The City of Dublin

Ohio Nature Ed 

There are a lot of wonderful programs out there. Here are a few offered through Ohio Nature Ed!

We invite you to participate in an exclusive education session on Bluebird Box Maintenance from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the City of Dublin Service Center, 6555 Shier Rings Road. 

Eastern Bluebirds are a combination of the color of sky and happiness, and the beautiful blue of their feathers lightens the hearts of our residents. We have created a volunteer program to ensure continued success of this bird.

 This core network of trained volunteers will maintain bluebird boxes in our parks.  Bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they need a tree or other type of cavity to nest in but can not build it themselves.  They typically rely on woodpecker cavities or human structures such as bird boxes.  By establishing bluebird trails throughout Dublin, we can insure healthy populations of bluebirds for generations to come. Bluebird boxes also benefit other native secondary cavity nesters such as Tree Swallows, Chickadees and Tufted Titmice.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Míme Migliore at 614.410.4730 or mmigliore@dublin.oh.us.

We are very excited for another year of activities! Our first event of the New Year is our annual Bluebird Box training program. We’d love to have you join us, even if you just want to learn about tending to boxes in your own yard! We’ll be meeting February 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Dublin Service Center. Please RSVP  (410-4730 or mmigliore@dublin.oh.us) if you plan to attend.

I appreciate the sounds of winter. Although bone-chilling temperatures and grey skies are challenging, there’s something about wind howling through the tops of pine trees that provokes a feeling of security in me. Perhaps the tall trees still covered with green afford enough shelter to keep me from feeling exposed. Brandon Park with its two small stands of pines is a great place to experience this in Dublin.

I was recently in Brandon Park and as I made my way along the path I heard a pair of red-tailed hawks “keeer-r-r” (as Peterson’s guide describes it) overhead. No doubt they were a mated pair bonding in their own bird way. Their calls can pertain to territory and they often call while soaring.

I also heard the calls of chickadees and wondered if they were warning calls announcing my presence. Chickadees mate for life but travel in loose flocks during winter months and disperse with their mate as temperatures warm. Flocks have a pecking order and within these social groups, birds are highly conversational. As a matter of fact, researchers at the University of Tennessee have been studying their language. What sounds like a common “Chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call will have very subtle nuances providing important information for other birds about food, predators and cover. Researcher Chris Templeton of the University of Washington in Seattle suggests that black-capped chickadees have “one of the most sophisticated means of communication discovered in animals”.  However, researchers agree that there is much to learn.

Amazingly, even on the coldest days the nasal like “yank” (again Peterson’s description) of nuthatches is enjoyable and helps me locate this small bird foraging in trees. Interestingly, nuthatches often join chickadee flocks in colder months. Most believe flocking helps with safety (more eyes to see predators) and food finding (more eyes to find food).  Regardless, it’s a light hearted experience on a cold winter day.

What have you been hearing this winter?

The anticipation of a gift can be exhilarating. Waiting with expectation for something good can fill the senses and keep us on our toes. This feeling is often evident in children during the holidays and I am reminded of times when I too feel anticipation of something good in the world outside.

I’ve been told from time to time that I’m like my grandfather. He died before I was born; but he loved nature and gardening and spent many days fishing. My mom has shared that there were times when she’d drop him off to fish on her way to work and pick him up as she returned. She’d ask him if he’d caught anything and many times he’d reply “no”. She’d then ask if he’d like to go the next day. He always said yes.  I think his love of nature and the anticipation that comes from possibility of good things to come kept him going back.  

Anticipation entices me to cast one more time when I’m fishing. Anticipation keeps me at the river’s edge hoping to catch a glimpse of an eagle or neat water fowl.   It draws me from my bed before sunrise to peer into a magical world of blue hues, even when I have the chance to sleep in. I have been rewarded and this keeps me anticipating. I’ve seen opossums, raccoons, groundhogs, birds of prey, red fox, the neighbor’s cat and deer. I’ve been present for the start of the symphony of bird song. I’ve watched the spider spin her web.

Nature has many great gifts to offer this time of year. Even with less daylight you might catch a glimpse of an owl as you walk through Indian Run Falls Park. Bald Eagles are already being spotted on the Scioto River and sightings will increase as the water north of the dam freezes. Remember animals look larger this time of year and are often easier to spot because of the lack of vegetation.

