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Woodlands Nature Station Journal
We will list the animals happenings, birds witnessed, and other natural
occurrences that we have seen and are excited to share with you.
Come back often to participate in the experiences that nature shares with all of us at LBL.....
The most recent entry is
immediately below this line.
Read from the bottom of the page to experience the
entire year. The most recent comments are at the top.
November 26, 2007
For all you bird fans out there, late
November through early December marks the arrival of a great diversity
of migrating waterfowl in LBL waters. Just on Honker Lake and Hematite
Lake alone, both near the Nature Station, we have seen: mallards,
green-winged teal, gadwalls, northern shovelers, American wigeons,
hooded mergansers, lesser scaup, bufflehead, and red-breasted
mergansers.
Red-breasted merganser (male), Source: Ohio Department of Natural
Resources
And that's just the ducks!
We have also seen other waterfowl
such as white pelicans, grebes, coots, and even sandhill cranes! Many of
these birds spend their summers much further north, but freezing
waterways and a lack of food availability sends them on their long
migrations south.
LBL is located at the intersection of
two major migratory flyways, the Atlantic and Mississippi, so we see a
plethora of birds during the fall migratory season. Some of these birds
will spend their winter right here in LBL on the larger waterways that
do not freeze over, while others will continue their journey down to the
gulf coast or southeastern states like South Carolina and Georgia.
The spring is, of course, another
great time to see waterfowl, as well as many other bird species, in LBL
because we witness these birds making their migrations back to their
summer breeding grounds.
Happy birding!
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
Land Between The
Lakes
November 12, 2007
When we think of LBL, we often
think of outdoor adventure opportunities and a great place to view
wildlife. True indeed! But, one equally impressive but lesser-known
asset to LBL is its rich composition of fossils! It’s a neat place to go
fossil finding! Many of the large limestone boulders that line the
shores of the lakes are covered in fossils from organisms that lived 300
million years ago.
At that time, which geologists
call the Mississippian Period, this area was actually under the ocean.
Therefore, the fossils you’ll find are from aquatic organisms such as
ancient crinoids, brachiopods, and corals. For example, if you come a
across what looks like a screw embedded in a rock, that is likely the
stem of a crinoid. While commonly called “sea lilies,” these extinct
organisms were not plants, but stationary animals, like anemones, and
they were very plentiful during that period. You also might see circles
that look like washers, which are just crinoid stems from a different
angle. Brachiopod fossils look similar to modern-day scallop shells.
Some coral fossils can also be recognizable because they resemble the
porous surface of modern-day coral.
courtesy of the
Kentucky Geological Survey
While fossils can probably be
found in the limestone rocks on any of the bays in LBL, one of the best
shorelines for fossil finding is the point across from the Ginger Bay
Lake Access Area. This place also offers a beautiful view of Kentucky
Lake and an opportunity to do some bird watching for waterfowl. Another
recommendation for fossil finding is the shore of Duncan Bay. Don’t be
surprised if you see an eagle too, as this is a common wintering spot
for them! No matter where you go in LBL, you’re sure to come across some
amazing evidence of wildlife, whether from the tracks and scat of living
animals, or the fossil remains of animals from the ancient past.
For more information on the
fossils found in Kentucky, visit the Kentucky Geological Survey
website.
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
Land Between The Lakes
October 24, 2007
With the above normal temperatures we
have experienced from late September into October, I started to wonder
if fall would ever come! But finally, temperatures are dropping (with a
bang may I add), days are getting shorter, and we're starting to see the
beautiful fall colors of the trees. Some were predicting that the colors
of the leaves would not be as vivid this year due to the summer drought,
but certain trails and roadways, such as the road to Ferguson Springs
and the Mulberry Flats Rd. on the way to the Nature Station, have proved
great spots for "leafpeeping."
