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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.....
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entire year. The most recent comments are at the top.
August 19, 2008
When discussing snakes with visitors at the Nature
Station, I commonly hear, “We saw a black snake while hiking. What is
it?” It turns out there are several species of non-venomous snakes in
our area that are essentially black on top. The true key to identifying
the species, in my opinion, is catching a glimpse of its underside. Of
course, this isn’t always possible! So, there are some other
characteristics and behaviors that can clue you in to its identity.
Common Kingsnake
One of the most common snakes in LBL is aptly named
the “Common” or “Black” Kingsnake. This medium-sized species has solid
black, smooth scales on its back. If you look along the sides of the
snake’s body, however, you will notice a pattern of yellow speckles or
vertical stripes just peeking up from its belly and chin. The jaw line
seems to be the best place to notice these marks. If you’re lucky enough
to see the underside of the snake, it will be primarily light yellow
with large black marks.
Black Racer
Often confused with a common kingsnake is the Black
Racer. This sleek-bodied, medium-sized snake has smooth, solid black
scales on top with a uniformly grayish-white belly. If you look at the
racer’s face, you can just barely notice that light gray color inching
up on its jaw and around its mouth. I have seen several of these snakes
rear up in a vertical stance to check out their surroundings. By raising
half of their bodies upward, you will certainly notice the solid
light-colored belly, baring no speckles whatsoever.
Black Rat Snake
Another common black snake, the Black Rat Snake, is
typically thicker and longer than a kingsnake or racer, especially if
there is no mottled pattern on its back, indicating it is fully mature.
This species of snake can reach 8 ft. in length! Because it spends much
of its time on tree limbs or high in the rafters of human structures,
this snake has fairly rough scales to provide traction for climbing.
Another clue is that you can usually see a black rat snake’s underlying
white skin between its rough scales. Some rat snakes also retain light
rings down its body. Again, if you’re lucky enough to see its underside,
you will notice a black and white checkered pattern.
Of course, with all of these snakes, it is better
to view them from a safe distance. While not venomous, they have the
ability to bite if they feel threatened.
Here at the Nature Station, we have a black rat
snake and common kingsnake on display so you can get a good look at all
of their distinguishing characteristics. Come on by and check them out!
Photos
Courtesy of: Common Kingsnake- Illinois Department of Natural
Resources Black Racer- Upton Ecological and Research Reserve Black Rat
Snake- University of Georgia
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
July 18, 2008
Like many visitors who inquired about an apparent
downswing in ruby-throated hummingbird numbers this spring, we too at
The Nature Station saw noticeably less hummingbirds coming to our
feeders…at first. The typical period in which hummingbirds migrating
from Central America arrive in western Kentucky is April 1-10. This
year, we saw our first hummingbird on April 10. This was on the late
side, but surely nothing to be worried about. What was more troublesome
was the lack of hummingbirds we saw in the weeks to follow.
photo courtesy of the Animal Diversity Web
Once we started hearing from visitors that they
were also seeing less hummingbirds, we knew something might be out of
kilter. After reporting our findings with Bill Hilton, Director of
Operation Ruby-Throat, we learned that even out at his nature center in
South Carolina, they were seeing the second lowest number of migrating
hummingbirds in the 18 seasons his team has been recording them, as of
May 21, 2008. (http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek080515.html)
But, “Why?” is the question. Without having
performed any official studies on this topic at the Nature Station, we
cannot say for sure what caused this odd natural occurrence. The most
common hypothesis bouncing around is that the abnormally cool months of
April and May caused the hummingbirds’ late arrival. Bill Hilton also
suggested “hurricane activity last fall in the Gulf of Mexico, habitat
destruction on wintering grounds in Central America,” or perhaps just a
“one year blip.”
Whatever the cause of this spring’s abnormal
hummingbird numbers, I can now happily report that we are being visited
by a whole bunch of ruby-throats this month! We’re hoping the numbers
will grow even more by the time the Nature Station hosts its annual
Hummingbird Festival on Aug. 2-3. In past years, we have seen over 200
individual hummingbirds visit throughout the weekend. With the strange
start to this hummingbird season, it will be very interesting to see how
this year’s festival numbers compare to years’ past. I highly encourage
everyone to come check out our Hummingbird Festival and take part in the
many activities and programs the Nature Station has to offer. Bill
Hilton will also be joining us and showing us the art of banding these
tiny birds.
