Megan's Nature Nook
Nature Notes, Phenology, Photography, Fun Facts, Trips, Maybe Even a Bad Joke or Two... and More!
One of my favorite winter pastimes is snowshoeing. There’s just something fun about traipsing through the woods on top of the snow. I have however been in the situation where you take a step and just keep sinking, wishing you had snowshoes to make walking a bit easier! Our feathered friends, the Ruffed Grouse, don’t have to worry about this! They always have their snowshoes with them when they need them. In fact, they grow their own! As daylight amounts decrease in the fall, this signals the grouse to grow their “snowshoes.” Fringes of scales, like the teeth of a comb grow out from their toes, increasing the surface area of their feet just like snowshoes do for us. These scaly growths are called pectinations. Grouse spend a majority of their time walking instead of flying so these snowshoes help to conserve energy when it means the most in the winter. Around April or May, the pectinations will fall off since they are no longer needed. There are a few other things grouse have and do that help them to survive our Minnesota winters. Unlike many other birds, grouse grow feathers on their legs that help to keep them warm. They also have feathers around their beak that cover their nostrils, acting like our nose hairs to warm the air when you inhale.
If there is deep, fluffy snow (at least 10 inches), grouse spend their days on top of the snow, and nights under it. They will plunge into the snow, then burrow in farther until they’re out of sight. The snow provides insulation, keeps them out of the wind, and safe from predators. Then in the morning they’ll fly out, leaving wing prints on the sides of their tunnel. Who knew these birds were so equipped for snowy winters?
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Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day! Seems like you mention the word "squirrel" and everybody has a story to tell. With squirrels, people seem to either love 'em or hate 'em. If you feed the birds this could go either way for you. Maybe you enjoy watching them scamper around and eat, or you're always plotting against them and trying to stay one step ahead of them to keep them out of the feeders. Either way, squirrels add a little excitement to our yards. I think squirrels are fun to watch and like to see them scampering around under the feeders, but once they're in and on my feeders, then I don't like them as much! When I was younger we used to have bird feeders up in the winter, but the deer and squirrels became too much of a nuisance and were breaking the feeders so we stopped putting them up. Last year since I was going to be around home more in the winter I asked if we could put them up again. I came home one weekend to find this nifty pully system my dad had made to keep the deer and squirrels away from the feeder! The feeder is strategically placed so the squirrels wouldn’t try jumping from the deck or any nearby trees. It is also tall enough that they cannot jump up, and the deer can’t reach it even when standing on their back legs. We did have a mishap of a squirrel being able to get far enough up the slippery PVC pipe to reach the rope and chewed right through it, resulting in the feeder falling and a squirrel feeding frenzy. Since then, the chimney pipe has been installed and that is big enough around and slippery enough that they cannot climb it. Our second feeding station is a shepherd’s hook which is just all too easy for the squirrels to scale and get to the delicious suet. Last year there were numerous times the squirrels would steal the whole suet cake and make off with it, even when I tried to wire it shut, they would just break the other end open! Crafty little buggers. This year I tried something new to keep them off. A childhood favorite, the Slinky has been working well so far! The Slinky hangs down and when the squirrel tries to climb it, it will just stretch down and the squirrel will be on the ground again. So far there have been no suet thieves this year! I was even prepared with using twist ties to keep the suet feeder shut. So far these “squirrel proof” feeders have been working in our yard, even with the five gray squirrels and red squirrel I see scampering around. Hopefully they will continue to work and the squirrels won’t be able to outsmart us once again! Although at times squirrels can be annoying and there just doesn't seem to be a way to stop them, you do have to give them credit. They are smart, creative, acrobatic, strong, little creatures with a whole lot of determination! Take a little time to appreciate them today (and every day). Maybe even toss them a little extra seed under the feeders as a special treat in honor of their special day. Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day! Baldy the Squirrel Update:For those of you that have been following my Blog, in November I wrote a post about Baldy, a little red squirrel that had hair loss. You can read A Squirrel with a Mohawk?! by clicking on the link. Here is a Baldy Update!
