Archive for 'Habitat' Category
Rock Squirrel under porch (new species observed)
- Pulled up dead ragweed stems at river bottom
- Continued waterings
Caretaker's note: Central Texas summers are naturally very hot. This year the long drought added to the extreme heat, causing stress on both plants and animals. Even though watersto_jennystone has full access to the Blanco River, birds and animals benefit from a variety of watering sources scattered throughout the uplands. This water spray is simple and inexpensive. Set the water hose spray nozzle to a wide pattern, point upward and leave on for a few hours in the afternoon to water both plants and birds. Many species of birds frequent the spray, frolicking and bathing.
Posted in
2006 Journal, Census, Habitat
- Saw Nighthawk
- Giant Swallowtail
- Watered all plantings
- Removed Box Elders at river bottom in elderberry patch
Caretaker's note: The Box elders are a native tree common along river bottoms. Like Juniper, however, they can become invasive. By thinning the small trees, there is now more sunlight and room for other species to grow. In this case, we are encouraging elderberries which are an important food source for birds.
Posted in
2006 Journal, Census, Habitat
- Caged last blooming yucca at gate
- Improved cages around red yuccas throughout
- Improved cages for Passion Vine at house
- Antelope Horn
- Monarch
- Juniper Hairstreak
Posted in
2006 Journal, Census, Habitat
- Planted White Salvia near pond
- Moved rocks and beefed up swales near barn at feeding area, 44 feet long. After measuring the shape of the natural contours of the land, arranged rocks, logs and leaf debris along contour line. This allows for rain water to slow down, avoid erosion and seep into the ground longer. The larger and heavier the rocks, the less often it needs repair and maintenance.
Posted in
2006 Journal, Habitat, Erosion
New plants introduced (from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Spring plant sale and Natural Gardener):
- Elbow bush
- Bee brush
- 2 Lantana
- 2 Black Foot Daisy
- 2 Verbena
- 1 Pink Primrose
- 1 Wine Cup
- 1 6-pack variety
- 1 Butterfly Bush (red/purple)
- 1 Datura
- 2 coral honeysuckle
- 1 Damianta
- 1 Indigo Spires
- 1 Crossvine
- 2 Butterfly Bush (with monarch caterpillars!)
Caretaker's note: This Butterfly Bush was purchased at the Natural Gardener Nursery and came with 2 monarch caterpillars already feeding on the plant. This way we introduced both the host plant for the monarch butterfly and at the same time, added monarch caterpillars to the land.
Posted in
2006 Journal, Census, Habitat
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