The Nature of Delaware

By Derek Stoner, Conservation Project Coordinator

At 6:51pm this evening, I watched a male Wood Frog springing across Barley Mill Road, headed straight towards the Ashland marsh.

There’s been no shortage of debate and prognostication about the imminent emergence of the Wood Frogs, and Jim White declared earlier this week that the first Wood Frogs of the year would appear here Thursday night.  Bingo!  With an evening temperature of 56 degrees and rain on the way, the conditions are signaling the frogs to head to the wetlands to breed. 

In recent days, Southern Leopard Frogs and Chorus Frogs were heard calling at various Coastal Plain locations.  Up here in the Piedmont, we regard the Wood Frog as the true herp harbinger of spring.  Now the Spring Peepers can’t be far behind! 

The next week should be fantastic for frog-watching.  Stay tuned for more reports from the frog-field.

Share this post with your friends!

By Derek Stoner, Family Program Coordinator and Linda Chambers, Associate Director Development and Marketing

During the depths of February’s 3-foot snowpack, we had a most curious visitor stop by to visit during the late afternoon.  Linda looked out her window at the snowy landscape and saw this fetching face staring up at her.   Linda recounts her experience:

“As I glanced out my office window, I noticed a sight that took me by surprise. Sitting approximately a foot from the window was the little creature pictured above. With feline movements and features, I found myself captivated with her.

Fascinated by how she was eating sunflower seeds and then grooming herself,  I stood transfixed by the sight. Not sure if I should be alarmed, I quickly sought out Derek who assured me that in this harsh weather, it was perfectly fine to see a nocturnal creature out at this time of day.”

Virginia Opossums are North America’s only native marsupial, giving birth to undeveloped young the size of bumblebees.  The babies live in the mother’s pouch for two months, nursing on one of her 13 nipples.  Upon emerging from the pouch, the babies hitch a ride on the mother’s back as she travels about in search of food.

True omnivores, possums will consume just about any plant or animal matter.  Using their excellent sense of smell (thus the long snout), they search for insects, worms, fruits and seeds, small mammals, and carrion like road-kill.   The possum has 50 teeth, the most of any mammal, and uses them to great advantage when chewing on meat. 

The possum’s pink, prehensile tail helps them balance when climbing in trees but is not used to hang from, despite the popular folklore.  Because of their slow manner of moving, possum’s employ a unique survival technique when confronted by a predator: playing dead!  Curling up in ball, the crafty possum tries to avoid being eaten by ”playing possum.” 

We wish our special visitor the best as she goes about caring for her babies and raising the next generation of native marsupials.

References:   Kaufman, K.  Mammals of North America.  2004. Houghton Mifflin.

Share this post with your friends!

By Derek Stoner, Family Program Coordinator

Two girls for every guy? For waterfowl, its usually more like two guys for every girl! Hooded Mergansers by Derek Stoner.

March is perhaps the most critical month in the world of waterfowl.  Food resources are at the lowest point of the whole year, birds are stressed from a  long and cold winter, and Mother Nature is suddenly telling them to travel long distances.

What’s this all about?  It’s mating season!  Male ducks (drakes) are vying for the attention of the females (hens), trying to impress the girls by showing off their bright colors and performing elaborate displays.  Throwing the head back, puffing the chest, quacking loudly– all part of the male ducks repertoire of “show off” moves to impress the ladies.  They have a lot of competition, too, because there are always more males than females in waterfowl populations.

A handsome drake American Wigeon shows off his "bald pate" or white crown patch. Image by Derek Stoner.

March is also the month when many waterfowl begin the long journey back to their breeding grounds.  For Snow Geese, that may mean a journey of several thousand miles to the Arctic Tundra.  For Northern Shovelers and American Wigeon, that may mean flying northwest to the northern plains, where they nest in Prairie Pothole country.

A beautiful hen Wood Duck waiting for the attentions of the rainbow-hued male Wood Duck. Image by Derek Stoner.

For other waterfowl, like Wood Ducks, that may mean a short trip from the southeastern United States to breed in a marsh in Delaware.  The first Wood Ducks are just starting to arrive back in Delaware right now, so keep an eye out for these colorful ducks along local streams and ponds in coming weeks.

There’s lots of great waterfowl to watch in the month of March, with up to 35 species of swans, geese and ducks passing through Delaware on their northward migration.  Stay tuned for reports from upcoming DNS trips as we pursue the wonderful world of waterfowl.

Register for the March Migrants and Breakfast at the Dupont Environmental Education Center – March 5; Delaware Duck Day – March 7; Chester County Waterfowl and Country Tour – March 10; and Wolves and Waterfowl (family program) – March 14.  For more information on these programs, click here.

Share this post with your friends!

White-necked Jacobin, a spectacular species of hummingbird. Photo by Angie Dunson

The country of Trinidad and Tobago is located off the northeastern coast of South America (Venezuela).  Trinidad, the larger island is shaped like a boot and is about 26 miles southwest of its sister island, Tobago.  Though considered part of the Caribbean island chain, they are geologically and biologically extensions of mainland South America.

A view of the rain forest from the veranda at the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Photo by Joe Sebastiani.

   The 2010 Trinidad trip will take you to rainforest, freshwater marsh, savannah, mangrove, and coastal habitat.  Though birds are a major focus of the trip, Trinidad boasts hundreds of species of butterflies, flowering plants, and a healthy diversity of animals including amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.  

A Nocturnal Oilbird perches on a cave wall at the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Photo by Mike Riska.

Two unique features of the trip are visits to see Leatherback Sea Turtles and the nocturnal Oilbirds.  The Leatherback is the world’s largest turtle and return to Trinidad’s Atlantic Coast to nest each year.   Oilbirds, the only nocturnal, fruit-eating bird in the world, navigate using echolocation.  Asa Wright hosts the world’s most accessible colony. 

I will be conducting two preview nights complete with a powerpoint presentation and short video about Trinidad, its wildlife, and what you can expect on the trip in June.  If nothing else, come out and enjoy some complimentary snacks and Rum Punch!  See below for dates and time.

Leatherback Sea Turtle on the beach laying eggs. Photo by Mike Riska

 

Trinidad Ecotour Preview Evenings 

Thursday, March 4, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin 

To register or for more information, call (302) 239-2334 or email Joe Sebastiani. 

Sunday, March 14, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, Milford 

To register or for more information, call (302) 422-0847 or email Jason Beale. 

Share this post with your friends!