Virginia creeper and sumac are
typically the first to start showing their fall colors, which are
brilliant deep reds and purples. The late summer trend of warm sunny
days followed by relatively cool evenings has created these red and
purple hues. Sugars are produced in the leaves during the warm days, but
then trapped in the leaves during the cool nights, turning them into
anthocyanins, which appear red and purple. The trails that have received
the most sun during the day will now be the ones to display the most and
deepest red leaves.*
The leaves of maple, hickory, and
sycamore trees start changing color shortly thereafter, usually turning
a vibrant yellow. The pigments creating this color are known as
carotenoids, which are always present in the leaves. However, in the
growing season, they are overpowered by chlorophyll, which keeps the
leaves green. As the days get shorter and temperatures get cooler, the
chlorophyll breaks down, allowing the yellow pigments to appear.
Interestingly enough, carotenoids are the same kind of pigments that
cause carrots to be orange and daffodils to be yellow.*
While these are complicated chemical
processes occurring in the leaves, from the outside it appears a
wondrous display of fall colors. Having recently moved down from upstate
New York, where "leafpeeping season" is dramatic enough to attract
tourists from hundreds of miles away, I was afraid that I would be
disappointed by what I thought would be a lackluster fall color display
in these southern forests. Fortunately, the forests have proven me
wrong! I feel lucky to spend my fall in the splendor of LBL.
*Source: Missouri Department of
Conservation
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
Land Between The Lakes
October 7, 2007
The week of October 14-20
marks a very special time for us here at the Nature Station, as well as
for conservation organizations across the country. It is Wolf Awareness
Week, which gives us the chance to dispel age-old “Big Bad Wolf” myths,
emphasize the importance of wolves in ecosystems, and promote their
conservation.
Here in LBL, it is believed
that this land once accommodated a healthy population of red wolves,
Canis rufus, who were essentially at the top of the food chain, and
thus, a very important large predator within the ecosystem. Much of
their decline was due to indiscriminate shooting, trapping, and
poisoning by European settlers and their descendents in the 1700’s,
1800’s and early 1900’s because they considered wolves to be a threat to
their families and livestock.
More recent behavioral
observations of red wolves indicate that these creatures are very shy,
often retreating far from human settlement into the most secluded areas
of their habitat. Unlike timber wolves, which hunt in packs to bring
down large animals, red wolves hunt in small family units, making their
largest prey white-tailed deer. They also prey on of many of the
forest’s smaller mammals, including raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits. In
hindsight, red wolves may not have been a significant threat to either
humans or livestock, but their supposed “bad” reputation preceded them.
Unfortunately, the red wolf
has been extirpated from this area, as well as the majority of the
Southeast, opening that niche to a new, more “outgoing” predator, the
coyote. In fact, only one population of red wolves still exists, in the
Alligator National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. This population is
actually the result of a successful captive breeding and reintroduction
program by the USFWS and other conservation organizations. It
exemplifies the possibility of integrating red wolves back into wild
ecosystems across the Southeast. However, further reintroductions will
only succeed if negative attitudes about wolves are reversed.
The best way to improve public
appreciation of wolves is through education, which is why Wolf Awareness
Week is so important to us here at the Nature Station. Each day of the
week will feature programs, activities, and visual displays that will
increase people’s awareness of wolves from an historical, present-day,
and future standpoint. “In the end,” as environmentalist
Baba Dioum states, "we
conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We
will understand only what we are taught."
We hope to see you during Wolf
Awareness Week!
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
Land Between
The Lakes
September 27
This time of year, it
is common to hear the tell-tale honking or witness the sight of a huge
“V” of geese flying south for the winter. However, there are other
animals migrating south as well, in a bit quieter fashion. The monarch
butterfly is the only species of North American butterfly that makes
such a vast annual migration. Monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains all
fly to the same wintering spot each year- the Transvolcanic Mountains in
Mexico.
Unlike the monarchs
that reach adulthood in the summer and die within a few weeks, the
generation born right before the fall migration is specially equipped to
survive the long trip down south and months of over-wintering in Mexico.
When spring arrives, this same generation begins the flight back north.