In the beginning of December, I thought that I had seen Baldy hanging out under the feeders again. The squirrel looked like it had grown some fur in, but it was still a bit sparse. And the tail was still quite scraggly. I kept trying to get a picture, but with the crunchy snow he would hear me and run off before I could get close enough for a picture. This week while I was watching the feeders during lunch, I saw a little red squirrel that looked just a little different than the others. I used the viewing scope near the window to get a closer look, and sure enough, it looked like Baldy! This squirrel had a not so fluffy tail, and when you looked close there was a nice dark patch of red fur that ran down his back (where the mohawk was), and the sides were a lighter color (where the white fuzz had originally been). Baldy has survived the few cold snaps we’ve gotten and is growing his fur back! It's not the best picture, because I had to Digiscope and take it with phone camera through the viewing scope, but you can still see the color differences! He is facing downward on the post, right under the tan squirrel guard. I'm just happy to see he's doing alright. Have you ever said something to your pet and they seemed to understand? Maybe they meowed or barked a response, or just did something that made you wonder: “How much do they really understand?” In Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence—and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process, by Irene M. Pepperberg studies the cognition of African Grey Parrots. The main star of the book is an African Grey Parrot named Alex. He was bought as a young chick, and Pepperberg and her team did extensive training with him. He knows colors, shapes, numbers, food and even how to say, “I love you.” Throughout the course of the book you will follow Pepperberg through her professional journey from one institution to another bringing Alex and some of his bird friends with. She is someone who sacrificed a lot for her love of birds. It is amazing to read what Alex had learned through training and what he picked up on his own. It really does make you stop and wonder what your pet really understands and what kind of emotions they have. Alex & Me is a little different than other bird books I have read lately since it has a bit more of a science base. Don’t let that scare you away, although there is a science component, Pepperberg does a nice job of explaining things without too much detail so they’re easy to understand. If you’re an animal or even just a bird person, this is a good book for you. It will make you stop and think about what is really going through the heads of those animals you see. Can they understand you? What are they thinking about? I gave Alex & Me 3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, rating it as "liked it." I think it had great content, but towards the end it did seem drag on a little. All together though, it was a good book. Click here for more information about the book. If you know me or have recently read our family’s Christmas Letter, you’ve probably heard me talk about the Poo-Poo Project. It is definitely an interesting name for a project, but I think it is a pretty cool and important one! Here is how I found out about the project, what it is, and how you can get involved: How I Found Out About the Project This summer I happened to stumble upon information about the Teton Raptor Center’s Poo-Poo Project. Tony and I were on a road trip to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and on a whim decided to stop at the Wyoming Game & Fish Visitor Center in Sheridan, Wyoming when we saw a road sign on the side of Hwy 90. Tony was in line waiting to get his Fishes of Wyoming poster while I looked around. I found the Teton Raptor Center’s annual newsletter, The Flight Log, and a brochure about the Poo-Poo Project (link below). After looking over the flyer, I was hooked. I had never thought of how a vault toilet could affect wildlife! I wanted to learn more and see how I could help.
About the Project Each year, thousands of cavity nesting animals, especially birds, are attracted to the dark and narrow vent pipes of vault toilets. The bird enters the pipe and then becomes entrapped in the bottom on the vault, not able to fly or climb out of the slippery-sided pipe. There they sit until they sadly meet their demise. Why would a bird want to go inside a vent pipe? One of the first things that comes to mind when you hear “vault toilet” is probably the smell. This isn’t exactly the scent you want your next candle to be. For the birds though, this isn’t a problem. Most birds, (not Turkey Vultures) do not have a very good sense of smell. Therefore, whether it’s a freshly cleaned vault toilet or not, they don’t care. They’re just looking for a nice dark, safe place to roost or nest. And that is exactly what a vent pipe appears to be. Lots of cavity nesting birds like Owls and American Kestrels do not make their own cavities for roosting and nesting, they rely on old woodpecker holes, natural cavities, or artificial nesting boxes. So again, to them, a vent pipe looks pretty nice! It’s sturdy, dark, and sometimes one of the few nest site options for them. The Teton Raptor Center in Wilson, Wyoming saw this danger that vault toilets posed to wildlife and wanted to help. In 2010, they started by installing 100 ‘rock’ screens in Grand Teton National Park as well as some National Forests in their area. Unfortunately, the rock screens were very expensive, so in 2012 they designed their own Poo-Poo Screens that are much more affordable. From then on, the project has been taking off. Here are their stats as of August 2017:
That is quite the accomplishment for the Teton Raptor Center! All this has happened in the past six years. It wouldn’t be able to happen though without the help of volunteers and others interested in the work the Teton Raptor Center does. My involvement with the Project This summer I brought back the Poo-Poo Project information to the Park Manager at Makoshika State Park in Glendive, Montana where I was working. He thought it sounded like a great project, and I spearheaded the effort of getting them installed at the park. First, we had to go and check all the vault toilets to see if they had any type of existing screen on them already. Not surprisingly, there were no screens, so we ordered 11 for Makoshika and another five for the three other parks the manager was in charge of. We also ordered some Poo-Poo Project stickers, and printed and laminated informational flyers about the project. When the screens were installed, we placed a sticker on the outside of the vent pipe and the flyers on the inside so people could learn more about the Poo-Poo Project and rest assured knowing that they were using a wildlife friendly vault toilet.
