April 27 2013

• Removed invasive Brazilian Vervain
• Began preparations for "Sustain the Migration Kit" from Native American Seed - Antelope Horn, Green Milkweed, Butterfly Weed

Posted in Habitat, 2013 Journal

April 20 2013

• Saw two Dung Beetles pushing a dung ball down the road. The male and female were cooperating with one beetle in front pulling and the other beetle in the back pushing. They would stop and one would try to dig a hole in the ground for the dung ball, give up and move on repeatedly. The caretakers finally moved the two beetles with the dung ball to an area of soft soil to ensure their success.
• Saw two young Rock Squirrels exploring the yard.
• Planted native pond edge plants- Bigfoot Clover, Fall Obedient plant, Dixie Iris
• Added tree cuttings to berm at the pond to catch dirt
• Saw and caged Pipevine grass mimic after seeing a Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly ovapositing on the leaves. The cage is marked and the road is re-reouted around the plant.

Pipevine plant is a grass mimic, only noticed because a Pipevine Swallowtail was seen laying eggs on it. The orange tape surrounds a small cage for indentification and protection.

Posted in Census, Habitat, Erosion, 2013 Journal

April 13 2013

• Saw Coral Snake
• Planted "Hummers and Singers" Seed mix from Native American Seed in a cage with compost-Greenthread, Bush Sunflower, Partridge Pea, American Basketflower, Purple Coneflower, Cutleaf Daisy, Illinois Bundleflower, Lemon Mint, Drummond Phlox, Purple Prairie Clover, White Gaura, Black-Eyed Susan, Maximillain Sunflower, Gayfeather, Scarlet Sage, Standing Cypress, Butterfly Weed, Mealy Blue Sage, Winecup, Pink Evening Primrose, Foxglove
• Planted water lilly in large pond (Deer ate it)
• Planted Cup Grass seeds in front yard for Painted Bunting
• Saw Painted Bunting
• Saw Indigo Bunting
• Saw Golden-cheeked Warbler at water spray
  

Golden-cheeked Warbler bathing in water spray

Posted in Census, Habitat, 2013 Journal

April 10 2013

• Refreshed Hummingbird feeders
• 1/4 inch rain!
• Saw female Turkey
• Saw Garter Snake while re-arranging wood pile storage

Posted in Census, Habitat, Food, 2013 Journal

April 08 2013

• Heard Golden-cheeked Warbler
• Transplanted 2 volunteer Cedar Elms away from the house into cages near driveway where many Cedar Elms have died from drought or beetles.

Volunteer Cedar Elm was transplanted away from the house, they are 8 inches tall.

Posted in Census, Habitat, 2013 Journal