They will usually die before making it too far, but not without passing
on their legacy. The eggs they have laid on their spring journey will go
through a month-long metamorphosis to become adults, and then these
adults will miraculously fly back to the original birthplace of their
parents! Just how these second-generation monarchs know how to locate
places they have never been before remains a mystery. Scientists propose
they may receive cues from the direction of the sun or magnetic fields
of the earth.
See these sights in our Elk and
Bison Prairie
Land Between the
Lakes often hosts large groups of migrating monarchs in the spring and
fall who come here to feed on the nectar of native flowers, such as
blazing star and butterfly weed, to fuel their strenuous trips.
Unfortunately, the number of monarchs in LBL this season has not been as
great as in past seasons due to the summer drought, which has prevented
the bloom of some flowers. Changing weather conditions, as well as the
destruction of native flower fields, have adversely affected the overall
monarch population across North America. Even worse, their winter
destination site in the mountains of Mexico is critically endangered
habitat.
See these plants in our Elk and
Bison Prairie
In order to support
the conservation of this unique and beautiful butterfly, we should plant
native flowers in our gardens that will create the optimal habitat for
monarchs and provide the nectar needed for their survival. It is also
beneficial to plant native species of milkweed, as this is the only kind
of plant monarchs will lay their eggs on! If you need tips on which
flowers to plant, or would like to become more involved in the ongoing
nationwide project to conserve monarch butterflies, go to
www.monarchwatch.org on the web and be sure to visit the Nature
Station at LBL!
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
Land Between
The Lakes
September 11
After a 30-day
stretch of drought, LBL has finally received several invigorating rain
showers. Overnight showers and decreasing temperatures will often
initiate a morning of eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina)
sightings.
These terrestrial
turtles likely spent the dry spell buried underground, seeking out any
remaining moisture in the soil. However, the recent rain has brought
them to the surface in search of earthworms and to enjoy some
much-needed humidity. This is a great time to hike the trails of LBL and
catch a glimpse of these brightly-colored creatures trampling along the
forest floor.
Because of their
increased activity, one might also encounter box turtles crossing the
roads. At this time, these turtles are very susceptible to getting hit
by vehicles, as they may linger on the roads to soak up the warmth of
the pavement…all the more reason to take it slow and be on constant
watch for animals on the move. If you do happen to see a box turtle in
harm’s way, you can help it by gently picking it up by the shell and
moving it to the side of the road, keeping the turtle in the direction
it was going. [Be very very cautious of traffic yourself as
you focus upon our little friend on the road.] While you’re at it, you
might want to look for signs of whether it’s a male or female (just for
fun!). Red eyes and a concave bottom shell (plastron) usually indicate a
male, where as brown eyes and a convex plastron indicate a female. Just
be sure to sanitize your hands after handling a turtle to eliminate the
risk of salmonella transfer.
For a guaranteed
up-close encounter with a box turtle, you can visit our resident box
turtle at the Nature Station. While you’re there, make sure to see the
many other live animals that are enjoying the break from heat and dry
weather.
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
Land Between
The Lakes
August 18
For those regular readers of the Woodlands Nature Station Journal, I am
certain that you will join me in wishing Chris Hunter, the regular
journal entry writer the best as he leaves the Friends of LBL staff.
He is moving closer to home and family responsibilities. His
writings have led us to learn, explore, and fully enjoy nature at her
best.
We heartily thank Chris for his love of nature and with sharing that
with us each week.
Other entries will follow in the near
futures.
Jim Taylor
Director of Operations
Friends of LBL
August 1,
There are plenty
of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the Nature Station's backyard during
the month of August.
Photos courtesy of Sherry
Bailey, Friends of LBL
We estimate that
we have up to 200 birds per day at our sugar water feeders and flower
gardens. These hummingbirds are fueling up for their annual southern
migration to Central America.
If you are
fascinated by hummingbirds, I invite you to our annual Hummingbird
Festival this weekend at the Nature Station. You can watch a biologist
place tiny leg bands on the hummingbirds throughout the day on Saturday
and Sunday. These leg bands are used to study the bird's migration
habits. We will offer all sorts of fun, education programs, activities
and crafts all weekend.
Photos courtesy of Sherry
Bailey, Friends of LBL
I hope to see you
there.
