon-320036 species Insecta"><span class="othernames"><span class="sciname"><br /></span></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3LXmGhmQLJM/W2eDutw9fqI/AAAAAAAABaY/XPjziuhTfZANgQY0W4VRoqDCB_a9vEWfACLcBGAs/s1600/Wavy%2BPatterneye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3LXmGhmQLJM/W2eDutw9fqI/AAAAAAAABaY/XPjziuhTfZANgQY0W4VRoqDCB_a9vEWfACLcBGAs/s400/Wavy%2BPatterneye.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fly almost looks like someone drew squiggles on its eyes-- Wavy Patterneye indeed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="taxon taxon-320036 species Insecta"><span class="othernames"><span class="sciname"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="taxon taxon-320036 species Insecta"><span class="othernames"><span class="sciname"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="taxon taxon-320036 species Insecta"><span class="othernames"><span class="sciname">And finally, I've finally confirmed that my yard is hosting leafcutter bees. I've been seeing a lot of clean little bits taken out of leaves on several kinds of plants, with no caterpillars in sight. I haven't found any leafcutter bee nests in my bee hotel yet, but then I spotted this cute little bee on some Woodland Sunflower (</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Helianthus strumosus</i>). It looks a lot like a bee another naturalist I know recently tweeted as a Western Leafcutter. So I'm thinking it's at least the same genus-- <i>Megachile</i>-- which includes Leafcutter, Mortar, and Resin Bees. Leafcutter bees line a tubular nest with bits of leaves and then lay eggs in separate cells, provisioning each cell with pollen or maybe a mix of nectar and pollen. The little larvae eat the food when they hatch, then cocoon and later emerge as adults. Pretty neat! </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLRuFgiTbSw/W2eKvGpU2SI/AAAAAAAABak/CcKzTpBTXxEvxMqxeofVaWv3ttUa_I7uQCLcBGAs/s1600/leafcutter%2Bbee%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLRuFgiTbSw/W2eKvGpU2SI/AAAAAAAABak/CcKzTpBTXxEvxMqxeofVaWv3ttUa_I7uQCLcBGAs/s400/leafcutter%2Bbee%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gathering nectar or pollen, for a nest perhaps?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">As for where the leafcutters are nesting, we do have a lot of Carpenter Bees around that make their nests in our wooden fencing and porch eaves. Maybe the Leafcutters are using old carpenter bee burrows? I'll keep looking for the leafy cocoons... meanwhile I think this striped little bee is pretty darn cute! Click the above picture to enlarge it so you can see its big gorgeous eyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrNyQkKQnP4/W2eLO9ZaFgI/AAAAAAAABas/n5VsdL1ZBWYLGfGmjtruzVANe5oAadjLQCLcBGAs/s1600/leafcutter%2Bbee%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vrNyQkKQnP4/W2eLO9ZaFgI/AAAAAAAABas/n5VsdL1ZBWYLGfGmjtruzVANe5oAadjLQCLcBGAs/s400/leafcutter%2Bbee%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That round stripey bottom! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Here are the signs of leafcutter bees that I've been seeing-- neat, semicircular bits cut out of the edges of leaves. Have you seen similar signs on leaves in your area? Pretty cool what you can discover if you just keep your eyes open! (See what I did there?)</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrusr-fM4zg/W2jBsM_L9UI/AAAAAAAABbI/LftRdoD4sLkcPOanYNTw-oAdUvU3-fMbwCLcBGAs/s1600/leafcutter%2Bsigns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Several oval-shaped leaves with small curved chunks taken out of their edges" border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrusr-fM4zg/W2jBsM_L9UI/AAAAAAAABbI/LftRdoD4sLkcPOanYNTw-oAdUvU3-fMbwCLcBGAs/s400/leafcutter%2Bsigns.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting how there were different size chunks taken out of these leaves-- sometimes small, sometimes large.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span class="taxon taxon-320036 species Insecta"><span class="othernames"><span class="sciname"></span></span></span>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-43310605629897040992018-07-30T13:14:00.000-04:002018-07-30T13:14:07.169-04:00Many, Many Mergansers!<br />
By now, you've probably seen Brent Cizek's viral photo of a hen Common Merganser leading a long train of about 50 fuzzy little babies. (If not, check it out <a href="https://www.brentcizekphoto.com/Wildlife/627-Lake-Bemidji/" target="_blank">at his photography website,</a> plus his <a href="https://www.brentcizekphoto.com/Wildlife/716-Lake-Bemidji/" target="_blank">followup</a> visit a couple weeks later, when the group had grown to 76 ducklings. He found the incredible family in Minnesota's Lake Bemidji. <br />
<br />
Why was the group so big? This isn't a case of an insanely large nest. Rather, most of the babies probably had different mothers. Common Mergansers often merge multiple hens' broods under the care of one hen-- although not usually quite so many babies at the same time! The new group of babies is called a creche. <br />
<br />
It's even possible the hen in Cizek's photo might not actually be the mother of any of the ducklings, but rather their grandmother. Now that's one busy grandma! Baby mergansers can feed themselves as soon as they hatch, so at least she doesn't have to provide food for all her fluffy little followers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wHw95MGGls/W1z_s4AqB2I/AAAAAAAABaM/7H7iBNe6fhMBVLhzZkOwfbC4QVLqfkCsQCEwYBhgL/s1600/mergs%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="large group of young Common Mergansers on a river reflecting the sunset." border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wHw95MGGls/W1z_s4AqB2I/AAAAAAAABaM/7H7iBNe6fhMBVLhzZkOwfbC4QVLqfkCsQCEwYBhgL/s400/mergs%2B4.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turns out Common Mergansers on the C & O Canal form creches too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And remember the <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2018/05/merganser-mama.html" target="_blank">merganser family I wrote about back in May</a>? Victor and I saw a large merganser creche reminiscent of Cizek's, when we took a sunset stroll at the C & O Canal a month after our first sighting. These mergansers looked to be about half-grown-- older than the fuzzballs Cizek photographed, but still clustering together as ducklings will. We counted at least forty individuals, which seems to be a large but not atypical group for Common Merganser creches. Presumably some of them were the seven little fluffballs we saw a month before.<br />
<br />
I'm really glad to see further evidence of a healthy breeding population in our area. Although most field guides list the Common Merganser as only a winter resident in the MidAtlantic area, the Maryland Biodiversity Project states that they're increasing along the Potomac as a breeder. Cool!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7pVCNT3Iuk/W1z_tO_H5_I/AAAAAAAABaQ/7SEPUji8PCYiAh6NaIYUT1a4q734Ri2OwCEwYBhgL/s1600/mergs%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Large group of Common Mergansers swimming to the left on a river reflecting the sunset" border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7pVCNT3Iuk/W1z_tO_H5_I/AAAAAAAABaQ/7SEPUji8PCYiAh6NaIYUT1a4q734Ri2OwCEwYBhgL/s400/mergs%2B5.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Should we go this way?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRXECkJQ2G4/W1z_sI9C1xI/AAAAAAAABaA/Ns_c51W59nw-XckIvAQhvvquzlk91BD8wCEwYBhgL/s1600/mergs%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The group of Mergansers now swimming to the right in a tight cluster" border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRXECkJQ2G4/W1z_sI9C1xI/AAAAAAAABaA/Ns_c51W59nw-XckIvAQhvvquzlk91BD8wCEwYBhgL/s400/mergs%2B1.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, wait, maybe over here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVUJH9WxJ_U/W1z_sGfG_PI/AAAAAAAABZw/pPRtzd1fQQo0hODzmzr3ba9pc1ogQTXWwCLcBGAs/s1600/mergs%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVUJH9WxJ_U/W1z_sGfG_PI/AAAAAAAABZw/pPRtzd1fQQo0hODzmzr3ba9pc1ogQTXWwCLcBGAs/s1600/mergs%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVUJH9WxJ_U/W1z_sGfG_PI/AAAAAAAABZw/pPRtzd1fQQo0hODzmzr3ba9pc1ogQTXWwCLcBGAs/s1600/mergs%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVUJH9WxJ_U/W1z_sGfG_PI/AAAAAAAABZw/pPRtzd1fQQo0hODzmzr3ba9pc1ogQTXWwCLcBGAs/s1600/mergs%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHirB8mTHDk/W1z_sPjbdMI/AAAAAAAABZ0/B0lWKvfbG2oMF8iI46s4hCdcRNRHU8a8QCLcBGAs/s1600/mergs%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The group of mergansers swimming to the right, some still in a tight cluster but the back of the group getting strung out in a line." border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHirB8mTHDk/W1z_sPjbdMI/AAAAAAAABZ0/B0lWKvfbG2oMF8iI46s4hCdcRNRHU8a8QCLcBGAs/s400/mergs%2B3.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, this looks like a good direction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-30919092735752036562018-07-27T21:22:00.003-04:002018-07-27T21:22:37.765-04:00Surprise Moth Survival