We anticipate happy holidays for all of you and look forward to hearing about your animal sightings!

Another Indian summer has passed. They are such a gift, allowing us to hang on a bit longer to summer. Monday I watched a Viceroy Butterfly make its way across Avery Road. Of course there are other remnants. Flowers tucked low to the ground and under vegetation are still blooming; escaping frosts for now. I’ve also noticed a few snakes along the bike path at M.L. Red Trabue; small Garter snakes soaking up the sun.

They will soon be in their winter hibernaculum which can simply be a crevice, hole or burrow where they will brumate. Brumation is for reptiles as hibernating is for mammals. However, reptiles will not enter sleep but rather just slow body functions down. They can become active again if there are a few warm days. A reptile might even drink something during this time but will typically not eat, relying on body fat to get through the winter.

Despite the flitting butterfly and sunning snakes, I know colder weather is here to stay. Far more critters show signs of preparation. Squirrels are on a rampage at my house, tearing down a feeder to get to sunflower seeds. I’ve watched them walk the fence with a nut in their mouth, no doubt burying it for use this winter. I’ve still seen woodchucks but it’s only a matter of time before they hibernate. Bats have made their way to winter roosts far from my home and of course large flocks of Canada geese have been flying about the area.

I too have prepared. The winter boots and coats are out and summer sandals tucked away.   I’ve cut back many perennials and put sticks in a corner of the pond for fish cover. I’m certain the heron will be looking for an easy snack. The hustle and bustle of fall harvest is slowly coming to an end and we will all envy the woodchuck at some point.

I hope your cold weather preparations have been wonderful and your November special. As always, we are thankful to be involved with so many wonderful residents. Happy Thanksgiving.

The (Not So) Amazing Migration of the Woolly Bear Caterpillar (10-17-11) I drove from Powell to Delaware as I always do on Monday afternoons, but today was an especially gorgeous autumn afternoon in central Ohio. The tree foliage was near peak fall color; bright blue sky; crisp air; nice breeze. I rolled down the window to take it all in – the sights, sounds and smells of a beautiful autumn afternoon. I was careful during the trip, however, because this seems to be the time of year of the (not so) amazing migration of the Woolly Bear Caterpillar. I spotted 6 of them on the pavement during my journey, small furry bits of punctuation on the pavement. Some were heading west and others east on their long trek across the roadway. The challenge for me, of course, was to make sure my car tires did not transform these intriguing little furry commas into flattened exclamation points! Last month, I was dodging monarch butterflies. This month, it is the Woolly Bear. So where were they headed and why? I did a little research and discovered that these caterpillars had recently hatched from their eggs which is why we see so many of them in October. The Woolly Bear will over-winter in their caterpillar form, becoming dormant. In early spring, they will become active once more, spin themselves into a cocoon, and emerge as Isabella Tiger Moths. So as Dorothy would say while skipping down the yellow brick road, “…Tigers and bears, Oh My!!” Most of us are familiar with the superstition that the amount of black in the caterpillar’s bristly coat forecasts the severity of the upcoming winter. Actually, the prevalence of black in its coloration indicates how near the caterpillar is to full growth before autumn weather stimulates it to seek winter shelter. Newly hatched Woolly Bears have more black coloration. Their rusty orange middles will become more prevalent as they mature and near their readiness for winter. The caterpillars survive harsh winter freezes by burrowing under leaf litter and producing a cryoprotectant in their tissues. Vermilion, Ohio celebrates its Woollybear Festival early in October. This event is the largest one-day festival in Ohio including a parade complete with floats, Woollybear races (actual caterpillars and people dressed as caterpillars), costume competition (people and pets), etc. This year, over 100,000 people attended the event. So Ohio’s largest festival celebrates these furry little critters. Unlike many other species of caterpillars which require specific host plants, the Woolly Bear is a generalist feeder. I read that you can over-winter one yourself by feeding it fresh grass daily in a suitable container (with air holes) until it goes into its dormant winter stage. During winter, discontinue feeding, place crumbled dry leaves in there for shelter, and keep the container outside in a cold protected area such as a covered porch until early spring when grass begins to grow once more. When caterpillar awakens from its slumber, feed it again and it will pupate, spinning a cocoon, and eventually hatch into its adult form, the Isabella Tiger Moth. This seems like a fun activity/science experiment to do with children and you could measure the caterpillar’s rusty middle section to see if it really does grow over time. Woolly Bears curl up and “play dead” when handled so the measuring may take some patience. So the question remains in my mind and I have not found a definitive answer. “Why does the Woolly Bear cross the road?” What instigates this (not so) amazing migration across the pavement? As a generalist feeder, the Woolly Bear has plenty to eat on its original side of the road, but perhaps it believes the grass to be greener on the other side? Does the warm pavement feel nice against its body on a crisp autumn day? Is it looking for leaf litter to crawl into to begin its long dormant stretch through winter? Is it an amazing colorful daredevil dodging speeding car tires for fun? You be the judge and please let me know if you figure out the answer. In the meantime, I hope the local traffic police will believe my story if I am pulled over for my slightly erratic driving during the (not so) amazing migration of the Woolly Bear caterpillars. Madame WingNut An experienced monitor of over a dozen Bluebird Trails in central and northern Ohio, Madame WingNut enjoys all creatures that fly, regardless of their stage of development.

