The 17-Year Cicadas Are Here
May 24, 2013
A link to ace environmental reporter Jim O'Neill's story in The Record can be found here.
The video accompanying the story is below:
May 2013
Look Out for Snapping Turtles!
May 23, 2013
The females are on an egg-laying spree. Had at least four from the Celery Farm in my backyard and sideyard this morning.
I am told that one was killed on Franklin Turnpike this a.m, so please drive carefully in that area...
My snapping-turtle egg-laying video of yore is here (best played with the sound up):
My Latest Column: Sapsucker 'Honeymooners'
May 23, 2013
My latest column for The Record and Herald News features readers' suggestions for renaming the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker -- and a couple of folks who quote a famous episode from "The Honeymooners," featured here. The "sapsucker" part starts 32 seconds in...
The link to the column is here. Please let me know what name you prefer for the sapsucker -- including keeping the name as it is.
Amazing Rob Fanning Report
May 22, 2013
Rob Fanning reports:
50+ species were present in the mist at the CF this
morning--highlighted by 2 singing ALDER FLYCATCERS (one at the Scout
Platform, the other along the main trail near BH Pond), 2 SWAINSON'S
THRUSHES, 100+ WAXWINGS (w/ some posing for great views, several flyover
BOBOLINKS, and a late flyover PINE SISKIN.
At least 4 WILLOW
FLYCATCHERS were also sounding off. They arrived in #'s very late this
year. The only "Traill's fly" that I actually saw was a silent bird at
Phair's pond. VEERY and WOOD THRUSH were heard singing in the
woods--both are local/sporadic breeders at CF.
A Rain Crow aka YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was sounding off near the
Point-and showed itself briefly during a lunchtime stop, w/ a SPOTTED
SANDPIPER also present.
Full list follows. Thanks, Rob!
Continue reading "Amazing Rob Fanning Report" »
Don Torino: Here's To Hackberry!
May 22, 2013
Photo courtesy of aol.com
Don Torino's latest column on wildnewjersey.tv is about the benefits of planting Hackberries.
Here's a sample:
If you’re like me and your home landscape suffered due to Hurricane Sandy, or you are just looking to improve your backyard to benefit wildlife, then planting a Hackberry tree should be on the top of your things to plant list...
Hackberry is one of the most beneficial wildlife friendly trees you can introduce to your backyard habitat, or any habitat for that matter. The purple-red fruit attracts a wide variety of birds species from Grosbeaks to Waxwings, from Orioles to Thrashers, and Flickers to Phoebes.
They will visit your Hackberry like Moths to a mercury vapor light, and if the birds are not a good enough reason to make you want to run out and plant a Hackberry, then the many splendid butterfly species that utilize the Hackberry certainly will.
The link is here.