<br />
Happy National Moth Week, all. To celebrate, I thought I'd share my experience raising a Promethea Moth, and how it seemingly came back from the dead. <br />
<br />
Last summer I tried my hand at raising some moth
caterpillars in addition to my usual Black Swallowtail butterflies. I have
several spicebushes (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lindera benzoin)</i>
in my yard, and there’s more in the park down the street. So when I found this
cluster of stripey caterpillars on the underside of a spicebush leaf, I was
very intrigued!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LW-XXq7BQY/W1uqrWXQTsI/AAAAAAAABY0/xPFNQXmhB90_TcU85VlNAEmh5e8b6lSYwCLcBGAs/s1600/gregarious%2Bcaterpillars%2Bon%2Bspicebush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Three yellow-and-black striped caterpillars cluster together on the vein of a leaf" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LW-XXq7BQY/W1uqrWXQTsI/AAAAAAAABY0/xPFNQXmhB90_TcU85VlNAEmh5e8b6lSYwCLcBGAs/s400/gregarious%2Bcaterpillars%2Bon%2Bspicebush.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">The young caterpillars feed together early in their development, when they're striped like this.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later the caterpillars changed their appearance and
behavior. Rather than stripes, they now had black and yellow knobs on them, and
no longer clustered together. Apparently this is common for this species: my
guidebook says that Promethea Moths are gregarious when young, then wander off solo as they get
older.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YrWcDHoIo0/W1uqwiNKEkI/AAAAAAAABY4/LGL4kVoJnegLXgm8pZFXrRpfNNYjtB98wCLcBGAs/s1600/older%2Bcaterpillars%2Bon%2Bspicebush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Three fat caterpillars on leaves, one leaf showing chew marks. The caterpillars are pale green with black and yellow bumps." border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YrWcDHoIo0/W1uqwiNKEkI/AAAAAAAABY4/LGL4kVoJnegLXgm8pZFXrRpfNNYjtB98wCLcBGAs/s400/older%2Bcaterpillars%2Bon%2Bspicebush.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They also eat a lot of spicebush in order to grow so big and fat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Only one of the three caterpillars made it all the way to cocoon;
I’m not sure why. In fact, I only had two butterfly chrysalids to overwinter as
well, one Spicebush Swallowtail and one Black Swallowtail. To be honest, I can’t
remember why, although since I did finish up my Masters degree last fall I
might have been too busy to check the garden as often as I usually do! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, fast forward to this spring. In April, when the
nights here are generally above freezing (usually about 40) but the days are
starting to warm up, I put any overwintering chrysalids outside (I described
this <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2017/05/butterfly-update-eggs-and-eclosures.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). I put all three of my pupae in a single cage and hung it on
our front porch. I thought I had it well secured, but my set-up couldn’t
withstand the insane winds that came with a week of storms in May. (Neither
could our roof, but that’s another story.)</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t realize the cage was gone right away, but toward
the end of the week I suddenly noticed it was missing. It took us a few days of
searching before we finally found it next door, in a deep puddle in our
neighbor’s yard. The cage was nearly flattened as well. When I opened the cage
to see if anything was salvageable, I found two soggy, lifeless butterflies.
They must have eclosed shortly after the cage blew away, but of course were
trapped inside with no way to get food. Poor things. The moth cocoon still
seemed intact, even if it too was soaking wet. I put it in a clean, dry cage
and set that in my office, hoping just maybe the pupa was still alive. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I kept checking the cage every few days, but there were no
signs of life for almost two months. I had just about decided that the pupa
must have drowned after all. But then while tidying my office, I accidentally
bumped the cage. Suddenly a large, very agitated moth was flying around inside!
I had given up too soon on my pupa, but luckily hadn’t gotten around to putting
it outside for decomposers to pick over. For once, procrastination comes to the rescue!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I shouted for Victor to grab the camera,
and we went outside to free the moth. After a brief exploration of my leg, the
moth decided to perch on an antique bike that hangs on our front porch. Although
its camouflage wasn’t as effective here as it would have been on a tree branch,
the moth stayed there peacefully for several hours through the heat of the day. It wasn’t
until mid-afternoon that it took off, when I inadvertently disturbed it by
whistling for one of our cats. (I wonder if whistling normally bothers moths? Interesting.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTfz4rvLdIQ/W1u2qRDxo1I/AAAAAAAABZQ/ZyQ7m9vaH8kudPsRY8EFLAboNPMUoTgWACLcBGAs/s1600/Moth%2Bon%2Bleg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Large dark brown moth with pale yellow edges on my shorts-clad leg" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTfz4rvLdIQ/W1u2qRDxo1I/AAAAAAAABZQ/ZyQ7m9vaH8kudPsRY8EFLAboNPMUoTgWACLcBGAs/s400/Moth%2Bon%2Bleg.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hmm, not quite right for my first day out."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ojk7DS4YMW0/W1u2q-CucrI/AAAAAAAABZY/kSglt3PKVa0ud5IL8OGZ85Q1E6nfnuwlgCEwYBhgL/s1600/moth%2Bon%2Bbicycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Large moth perches on the wheel of a bicycle hanging from the porch ceiling" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ojk7DS4YMW0/W1u2q-CucrI/AAAAAAAABZY/kSglt3PKVa0ud5IL8OGZ85Q1E6nfnuwlgCEwYBhgL/s400/moth%2Bon%2Bbicycle.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ahh... that's better."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_XSJcEd_v7Q/W1u2qYlvcrI/AAAAAAAABZM/Wk8530WXgx8JhCwC4rs0Hau2XxyspUEwQCEwYBhgL/s1600/antenna%2Bcloseup%2Bmoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A furry, fat-bodied moth with large feathery antennae clings to a bicycle tire" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_XSJcEd_v7Q/W1u2qYlvcrI/AAAAAAAABZM/Wk8530WXgx8JhCwC4rs0Hau2XxyspUEwQCEwYBhgL/s400/antenna%2Bcloseup%2Bmoth.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out those fantastic antennae! Gorgeous.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fbn9ZsFPVUs/W1u2qYZhW3I/AAAAAAAABZI/F19urz0PUzkS2Jr6bhxHKA41sv4295KswCEwYBhgL/s1600/full%2Bcloseup%2Bof%2Bmoth%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Large brown moth hangs on a bicycle tire. The moth's wings are dark brown with pale creamy markings on the edge and a brown eyespot on the upper wing." border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fbn9ZsFPVUs/W1u2qYZhW3I/AAAAAAAABZI/F19urz0PUzkS2Jr6bhxHKA41sv4295KswCEwYBhgL/s400/full%2Bcloseup%2Bof%2Bmoth%2B2.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure my moth was a male. Males are dark brown, with markings along the edge of their wings, where females are reddish with markings on their entire wings, as shown & described <a href="https://www.buglifecycle.com/?page_id=2373" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=347" target="_blank">here.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I last saw the moth flying up over my house, toward the
canopy of an oak tree that grows in between our house & the next house. An oak
tree is a much better place for a moth to spend the rest of the daylight,
anyway. I hope it did well! Silkmoths like the Promethea don't live terribly long in adult form. In fact they don't even have mouthparts, since they don't eat anymore once metamorphosing! No wonder they are such little pigs as larvae. Should my moth find a mate, of course, the spicebushes are ready
and waiting to feed plenty of caterpillars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I'll certainly update here if I get a second generation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So even though I failed to overwinter butterflies this year,
I succeeded with my very first moth attempt! Pretty cool. Hope you had a good National Moth Week too!</div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:decorative;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-65334047694632408042018-06-28T20:30:00.000-04:002018-06-28T21:19:31.787-04:00Are You My Mother? (merganser edition)<br />
On a recent trip to Huntley Meadows, Victor & I got to
see something that not only checked off one of my target species,
but was somewhat puzzling. We were on the boardwalk lookout tower when I
spotted a Canada Goose swimming along with a group of smaller birds trailing it.