Chris
July 25,
If you love
colorful butterflies, visit the Nature Station backyard. It is easy to
get close up views of a variety of swallowtail butterflies. The species
present include Zebra, Tiger, Black, Pipevine, and Spicebush
Swallowtails. The colors of their wings vary from blue, black, yellow,
green, orange and red.
photos courtesy of
Ohio
Dept. of Natural Resources
You may also see
female Monarch Butterflies laying their tiny eggs on the Milkweed plants
in our flower gardens. Several Monarch caterpillars are currently
munching on the leaves of the milkweed. There are also some Black
Swallowtail caterpillars nibbling on a large Fennel plant.
You can enjoy
viewing these winged beauties and their caterpillars by dropping by the
Nature Station.
Chris Hunter
Naturalist
July 18,
I am awed by the
variety of insects which thrives in mid-summer. The backyard flower
gardens at the Nature Station are being visited by many species of
colorful butterflies, beetles and caterpillars. Campers at LBL are
serenaded by the nocturnal mating calls of crickets, katydids,
grasshoppers and cicadas. I have even grown to appreciate the many
shapes, sizes, colors and kinds of spiders.
If you or your
children are interested in exploring the world of insects, visit the
Nature Station this coming Saturday, July 21. We will offer two
sessions of a program for you to build your own “bug box” for examining
captured insects. I will also lead an Insect Safari at 2pm to search
for bugs in our backyard gardens. Check out our Calendar of Events for
more details.
I hope to see you
Saturday.
Chris
July 11,
If you are
interested in attracting bats to your backyard, drop by the Nature
Station. People often want bats to roost near their homes in order to
decrease pesky mosquitoes. For example, a single Little Brown Bat can
eat up to 2000 mosquitoes per night! We offer free plans to visitors on
how to build two designs of bat boxes. You can even observe a box
containing a large colony of bats.
The Nature
Station’s backyard is blessed to have a large colony of bats roosting in
a bat box. A few days ago, our facility manager videotaped the bats
leaving the box at dusk. By carefully reviewing the tape, he counted
291 bats!
If you visit the
Nature Station, our staff can point out signs of the bats. One obvious
sign is that the ground below the box is covered with guano, or bat
scat. You may even hear the bats making audible noises such as squeaks
and clicks. Another interesting way to listen to the bats is through
the use of our Bat Detector. This small radio receiver picks up the
high frequency sounds that bats make for echolocation. The bats use
these sounds to help navigate their way through the night sky. Without
the use of such an electronic device, the human ear cannot hear these
unique sounds.
Any of our
naturalists would be happy to demonstrate the Bat Detector so you can
listen to the otherwise inaudible sounds made by these winged mammals.
Chris
June 27
Going on our guided canoe trips are
great ways to view wildlife at Land Between The Lakes. I guided the
"100’s of Herons Canoe Trip" last Saturday evening.
Photo courtesy of the US Fish
and Wildlife Service
Participants canoed around a remote
island, on Lake Barkley, where thousands of wading birds raise their
young over the summer. It was a spectacular experience to see large
numbers of cattle egrets, black-crowned night herons, and little blue
herons tending their young. According to a survey in 2004, over 3000
birds are present on the island during the summer.
I’m also guiding a Sunset Canoe Trip
next Tuesday evening on Honker Lake. I expect to see plenty of
wildlife. We usually see lots of ospreys, which are hawks that eat fish.
There are several osprey nests
present in the trees surrounding the lake. It is usually easy to see
their offspring this time of year.
Great blue herons and white tail deer
are other common sights while canoeing. If we are lucky, we
might even see a beaver as well. I encourage you to check out LBL’s
Calendar of Events and go on one of our guided canoe trips.
Chris Hunter
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
June 20
Many visitors have been asking me the
same question, "Why have the ruby-throated hummingbirds disappeared from
the sugar water feeders at the visitor’s home?" I think the answer
has to do with the time of year.
