SCIOTO VALLEY BIRD AND NATURE CLUB SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO

HOPEWELL CULTURE NHP

Along The Nature Trail   June 06, 2008

The day was quite hot with temperatures in the 90's, but there was a very brisk wind. I hadn't planned to go out on the high wind made it unlikely that I would see many birds and the cicadas calling made it very unlikely that I would hear them either unless they were very close. It's about that time when most of the spring flowers have gone and the summer flowers haven't gotten started. There were several grasses in bloom, but I don't know many of them. I saw Orchard Grass, Brome Grass, Wild Rye, and Blue grass. Probably the best flower I found was a singe small specimen of Venus's Looking Glass growing in a patch of Poison Ivy right beside the path.. It was just by chance that I saw it at all. The plant was only about six inches high, but is easily identified by its five blue petals and leaves that encircle the stem. Its species name is perfoliata describing the lead attachment. Japanese Honeysuckle was in full bloom perfuming the air with its sweet scent. An interesting flower not often seen on this train was the White Campion. The blackberry and raspberry are setting on fruit and in one place the trail was covered with ripe mulberries. In another, the mulberry branches were heavy with unripe fruit. The final interesting flower groups of King Devil, one of the hawkweeds. Its yellow flowers look a lot like Dandelions, but the flowers are in groups of about eight at the end of a tall stalk.

It is very hard to describe the experience of being the center of a cicada eruption. The word is quite apropos since the insects seem to erupt from the soil and around the bases of trees, the ground is littered with holes where the nymphs have emerged. From a distance there is a very strange whine, but as one gets closer, individual "songs" become discernable. As opposed to the large cicadas of late summer, the Periodic Cicada's song is a simple high-pitched trill. Once in the center of the woods, the sound becomes almost deafening, at least to some people. I really enjoy it. Where else can one be aware of literally millions of other living things at close range? Besides hearing them, they can be seen flying everywhere. I tried to estimate those flying within eyesight but gave it up. For each one seen flying, at least ten were sitting quietly on trees, or leaves, or anything else they can be supported on until they fly fly. After mating, the females will cut a slit in a twig and lay her egg. The nymph hatches and cuts off the twig. When the twig falls to the ground, the nymph burrows  into the soil and begins its seventeen year development until time to emerge and start the cycle again. Before the twig falls, its leaves die, and show up as patches of brown show up all over the tree. This "natural pruning" doesn't seem to harm the tree. The photo below was taken at the Earl Barnhart Nature Preserve on June 28, 2008.

Block Busting Birders

3rd Annual Bird Festival at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

Birdfest 2007 Photos       Press BACK ARROW to return.

Spring Events 2007

Feb. 17, Saturday: Meet 7:15 am at Hopeton Earthworks unit for some early morning birding as part of the 10th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count. For more information visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc

Mid-March, late-May, June: Pond-breeding salamander survey at Hopewell Mound Group (3rd year). Help find the elusive salamanders and their eggs in our pond. Specific dates and times will be available once favorable weather and temperatures are achieved.

May 5, Saturday: 3rd Annual Bird Festival at Mound City Group. Once again we're hoping to count on bird club members to assist with various activities such as bird walks, bird banding, bird-related activities, and more. Any suggestions for activities are welcome!

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

On a slightly hot summer night in late July, a bunch of non-paid, hard-working VIPs gathered together to get what they deserved- much gratitude from Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. These Volunteers-In-Parks have contributed 4,463 hours of their precious time in the past two years and have improved the park in so many ways! Volunteer efforts range from restoration of native trees, grasses, and forbs, bird research, education, and appreciation, recycling, educational programs, archeological research, frog and toad surveys, pond-breeding salamander surveys, mussel identification and collection, invasive plant control, and insect identification, collection, and preservation.  