Hope to see you there!
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
June 19, 2008 I
recently returned from a trip to northwestern Washington State, where I
encountered dozens of new animal species from Olympic marmots to
Roosevelt elk. However, one animal group that was lacking in
representatives was the reptiles. While the Northwest does have some
reptiles, it does not even compare to the diversity we have in this
region! I now appreciate even more the opportunities for reptile viewing
that one can have at Land Between The Lakes. In a typical day working in
the backyard of the Nature Station or hiking a trail, I often come
across several species of reptiles – turtles, lizards, and
snakes!
There are at least three kinds of turtles that are
readily viewable, mainly because of their tendency to bask on logs,
often in groups of ten or more. These turtles include painted turtles,
red-eared sliders, and river cooters. And then there are box turtles,
which are most often seen in the mornings as they bask on roadsides. LBL
also hosts common and alligator snapping turtles, as well as softshell
turtles, but these species spend most of their time underwater, buried
in the mud where they are hidden from sight.
When it comes to lizards, they are abundant, but
one has to look pretty closely to find them. We don’t have giants like
iguanas or monitor lizards, but we do have some very colorful, albeit
quite small, species. They include the eastern fence lizard, ground
skink, and six-lined racerunner. These lizards are extremely quick and
can easily dash from sight in an instant, so get a good look while you
can!
Our diversity of snakes is perhaps the most
impressive. To a reptile enthusiast’s delight (and possibly to other
peoples’ dismay!), LBL has 26 snake species! The most common types that
are seen include the black rat snake, black racer, common kingsnake, and
several species of water snake (which are FAR more common than the
notorious cottonmouth). While we do have four species of venomous snakes
in this region, of which the copperhead is the most common, there are
rarely any safety issues when encountering them (or any snakes
for that matter) as long as they are given their space. As someone who
appreciates the role snakes play in our environment, I feel very lucky
to work at LBL, where snake diversity is so high.
Land Between The Lakes is known as a special place for animal diversity,
and that certainly holds true for reptiles. However, reptiles hibernate
in the cooler months, so come on out this month while they’re soaking up
the summer sun! A visit to the Nature Station will also allow the chance
to see many of these reptiles up close and learn more about their
natural history.
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
May 16, 2008
It’s officially “baby season” in the wild and the evidence shows
throughout LBL! This is the time of year when most native animals are
bearing or raising their young. The ages of these young can range from
just a day old to several months…and growing!
Here at the Nature Station, we are monitoring our
purple martin houses for the arrival of newborns. The majority of our
houses, located in the Nature Station parking lot, now contain between
1-6 eggs, all on the verge of cracking open to reveal new life. One
house already has newborns…a nest of hatchlings not more than a week
old. While the actual nests cannot be seen, as they are hidden in the
houses, you can easily see the protective parents perched atop the
houses as you pull into our lot. The males are uniformly dark purple
while the females are purple on their backs, but mostly white on their
breasts. The whole colony of purple martins is having a very successful
reproductive year, which is indicative of the productive breeding season
for many local species.
Another group of birds that has been very busy the
last few weeks is the prothonotary warbler family residing in one of our
nest boxes in the backyard of the Nature Station. Upon last check, there
were 6 healthy chicks in the nest, and both parents are never too far
away. Both males and females are brilliant yellow with gray wings. This
nest box was actually a “hot property on the market” this year, as many
birds were competing to move in. The first to size it up were a pair of
bluebirds (for whom the nest box was intentionally built for).
Unfortunately, they seemed to be “bullied” out by a pair of chickadees
who most likely started building their nest right on top of the
bluebirds’ nest. Then, over the span of a week or so, we started seeing
less of the chickadees and more of the prothonotary warbler pair. I’m
not sure how much “bullying” went on in this transition, but the
warblers obviously gained ultimate ownership of the nest box and have
now successfully hatched young.