“Oh look, goslings!” I said, before I got a good look at the birds. In fact, it
was a group of Hooded Mergansers following the goose as if they thought they were
indeed goslings themselves. How funny!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAzwgRFAK2Q/WzV3r4LXzyI/AAAAAAAABYM/w5X-RGrdPcMFjOd_3Ecxs8zJso1_jFHsACLcBGAs/s1600/Goose%2Band%2BMergansers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAzwgRFAK2Q/WzV3r4LXzyI/AAAAAAAABYM/w5X-RGrdPcMFjOd_3Ecxs8zJso1_jFHsACLcBGAs/s400/Goose%2Band%2BMergansers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huntley Meadows is an unusual breeding spot for Hooded Mergansers, who normally breed much further north. They've been here for several years now, though, and seem pretty settled in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I initially thought the appearance of family relations must
have been only coincidental, something I imagined or added to the scene without
a real basis in actuality. But when I was looking for more information on the
algal bloom we also observed there (link here), I found photos of a Canada
Goose apparently acting as nanny to a family of Hooded Mergansers both this year and last
year, posted on the Huntley Meadows Community Facebook group. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My ornithologist friends suggested a few theories for what’s
going on. Hooded mergansers are known for brood parasitism, where the mother
bird lays her eggs in someone else’s nest, leaving that nest’s mom to raise her
chicks. However, the difference in size between mergansers and Canada Geese
makes this seem somewhat unlikely. When I looked closer at my photographs I also realized that the mother merganser was accompanying the
juveniles and the Canada Goose, so she didn’t totally abandon her clutch.
Another possibility is that the mergansers somehow imprinted on the Canada
Goose. This is my favorite so far. I wonder even if the mama merganser herself imprinted
on the Canada Goose, when she was young, and now has taught her own babies to
do the same.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XaItMr0COg/WzV5FjzQk_I/AAAAAAAABYY/2sPWaJm9dvYCGmi0KKTBU_BdtNhIpD17QCLcBGAs/s1600/Mergansers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XaItMr0COg/WzV5FjzQk_I/AAAAAAAABYY/2sPWaJm9dvYCGmi0KKTBU_BdtNhIpD17QCLcBGAs/s400/Mergansers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mother is at the back of the group in this shot, slightly larger than the juveniles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Either way, however, I still wonder what the Canada Goose
thinks about it! What do you think might have led to this odd partnership? Feel free to suggest more theories in the comments.</div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-61428667570347800372018-05-20T10:58:00.000-04:002018-07-30T13:23:52.680-04:00Merganser Mama<i>Update: We went back to the C & O Canal a month later, and found a huge group of
about 40 half-grown Common Mergansers, probably including the ducklings from
this family. So of course, I<a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2018/07/merganser-creche.html" target="_blank"> wrote about them again.</a></i><br />
<i> </i><i> </i> <br />
Victor & I went hiking along the C & O Canal recently. My main intent had been to snag a bunch more new bird species for my year list, since spring migration is in full swing. I was indeed successful-- warblers and other songbirds were singing everywhere. I can't identify every one by call, but I was able to recognize several, and managed to confirm a few others I wasn't sure about by using the Merlin app from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (This is a great field app, I highly recommend it! I have a post in the works about how I use it, so stay tuned.)<br />
<br />
But in addition to the Indigo Buntings, Blackpoll Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Red-eyed Vireos, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos that I logged on eBird that morning, I finally was able to check off a longtime birding bucket list item: seeing a Merganser carrying her babies on her back! I knew mergansers do this sometimes, as do loons and grebes, but I'd never observed it in the wild. Now I have!<br />
<br />
When we first entered the trail at Seneca Creek, Victor immediately pointed out a female Common Merganser paddling toward the Potomac. I trained my binoculars on her and discovered she was trailed by several little babies! In fact, one of those babies had already climbed on her back for a break. Victor & I took turns snapping lots and lots of photos as she hustled toward the larger body of water. As she swam along, more and more of her babies clambered on her back. SO CUTE! Even though I also saw my first ever Magnolia Warbler that morning, the mergansers were still the highlight of the trip.<br />
<br />
<br />
Not all of our photos came out-- it was pretty humid and misty out, and that gave the camera a bit of difficulty focusing, I think. But here are a few of the better ones. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sk33mUUDeuk/WwGF-7Yz20I/AAAAAAAABWs/ak6YXeEEbfATdWJFXEcPzhwD64ETQO5FgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Merganser%2BMama%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Common Merganser swims along with one spotted duckling on her back and six more paddling behind." border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sk33mUUDeuk/WwGF-7Yz20I/AAAAAAAABWs/ak6YXeEEbfATdWJFXEcPzhwD64ETQO5FgCEwYBhgL/s400/Merganser%2BMama%2B2.jpg" title="Common Merganser with babies 1" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One baby is riding comfy on the middle of mama's back. Everybody else is hustling to keep up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7KiRmljmhv0/WwGIamGc85I/AAAAAAAABW4/ypmSLsO4S90l4X3oo2ek5QfdRL9c9RE0ACLcBGAs/s1600/Merganser%2Bmama%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Common Merganser swims along, with three fuzzy ducklings riding on her back and four paddling behind." border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7KiRmljmhv0/WwGIamGc85I/AAAAAAAABW4/ypmSLsO4S90l4X3oo2ek5QfdRL9c9RE0ACLcBGAs/s400/Merganser%2Bmama%2B1.jpg" title="Common Merganser with babies 2" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now three babies have made it onboard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IivcUsDKhY/WwGF-1ifN3I/AAAAAAAABWo/47fsjzaCMNoBiM3TVQyUL9ka2OKy9BcDwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Merganser%2BMama%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Common Merganser swims on still, gray water, with four fuzzy ducklings riding on her back and three more behind." border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IivcUsDKhY/WwGF-1ifN3I/AAAAAAAABWo/47fsjzaCMNoBiM3TVQyUL9ka2OKy9BcDwCEwYBhgL/s400/Merganser%2BMama%2B3.jpg" title="Mama Merganser" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four babies are on her back at this point, with a couple still paddling madly along.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MruL6theB_E/WwGF_QYfHdI/AAAAAAAABWw/CGZ_AeL8bVIx-_cGJrGlFo1S9O6QweOUQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Merganser%2BMama%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Common Merganser swims away into the mist, with seven fuzzy ducklings riding cozily on her back." border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MruL6theB_E/WwGF_QYfHdI/AAAAAAAABWw/CGZ_AeL8bVIx-_cGJrGlFo1S9O6QweOUQCEwYBhgL/s400/Merganser%2BMama%2B4.jpg" title="Farewell mama merganser" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, all seven babies are tucked up on top of Mama. So off she goes into the Potomac. Farewell! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-1068978324021655132018-05-07T08:00:00.000-04:002018-05-07T08:00:05.491-04:00Butterflies by Group—Recognizing in the Field
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">There are some tips and tricks to identifying butterflies in the field, as I mentioned <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2018/05/butterflies-for-beginners.html" target="_blank">in my last post, "Butterflies for Beginners."</a> Another good way to improve your butterflying skills is to learn the general characteristics of different types of butterfly. Once you've narrowed a new butterfly's ID to a basic group, finding the right species account in your field guide will be much quicker and easier. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wceet1rBZ-o/Wu9B_NOyAgI/AAAAAAAABUs/4baYXz9h7_YVRd_V9-RhDH5sPTsx_npEgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Spicebush%2BSwallowtail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wceet1rBZ-o/Wu9B_NOyAgI/AAAAAAAABUs/4baYXz9h7_YVRd_V9-RhDH5sPTsx_npEgCEwYBhgL/s400/Spicebush%2BSwallowtail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicebush Swallowtail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Swallowtails</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Large,
strong fliers</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Rounded
“tails” off hindwings</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aMJI2C9BRM/Wu861AF_s7I/AAAAAAAABUU/Dcq2yuWrxXQsCPKHGH2NB7_q5EjcGjoegCEwYBhgL/s1600/Cabbage%2BWhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aMJI2C9BRM/Wu861AF_s7I/AAAAAAAABUU/Dcq2yuWrxXQsCPKHGH2NB7_q5EjcGjoegCEwYBhgL/s400/Cabbage%2BWhite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whites & Sulphurs</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Medium
size</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Often
fly erratically</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Usually
perch with their wings closed, showing the pattern on their underwings</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Species
in our area [MidAtlantic] usually have a few darker markings on a
whitish/yellowish/orange background.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wTZS01zs8g/Wu9EPftrRYI/AAAAAAAABVQ/lj8SjUCT5mAkYgljCTuTXqxOZWYXymIJgCLcBGAs/s1600/Juniper%2BHairstreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wTZS01zs8g/Wu9EPftrRYI/AAAAAAAABVQ/lj8SjUCT5mAkYgljCTuTXqxOZWYXymIJgCLcBGAs/s400/Juniper%2BHairstreak.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juniper Hairstreak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hairstreaks</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Small</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Erratic
flight</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Most
species have thin hairlike “tails” off their hindwings, thought to be
false antenna to trick predators</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Often
rub their hindwings together while perched, making those tails wiggle
like antenna</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Elfins</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Univoltine
(single-brooded)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Only
flight is in early spring, roughly April</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Tailless</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Patterned
in all browns</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Not
