It was nest box building time at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. The Prothonotary Warblers will be returning at the end of next month, so the nest boxes need to be up and ready. The boxes will be placed in areas of Four Holes Swamp that have been logged previously and therefore have few natural cavities in which the birds may nest.
Over 150 of the 300 nest boxes have been built. Today, staff and volunteers worked on completing the balance. We were able to build an additional 60 boxes with the cartons on hand and painted all the nest boxes, including the ones constructed by students. Next week, staff and volunteers will begin placing the nest boxes in degraded areas of the swamp. A completed nest box can be seen on a tree outside beyond the bird silhouettes.
Check this space in April to see if Prothonotary Warblers select any of these fine student-built/collected nest boxes!
Yesterday, the temperature soared into the 60Fs! Spring is coming! During a quick spin around the boardwalk at Audubon's Francis Beidler Forest, it was apparent that the reptiles had spring fever too, especially the snakes. We were able to spy four of the five species of snakes normally found in the swamp during the day. Only the Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata fasciata) eluded us.
Right out the door of the nature center by #1 on the boardwalk, we spotted (pun intended) five Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) basking on a log.
At the Meeting Tree (#4), the bright orange-red of a large Red-bellied Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster) caught our attention.
By #5, a Greenish Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta x quadrivittata) could be seen catching some sun within its Bald Cypress-cavity den.
Passing #8 and the sign showing the five species of snakes, we noted that the vultures still have not (previous entry) managed to access the dead White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
As we approached the T-intersection that leads to Goodsen Lake (left) or the center (right), we saw a group of visitors watching birds. It was quite a vocal group of bird species. On closer inspection, we spied the Greenish Rat Snake sunning 20 feet up in a tree. The community of birds that were expressing their displeasure to the snake included at least one of the following species: Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Black-and-white Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, Eastern Phoebe, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Carolina Wren.
Along the education platform at Goodsen Lake, a pair of Brown Water Snakes (Nerodia taxispilota) shared a cypress knee, an Eastern Cottonmouth was in a coil outside its cypress-tree den, and another Brown Water Snake was sunning on the steps leading to the water.
Enjoy the mini-spring while it lasts, because the temperature will drop to freezing tonight and not get much warmer tomorrow!
We spent last week visiting Audubon's Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary, which encompasses over 20,000 acres of freshwater marsh in south Louisiana, with a side trip to Avery Island, home of Tabasco and a salt dome. We were there to see work being done to preserve the marsh, which is disappearing at an alarming rate.
Canals dug for navigation and oil/gas exploration can be seen clearly in the satellite images of the Louisiana coast. These avenues allow saltwater to reach more deeply into the freshwater marsh. Additionally, these canals allow the tides to move in and out more quickly. Recent hurricanes have rolled sections of the marsh like a rug, which has left open water in the middle of once solid blocks of marsh. Once open water appears, wind can create wave action that further erodes the marsh and enlarges the open area.
The canals are not likely to disappear, but erosion control along the sides, reduced speeds for boat traffic, and levee maintenance can mitigate damage to the marsh. However, there is something that can be done to reduce the erosion to and possibly establish marsh in areas that have opened. The parallel and herringbone-pattern features shown in the satellite image were created from sediments at the bottom of the "lakes" and oriented to slow winds from the southeast. By slowing the wind, erosion has been reduced, turbidity in the water has been reduced, and underwater aquatic vegetation has increased.
Although the Rainey Sanctuary is not as affected, other areas of the Louisiana coast have suffered as water and, more importantly, sediment have been diverted from the marsh. Sediments brought down the Mississippi River that once renourished the marsh, now create a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
For now, the marsh continues to be incredibly productive. Red-shouldered Hawks were posted along the canal at 100-yard intervals; Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Black-necked Stilts waded in the shallow water; Snow Geese flew overhead like noisy clouds; ducks of every sort occupied the marsh and erupted like locust swarms whenever a potential predator cruised overhead; deer, opossum, raccoons and nutria appeared for the mammals; a lone alligator braved the cool weather to sun on the canal bank and represent the reptiles; and catfish caught fresh upon our arrival provided us dinner.
We do not always appreciate what we have when we have it. Hopefully, that is not the case with the Louisiana marsh!
As predicted, the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest received 3" of snow during last night's storm. Unfortunately, we slipped on the ice hiding beneath the 3" of snow on the ramp to the nature center and fell on the camera. No pictures today. The sun is rapidly warming the air and the snow is falling through the forest canopy in slushy clumps.
It's been 10 years since we've had measurable snow. Hopefully, we'll have better luck when snow returns in 2020.
