There’s not much to report this week. All nests appear to be inactive. The only nest that showed any change at all was the nest in the nest box at the Cow Pasture. It seems a house wren brought in a few twigs to top off the bluebird nest that was already there. By this time each year there’s usually a second brood of bluebirds in one of our six nest boxes. We’ve had 21 fledged birds so far, 15 bluebirdsRead more
Bluebird Upate 6.7.16
The only thing to report, in regards to our bluebird trail, is the fact that nothing has changed. All of the nest boxes are as they were last week. There have been no new nests built and no eggs have been deposited in nests that already exist (bluebird at Cow Pasture and house wren at Butterfly House). Typically in June, we would have two, perhaps three, active nests. Each nest would contain three or four eggs or nestlings. It’s stillRead more
Ode #40
Up until May 27th of this year I had seen 39 species of odes (odonata – dragonflies and damselflies) here at the Museum. There are now 40 species on the list. Common sanddragons (Progomphus obscurus) are not rare. In fact, as the name implies, they are quite common, although they’re probably more common on the coastal plain than here on the piedmont. These dragons prefer sandy bottomed streams and rivers. Sandy bottomed streams are more prevelant east and south ofRead more
Bluebird Update 5.31.16
Last week, I had predicted that there would be a completed nest and at least two eggs in the nest at the Amphimeadow. I also stated that I tend to be wrong in my predictions. The trend continues. There has been no further nest material added to the nest at the Amphimeadow, and of course, there are no eggs in the nest. Although there are three empty nest boxes, there has been activity in two of the boxes. One nestRead more
A Couple More Snakes
Here are photos of two snakes that are common to our area, one venomous the other non-venomous. I’ve discussed the difference between these two species in this blog on several occasions but this is simply a series of photos of the two, a copperhead and a northern water snake. Notice how variable northern water snakes are (below). Know what you’re looking at and watch your step as you go along.Read more
Bluebird Update 5.24.16
Things have been slow on the Museum of Life and Science Bluebird Trail. Four of the nest boxes have seen no activity and two of them minimal industry. One house wren and one bluebird have been the only interested parties concerning the nest boxes. The Cow Pasture nest remains empty as does the nest box next to the Bungee Jump (Take Off!). The Sailboat Pond nest has had no activity in the past four weeks. The Amphimeadow nest box hasRead more
Two Snakes
It can sometimes (often) be confusing as to what species of snake you’re looking at when you come across one on a trek along your favorite hiking trail, your backyard, or here at the Museum. I’ve often stated on this blog the clear difference between copperheads and other non-venomous snakes here at the Museum. But there are two species which even confuse me at times. The black rat snake and black racer are both common snakes here at the Museum.Read more
Bluebird Update 5.17.16
We currently have four nest boxes which have nest material within (pine straw, grass, twigs, etc.). One is the work of a bluebird, the other three house wrens. Only one of the house wren nests appear to be active. Two others are not complete after having been started weeks ago. Two of the nest boxes have no material in them at all, they are empty. The Cow Pasture nest box is empty. It has so far fledged five bluebirds. TheRead more
Three Birds
On Tuesday May 3, I spotted a blue jay-size bird in a large tree overhanging the path near Catch the Wind. It was backlit, no color visible. I could tell by the way the bird moved that it was anything but a bluejay. It was motionless except for slow movements of its head. It methodically moved its head up and down, left to right, and from side to side. It was inspecting the leaves and branches for prey, caterpillars. This,Read more