quite as fast fliers as other hairstreaks</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzYujY7zcho/Wu9E7GYq_lI/AAAAAAAABVk/5TQtAOrdSaAbhTZejT8JgBbkjxwNBmx_ACLcBGAs/s1600/Eastern%2Btailed-blue%2Bon%2Bswamp%2Bmilkweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="711" height="271" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzYujY7zcho/Wu9E7GYq_lI/AAAAAAAABVk/5TQtAOrdSaAbhTZejT8JgBbkjxwNBmx_ACLcBGAs/s400/Eastern%2Btailed-blue%2Bon%2Bswamp%2Bmilkweed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Tailed-Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blues & Azures</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Small</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Whitish/gray
underwings, blue/gray/white upperwings</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Beware
the Eastern Tailed-blue, which has tails like a hairstreak—even
rubs its hindwings together just like hairstreaks do.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFjGJz5HMRk/Wu9FGVe3ZVI/AAAAAAAABVo/RvhWt5P1w_kd-_5rMCffd4sN98YVOUmLACLcBGAs/s1600/Great%2BSpangled%2BFritillary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1372" height="373" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFjGJz5HMRk/Wu9FGVe3ZVI/AAAAAAAABVo/RvhWt5P1w_kd-_5rMCffd4sN98YVOUmLACLcBGAs/s400/Great%2BSpangled%2BFritillary.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Spangled Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fritillaries</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Medium
to large</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Patterned
in oranges & browns</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Most
of our fritillaries have obvious silver spots on their underwing, except
for the Variegated Fritillary.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RS1hYOZ9P_4/Wu9FaWaZq1I/AAAAAAAABV0/A95o2TPGPEE0B6jepfMQIsYA8fqiReTJACLcBGAs/s1600/pearl%2Bcrescent%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="664" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RS1hYOZ9P_4/Wu9FaWaZq1I/AAAAAAAABV0/A95o2TPGPEE0B6jepfMQIsYA8fqiReTJACLcBGAs/s320/pearl%2Bcrescent%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Crescents</b>—only one species in our
area, Pearl Crescent</li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Small</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Orange
& black</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Checkerspots</b>—only 2 species in our
area, Silvery Checkerspot and Baltimore Checkerspot (rare)</li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Medium</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Orange
& black</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Anglewings</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">I
highlighted our two local species, Eastern Comma & Questionmark, in a <a href="https://woodendbutterflies.wordpress.com/2017/08/31/tricky-id-eastern-comma-vs-question-mark-butterflies/" target="_blank">“Tricky ID” blog post for my butterfly survey project.</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Distinctive
shape</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Upperwing
orange with black markings</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Underwing
dead leaf mimic</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Silver
mark on underside of hind wing- shape determines E. Comma or Q. Mark</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Fond
of non-nectar food sources, but may also be seen at flowers</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AY8wcpbNPlU/Wu9Do7Gjq4I/AAAAAAAABVM/nkNLHoIcSy8vFdEoveDEc31xcGcmAesTQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Liatris%2Bwith%2BAmerican%2BLady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AY8wcpbNPlU/Wu9Do7Gjq4I/AAAAAAAABVM/nkNLHoIcSy8vFdEoveDEc31xcGcmAesTQCEwYBhgL/s320/Liatris%2Bwith%2BAmerican%2BLady.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Distinctive Brushfoots</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Brushfoot—front
pair of legs reduced in size and covered with hairs, often doesn’t touch
perch </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Brushfooted
butterflies also include Fritillaries, Crescents, Checkerspots,
Anglewings. “Distinctive” don’t fit with the other categorizations
though, so best to look at the silhouettes in your field guide and
familiarize yourself with species photos.</li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Mourning
Cloak</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Red
Admiral</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Painted
Lady</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">American
Lady</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Common
Buckeye</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Red-spotted
Purple</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Viceroy</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level3 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.5in;">Monarch</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Satyrs</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Medium
size</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Brown,
with eyespots</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Often
have very bouncy flight</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Typically
found in woodland clearings or near forest edges</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Likely
eat from non-flower sources, some species will come to flowers though.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQ8if_KJw0c/Wu9How7TE-I/AAAAAAAABWE/PUHbBdKoi80YCBwSH9S5YNPEU965OQvkACLcBGAs/s1600/silver%2Bspotted%2Bskipper%2Bon%2Bzinnia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1438" height="318" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQ8if_KJw0c/Wu9How7TE-I/AAAAAAAABWE/PUHbBdKoi80YCBwSH9S5YNPEU965OQvkACLcBGAs/s400/silver%2Bspotted%2Bskipper%2Bon%2Bzinnia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-spotted Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Spread-wing Skippers</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Medium
size</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Includes
Silver-spotted Skipper, Duskywings, Cloudywings</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Don’t
usually “jet plane” like smaller grass skippers, although they can</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-Q-7J0dl78/Wu9H__ifQ4I/AAAAAAAABWM/6VYAQ29LhNczlaTqKC0L1lvuLx6IVmyhQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sachem%2Babove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1082" height="303" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-Q-7J0dl78/Wu9H__ifQ4I/AAAAAAAABWM/6VYAQ29LhNczlaTqKC0L1lvuLx6IVmyhQCLcBGAs/s320/Sachem%2Babove.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sachem skipper in the "jet plane" posture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Grass Skippers & Skipperlings</b></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Small</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Oranges
& browns</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Note
the “jet plane” posture they often assume: forewings held vertically,
perpendicular to their horizontally spread hindwings</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Often
the pattern seen on upper hindwing is diagnostic, so try to get looks at
both the jet plane and closed postures if you can</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in;">Several
species are very similar! It’s a challenge to discern subtle differences.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:decorative;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:402024414;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-2072722928 66569 197641 328713 66569 197641 328713 66569 197641 328713;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:685325674;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-1557219802 66569 197641 66569 66569 197641 328713 66569 197641 328713;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l1:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l1:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l1:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2
{mso-list-id:1000238943;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-1294570598 66569 197641 328713 66569 197641 328713 66569 197641 328713;}
@list l2:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l2:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l2:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l2:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l3
{mso-list-id:1098794240;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-221357842 66569 197641 328713 66569 197641 328713 66569 197641 328713;}
@list l3:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l3:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l3:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l3:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l3:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l3:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l4
{mso-list-id:1262640684;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-849084206 66569 197641 66569 66569 197641 328713 66569 197641 328713;}
@list l4:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l4:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l4:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l4:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l4:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l4:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l4:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l4:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l4:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l5
{mso-list-id:1935437139;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-19469906 66569 197641 66569 66569 197641 328713 66569 197641 328713;}
@list l5:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l5:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l5:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l5:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l5:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l5:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l5:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l5:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l5:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-87764124217412561762018-05-06T13:50:00.000-04:002018-05-06T13:50:07.709-04:00Butterflies for Beginners<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm76SAwcH58/Wu862mS50eI/AAAAAAAABUc/PSNEaZSm2GU-aq4nGJlIv2a1mxrhSoI3wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Spicebush%2BSwallowtail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm76SAwcH58/Wu862mS50eI/AAAAAAAABUc/PSNEaZSm2GU-aq4nGJlIv2a1mxrhSoI3wCEwYBhgL/s400/Spicebush%2BSwallowtail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicebush Swallowtail nectaring on milkweed at Huntley Meadows, in Alexandria, VA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today's post was originally published for the butterfly survey project I run, over at <a href="https://anshome.org/" target="_blank">Woodend Sanctuary</a> in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Since the weather has been nice and warm for several days now, we're starting to see quite a bit of butterfly activity. There are hundreds of different kinds of butterflies, of many shapes and sizes. It can seem kind of bewildering at first when you're learning how to identify them. Over the years I've found several strategies can help you make sense of it all, though-- in particular learning what you need to look for. So to help you out, here is my general strategy on how to butterfly an unfamiliar butterfly in the field.<br />
