Site Discussions

I love this newsletter, I have learned SO much! Thank you all for every one of these!

This is an excellent piece of natural history writing: personal reflection, concise information, and reference to an expert in the field.  Well done!  So little of this is seen in short nature writing.

I truly enjoyed your article on sparrows and look forward to more!

I hope these fungi are not generalists that will infect and kill insects, spiders, and other arthropods. Insects are an important part of every food chain.  Biocontrols for Gypsy moths have been implicated in massive declines in other moth species in areas where they have been used. Caterpillars are the major food source for birds feeding nestlings.  Birds are showing great declines. BE VERY CAREFUL.

Invasive species are our biggest threat! The Federal Government needs to do all it can to prevent invasive species, at our Ports of Entry into this country, regarding All Imports from foreign countries. Once the invasive species are here, we will Never Get Rid Of Them! Its worth the investment up front.

Working in the woods when the weather is right, is so rewarding! Nice job.

VERY interesting!

I believe that I read F&G captured and sedated a large number of moose every year to inspect and tag them. It was at this point in time, after gestation, that I felt it would be possible to administer sufficient doses of flea and tick medicine to protect the animal from infestation for at least one month. And, perhaps, prevent that hosting of the tick for the winter.  Has that ever been done?

Might it not be just as easy to spread diatomaceous earth in places that moose bed down, without risking unforeseen events?

I have a cellar spider with an egg sac. We are on day 22 and I think they should hatch any day. She has held them in her jaws the whole time except she occasionally sets them in her web while she catches and eats a fly, but she’s never far from them, and rushes back to them if she perceives a threat. She’s definitely a devoted little mama!

I’ve been working on a preserve (as a volunteer) and in the winter getting dead trees and branches on the ground (so that they can rot, and decompose). I don’t touch big snags, because I know they are valuable for wildlife. If a big tree has fallen, I cut the branches that are sticking up, and maybe the top. I don’t actually remove anything, just get it on the ground. Sometimes there are big dead branches caught on saplings and I pull it down, and free the saplings. There are a lot of little dead hemlock trees that died from lack of sunlight. They just snap when you push them. My intention is to make the habitat more productive and healthier. The hemlock stands appear to be devoid of wildlife. Many of the vertical dead branches would take decades to fall and rot. My question is do you think I am making the forest healthier, not making any difference, or making it worse. The main animals I see are chipmunks, deer, some turkeys, ruffed grouse, pileated woodpeckers, barred owl. In general, I’m not seeing a lot of animals. The forest was logged about 30 years ago. Some of the skid roads are still obvious.

Have become fascinated with snowies after my wife and I had a chance encounter with one in Lexington, MI. Was either late November or early December.  Awestruck,  and I think the owl was as surprised as we were!! :)

I just saw the most amazing owl with its patterned wings stretched wide fly right over my car the other day.  It flew along with me as I drove down the road.  Obviously, near the Ocala National Forest it was not a snowy, but the pattern was so intricate, beautiful, and intimidating all at the same time… and it could only be seen with its wings spread.  I would love to see a snowy owl some day.

We found these worms on our property this summer. Is there an entity to which we should report the discovery?

Thanks Brett, for sharing such a nice information. Believe me almost everyone that are using chainsaw have same type of myths.

I think Over-filing the depth gauge point you have explained just for me:)

I will surely share this unique guide with my friends and family.

Thanks again

I am a landowner for the past 50 years and have worked to plant and improve our woodlands and encourage diversity. Working in the woods is truly a blessing. I don’t work full time in the woods because I and a full time remodeling contractors. It is with great respect for people that work full time to improve our environment. God bless and safety always. Brian Petrocine

I really appreciate this article. Friends and I have been looking into B. brevicauda habits and tracks over the past few weeks and this article is both informative and timely.
Thanks!

We have three different types of feeders and a double suet cake feeder in our front yard. Kitchen and living room overlook the yard. Regarding winter, we’ve on occasion had as many 30 morning doves ground feeding the fallen seeds on top of the snow. We have not seen one instance of bullying ever. The real bullies here are the common English sparrows, nipping and snapping with each other and coming into all the feeders like piranhas. And, they come in large flocks, emptying the tube feeder in one day causing me to leave it empty for two or three days on purpose as it takes a few days before they come back after filling. They test the patience of the bigger birds like Cardinals and red headed woodpeckers until they fly off for a quieter feeder I’m supposing. Three pm now and it’s swarming again with dinner time sparrows.

Thanks Chuck,

Been puzzling over this at the new year dinner table, yet again. I think I’ve now got it…

Alec

Thanks Chuck,
I have noticed the daylight versus clock time discrepancy and the only solution I could come up with was that the Earth actually rotated faster in the winter than spring and autumn. This explained the phenomenon but I couldn’t see what mechanism could cause the Earth to rotate faster and slower.
Your explanation makes total sense. At 75 I now understand a bit more about the universe before I die.
Cheers,
Mike H