Of course, not all of the breeding activity has
been at the Nature Station, and not only birds have been breeding! Case
in point is the reproductive success we’ve had on both the Elk and Bison
Prairie and the South Bison Range. To date, 17 bison calves have been
born at the South Bison Range alone. No elk calves have been born yet,
but the first is surely coming soon…they typically give birth late
May-June. The young of both bison and elk are born surprisingly large
and get their “land legs” within a few hours. Bison calves are fairly
easy to locate on the prairies because they are a lighter shade of brown
and can often be seen out in the open, mingling amongst the larger herd.
Newborn elk are harder to see because their mothers keep them hidden,
camouflaged in a secret location to protect them from predators. As they
get older and larger, they’ll start to join the herd. The best time to
visit either the Elk and Bison Prairie or the South Bison Range is early
in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the animals are most
active.
Whether it is in LBL or in your own backyard, be
sure to stay on the lookout for all the signs of this special “baby
season.”
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
May 6, 2008
Honker Bay is a pristine relief from the hustle and
bustle of modern society…a haven abounding with nature…except for
those tall black poles sticking out of the water! I’ve had a few folks
ask me recently what those poles are for. While not the most “natural”
addition to an otherwise picture-perfect setting, these poles have
played an integral part in recovering a species that rightfully belongs
by the water…the osprey, or “fish hawk,” as it is often called.
The osprey is the largest of the hawks to inhabit
this area, and in my opinion, the most conspicuous. With its striking
white head contrasting with a dark eye mask and often topped with a
prominent “cowlick”, the osprey can be fairly easy to identify. In
flight, it shows a characteristic “elbow” in the wings, distinguishing
it from an eagle or another hawk. A few other clues to help identify the
osprey include its “yipping” call, often sounded in flight, and its
tendency to be seen near bodies of water. It will often be gliding over
the water or perched in a tree on the shore, looking below to spot its
next meal, which is almost always a fish. The osprey is the only
fish-catching raptor that dives headfirst into the water in
pursuit of its prey.
photo courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources
While superbly adapted to life by the water, osprey
still plummeted in number during the 20th century. With a
story similar to that of the bald eagle, the osprey was drastically
affected by the use of the chemical DDT on crops. This chemical
eventually made its way into the waterways, and thus, into the systems
of the fish inhabitants. By consuming these contaminated fish, osprey
too were poisoned, causing their eggs to have weak rubbery shells that
flattened under the weight of incubating parents, killing the developing
offspring. The osprey species was headed for extinction had it not been
for the eventual ban of DDT.
This is where the story comes back around to the
odd poles rising from Honker Bay. In addition to banning DDT, the
government also implemented an osprey recovery plan that included
building artificial platforms to imitate the bird’s natural nesting
sites atop tall trees by the water. Erecting the poles in the middle of
these water bodies added the extra benefit of a protective “moat” to
prevent certain predators from raiding the nests.
The damming both Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley
created expansive reservoirs, and therefore, LBL became an optimal site
for osprey (re)introduction. During the mid-1980’s, several artificial
nesting platforms were placed in Honker Bay. To increase the chance of
these platforms being used by osprey, the recovery program also included
“hacking”- that is, placing young chicks on the platforms and providing
them with food until they fledged. Because osprey, as well as many other
birds, often return to their fledging sites to raise their own chicks,
the hope was that a permanent population of breeding osprey in LBL would
materialize.
Fast forward 20 years and I can attest to the
plentitude of osprey on Honker Bay and surrounding water bodies. We
frequently hear that “yipping” call from above as they soar over the
Nature Station. At present, I personally know of at least four active
nests. By the end of this month, young chicks should be hatching out.
The return of osprey in this country is a testament to the positive
impact people can have on the status of a species when we take on the
responsibility of environmental stewardship.
I hope you get a chance to see at least one osprey
during your visit to LBL.
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
April 10, 2008 If
you’ve hiked any trail in Land Between the Lakes lately, you may have
encountered quite a few little white wildflowers. Many of the earliest
blooming wildflowers happen to have white petals or sepals, making it
hard to discern which species is which. In my quest to identify these
“visions of white” myself, I have put together an ID guide of common
white wildflowers. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it
covers some of the more “showy” species.