<br />
<b>Size</b> <br />
The first observation to make when you see a new butterfly is its relative size. Our largest butterflies, swallowtails, tend to be about 3 or 4 inches across. Our smallest, blues and azures, are barely an inch across. The rest are somewhere in between. A birding trick that also works for butterflies is to use a familiar butterfly to help you remember an unfamiliar butterfly's size. Cabbage Whites are probably our most ubiquitous butterfly, and their medium size make them a great comparison.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aMJI2C9BRM/Wu861AF_s7I/AAAAAAAABUA/1-sf2BxJ6Z43FYBfnESLg3epXnuU-a7nACLcBGAs/s1600/Cabbage%2BWhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aMJI2C9BRM/Wu861AF_s7I/AAAAAAAABUA/1-sf2BxJ6Z43FYBfnESLg3epXnuU-a7nACLcBGAs/s400/Cabbage%2BWhite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage Whites are about 3 inches across when their wings are open, or 1.5 inches when their wings are closed like in this photo.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Color(s)</b> <br />
Next you want to check out the main color of the butterfly. If it’s flying you may only get a general impression, e.g. darkish, or somewhere between white and yellow. Don't worry too much if you can't see details just yet.<br />
<br />
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uh4mEq9QjjI/Wu861qIIyfI/AAAAAAAABUY/SiasaDGTvGI8ZSyQ31J4khRLgD_yoGiNgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Pecks%2Bskipper%2Bin%2Bflight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uh4mEq9QjjI/Wu861qIIyfI/AAAAAAAABUY/SiasaDGTvGI8ZSyQ31J4khRLgD_yoGiNgCEwYBhgL/s400/Pecks%2Bskipper%2Bin%2Bflight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Peck's Skipper was posing nicely when I went to take the shot, but then of course took off as soon as I pressed the shutter release. But if this was what I actually saw in the field, I could guess it was a skipper because of the small size and the orange-and-black coloring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b><br />
<b>Flight Style</b><br />
While the butterfly is in flight (which it almost certainly is), take a look at *how* it flies. Some kinds of butterflies have easily recognizable flight patterns that can help you identify them, especially in combination with their general size.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><blockquote>
Blues and Hairstreaks fly very erratically, switching directions every few seconds.</blockquote>
</li>
<li><blockquote>
Swallowtails and Fritillaries fly more strongly and steadily than the smaller Blues & Hairstreaks.</blockquote>
</li>
<li><blockquote>
Satyrs and Browns have a distinct “bouncy” style of flight—that is, veering up for a ways and then back down, then up again. </blockquote>
</li>
</ul>
Once the butterfly finally comes to a rest, perhaps on a flower to nectar or on a sunny leaf to bask, you should look more closely at its colors and markings. The exact shape, size, and location of markings (stripes, spots, and /splotches/) varies from species to species. Some species that look relatively similar, like Spicebush and Pipevine Swallowtails, are easy to tell apart when you know which field marks are different. Pipevine Swallowtails have big round orange spots on the underside of their hindwings (the right-hand image below), while Spicebush Swallowtails’ spots are smaller and differently shaped.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm76SAwcH58/Wu862mS50eI/AAAAAAAABUc/PSNEaZSm2GU-aq4nGJlIv2a1mxrhSoI3wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Spicebush%2BSwallowtail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="166" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm76SAwcH58/Wu862mS50eI/AAAAAAAABUc/PSNEaZSm2GU-aq4nGJlIv2a1mxrhSoI3wCEwYBhgL/s200/Spicebush%2BSwallowtail.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJHYU74r0sk/Wu862ORbugI/AAAAAAAABUg/i9tDgztK0NgpwkEBYQiuyCqxZX-gRSHOgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Pipevine%2BSwallowtail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="166" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJHYU74r0sk/Wu862ORbugI/AAAAAAAABUg/i9tDgztK0NgpwkEBYQiuyCqxZX-gRSHOgCEwYBhgL/s200/Pipevine%2BSwallowtail.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You should remember that butterflies often have different markings on their upper (dorsal) side than on their under (ventral) side. Also take note of whether the markings are on the forewings (the pair of wings closest to the butterfly’s head) or the hindwings (closest to their abdomen). This will be important when you're reading descriptions of possible butterflies in your field guide, or looking at photos or drawings to compare them to your butterfly.<br />
<br />
<strong>Finding butterflies in the field</strong><br />
<br />
But of course, all the skills in the world won't help you if the butterflies are nowhere to be found, right? Or, for that matter, if you can't get close enough to see them well. So here are a few tips to help you get better looks at butterflies than you might otherwise.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sun--</span> </strong>Don't let your shadow pass over the butterfly you're watching. A sudden shadow tells the butterfly a predator may be looming above and about to strike. It's a great way to startle a previously resting butterfly into flight.<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Speed--</strong></span> Move slowly and steadily when approaching a butterfly for a photo. You can walk at any speed you like most of the time, but when you're trying to sneak closer to a resting butterfly, sudden movements might startle it into flight. (In fact, I often first spot a butterfly when it startles and takes into the air from wherever it was resting beside the path. Then I have to watch and/or chase it in hopes it will land again somewhere.)<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stillness (part 1)--</span></strong> Butterflies are much easier to identify and photograph when they're not in flight. Although they do seem to spend most of the time in the air, you're not likely to get a sharp photo of a flying butterfly. Although (with practice)you can identify butterflies in flight as you pick out certain field marks that help you rule out possible IDS, your camera is unlikely to be able to capture those field marks in focus enough for an iNaturalist confirmation. So a better plan is to follow the butterfly, ready to look more closely and/or photograph it as soon as it sets down on a flower or leaf.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stillness (part 2)--</span></strong> If you get frustrated at chasing airborne butterflies, you could also try lying in wait for them. Select a flowering plant and wait discreetly nearby. Any butterflies that stop for a sweet meal will be easy to view and photograph. There's no guarantee that your specific plant will host butterflies while you watch, but it's still worth a try if chasing butterflies isn't working for you.<br />
<br />
Happy butterflying! Let me know what you see, or if you have any questions about butterflies, in the comments. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zU_D2OXheXU/Wu861HG0EYI/AAAAAAAABUg/jCnpPbtdRHkT2ylUY1-cuIdIxN9SAQxSQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Monarch%2Bnectaring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zU_D2OXheXU/Wu861HG0EYI/AAAAAAAABUg/jCnpPbtdRHkT2ylUY1-cuIdIxN9SAQxSQCEwYBhgL/s400/Monarch%2Bnectaring.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found this Monarch nectaring on some New England Asters at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-78056039622995122212018-03-11T18:32:00.001-04:002018-03-11T18:32:29.669-04:00How A Rare Bird Mix-up Turned My Face Red<div class="MsoNormal">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> With spring nearly upon us,
and the weather starting to warm (just a bit), the ducks that have wintered
here are about to head north. That means, of course, that the time remaining to
see them is dwindling. But it also means birders might luck into a few rarities
that drop in for a few days of rest on their northward migration.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With that in mind, and having
seen recent alerts from eBird about a Red-necked Grebe near the C&O Canal,
Victor and I decided to bird a bit of the C&O this weekend. The weather was
gorgeous when we set out—clear and sunny, a bit cool still but great for
hiking. The grebe had been reported at both Violette’s Lock and Riley’s Lock,
just a mile or so apart. We’ve seen huge gatherings of wood frogs near Violette’s
Lock before, so started there, hoping maybe a few frogs would have ventured out
of hibernation already. But the creek lacked any indication of mating frogs
when we were there, so no luck on the amphibian front. On we went to birding.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I scanned the stretch of the
Potomac for any interesting birds. Dozens of gulls studded the water (probably
all Ring-billed, although I didn’t examine every single individual), but no
interesting waterfowl could be seen. We headed downstream along the trail,
stopping any time a break in the trees gave a good look at the river. Still,
however, nothing but gulls. We encountered another birder heading upstream; he
told us Horned Grebes and a Ruddy Duck were at Riley’s Lock, but he hadn’t been
able to find the Red-necked Grebe. We wished him good birding, and kept hiking.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1FGOj2uYMk/WqWiwmcT56I/AAAAAAAABTI/xYIqJqe4lWEfSkbMZ5JEsOHx1H7QyrjxwCLcBGAs/s1600/Ring-billed%2Bgull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A Ring-billed Gull sits on the Potomac River" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1FGOj2uYMk/WqWiwmcT56I/AAAAAAAABTI/xYIqJqe4lWEfSkbMZ5JEsOHx1H7QyrjxwCLcBGAs/s400/Ring-billed%2Bgull.jpg" title="Ring-billed Gull" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many Ring-billed Gulls we saw that day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When we reached Riley’s Lock,
we found that four Horned Grebes were indeed present and easily found. They only
stayed above water for a few seconds at a time, though, frequently diving after
minnows. This made close observation and photography tough, but thankfully
Victor got some decent pictures. We left the lock and continued upstream.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36IWSWLOago/WqWivfoVspI/AAAAAAAABTc/szOU8HL_iaAB5Mx113qhMfWYCz8C_R04QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Horned%2BGrebes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Two Horned Grebes, in non-breeding plumage, sit together on the Potomac River" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36IWSWLOago/WqWivfoVspI/AAAAAAAABTc/szOU8HL_iaAB5Mx113qhMfWYCz8C_R04QCEwYBhgL/s400/Horned%2BGrebes.jpg" title="Horned Grebes" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Horned Grebes in between dives.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Soon I spotted a few nice
songbirds in the trees—several Bluebirds and Yellow-rumped Warblers among them.
