Archives

WHITE ASTERS – STUNNING AND BENEFICIAL

Oct18

          If you ride down a country road in Middle Georgia right now the blossoms of two native plants grab your attention. These plants are goldenrod and white aster.

       Goldenrod is by far the showstopper.  In many locales yellow plumes of goldenrod blanket fields and roadsides.  In some areas, however, goldenrod is sharing Mother Nature’s late summer/early fall floral stage is white aster.  These plants can reach a height of 3 or more feet and during their blooming season this perennial is covered with untold an  untold number of snow-white daisy-like blooms.  A singe plant can literally display a hundred or more of these tiny floral jewels.  At least five species of these native asters grow in Georgia.  Needless to say, separating one species of aster from another can be perplexing, however, the two asters we are apt to see along roads and fields in this neck of the woods are named the smooth oldfield aster or small white aster.  The other plant is called the hairy oldfield white aster or frost aster.     The plants are deer resistant, and often grow in poor, dry soil.   In addition, they bloom up to six weeks.

       In addition to being attractive, they are valuable wildlife plants.  Those asters that bloom in late summer and beyond provide nectar well after many pollinator plants have ceased blooming.  While they are particularly popular with native bees and wasps, they also provided food for butterflies, and even beetles.

      These asters serve as caterpillar host plants for the silvery checkerspot and pearl crescent butterflies.  On top of that, their tiny seeds   are devoured by sparrows and other songbirds.

     The next time you spot mounds of tiny white blossoms festooned on plants growing  along the roadside, stop and admire these native beauties.  After you see them up-close, it is next to impossible not to take a bevy of photos that you will want to share with others.

 

         

DON’T TAKE DOWN ALL OF YOUR HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS

Oct14

        My wife and I saw a hummingbird October 9.  Since we have during the past five days later, we have probably seen our last ruby-throated hummingbird this year. In spite of this, we will continue the maintain a single feeder.  In fact, we take a feeder down.

       There are a couple of reasons for this.  One reason is, there is always the chance that a rubythroat heading toward its winter home.  If one does find our yard, it will benefit from being able to quickly refuel and continue on its migration.

      Another reason is a few rubythoats do spend the winter here.  If they do, our feeder will supplement the food it collects from feeding at yellow-bellied sapsucker holes, and other sources.

       If you do maintain a feeder, you have a chance of attracting a rufous hummingbird. Over the past several decades rufous hummingbirds have wintered here every year. In fact, the rufous hummingbird is the most common hummingbird seen in Georgia during the winter.

       A feeder will give you a chance of seeing another species of hummingbirds that visit the Peach State now and then. This includes such as the black-chinned, calliope, Allen’s and others.

       If you maintain at least one hummingbird feeder throughout the winter, chances are you will not see one of these birds.  If you are lucky, you will be in for a real treat. 

BACKYARD SECRET – WHERE GRAY SQUIRRELS LIVE CAN AFFECT THEIR COLOR

Oct11

       The results of a recently published study conducted in Montreal, Canada by researchers at McGill University suggest where gray squirrels live appears to have an impact on the color of their coats.

       According to the study’s senior author, Allison Roth, the amount of forest cover and other factors found in urban areas seem to affect the color of the animals’ hair.  The researchers learned that the squirrels inhabiting those neighborhoods in the city with colder winter temperatures and more trees are more likely to display black coats. In comparison, squirrels that live in the more urbanized and warmer areas of Montreal were more likely to have gray coats.

       According to the author, “People often think of cities as a single type of environment, but our findings show that conditions animals experience can vary dramatically from one neighborhood to another,” Roth went on to say, “These local differences, along with barriers such as rivers, can shape how wildlife populations evolve, which means we need to look beyond simple urban-rural comparisons to understand adaptation in cities.”

MIGRANTS PASSING IN THE NIGHT

Sep23

       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

Sep20

       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 TIMING OF THE FALL RUBYTHROAT MIGRATION

Aug30

       If you have been feeding hummingbirds, you have probably noticed that the number of rubythroats visiting your feeders has dropped significantly. This reason for this is rubythroats are heading south on their fall migration. Interestingly, the timing of their departure is dependent on their sex and age. Let’s take a quick look at the timing of the migration in Georgia.