Rue anemone
Rue anemones can have anywhere from 5-10
overlapping white sepals, which look just like petals, and have tiny
yellow flowers in the center. The leaves are generally oval or round,
but are also slightly lobed. This short-stemmed wildflower is common in
moist woods.
All photos in this entry courtesy of
USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Bloodroot
While the petals of this flower are similar-looking
to other white wildflowers, you would be lucky if you get a chance to
see a blooming bloodroot. The flowers are in full bloom for only about a
day before the delicate petals blow off. However, the leaves are
long-lasting and very distinct. One large leaf accompanies each stem of
the plant, but it does not grow out of that stem. Instead, it grows
straight from the ground right next to its stem partner. These
cabbage-like leaves often end up encompassing, or forming a full circle,
around the stems. Bloodroot can be found in forests that are not too wet
and not too dry.
Toothwort
There are several different species of toothwort in
Land Between the Lakes, and the shapes of their leaves vary greatly. All
toothwort flowers, however, look the same. They have four white
petals, which is a unique number among local flowers, so these petals
are the best identifying characteristic. One particular species,
cut-leaf toothwort (pictured), has leaves that may catch your attention
too, because they are very narrow and have deeply toothed edges, which
should help you remember the name of the plant. Toothwort can be very
common on shaded slopes.
Giant chickweed
Giant it is not, but this native chickweed is
larger than its more well-known, non-native counterpart, which is often
found in gardens and fields. Giant chickweed, or star chickweed as some
call it, only grows about 1 ft. tall. “Ten” is the number to remember
when it comes to chickweed, because that is the number of petals it
appears to have. (In actuality, it only has five petals, each deeply
divided, but you have to examine the petals very closely to notice).
Tiny red flowers rise above the petals. Chickweed can be found in a
variety of shaded habitats, from moist bottomlands to higher bluffs.
Spring Beauty
“Beautiful” is a good way to describe these
wildflowers because the white petals are often streaked with pink
stripes that radiate brilliantly from the center. The flowers have five
petals. Each stem only has two leaves on it, which are long and narrow
and located midway up the stem. Spring beauties are typically found in
moist woods.
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
April 3, 2008
Having spent the last four years in the Northeast
before moving down to western KY, I came to associate the majestic loon
(Gavia immer) with secluded northern lakes surrounded by dense
hardwood and evergreen forests. Therefore, you can imagine my excitement
when I saw this classic “symbol of the North Woods” here in LBL last
December. While we were on a bald eagle viewing tour, and did in fact
see several eagles, the highlight of that excursion was the sight of a
solitary loon in non-breeding plumage casually floating near the shore
of Pisgah Point, occasionally diving completely under water. It turns
out that Kentucky Lake lies along one of the routes that some loons take
from their breeding grounds up north to their wintering range, typically
on the southeastern coast. Apparently, this particular loon decided that
it needed to go no further than LBL to find unfrozen water with plenty
of food to eat, like fish, crustaceans, and insects.
I thought that first surprising encounter would be
the most memorable loon sighting I would experience in LBL. However, I
witnessed an equally amazing sight just a few days ago on Energy Lake. I
got a tip from two other naturalists that they had spotted a couple of
loons there the day before. I had to go see for myself, especially since
these loons were now displaying their striking black and white breeding
plumage, which they molt into just before migrating north. What I didn’t
expect to see, looking from the Dam out into Crooked Creek Bay, were
about 10 loons! They were all in scattered positions across the
horizon, donning their beautiful breeding plumage, males and females
alike.
I wasn’t the only one to witness this remarkable
sight. There were about four or five different groups of people fishing
there that afternoon, which surprisingly did not seem to phase the loons
one bit. I came to find out, after doing more research, that if the
loons had been disturbed, they would likely have been giving their
tremolo call, which is the quavering, laugh-like call often used by
Hollywood as the background noise for misty backwoods scenes at dawn or
dusk. Instead I heard their other well-known call, which is known as
their wail, or “wolf howl” (John Eastman, Birds of Lake, Pond,
and Marsh). While some describe it as a mournful call, it is simply
the sound of loons communicating with each other across the water. How
amazing it was to hear that noise and see those birds, especially so
many of them, in broad daylight on Kentucky Lake.