The months of June and July are the
breeding season for ruby-throated hummingbirds. The female birds are
incubating their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the mother feeds its
young lots of insects. A diet of insects provides the chicks with
protein that they need to grow. The adult birds don’t bother visiting
the sugar feeders while tending their young. They eat insects instead.
Picture Courtesy of lr_chr at
outdoors.webshots.com photographer is a
Teacher/Researcher. Hobby: photography. Living in Mexico
This picture is NOT of the ruby-throated hummingbirds
referred to in Chris's entry in the journal. They are perhaps
broad-billed (Cynanthus latirostris) species.
The hummingbirds should return to the
feeders by the end of July. They will need the high energy provided by
the sugar water in order to complete their long migration to Central
America.
In spite of it being breeding season,
many hummingbirds are currently visiting the sugar water
feeders at the Nature Station. I invite you to drop by to enjoy the
birds.
Chris
June 6,
The Nature Station receives lots of
phone calls, this time of year, from people who have found "orphaned"
baby wildlife. Callers usually wish to drop off the animal at our
center, or seek advice on how to raise it. I want to share with you the
accepted "best practices" when dealing with "orphaned" or injured
wildlife.
If you find an "orphaned" baby wild
animal, the best course of action is to leave it alone. There are
usually good reasons why an animal "appears" to be on its own. For
example, white-tailed deer often leave their fawns unattended for hours
while the mother is away grazing. She has hidden her baby to keep it
safe from predators. The mother will return later to care for her young.
Once a young bird leaves the nest, its
parents usually keep an eye on it from afar. They will tend to their
young if needed. An ill or deformed baby bird may also be "cast out"
from the nest by the parent. In other words, the baby wouldn't survive
to adulthood. The parent bird is doing what it can to make sure
only the strongest wildlife survive. This keeps wildlife populations
healthy. If you have taken a baby wild animal home with you, the best
thing to do is to put it back where you found it. If its parents are
nearby, they will tend to their offspring if needed. If the animal is
ill or hurt, it will pass away.
I know it may appear heartless, but
leaving injured or "orphaned" wildlife alone is actually the best thing
you could do for that animal and its species. It is also against the law
to raise wildlife unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for
that particular species of wildlife.
If you still feel compelled to save the
animal, give our nature center a call at (270) 924-2299. We can
give you the phone number for a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your
area.
Chris Hunter
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
May 23
In my last entry, I mentioned that
Indigo Buntings and Northern Orioles have been visiting the bird feeders
in the Nature Station's backyard. Since then, several visitors also
reported Orioles at their feeders. Our staff has discussed a new theory
as to why these birds are frequenting backyard feeders.
We believe that it stems from the hard
frost that our area experienced in late March. The frost killed many
blossoming plants. This may have created a food shortage for the birds.
Therefore, the birds are visiting backyard bird feeders to make up for
the difference.
Another natural occurrence this week is
that baby American Toads have emerged from the lakes, ponds and streams
throughout LBL. I encourage you to hike Woodland Walk trail to see
hundreds of these tiny amphibians hopping through the forest.
The photographs in this week's journal entry are courtesy of Sherry
Bailey, Friend of LBL. See here website photographs at
http://www.bloomingthings.blogspot.com/
Chris
May 9,
We have had two unexpected visitors
this week at the Nature Station's backyard bird feeders. Northern
Orioles and Indigo Buntings have been dropping by for a daily snack.
During the last four years, I have never seen either of these bird
species at our feeders.
Credit for the images is given to the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service
I believe the reason they are here now
is because we recently made a change in the bird seed we have been
putting out. In an effort to deter Brown-headed Cowbirds from gathering
at our feeders, we stopped putting out black-oil sunflower seeds. During
the last couple weeks, we have only been putting out thistle seed. This
thistle has attracted these two new colorful species.
If you would like to see some new birds
at your feeders, I encourage you to periodically change the type of feed
you put out. You can always drop by to enjoy our new visitors at
the Nature Station as well.
Chris
April 25,
There is plenty of wildlife and
wildflowers to enjoy along the Hematite Lake Trail this week. Several
families of Canada Geese with goslings are sailing around the lake
waters. Geese are excellent parents
when it comes to protecting and raising their young. Three
out of four goslings survive to adulthood.