I didn’t see any early migrating warblers (the Yellow-rumps are here
year-round), but they were still nice ticks. We also found a few Gadwall and
Mallards enjoying the sunshine in a pond. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blDaJMM3xrA/WqWixNhntTI/AAAAAAAABTg/XR05tpBcoAY-PXxFqUc8Ik5gWo6D3OsQACEwYBhgL/s1600/eastern%2Bbluebird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A male Eastern Bluebird sits on a twig, with the patchy bark of a Sycamore tree behind it" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blDaJMM3xrA/WqWixNhntTI/AAAAAAAABTg/XR05tpBcoAY-PXxFqUc8Ik5gWo6D3OsQACEwYBhgL/s400/eastern%2Bbluebird.jpg" title="Eastern Bluebird" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Eastern Bluebirds sits in front of a Sycamore tree's patchy bark.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HjaPmujP7-Y/WqWixmi9b6I/AAAAAAAABTg/n97q6GlgdsM_X0jt0WFaH7WjlmbdkmNIgCEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow-rumped%2Bwarbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A yellow-rumped warbler sitss on a thin branch with blue sky behind it" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HjaPmujP7-Y/WqWixmi9b6I/AAAAAAAABTg/n97q6GlgdsM_X0jt0WFaH7WjlmbdkmNIgCEwYBhgL/s400/yellow-rumped%2Bwarbler.jpg" title="Yellow-rumped warbler" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Yellow-rumped Warbler seemed to be examining us as much as I observed it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hIfj9dWFAbs/WqWivAjv0OI/AAAAAAAABTY/yuUftSvGDUoFvFgO855dXBbSz9TRKAPagCEwYBhgL/s1600/Gadwalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A male and female Gadwall ducks sit together in a muddy brown pond" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hIfj9dWFAbs/WqWivAjv0OI/AAAAAAAABTY/yuUftSvGDUoFvFgO855dXBbSz9TRKAPagCEwYBhgL/s400/Gadwalls.jpg" title="Pair of Gadwall" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A male & a female Gadwall on the muddy pond. The male's black butt is a handy field mark.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">On our way back, the horned
grebes were still at Riley’s Lock, and had been joined by a much larger bird.
This new bird had a longer, heavier bill, and had more white on the front of
its neck. Could it be my longed-for Red-necked Grebe? I convinced myself it
was, and even logged it in eBird and told another birder we encountered when we
were almost back to our car. I was so excited I neglected to check for other
possible IDs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGJGtBUBzbE/WqWiwCNRIqI/AAAAAAAABTc/fTkRPA6FLs0Mi8-fYiFdHfT94OS6SNY8ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Red-throated%2Bloon%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A red-throated loon, in non-breeding plumage, sits on the Potomac River" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGJGtBUBzbE/WqWiwCNRIqI/AAAAAAAABTc/fTkRPA6FLs0Mi8-fYiFdHfT94OS6SNY8ACEwYBhgL/s400/Red-throated%2Bloon%2B1.jpg" title="Red-throated loon 1" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The way this bird tilts its bill upward is one of the key field marks
for the Red-throated Loon in winter. I should have realized that, if I'd
bothered to think about other possible IDs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RctYVU42MSM/WqWnxpnjH1I/AAAAAAAABTs/HvyUPV01lJsT6YyXKPoYbVSH4bKJwd5CwCLcBGAs/s1600/Red-throated%2BLoon%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A red-throated loon, in non-breeding plumage, faces left on the Potomac River" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RctYVU42MSM/WqWnxpnjH1I/AAAAAAAABTs/HvyUPV01lJsT6YyXKPoYbVSH4bKJwd5CwCLcBGAs/s400/Red-throated%2BLoon%2B3.jpg" title="Red-throated loon 2" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the loon, still tilting its bill upward. The throat is only red in breeding plumage, seen in the summertime.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It wasn’t until I got home
and checked our photos that I realized we had actually spotted a Red-Throated
Loon, also listed as rare for our area this time of year. I had to edit my
ebird checklist to correct my mistake. It’s correct in their data base now, but
I still feel embarrassed about jumping to conclusions. Moral of the story: just
because you wanted to find a particular species doesn’t mean you did! </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Always double check your ID and rule out other possibilities, before declaring you’ve
spotted a lifer bird. </b>I wish I'd done that before reporting the Red-necked Grebe on eBird!<br /><b></b></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So I never did spot the
Red-necked Grebe that day, but I think the loon was a decent consolation prize.
Kind of a funny coincidence that they both had “Red” in their name. It made my
91<sup>st</sup> bird species for the year, and the Horned Grebes were my 90<sup>th</sup>.
I’m almost half-way to my goal of 200 bird species for the year! I know the
more I get, the harder it will be to add a new species. I’m still hoping to
make that nice fat number by December 31, though. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Are you seeing any
interesting birds in your area as the spring migration gets started? I’d love
to hear about them in the comments. Also, please let me know if you have any
questions about birdwatching or birding equipment. I’ve been birding for most
of my life, so I may have forgotten what it’s like to be a beginning birder. But
I’d love to help you all get started or become more advanced birders! </span></div>
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-46905645008610726312018-02-25T18:41:00.000-05:002018-02-25T18:41:21.740-05:00More Great Backyard Birdcount-- and Beyond!As I mentioned in <a href="http://contentednaturalist.blogspot.com/2018/02/two-days-left-in-2018s-great-backyard.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, I had a lot of fun on this year's Great Backyard Bird Count. Since I first wrote about it from the road, without the ability to include pictures, I thought I'd follow up with photos of a few favorite sightings.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKGd6ChEJoM/WpM9c7TqNcI/AAAAAAAABSU/dnyqvPplND8gyDdtKyLe_a7cB6vXelG5wCLcBGAs/s1600/Palm%2BWarbler%2BGrand%2BFloridian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKGd6ChEJoM/WpM9c7TqNcI/AAAAAAAABSU/dnyqvPplND8gyDdtKyLe_a7cB6vXelG5wCLcBGAs/s400/Palm%2BWarbler%2BGrand%2BFloridian.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our first stops was at Disney World, where we spotted this Palm Warbler searching the waterline for tasty bugs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WX0r5vRL4Qk/WpM9V50NmNI/AAAAAAAABSc/aUBXei8gFogz0INz94OHHMzkHEuczH0hQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Snowy%2BEgret-%2BCrisp%2BPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WX0r5vRL4Qk/WpM9V50NmNI/AAAAAAAABSc/aUBXei8gFogz0INz94OHHMzkHEuczH0hQCEwYBhgL/s400/Snowy%2BEgret-%2BCrisp%2BPark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spotted this Snowy Egret at our next stop, St. Petersburg. I love the bird's yellow feet, or "golden slippers" as my field guide calls them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSK6tAZn2oE/WpM9V-QPqrI/AAAAAAAABSg/cAblI2PZtnIM_kVfZYSL1iGY1tAJei9twCEwYBhgL/s1600/wood%2Bstork%2B%2526%2Bibis-%2BCrescent%2BLake%2BPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="221" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSK6tAZn2oE/WpM9V-QPqrI/AAAAAAAABSg/cAblI2PZtnIM_kVfZYSL1iGY1tAJei9twCEwYBhgL/s400/wood%2Bstork%2B%2526%2Bibis-%2BCrescent%2BLake%2BPark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Petersburg turned out to be very good for birding, with lots of small parks and canals. Crescent Lake held a lot of domestic-type ducks that were clearly well-fed by locals, but also this American Coot, White Ibis, and Wood Stork (left to right).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cABajN311PM/WpM9VSxnydI/AAAAAAAABSY/Hkjiq7buF7sOVqNguASCio1eGTVtas7ggCEwYBhgL/s1600/Eurasian%2Bcollared-dove%2BCrescent%2BLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cABajN311PM/WpM9VSxnydI/AAAAAAAABSY/Hkjiq7buF7sOVqNguASCio1eGTVtas7ggCEwYBhgL/s400/Eurasian%2Bcollared-dove%2BCrescent%2BLake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Pete also has a colony of Eurasian Collared-doves, not native to the U.S. but still fun to see. We also spotted another non-native, the Monk Parakeet I mentioned last post, but couldn't get good photos of it. Cool to see, though!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFKb1tfj_xc/WpM9VYNGM_I/AAAAAAAABSo/2MBQW1Zjw9wLSmb_tQExnsLx69ylbxyNACEwYBhgL/s1600/Black%2Bskimmers%2BNorth%2Bshore%2Bpark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFKb1tfj_xc/WpM9VYNGM_I/AAAAAAAABSo/2MBQW1Zjw9wLSmb_tQExnsLx69ylbxyNACEwYBhgL/s400/Black%2Bskimmers%2BNorth%2Bshore%2Bpark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we continued to explore the city, we stumbled onto a park whose mudflats held several kinds of gulls and sandpipers, but most excitingly, hundreds of Black Skimmers! Their weird-looking beaks let them skim food right from the water as they glide just above the surface. I think they were my favorite sighting from the trip. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The GBBC is over for this year, but you can still log your project data at eBird.org through March 1, if you haven't gotten around to it yet! Non-GBBC sightings are important to enter too, to help scientists understand long-term patterns or changes. How will birds' migration paths and timing change as our climate changes? Those are just a few of the <a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/page.aspx?pid=1662" target="_blank">issues orni<span id="goog_355727791"></span><span id="goog_355727792"></span>thologists are studying with the help of eBirders. </a><br />