Hot lasagna, warm bread, fresh salad, and wonderful pies started out the evening, with approximately 35 volunteers munching away. An after-dinner presentation was prepared by the park's Student Conservation Association Interns, Kristen Byler, Rachel Stinson, and Daniel Watson. They dramatically shared their experiences tackling invasive plants and other projects, under the tutelage of their fearless leader and "Colonel"- Constance Jones.  

Once their story had been told, Chief of Interpretation Rick Perkins recognized and awarded certificates and gifts of appreciation to every volunteer. Of special significance were the extraordinary efforts of six individuals who volunteered more than 100 hours in the past 2 years - Ralph Keaton (1,483 hours), Joe McMahon (213 hours), Bill Partee (145 hours), Ethan Jones (140 hours), Troy Moore (118), and Dave Hess (101 hours).  

This park has been very fortunate to be surrounded by folks who care for its resources. The resources may not be able to say "thank you," but we hope the Volunteer Appreciation dinner can show in some small way the gratitude park staff feel for our volunteers.  

Thank you!  

Along The Nature Trail   August 17, 2006

Constance Jones and I took a tour around the Nature Trail today. As might be expected, the bird life was rather sparse The high points were both Black-billed Cuckoo and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Soaring over the area, we picked up Both Black and Turkey Vultures. I had hoped to get a good picture of the Small-flowered Laefcup, but I was too late. The flowers were all gone. I have been following the progression of this tall, rank smelling plant. When I first began following the Nature Trail, it was confined to a small area along the Service Road leading north from the Resource Building. Now it has spread all the way to the river and is beginning to move along the trail. It seems to be concentrated along the road and is taking over the area formerly occupied by the Tall Bellflower. Personally, I would rather have the bellflower, but both are native plants. I suppose the succession is just doing its thing. Who knows what will take over next?

By far the highlight of the tour was Constance's spotting a beautiful larva of the Pandorus Sphinx moth. It was hanging on truck of a small mulberry tree. Judging from its size, it was heading to the ground to form the pupa stage. The preferred food of this moth is Virginia Creeper, and the tree had a vine climbing up toward the sun. The adult of this caterpillar is one of our largest sphinx moths. It is a beautiful mottled green moth with a wingspan of about four inches.

August 23,2006

BIRDS

American Goldfinch
Carolina Wren
Northern Cardinal
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Great Crested Flycatcher
Downy Woodpecker
American Robin
American Crow

FLOWERS

BUTTERFLIES

OTHER INSECTS

Pandorus Sphinx larva in defensive posture Photo       Press BACK ARROW to return.

Along the Nature Trail?    April 19, 2006

I took a tour around the Nature Trail this afternoon, the first for this year. The weather was warm and a little breezy. The following are the birds I recorded, plants in bloom, and butterflies seen:

BIRDS

House Wren
Blue Jay
Carolina Wren
Northern Flicker
House Finch
Brown-headed Cowbird
Carolina Chickadee
Chipping Sparrow
American Robin
Northern Cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Indigo Bunting
American Goldfinch
Yellow-throated Vireo
Great Crested Flycatcher
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Rough-winded Swallow
White-throated Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Brown Thrasher
Eastern Towhee
Mourning Dove
White-breasted Nuthatch
Yellow-rumped Warbler
House Sparrow

Plants in Bloom

Common Chickweed
Purple Dead-nettle
Dandelion
Yellow Corydalis
Garlic Mustard
Small-flowered Buttercup
Periwinkle
Ohio Buckeye
Common Blue Violet
Virginia Bluebell
Golden Ragwort
Redbud
Flowering Dogwood
Gill-over-the-Ground
Tartarian Honeysuckle
Wild Geranium
Plum

Butterflies

Falcate Orange-tip
Cabbage White
Tiger Swallowtail
Clouded Sulfur
Mourning Cloak
Spring Azure
Elfin (sp.)p

Purple Deal Nettle Photo       Press BACK ARROW to return.

Dandelion Photo       Press BACK ARROW to return.

Virginia Bluebell Photo       Press BACK ARROW to return.

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