Remnants of two abandoned beaver lodges
are along the northern lake shore. Diamondback water snakes often sun
themselves on the piled branches. These harmless snakes are
non-venomous, but are sometimes mistaken for cottonmouths due to their
large size. An active beaver lodge exists next to the bridge on the
southeast corner of the lake.
Several wildflower species are blooming
along the entire trail. My favorites include Solomon's Seal, Jacob's
Ladder, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and Blue Dogbane. Several
species of swallowtail butterflies can be seen feeding on the flowers.
Treat yourself to a walk to enjoy the
wildlife and wildflowers.
The photographs in this week's journal entry are courtesy of Sherry
Bailey, Friend of LBL. See here website photographs at
http://www.bloomingthings.blogspot.com/
Chris
April 18,
Two of my favorite bird species have
shown up this week in the backyard of the Nature Station. A
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird showed up yesterday. The hummingbirds have
spent the winter down in Costa Rica. These hummingbirds are the only
species that nests east of the Mississippi River.
The other species that showed up is the
Prothonotary Warbler. This bright yellow bird likes to nest in Blue Bird
boxes in our backyard. Its song is a high pitched "sweet, sweet, sweet."
Stop by the Nature Station to see more of these beautiful birds as
spring progresses.
Chris Hunter
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
April 4,
A wide variety of colorful wildflowers are blooming along the Hematite
Lake Trail. You should come out to see the beautiful blue blooms of
Dwarf Larkspur,
Steven J. Baskauf (c) 2003,
Vanderbilt University www.bioimages.vanderbilt.edu
Wild Blue Phlox and Common Blue Violets.
Delicate white flowers include Spring Beauty, Rue Anemone and Spring
Cress. Yellow Trout Lily is blooming along the southwest portion of the
trail.
Steven J. Baskauf (c) 2003,
Vanderbilt University www.bioimages.vanderbilt.edu
Our gift shops offer several excellent books to learn about wildflowers.
I recommend the book Wildflowers of the Land Between The Lakes Region,
published by Austin Peay University. We use this book for our staff to
learn about local wildflowers.
I hope to see you out on the trail.
Chris
March
21
If you enjoy bird-watching, I encourage
you to visit the Nature Station. We have a Purple Martin colony next to
our parking lot. Our set-up currently can house 32 nests. I noticed this
morning that about half the gourds are occupied. Martins are fun to watch
and listen to. They swoop through the air like acrobatic fighter planes
and their songs are cheerful, bubbly and buzzy. If you are interested in
setting up your own colony, our gift shop sells the Purple Martin Book by
Stokes, which tells everything you need to know.
You can also get great views of Ospreys
while hiking Woodland Walk and the Honker Lake Trail. These large,
fish-eating hawks have just returned from wintering along the Gulf Coast
and in Mexico. Ospreys nest and raise their young here from now through
early September. It is really cool to see these awesome birds fly overhead
carrying sticks to build their nests.
I invite you to grab your binoculars and
walking shoes, then head on over to see our winged residents.
Chris Hunter
Naturalist
Nature Station
March
7, 2007
After being cooped up all winter, taking
a stroll along a trail at LBL is a great way to feel revitalized. The
paved trail behind the Golden Pond Visitor Center is a wonderful starting
point. This path is wheel-chair accessible, relatively level, and winds
through a variety of scenic areas.
Walking this trail in early spring can be
relaxing and invigorating at the same time. The forest along the path is
so peaceful and relatively quiet this time of year. You might hear the
occasional call of a Carolina Wren. The bird’s call rhymes with, “tea
kettle, tea kettle, tea.” I love hiking when there are no leaves on the
trees. It is so easy to view the scenic landscape for hundreds of yards in
all directions. I usually feel so refreshed after walking this trail on a
cool, clear day in early March.
I’m encouraging you to get out of the
house and go for a rejuvenating stroll at LBL. I hope to pass you on the
trail.
Chris Hunter
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
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