Learn About | Greg Dodge Journal: May 16-31, 2008

Greg Dodge Journal, May 16-31

Flora

Coreopsis is in bloom. You can see these yellow flowers with the fringe-tipped petals growing around the Sailboat Pond in Catch the Wind.

Much to the delight of many bird species as well as some Museum guests and myself, Red Mulberries are ripe – they're very tasty. There are a number of Red Mulberry Trees growing along the Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind Loop. One particularly prolific specimen is growing on the right side of the path just as you leave Catch the Wind towards the Lemur House.

Insects

Three new Dragonfly species showed up during the past few weeks, bringing the total number of Dragonfly and Damselfly species seen so far this spring to fifteen. Comet Darners, Slaty Skimmers, and Black Saddlebags were spotted over the Wetlands. Comet Darners and Black Saddlebags also made appearances at the Sailboat Pond.

Monarch and Viceroy Butterflies were both seen during the period. Viceroys are mimics of the Monarch, although they are a bit smaller than the Monarch. Viceroys can usually be seen near Willow Trees since they lay their eggs on the leaves of those trees. There are plenty of willows in the Wetlands, which is where I saw the Viceroy. One way to distinguish between the two is to look for a thin black band through the center of the hindwings of the Viceroy. The black band is absent on the Monarch.

A Hummingbird Moth buzzed around the many blooming Oxe-eye Daisies near the Ornithopter looking for a place to nectar. Apparently it was looking for a specific kind of nectar source because it moved on without sampling what the daisies had to offer. These day flying moths look remarkably like a hummingbird in both color and behavior with their rapidly flapping wings as they hover over the flowers. (The one pictured is not in flight.)

Reptiles and Amphibians

Over the past few weeks adult turtles have been seen walking across the paved path in both Catch the Wind and Explore the Wild. Adult turtles in our area, with the exception of Eastern Box Turtles which are terrestrial, may be on land for several reasons. They may be looking for a better food source, a mate, or they may be headed off to lay eggs. If you see a turtle on the path it's probably a good idea to leave it be. Water turtles are vulnerable on land and they show it. They usually retreat into their shells when approached, but some, like Snapping Turtles, may become rather cranky when disturbed, and they can move much more quickly than you may think. If you happen to see one of these bruins crossing the path, let a Museum employee know what you've found and they'll do what's appropriate for the situation.

Snakes have also been reported crossing the path in both Catch the Wind and Explore the Wild. Besides eating small mammals, Black Rat Snakes are well known for climbing trees in search of birds' eggs. Since this is the season when many birds are nesting, the snakes are moving around looking for food. I witnessed one of these snakes raid a Gray Catbird's nest on May 16 behind the Ornithopter. Black Rat Snakes will not harm you, but I'd advise anyone seeing a snake to simply observe.

Towards the end of the day on Sunday, May 18, a thunder storm came barreling through. As the last remaining Museum guests headed towards the shelter of the main building, the winds began to roar through the trees, the skies began to darken, the thunder clapped, and Gray Tree Frogs and Green Tree Frogs began to call out loudly in anticipation of what was to come. Gray Tree Frogs and Green Tree Frogs breed during warm spring or summer rains. They usually breed at night but also take advantage of dark rainy days to procreate. The frogs definitely knew what was headed their way.

Bullfrogs usually take a year to mature, although they may take longer. Their large tadpoles can easily be seen from the Wetlands Overlook. Recently, many of these tadpoles have been seen sporting legs. Those tadpoles will become frogs this year, that is, of course, if a Green Heron doesn't get them first (photo on left).

Birds

A Spotted Sandpiper was seen at the Sailboat Pond. The bird circled the pond once and then proceeded down the path toward Explore the Wild. Spotted Sandpipers prefer a muddy shoreline on which to forage for invertebrates. We don't often see shorebirds at the Museum. If they stop in, they usually don't stay long.

A young Red-tailed Hawk, leisurely soaring over the Wetlands, was met by a Red-shouldered Hawk intent on clearing the air of the former. An American Crow flew up to roust the Red-shouldered Hawk. Finally, a Cooper's Hawk entered the fray. All four were last seen chasing each other off to the northeast. A Hooded Warbler was singing behind the Lemur House and a Red-eyed Vireo and Eastern Wood Pewee were heard near the main entrance to Explore the Wild. A dozen or so Cedar Waxwings breezed through the area on Saturday the 17th during the final day of Bear Aware Week. In my last journal installment I reported a Ruby-throated Hummingbird's nest above the boardwalk in Explore the Wild. The hummingbird was last seen on May 18 as it sat on the nest, occasionally flying off to gather nesting material. I've regularly checked the nest since the last sighting but have not seen the bird.

Mammals

Groundhogs have been busy the past few weeks. The ripening Mulberries may have something to do with the animals' recent activity. On several occasions I've seen one large individual on the path leading to the Lemur House, just as you leave Catch the Wind and where there is a large, fruitful Mulberry Tree. I also saw a very small member of the species, perhaps on one it's first forays into the wild, munching on some greenery along side the path near the main entrance to Catch the Wind.

Thanks to the Museum Staff and Guests who have pointed out their sightings to me or who have shared their own experiences with me out on the Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind Loop.

As always, if you see me out on the loop, stop and ask me if there's anything new going on, or let me know what you’ve seen.

Have a good one,

Greg