It is not often that the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest is covered in pink on the National Weather Service's regional map, but a winter storm WARNING has been issued for our area between noon today and 6 a.m. tomorrow! The chance of precipitation is 100% (not even hedging with a 95%) with possible snow accumulation of 3-5"!
Yesterday, it was reported that over 63% of the United States had some snow coverage. We'll see if the Lowcountry and much of the South will become part of a larger percentage. If there is snow on the ground tomorrow, we will definitely fill the digital camera with images and post some here!
Don't forget, the Great Backyard Bird Count began this morning and runs through Monday. The recent rain and now the snow coverage across the country will surely affect the distribution of bird species. Scientists cannot be everywhere, especially with all of the airline flight cancellations and impassible roads, so you help is critical. You need not be an expert or even leave the comfort of your home...simply observe and report.
Today, our shadow had a name, Meghan from Sangaree Middle School. Meghan arrived at 8:30 a.m. as a flock of a dozen Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) walked calmly across the driveway at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. After yesterday's rain, today's clear sky and sunshine were welcomed, but the drop in the temperature and blustery winds were not ideal for wildlife observations from the boardwalk. The Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) were out at #104 and beavers (Castor canadensis) had been busy chewing on a Spruce Pine near the swamp's current edge at #114. At the Meeting Tree (#120), we saw a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) enter a circular hole, possibly a nesting cavity, and saw a Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) foraging low in the trees.
Near
by at #121, we noticed a pile of what appear to be worms associated with some scat. They have been there for the last three days and may have passed with the scat from the animal. Further investigation is warranted, but we did not have on clothes suitable for the chest-deep water current flowing by the boardwalk. Also still in the swamp in its previously observed position is the dead White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Vultures still have not been able to penetrate the hide, but even the cool water and air temperatures will not prevent the eventual decay of the carcass. Today, the hide had changed from white to red and looked ready to burst.
After some tremendous help with editing the Beidler Forest boardwalk-specific app and planning for the herp-themed summer camp, Meghan helped scout sites for summer camp cover boards that will attract amphibians and small, non-venomous snakes for campers to observe. Wow! Not only did we get out of the office for half of the day, but we received valuable 7th-grader insight as we plan for an exciting summer camp.
As we exited the upland boardwalk, a male Wild Turkey made an ungraceful landing high in a Loblolly Pine. As turkeys had begun the day, it seemed a fitting way to end the day. Sure hope nobody thought that there were any turkeys in the middle of the day!
Life and death are natural parts of every day all over our planet, including here at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. However, people do not treat all life and death equally. The death of an annoying mosquito flattened by the palm of our hand against our shin does not elicit the same response as the death of a fawn gasping its last breath. Nonetheless, life and death are normal functions of nature. Vultures are not the harbingers of death, but more like vital hazmat response teams. Death occurs and vultures detect that odor, much sooner than our poor sense of smell will allow, or they spot something that simply looks dead. Yesterday, visitors noticed vultures picking at a dead animal in the water. Reports of the prospective meal's identity ranged from a River Otter (Lutra canadensis) to a Raccoon (Procyon lotor) to a White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Those who said "deer" may move to the front of the class and put a gold star by their name on the board of positive self-esteem.
In fairness to the other observers, the deer is missing most of its hair, which gave it a whitish appearance and we do not know how much of the animal was visible prior to the pictures being taken by us after work. The image shows the back of the deer, which is facing away with its head turned to the right and a pinkish ear pointing skyward.
Vultures have bills designed to tear flesh from a carcass, but they often have trouble getting through a dead animal's hide. If there is not an opening in the carcass caused by injury or feeding by a carnivore, vultures will go after soft tissue like the eyes and anus and attempt to create a greater opening. In the case of the water-logged deer, no carnivores were available or willing to brave the cool water, so the vultures moved on to other opportunities. They will likely return once the water has had time to soften the carcass, which should coincide with humans detecting the odor. Vultures are able to eat decaying flesh due to enzymes and bacteria in their digestive systems, which helps limit diseases that might incubate in uneated carcasses. Yum.
That was death, so now we will move on to life. Project PROTHO is beginning its second year and will aid in life by providing nesting cavities for Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) in areas of the swamp that have been degrading by past logging. Younger trees and forests have fewer natural cavities in which birds can nest, so the nest boxes will fill an unmet need. Students in Orangeburg Consolidated School District Three are helping to build the nest boxes out of used 1/2-gallon milk/juice cartons and master naturalists in the state are volunteering to set out and monitor the nest boxes. Below is the how-to video:
The Great Backyard Bird Count is next weekend (Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15, 2010)! Below are excerpts from the site:
“Taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way to get outside with family and friends, have fun, and help birds—all at the same time," said Audubon Education Vice President, Judy Braus. "Even if you can only identify a few species you can provide important information that enables scientists to learn more about how the environment is changing and how that affects our conservation priorities.”
Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from novice bird watchers to experts. Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online at http://www.birdcount.org/.
On the http://www.birdcount.org/ website, participants can explore real-time maps and charts that show what others are reporting during the count. The site has tips to help identify birds and special materials for educators. Participants may also enter the GBBC photo contest by uploading images taken during the count. Many images will be featured in the GBBC website’s photo gallery. All participants are entered in a drawing for prizes that include bird feeders, binoculars, books, CDs, and many other great birding products.
Remember, like our 15-minute Bird Blitz blog entry this week, you don't need to spend a great deal of time observing birds nor do you need to be an expert ornithologist. Spend as little as 15 minutes and report what you know or can identify using a field guide.
It is no mistake that backyard is a key word in this citizen science project!
Sometimes, we have to work indoors at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest, but at least we have windows! Between 11:15-11:30 a.m., we were treated to a bird blitz just outside the office window. (Note to staff: We need to clean the outside of the windows!)
All the birds, except for the Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), were foraging for food. The Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) were looking under leaves on the forest floor. The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) and the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) were searching for their food opportunities on the trunks of trees. The Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) was inspecting every dried, curled leaf in hopes of finding a delicious cocoon resident. The Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus) was sticking its bill in crevices between the vine and the tree trunk. Finally, the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) pair appeared to be in search of berries, but they'll need to be quicker than the American Robins.
The Carolina Wren was carefully selecting bits of dead leaves from the forest floor. We're not sure what qualifies as suitable nesting material, but several bits of leaves were picked up and then discarded. The leaf bits that made the cut did not appear any different than those that were deemed inferior.
Here are the bird images in not particular order:
Later, we saw the Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus) at the swamp's edge. As it was not sunny or particularly warm, it is odd for the snake to be out and exposed. It is possible that this snake selected a winter den that has gone under the water with recent rain. Note the caterpillar under the snake's eye. We think these are all signs that the Pennsylvania groundhog got it wrong and winter will end sooner than predicted!
Finally, we spotted this Bobcat (Lynx rufus) resting under a leaning tree. Not really...it's the cat that was taken to the taxidermist years ago after being hit by a car. However, we needed a bobcat image for the Francis Beidler Forest boardwalk-specific iPhone/iPod Touch app that we will be sending to Apple for approval next week. Once approved, the app will be available for free at iTunes.
Today, the sun came out at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest and lured us out onto the boardwalk. The swamp is full from the recent rain, including yesterday's day-long soaking, and the higher water has allowed beavers (Castor canadensis) to explore territory that was previously farther from the water's edge.
When a beaver gnaws on a tree or a branch, it is not eating everything. The large branch may eventually make it to the dam/lodge complex in the powerline right-of-way as it is an appropriate size, but the bark has been removed (not eaten) and the cambium has been consumed. The same fate befell the smaller branch. All the wounds on the trunks of various tree species have bark shavings below, the cambium consumed, and the interior portion of the tree untouched. Only the cambium, the living cells connecting the leaves with the roots and serving as the avenue for the transportation of water and nutrients throughout the tree. This is the delicious, nutritious part of the tree sought after by the beavers. If a beaver gnaws completely around the tree, it will girdle the tree and cut the connection between the leaves and the roots. A girdled tree will inevitably die. We're guessing that an inexperienced beaver began gnawing on the Loblolly Pine and that its gummed up mouth caused it to stop!
The beavers were not the only animals becoming active with the warmer, sunnier weather. Right out the nature center, Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) were basking on logs in the shallow water outside of the main flow of the swamp. Where the boardwalk forks at the swamp's edge, an Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus) was partially out of the water and on a log. At Goodson Lake, a Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) was warming in the sun and possibly causing leeches to disembark. Finally, rounding the last curve in the boardwalk before the fork, a male Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) was busy taking a bath in the shallow water at the swamp's edge.
Along with the wildlife, we enjoyed the sun while we could. Tomorrow, rain is scheduled to return!
Yesterday, before the cold and rain of today, American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were busy eating berries outside our office window at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. The red, ripened berries of an American Holly (Ilex opaca) tree were the first targets. After the tree had been stripped of berries, the robins dropped to the forest floor and began moving the dry, fallen leaves in search of Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens). Apparently, Hermit Thrushes (Catharus guttatus) are not the only fan of the plentiful ground berries.
A Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) was also low to the ground, but he was flying up and hovering around the holly leaves in search of insects.
