HELP NEEDED TO TRACK THE SPREAD OF THE JORO SPIDER
The University of Georgia’s Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health is tracking the spread of the invasive Joro spider across the State of Georgia. With that in mind, the researchers are asking the public to document its march across the Peach State.
“You can’t just have the experts looking for them,” says the center’s Rebecca Wallace. She went on to say, “Photos from the public help researchers identify new habitats and collect specimens for further research.”
Another goal of this study is determining if this large spider is having any impact on native wildlife. Many Georgians are afraid the Joro spider’s webs are catching ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies such as the monarch.
If you like to participate in this research, visit the website named Joro Watch. Once there, fill out the submission form and submit it with a photo of the spider that you believe is a Joro. https://jorowatch.org/
BACKYARD SECRET: ONE-WAY CHIPMUNKS WARN OTHERS WHEN A PREDATOR IS NEAR
Chipmunks are common residents in Georgia yards. While they can be regularly seen during the warmer months of the year, at no time are they more often seen than from late summer throughout autumn. This is the time when chipmunks are busy gathering and storing food for winter.
As you might expect, this is a time when they are more likely to cross paths with predators. When one chipmunk sees a hawk, fox or other predator they warn the other chipmunks in the area that danger is close by. Remarkably, they warn their cohorts when a predator is near using two distinct calls. One is uttered when an aerial predator is close by. A totally different call is vocalized when the threat comes from a ground predator.
Now that is pretty neat!
BACKYARD SECRET – DO KATYDIDS HAVE THEIR EARS ON THEIR KNEES?
Although katydids do not have external ears like humans, they do they do have tympanal organs located just below the “knee” on the insects’ front legs. If you look closely at a katydid, you will notice there is a tiny oval hole on the upper part of each front leg. These tympanum organs allow the insect to detect sounds. I guess you can say the katydid does indeed have its ears on its knees.
BACKYARD SECRET – GOLDENROD IS VALUABLE TO POLLINATORS
In my yard and through much of Georgia, goldenrod is just beginning to bloom. Unfortunately, most Georgians consider goldenrod a weed. The truth of the matter is goldenrod is a host plant for than 100 species of moths and butterflies. In addition, hundreds of species of insects dine on goldenrod nectar and pollen.
Indeed, this secret needs to be told and we need to the share this secret with everyone who shares a love for the natural world.
MIGRANTS PASSING IN THE NIGHT
Now that we are in the first week of fall, here is something you might want to order before you drop off to sleep tonight.
While you are asleep, thousands of migratory songbirds are passing over Georgia. These long-distant migrants are flying toward their winter homes far to the south of the Peach State.
Many of them will fly 165 miles or more before dropping from the skies tomorrow morning at a stopover area. These are special places where they can rest, drink and refuel.
The birds fly under the cover of darkness because the air is cool and they can avoid predators. One of the reasons they are able to fly across night skies is because they can navigate using star patterns. In addition, special proteins located in their bills and eyes allow them to sense the Earth’s magnetic fields.
For more information regarding how you can assist these migrants, read: Out My Backdoor: Make Your Yard a Pit Stop for Southbound Migrants | Department Of Natural Resources Division
A CROW, A WREN, AND A SQUIRREL – WILD DRAMA
Most of the most memorable wildlife sightings seem to take place when and where we least expect it. Such was the case this morning.
After eating breakfast, my daughter placed some leftover scrambled eggs in a dog bowl sitting on her back porch. In a few minutes, an American crow flew in and walked over to the dog bowl. It then proceeded to pick out all of the scrambled eggs and drop them on the floor beside the bowl. After eating a bit of the eggs, it slowly sundered out into the yard and began eating dog food scattered on the ground. While the crow was eating the dogfood, a gray squirrel showed up and ate a sliver of the eggs. My daughter said that while dining, the gray squirrel held the food like it was eating a potato chip.
All the while the squirrel was dining, a Carolina wren was loudly fussing as it flew between the house and a nearby planter. The squirrel did not seem upset with the wren’s behavior. My daughter said that while eating, the squirrel sat on its haunches and held the food in its front feet like it would a potato chip.
When the squirrel departed, the wren dropped down and picked up the largest piece of the scrambled eggs and flew off.
This drama lasted only five minutes as my daughter and granddaughter watched drama less than 10 feet away through a glass door.
Now that is the way to start the day!
THE VALUE OF LEAVING DRY CONEFLOWER SEED HEADS
With each passing day, the beautiful coneflower blossoms that adorned our gardens throughout the summer wither and die. When this occurs all that remains are prickly brown seed heads. When this happens often your first impulse is to prune cut them off. If you want to help many of the seed-eating birds that have called your yard home throughout the spring and summer, resist the urge to snip them off.
The reason for this is each seed head contains 200-300 nutritious seeds. Since the seed heads persist into winter, they provide seeding-eating birds with a source of food when food is scarce. Indeed these natural seed feeders are an asset to any backyard.
American goldfinches are particularly fond of the seeds; however, other birds dine on the nutritious seeds too. The list of the birds that compete with goldfinches for this bounty include blue jays, mockingbirds, Carolina chickadees brown-headed nuthatches and cardinals.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A LIVE TRAPPED ARMADILLO?
In reference to the previous post, where to release the animal. This location should be at least 5-10 miles away from where it is caught. However, you cannot release it just anywhere. According to the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, “You should not relocate or release a live-trapped armadillo onto public lands or someone else’s property without explicit permission, and holding a live armadillo requires a permit.” The WRD goes on to say, “If released on private land, you must have the landowner’s written permission.” They also recommend, “Armadillos should be released in suitable wooded habitat with cover and water.”
You should not hold the mammal for any extended period of time since to do so you need a specific state permit.
For more detailed information regarding moving live-trapped armadillos, contact the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division at 706-557-3350.
BACKYARD SECRET – MOURING DOVE NESTS CAN BE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR IN GEORGIA
Remarkably mourning doves can be seen nesting throughout the entire year in Georgia. This is due to the fact that doves are known to nest up from five o six times a year; however, they normally nest only three times a year.
Typically the mourning dove nesting season commences February 1 in South Georgia. In spite of this, the peak of nesting season takes place from May – July.