<br />
Ebirders can help document shifts as they happen by logging bird sightings all year round. That's what I'm trying to do by entering at least one checklist every day. Bonus: I've already added several new species to my life list, including the above-mentioned Monk Parakeet, Black Skimmer, and this fussy little Orange-Crowned Warbler we saw in Jackson Square in New Orleans!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys4QvVZHWP4/WpM9V2-wQEI/AAAAAAAABSk/UVlt8Jpi6SYIGo9dVdRRi47wX1mEHBWEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/orange-crowned%2Bwarbler%2BJackson%2BSquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys4QvVZHWP4/WpM9V2-wQEI/AAAAAAAABSk/UVlt8Jpi6SYIGo9dVdRRi47wX1mEHBWEwCEwYBhgL/s400/orange-crowned%2Bwarbler%2BJackson%2BSquare.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The warbler was very active and rarely stayed still for very long. Eventually I got good enough looks at it for identification, and for Victor to get this adorable photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you want to join eBird too, it's super easy to get started. Go to <a href="http://ebird.org/">eBird.org</a> and create a free account. Next, identify birds you see in your yard, from your office, or wherever you like, and report them. That's it! If you don't have a bird field guide already, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology even created a great app to help you identify birds, called <a href="http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/" target="_blank">Merlin.</a> As I mentioned above, I used it this trip to help me identify that Orange-Crowned Warbler! I highly recommend checking it out.<br />
<br />
Happy birding! I'd love to hear in the comments what you all are seeing in your area.<br />
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-58233049489991622542018-02-18T13:58:00.001-05:002018-02-20T21:33:14.572-05:00Two Days Left in 2018's Great Backyard Bird Count-- Still Time to Join In!<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:decorative;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1163162939;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:1193736472 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:1725980926;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:1973474720 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l1:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fFLGdJwi5T8/WonMEbaQ8MI/AAAAAAAABRw/ltaesG7UqoA9zqzY9ozt6hPE3zON7ZlKgCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-02-18%2Bat%2B1.54.06%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="774" height="81" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fFLGdJwi5T8/WonMEbaQ8MI/AAAAAAAABRw/ltaesG7UqoA9zqzY9ozt6hPE3zON7ZlKgCLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-02-18%2Bat%2B1.54.06%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This weekend is one of my favorite Citizen Science projects:
the Great Backyard Bird Count, or GBBC for short. This is a four-day event that
takes place on President’s Day weekend every year (or the second full weekend
in February, for those of you not in the United States). If you haven’t already
joined in, you should! I’ve included basic instructions at the end of this
post.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>[I should note, I'm posting this from the road (literally-- as we drive through Georgia), so will post a second part with photos in a few days when I have a better internet connection.] </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, the GBBC began in 1998 and is run by the National Audubon
Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. To participate, you count birds for
at least 15 minutes on at least one of the four days (February 16 to 19 in
2018). Then you enter your data at <a href="http://gbbc.birdcount.org/">birdcount.org</a> or directly at <a href="http://ebird.org/">ebird.org</a>. You’ll need to set up a free
eBird account if you don’t already have one, since the eBird tool and app are what make the online count possible.. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The great part about GBBC is that it’s a global snapshot of
the birds, and takes place everywhere at the same time. I like knowing that all
over the world tons of other birders and bird watchers are counting along with
me!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although the count refers to backyards, you don’t need a
yard or garden to participate. Count anywhere you like. This year, the GBBC
coincided with the weekend after we planned to go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. So we made a trip
out of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mardi Gras itself was February 13. After we finished up in
New Orleans, we swung through central Florida for a few days. We did this the
last time Mardi Gras coincided with the GBBC too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, because we were in tropical Florida this year, I
definitely got more species than I did for last year’s GBBC. <b>My favorite
sightings so far have been:</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>My first-ever Monk Parakeet, in St. Petersburg</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Tons of Black Skimmers, also in St. Petersburg</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>An American Kestrel spotted by my husband as we
drove back north on Sunday (no photo of that one, of course)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Palm Warblers at Disney World, constantly bobbing their tails as they hunted for gnats and other tasty insects.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Yellow-rumped Warblers, which were nearly
ubiquitous in some of the resort areas of Disney World</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Roseate Spoonbills along the road as we drove
north, as well as flying overhead in St. Petersburg</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Sandhill Cranes by the side of the road in
Florida as we headed north</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>A non-bird sighting, but still exciting
nonetheless: a<b> manatee in a bayou in St. Petersburg!</b> That was definitely
unexpected since we didn’t go specifically looking for manatees. This one found us,
though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ll get home to Maryland tonight, and collapse into our
beds. Tomorrow I hope to bulk up my list if I can squeeze a decent birding trip
in between unpacking and laundry. I hope you try your hand at the Great
Backyard Bird Count this year too. Let me know in the comments what you think!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>If you want to participate, here’s what to do:</b></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Go to <a href="http://ebird.org/">ebird.org</a> and set up an account if you don’t
already have one.<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Count birds anywhere you like. Out your office
window is fine, out your kitchen window, anywhere is fine. The most urban city neighborhood
to the most remote wilderness, or anywhere in between—all locations can help
scientists see how birds are doing right now.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>If you want to use the eBird app, you can tally
your birds instantly without having to do an extra step of logging into the
main website. Download the free eBird Mobile app, then start a new checklist
each time you do a count. Recent updates to the mobile app even track your path
and calculate your distance for you, so you won’t have to guess when eBird asks
you how far you traveled. Pretty cool!</li>
<li>If you prefer to keep track of your checklists on paper, you can still enter them through the eBird website.</li>
<li>If you don’t feel confident about your bird identifications,
another free app can help, called <a href="http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/" target="_blank">Merlin</a>, also from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It will ask you questions about the
bird’s size, what colors it has, and show you photos of birds that match your
description. Then you select which photo matches your bird, and voila! You have
your identification. I used Merlin frequently in Florida this trip, and usually
it helped me figure out the right bird pretty much immediately.</li>
<li>Complete as many checklists as you want, from as
many different locations as you want, from the 16<sup>th</sup> through the 19<sup>th</sup>.