By putting stickers and posters on each of the vault toilets, my hope was to get others interested in the project. Maybe I could be the drop of water in the pond to start the ripple effect. Hopefully they would bring the information back home with them or to other places they visit and more people would get to learn about and support the Poo-Poo Project. I know that I pay more attention to vault toilets now than I had before. I always look to see if they have screens or not, and if they don’t I send an email to the organization letting them know about the Poo-Poo Project along with an informational flyer, because most likely they have never heard of it before, and have probably never thought about the effects of vault toilets on wildlife either.
Can you tell that I like this project and think it's an important one?! Not only does it have a fun name, but it also has a great importance! I am always trying to find ways that I can help the environment and the plants and animals that live in it. Spreading the work about the Poo-Poo Project is one way I can help! Is there somewhere you enjoy visiting and know that they have vault toilets? Next time you are there, check to see if they have any vent screens. If not, let them know about the Poo-Poo Project! They can even make custom size screens if they aren't your typical vent pipe size. Or if you would like, you can "Sponsor a Screen" and they will send it to somewhere in need. Go Poo-Poo! More Information For more information about the Poo-Poo Project:
Bald Eagles are one of our hearty birds who stay around for the winter despite Minnesota’s freezing temperatures. Although they are not making a long migratory trek down south to warmer weather, some do make a short migration once lakes and rivers in their breeding grounds freeze over. Some migrate to South East Minnesota along the Mississippi River, while others may migrate to southeastern states. The eagles often don’t have to migrate very far, and end up spending their winter wherever they can find open water. Fish make up a large portion of the eagles’ diet so an open water source is on their “must have” list when looking for a winter residence. Because we are in Minnesota, in the winter there aren’t very many options for the eagles to choose from, resulting in a large congregation of eagles at these open water locations. Colvill Park in Red Wing, Minnesota is one of these places where eagles tend to congregate in the winter. The steam plant releases warm water into the river, causing the river not to fully freeze. Often times the protected bay doesn’t freeze, making it the perfect spot for eagles to hang out. Lots of trees for perching/roosting + open water for catching their meals = great wintering spot. On New Year’s Day, we went to see if any eagles were at the park. I have gone down to Colvill Park previous years and would see a dozen or more, and at the most 20-30 eagles at a time. This year however was a little different; we saw over 200 eagles! It was an amazing sight to see! If you’re in the area, or want to make a trip out of it, this is a great time to check out the eagles! I had never seen this many together in my life! We stayed and watched for quite a while. It was fun to see them soaring around, and we even got to see one catch a fish! There were also some ducks and swans hanging around that were fun to watch, too. If you visit, be sure to bring binoculars or a spotting scope, and a camera. The mature adults are fairly easy to spot because of their white heads, but the immature birds, which are mostly dark brown, tend to blend in more and binoculars will help you spot them. Bundle up if you decide to observe from outside of your car, and if you do stay in the car, make sure you open the window or step out for a little bit to hear the birds calling. On our way home, we stopped at Bay Point Park to see if there were any eagles there. We saw about a dozen, perched in trees and floating down the river on large ice sheets. The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota is also a great place to visit to see eagles, especially in the winter. They have exhibits, educational programs with live eagles, and a viewing area to watch the wild eagles near the river. If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, come on down to Red Wing and see how many eagles you can spot! Then stop at Hanisch Bakery for a tasty treat! Covill Park is located East of Red Wing along highway 61 Bay Point Park is located along the Mississippi near downtown Red Wing Really, if you're in Red Wing, you should stop at Hanisch Bakery! They have delicious donuts, cookies, cakes, breads, coffees, sandwiches, paninis, and more! Find them at 410 W 3rd St in Red Wing. You won't regret it.
A tail-less Cardinal?! I’ve never heard or seen such a thing! But during my most recent FeederWatch shift, this tail-less male Cardinal made an appearance. What in the world happened to this Cardinal and why doesn’t he have any tail feathers? He most likely went through a “fright molt,” also known as a “stress molt” or “shock molt.”
During a fright molt, all the tail feathers are simultaneously ejected from their follicles, leaving the bird tail-less. By doing this, the bird is able to escape from a predator either by leaving it with a mouth or talon full of just feathers, or confusing it by leaving a puff of feathers behind. Similar to how an octopus releases ink to confuse its predators. The bird will be tail-less for four to six weeks until the new feathers grow in. Although they may look a bit silly, the bird is still able to fly and go about its life as usual. Hopefully without any taunting or teasing from the other birdies and squirrels at the feeder. A few weeks ago, during two of my FeederWatch shifts, we had a Cooper’s Hawk swoop through and hang out, looking for a tasty bird treat. Both weeks the hawk was going after the Cardinals, so I have a sneaking suspicion that the Cardinal did a fright molt during a close encounter with the Cooper’s Hawk. Losing a tail is much better than losing your life! |
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