Creek Week March 19-26!

Did you know that it’s Creek Week here in Durham? Creek Week provides opportunities for Durham residents to discover and explore local streams and lakes through educational programs and recreational activities and to do their part to protect waterways through volunteer projects. The good folks at Durham Parks and Recreation and the Haw River Association stopped by the Wetlands here at the Museum on Wednesday and brought along with them various aquatic macroinvertebrates for the Museum’s visitors to investigate. If youRead more
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Will they stay or will they go!

The latest that I’ve observed Hooded Mergansers in the Wetlands was April 10 back in 2009 when a lone female was seen taking off from the water of the Wetlands, circled to gain altitude and left for points unknown. Typically, they leave by the last week in March. There have been 10-13 individuals in the Wetlands for the past several weeks, mostly females. There are three adult males and at least one male in immature plumage. The pair in theRead more

It’s all happening so fast…

Last year the dogwood was in bloom too early and a cold snap ruined the fruit crop the following fall. There were very few berries on the trees. Another Ground Skink. Ground Skinks, like many lizards, have the ability to regrow a tail that was lost due to predation or careless behavior. The tail usually doesn’t grow back as long or attractive as the original, and it is energy expensive, but it may save the lizards life. A predator isRead more
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Herpetological Happenings: Toads, Skinks, and Snakes!

Toads. American Toads (Bufo americanus) were out mating on Saturday (3/19/11). I’d seen their eggs previously but they were out in force this past weekend! There were at least 6 toads swimming around in the filter that cleans the water in the pond at the Black Bear Exhibit. The toads were oblivious to where they were, concerned only with passing on their genes. Skinks. Snakes.   More to come!!Read more
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More Signs of Spring!

The turtles were out in force on the logs, rocks, and any other surface that lends itself to basking yesterday (3/17/11). The first Common Snapping Turtles of the season were spotted yesterday as well. The American Toad that I heard in Catch the Wind last Thursday (3/3/11) was busy in the U-shaped pond next to the Ornithopter. And, several times during the past week or so I’ve witnessed the Red-shouldered Hawks mating. There’s a lot of aerial display, loud screechingRead more

Mourning Cloak and Bluebirds

The Mourning Cloak (nymphalis antiopa) in the above photo was not the first of its species to be seen at the Museum this season, but it was the first that allowed a close enough approach to be photographed. Before this butterfly posed for its picture, it had been fluttering about the upper branches of an elm tree in Catch the Wind, apparently searching for a fresh leaf on which to lay its eggs. There were many flowers, seeds and leaf budsRead more

Early Blooming Willow and Violet

There are willows currently in bloom on the north side of the Wetlands. Not the Black Willows which will be in flower next month and which dominate the Wetlands, but much smaller trees of a different species. There are only five of these slender trees on the property. Each year as these trees come into bloom I vow that I’m going to identify them once and for all. I soon put aside that vow due to all of the otherRead more