All of the checklists will be gathered to make this year’s snapshot. </li>
<li>Since 2018 has been declared the Year of the Bird, why not make
this the year you try birding in a different way than you have before? Enter
your sightings online at eBird if you never have, or include photographs or
even sound recordings. The GBBC weekend is a great time to practice your
skills, and maybe bring some non-birding friends along.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>There’s also an annual photograph contest for
GBBC, so don’t forget your camera! Have fun birding, and let me know what you
find, in the comments below.</li>
</ul>
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-49595897251211367762018-02-16T14:49:00.001-05:002018-02-20T21:35:28.938-05:00Valentines for Wildlife: Five Ways to Give Nature Some Love<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:decorative;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1969699552;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-1382920916 67698703 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-9rujSc-84/Woc1VhYcBzI/AAAAAAAABRg/sSOV3nFLhIomzMMOZAF-yA9nItIvxMDqwCLcBGAs/s1600/Valentines%2Bfor%2BWildlife%2BHeader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-9rujSc-84/Woc1VhYcBzI/AAAAAAAABRg/sSOV3nFLhIomzMMOZAF-yA9nItIvxMDqwCLcBGAs/s400/Valentines%2Bfor%2BWildlife%2BHeader.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A belated happy Valentine’s Day to you all! I hope you had a
good time showing some love to your human sweetheart, if you have one. Perhaps
you gave each other chocolates or flowers, or maybe shared a romantic
candlelight dinner. But did you think to show affection to the backyard
wildlife that give you so much enjoyment? Never fear, it’s not too late! Here
are five easy ways you can help the wild creatures large and small that live right
in your own neighborhood.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>If you don't already have bird feeders, you can easily make your own!</b> Tie some
string to the top of a pine cone. Then smear the cone with peanut butter and
roll it in birdseed. You can add some dried fruit too if you like, such as
raisins. Use the string to tie the pine cone treat to a branch and enjoy
watching the birds devour this tasty treat. In my area, February is often the
coldest part of the winter, and much of the natural sources of food may be used
up by now. This means the birds will be especially appreciative of your
generosity. Make sure to identify and report all the birds you see this weekend
for the Great Backyard Bird Count! See my next post LINK for more information
on the GBBC as well.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqYWnu1iCCw/WocvsmVJS9I/AAAAAAAABRE/36d8GzMlMwchDZyeU29JRWW_6VtL51QNQCLcBGAs/s1600/cardinal%2B%2526%2Bhouse%2Bfinch%2Bon%2Bfeeder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqYWnu1iCCw/WocvsmVJS9I/AAAAAAAABRE/36d8GzMlMwchDZyeU29JRWW_6VtL51QNQCLcBGAs/s400/cardinal%2B%2526%2Bhouse%2Bfinch%2Bon%2Bfeeder.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female House Finch and male Cardinal enjoying my sunflower seed feeder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>Build a brush shelter for wildlife</b> to hide in
and perch on. If you haven’t gotten around to discarding your Christmas tree or
wreath yet, these are excellent starts for a brush pile. If you want to go big,
see LINK for my description of building a brush pile. You <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can also just start with a smaller one. Lean
sticks up against your discarded Christmas tree or against a fallen log to
create a little lean-to, add some pine branches or fallen leaves inside and on
top, and there you go. If you put this near your bird feeder you may see birds
perching on or in the shelter while they eat. Chipmunks, mice, and other small
mammals may shelter there as well. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqQhy7prXzg/WocvsFQulkI/AAAAAAAABRA/VMBnmYd249keqVsemmYmxONscWyZg4hkACEwYBhgL/s1600/brush%2Bpile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqQhy7prXzg/WocvsFQulkI/AAAAAAAABRA/VMBnmYd249keqVsemmYmxONscWyZg4hkACEwYBhgL/s400/brush%2Bpile.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I built a pile of logs, brush, and leaves to provide winter shelter in my yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span> Since birds and other animals get thirsty too, try <b>putting
out pans of water for your wildlife</b>. If you live in a cold area, a fresh pan of
hot water each morning will provide much-needed drinks and bathing
opportunities. If you already own a birdbath, you may think it’s useless in the
wintertime since it freezes over. Not so! You can buy a specially-made birdbath
heater to keep the water from freeing completely, thus preventing you having to
go out into the cold every morning to refresh it. This is a great way to
attract unusual birds to your yard, or birds who don’t normally come to seed or
suet feeders. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MXAgTJiG5g/WocvsId5KZI/AAAAAAAABRM/cUBSImmoxB8Eu6BlArAXUHr4nQXJ-qGtQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Robin%2Bsplashing%2Bin%2Bbird%2Bbath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MXAgTJiG5g/WocvsId5KZI/AAAAAAAABRM/cUBSImmoxB8Eu6BlArAXUHr4nQXJ-qGtQCEwYBhgL/s400/Robin%2Bsplashing%2Bin%2Bbird%2Bbath.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin splashing happily in my concrete birdbath last summer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>If you have room to garden, you have many
choices for creating valentines for your favorite wildlife. Now would be a
great time to consider <b>adding some native plants to your yard</b> in order to
support local bees and butterflies. If the plants also have tasty berries or
seeds for birds and small mammals later, so much the better. I’ll be posting
some helpful tips next week for starting a wildlife garden, so stay tuned!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0yWz0tb6hk/WocvsBFAxjI/AAAAAAAABRI/hzVm2-XVf-4x1gdwAikjsc5_fTJqUlv-wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Monarch%2Bon%2BNew%2BYork%2BAster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0yWz0tb6hk/WocvsBFAxjI/AAAAAAAABRI/hzVm2-XVf-4x1gdwAikjsc5_fTJqUlv-wCEwYBhgL/s400/Monarch%2Bon%2BNew%2BYork%2BAster.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Monarch butterfly used my New York asters to fuel up for last fall's migration.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Finally, even if you don’t have a yard or garden
of your own, you can do other kind things for wildlife. Take the family to a
nearby park or stream and spend some time <b>picking up litter.</b> Not only the
wildlife will appreciate it, but other people who enjoy the park will too! </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really enjoy showing some love to the wildlife all around me, and I hope you do too. Let me know in the comments what
birds and other animals you see in your yard!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-30166059503858299192018-01-24T21:58:00.000-05:002018-01-24T21:58:42.780-05:002017's eBird ChallengeIt's not too late for a 2017 wrapup post, is it? I hope not, because I'm still reviewing all I did and learned over the last year. <br /><br />
One of my projects was to participate in the eBird 365 challenge from the <a href="http://ebird.org/" target="_blank">Cornell Lab of Ornithology</a>--
that is, to submit at least one checklist per day. I'll admit,
sometimes i didn't send in my sightings on the actual day, but I entered
my data as soon as I could the next day. Usually, though, I used the
app on my phone to send in data right from the field. It was a lot of
fun trying to find a few minutes every day to count birds wherever I
happened to be.<br />
<br />
I don't know my final total number
of checklists; the app only saves about a month worth of data at a time
and I didn't think to email myself each month. But I do know my total
number of bird species: 127. Since I also finished my Master's degree
this year, I'm pretty pleased with my total. <br />
<br />
A few of my favorite birds from this past year:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v8H8zPrAUPs/Wmk3f0KvIgI/AAAAAAAABO0/iWvJgVU3Ih4BhJmjHWN0O3dZsZmpketWgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v8H8zPrAUPs/Wmk3f0KvIgI/AAAAAAAABO0/iWvJgVU3Ih4BhJmjHWN0O3dZsZmpketWgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_6943.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red-headed Woodpecker showed up in my yard very briefly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xDi-njxxHFs/Wmk3fzZqGKI/AAAAAAAABO4/5Sp6e5udMqAKoHoYHiKXHVDJv3YWTTkTwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7421.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xDi-njxxHFs/Wmk3fzZqGKI/AAAAAAAABO4/5Sp6e5udMqAKoHoYHiKXHVDJv3YWTTkTwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7421.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg, FL, this Great Horned Owl
had taken over an active Osprey nest! The park staff told us all about
it when we got to the visitor center and asked them about the nesting
owls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMtKphbg1_8/WmlCWRFD00I/AAAAAAAABPI/pWTop5-48GQIiGMKNgK8NyJGUbrpgfGuQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8198.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMtKphbg1_8/WmlCWRFD00I/AAAAAAAABPI/pWTop5-48GQIiGMKNgK8NyJGUbrpgfGuQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8198.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lifer Clapper Rail, spotted in Ocean City, MD</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And
the 'Oregon' subspecies of Dark-eyed Junco that I excitedly tallied,
but neglected to photograph, while I was in Spokane, WA for the NAI
national conference. <br />
<br />
I had so much fun doing the
challenge, I've already started tallying birds for 2018 as well. I'm
aiming for 200 species, but will be satisfied if I can at least make it
to 150. I'm definitely targeting my birding excursions more this year,
and already have 43 species. Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381667071012635328.post-66542830185349351302017-10-12T16:47:00.000-04:002017-10-12T16:47:27.544-04:00Autumn's ArrivalIt's finally fall! It's officially been fall for a couple weeks now, but for me the season doesn't really start until I start seeing migrating birds in my yard.<br />
<br />
Today I glanced out my front door and was overjoyed to see a plump White-throated Sparrow scarfing up sunflower seeds. Yay! This is only the first of several, I am sure. I've been trying to log some birds on <a href="http://ebird.org/content/ebird/" target="_blank">eBird</a> every day this year, so I look forward to spotting many more of these winter birds and their cohorts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YucroDMQu1Y/Wd_PSno2J6I/AAAAAAAABNs/XcWoW51Rfu4yGgwVvjMGLRQ5SJ5v0-YNwCLcBGAs/s1600/WTSP%2B12%2BOctober.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="320" height="315" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YucroDMQu1Y/Wd_PSno2J6I/AAAAAAAABNs/XcWoW51Rfu4yGgwVvjMGLRQ5SJ5v0-YNwCLcBGAs/s400/WTSP%2B12%2BOctober.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first White-throated Sparrow of 2017. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The weather couldn't feel more autumnal today, either. Last night was full of moody rain, which I love to listen to as I fall asleep. Today the rain has mostly stopped, but the clouds are still full and gloomy. I love the cool, dim light, it makes me want to cuddle up inside with a good book, some cider, and a fire in the fireplace. This kind of weather usually makes my cats more cuddly, too! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I hope you are enjoying the season's change wherever you are. Are new birds arriving in your yard too? Let me know in the comments what you're seeing. Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021568698690294831noreply@blogger.com0