       If you take a close look at the birds visiting your feeders, you will notice that currently few adult males are still using your feeders. The reason for this is adult males are the first to leave.  While some adult males will begin migration as early as July, most will leave in August.  The adult females are the next to leave they begin their southward trek in August.  The last to depart are the hummers that hatched this year. Most of these birds migrate in September.

SIMPLE WAY TO ATTRACT MOTHS FOR VIEWING

Aug12

       Far more moths than butterflies inhabit our backyards, however, since most moths are active only at night we rarely catch a glimpse of them.  Here is simple way to enhance your ability to view these amazing gossamer-winged insects.

       Hang a white sheet over one the windows of your house.  Make sure that a bright light is glowing on in inside of the window. If possible, shut off the lights in the rooms adjacent to the sheet-covered window.

       Once the sun goes down, the moths should begin arriving. With a little luck, moths of many sizes and colors will land of the illuminated sheet.  Often the moths drawn to the sheet will not quickly fly away when approached.  This allows you ample time to take fantastic pictures of these amazing creatures. 

       Keep your moth viewing session as brief as possible. Once you remove the sheet, the moths will resume their normal nocturnal activities.

THE BEST HUMMINGBIRD FOOD

Aug9

 

    During July and August Georgians typically feed more ruby-throated hummingbirds than at any other time of the year.  I know that is the case at my home.  For weeks, the demand of sugar water has been so great my wife has been making 20 cups of nectar every other day to keep up with the hummingbirds’ demand for the sugary treat. 

       Whenever you are feeding hummingbirds, you want to be sure that you are feeding them the right food.  With that in mind, here is the recipe for the best hummingbird food.  Boil a mixture containing 4 parts water and 1-part white table sugar for minutes.  Allow the nectar to cool and store in your refrigerator.

       During the extremely hot weather that has been roasting Georgia for weeks, it is best to replace the nectar in your feeders every 3 days or so.

FEEDING BIRDS SEEDS DURING THE SUMMER CAN BE CHALLENGING

Aug5

       Feeding seeds to birds during the summer can be more challenging than during the winter months.  One of the main reasons for this is in the summer the high humidity and heat encourages mold and bacteria to contaminate seeds. As a result, birds that dine on contaminated food are more likely to become infected by a number of diseases. Here are a few tips that will help you prevent this from happening. 

       During the summer, you often have to clean feeders every 3-5 days in order to discourage a buildup of dangerous bacteria and mold.  Clean feeders with soap and water. Follow this up by disinfecting them with a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach.  Dry the feeders before refilling them with seeds.

       Some seeds are safer to use in summer.  One of these is black oil sunflower seed.  These seeds can be fed shelled and unshelled.

       White millet also can resist mold and bacteria however, if you scatter it on the ground, the millet seeds will spoil quicker than they will if fed in feeders.

       Avoid feeding mixed seed during the summer. The reason for this is it contains ingredients that quickly become contaminated (e.g. cracked corn and milo). Peanuts also spoil quickly in humid, hot weather.

 

SHOULD I USE A LAZER WHILE BIRDING?

Aug2

       When you are trying to tell people where a bird is perched high in a tall tree, we all have use terms such as it is at 10 0’clock or is feeding near the third limb from the top of the tree.  While these directions sometimes help another birder find the bird through their binoculars, often the bird vanishes before they locate it.  With that in mind, some birding trip guides and everyday birders are using laser pointers to point out the exact locations of hard to see birds.  While these devices can indeed be helpful, should lasers be used for this purpose?

      The American Birding Association (ABA) states that these instruments should be used with caution.  Since lasers can be stressful to the birds and potentially harmful to birds and humans alike under no circumstances should lasers be aimed directly into the eyes of a bird or human. Instead, point the beam  at an object near the bird.

       If you choose to use a laser, use either a red or green low-power laser pointer rated in the -5mW range.  Using such a device lessens the chance of eye damage.

       In addition, refrain from using the device around birds that are nesting or easily agitated.

       It is also important to remember that under no circumstances should a laser pointer be aimed aircraft, or vehicles,

       Many birders feel the use of laser devices is unethical. As such, each of us has to decide if this potentially valuable bird tool is something they want to use.