Go for a hike in any wooded area and you are bound to see holes in trees. Some may be from branches that have died and fallen off, some may be from one tree falling and hitting another, but many are probably from the percussion section of nature’s band: the woodpecker.
Onward, Into the Light!
Even though winter is in full swing, daylength is increasing each day. Learn about how the photoperiod plays an important role in every aspect of the natural world.
Embracing the Dark
When the late fall and winter dark arrives, most of us retreat into our homes, cozy with warmth and family at this time of year. And yet, there is that other half of day that is mysterious and quiet and has its own set of sounds and smells.
Categories:
Notes from the Land
Caruncle, Wattle, Snood and Beard
Caruncle, wattle, snood and beard, tom, hen, gobble and strut… A new language? Some new rap lyrics? Nope! They all refer to the wild turkey.
The Industrious Residents of Bulrush Slough
Beaver have been residents at Belwin Conservancy on and off for many years, most visibly in Bulrush Slough near the Wetlands Classroom. Beaver are probably best known for building dams that stop water flow to create a pond.
Categories:
Animals
Signs of Spring
It’s oh, so cold out right now! We are donning extra layers and paying attention to fingers and toes that might be prone to frostbite. We are weary and it seems like winter will go on forever. But take heart! We have passed the point of no return and nature is already preparing for the coming spring.
Silence Turns to Sound
If you step outside in the pre-dawn hours at this time of year, you may hear this: nothing. Perhaps as you listen closer, the wind may make its presence known but more often than not, it’s the crisp air and silent landscape that makes this time its own.
A Hidden World Under the Snow
The subnivean zone (Latin for “under snow”) is what makes winter life for mice, voles and shrews a bit easier. This shallow, open space forms under deep, layered snow and can maintain a relatively stable temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Categories:
Animals
Notes from the Land: Great Horned Owls
As the season turns from fall to winter, many of us are hunkering down and staying cozy in our homes. Early darkness and cold can keep us from venturing out; however, if you’re looking for some magic and want a little adventure it’s time to start listening for owls. Their mating season has begun! There… Continue Reading Notes from the Land: Great Horned Owls
Creating Living Landscapes: Why They Matter and What You Can Do to Help
As you drive down any street in any town, city, or even the countryside, what you most likely see are squares of mowed green grass, maybe a flower garden and a few shrubs. These are dead landscapes as far as insects, reptiles, amphibians and birds are concerned. There may not be cover for a bird… Continue Reading Creating Living Landscapes: Why They Matter and What You Can Do to Help
Birds in the Heartland: Aerial Insectivores
Float up, dive down, quick turn, out and back from the twig perch. Graceful, flowing, surprising in their agility as they move through space. This describes the aerial acrobatics of a group of birds that hunt for food “on the fly.” What are they looking for? Any winged or flying insect that would make a… Continue Reading Birds in the Heartland: Aerial Insectivores
Sowing Seed: An Act of Faith
“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. … Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”– Henry David Thoreau Autumn 2010 It’s a partly cloudy morning, temperatures are hovering around 35 degrees,… Continue Reading Sowing Seed: An Act of Faith
Spring Awakening
At the edge of night, the sun pulls down its soothing shade, and peepers creeping from leafy covers tune-up to sing. Who will start this evening’s song with fluted notes that serenade the night? Someone begins, the same song his ancestors sang, and the forest fills with an urgent chorus. It must be high honor… Continue Reading Spring Awakening