Photo
Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service Digital Image Library
If you get a chance, I highly recommend checking
out Energy Lake or nearby waters for a rare view of these loons. Their
bodies are about three feet long and they ride very low in the water,
often keeping only their head, neck, and upper back above the surface.
Their bills are longer and pointer than those of other waterfowl. If you
get a close enough view, you’ll see the intricate checkered black and
white pattern on their backs and their conspicuous red eyes. Don’t
expect to see them on land! These birds’ bodies are much better designed
for being on the water. (In fact, their legs are set so far back on
their undersides that they have trouble walking on land.) And do not
delay…as these loons are on their migratory route, I’m not sure how long
they’ll be gracing us with their ethereal presence.
Happy viewing!
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
March 14, 2008
Spring has blown in again, and with it, the
reopening of the Nature Station. It is this time of year that we begin
to build an ever-growing list of natural “firsts” that indicate the new
season- first frog call, first flower in bloom, first purple martin back
from the South, even the first nest occupation by a pair of bald eagles.
While I usually focus on one subject in these journal entries, I cannot
possibly choose just one of these amazing natural occurrences to
highlight. After all, it is the culmination of all of these signs of
spring that make it such an awesome time of year. So, instead I have
provided the following list, with dates, of several of the wonderful
things my fellow naturalists and I have seen and heard in LBL in the
last couple of weeks.
February 20- Bald eagles are seen occupying a nearby nest, preparing
for a new clutch of eggs. LBL is host to approximately 18 pairs of
nesting bald eagles each year.
February 23- Wood ducks are observed wading in “Observation Pond”
(fitting name) across the road from Hematite Lake. These ducks will
likely nest in well-concealed tree cavities or specially made wood duck
nest boxes by the water.
February 29- American white pelicans are
witnessed flying in flocks on their northward migration. Some even
stop over on Lake Barkley for the afternoon. These birds, which spend
their winters along the
Gulf Coast and summers out west, are distinguished by their large white
bodies and black wing tips.
A pine warbler is heard
and later seen visiting the bird feeders in the Nature Station Backyard.
This primarily yellow bird, similar in appearance to a goldfinch, is one
of the first warblers to show up with the changing season.
An eastern phoebe is
heard singing its namesake call “fee-bee” at the front entrance to the
Nature Station. One later finds its way into our enclosed storage area,
but eventually finds a way out.
On this particularly warm
day, upland chorus frogs are heard calling in multiple wetland areas in
LBL. These frogs are usually the earliest to vocalize in the spring.
Their call is likened to the sound of your finger running across the
teeth of a comb.
March
1- Two osprey, back from their winter stint in either Central
or South America, are noticed flying above Honker Trail. An osprey
soaring in the air can be distinguished by its relatively long wingspan,
with each wing having a notable “elbow” on its leading edge that forms a
shape reminiscent of a boomerang.
A southern leopard frog, whose call sounds like
you’re rubbing your thumb on an inflated balloon, is heard on Honker
Trail.
March
2- An adult mourning cloak, which has presumably survived the
winter by hibernating, as this species can do, is spotted fluttering
along a trail near Hematite Lake.
Uh oh- Ticks are back! Need I say more?
March
12- Brown-headed cowbirds, which are known for laying eggs in
other birds’ nests and letting those birds do the parenting, descend in
flocks on our feeders in the Nature Station Backyard.
March
13- Several male purple martins appear at the man-made “gourds”
we have put up for them in the parking lot of the Nature Station. These
males will eventually pair up with females, who arrive a bit later, and
choose one of the many holes in the gourds to make their nest site.
Plans for building your own purple martin house can be obtained at the
Nature Station.
Of course this list is not comprehensive, as
natural wonders seen and unseen are occurring by the minute during this
transient season. If you have any “firsts” you would like to add to this
list, please feel free to email me at cszwed@friendsoflbl.org. I also
welcome any questions you may have about nature.
Happy Spring, and be sure to keep your eyes and
ears open!
Carrie Szwed
Naturalist
Woodlands Nature Station
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