Hi everyone,

Please visit the volunteer page for Make a Difference Day volunteer opportunities.

I recently came across these mushrooms.

Happy October! I’ve been out and about and with the cool, moist temperatures I’ve been seeing some great mushrooms in many colors and shapes. I decided to write about them this month. Mushrooms, yeast and molds belong to the Kingdom Fungi. They’re often grouped with plants but structurally they’re incredibly different and they do not photosynthesize. Fungi break down organic matter and this can be detrimental or beneficial. Moldy bread can be a real bummer but I appreciate seeing the white threads of fungi in my compost bin.  No one wants athlete’s foot or black mold in their home, although I do like seeing mushrooms in my yard. 

I was fortunate to take a mycology (fungi) class in college. We had no text books but used the fall, Ohio landscape as our study guide. I remember exploring through woodlots, riparian zones and fencerows looking for new varieties of fungi. With over 2,000 types in Ohio we were busy. I’ve always enjoyed poking around and it was a thrill to find a bright orange Jack-o-lantern mushroom or a Giant Puffball. Even the smallest, delicate mushrooms would draw in the class. I remember oohs and ahs as well as pews as we came across many varieties including stinkhorns. Yes, the name says it all.

My class also visited edible mushroom growers in Hillsboro, Ohio. We were treated to tours of temperature, humidity and light controlled rooms and shown the medium in which different types of mushrooms grow. We also ate a lot of mushrooms. I will immediately warn everyone that eating wild collected mushrooms can be hazardous. Proper identification is crucial. However, there are a lot of varieties for sale and kits for home grown mushrooms are readily available. Mushrooms are high in potassium and selenium and have many other nutrients. Of course mushrooms have helped humans medicinally for centuries. Where would we be without penicillin? Mushroom consumption has also been related to reduction in cancers, boosting the immune system and lowering cholesterol. Humans also use fungi to impart flavor to cheese and even use fungi in pest control. Furthermore, we can purchase mycorrhizal fungi to assists vascular plants in nutrient uptake.

Other animals including deer, voles, chipmunks and insects eat mushrooms. I’ve seen red squirrels dry mushrooms in tree tops for winter caches and found slug trails over mushroom caps in my yard. Fungi live in the gut of several insects and play a role in nutrient intake. Some ants actually grow fungi as a food source while others utilize fungi to create ideal habitat for their offspring. Various lichen species cannot survive without fungi.

Fungi are amazing huh? Who has a good edible mushroom recipe?

I hope you’re enjoying the cooler temperatures and blue skies of September.

Our next event is:

When: October 22, 2011

Event: Make a Difference Day

Where: To be announced

I receive phone calls about Yellowjackets this time of year. I thought I’d write a bit about them.Yellowjackets are a wasp. They along with Bald-faced Hornets (also a wasp) are considered ”soical “wasps. They collectively raise young and protect their homes . If you’re ever attacked by wasps or hornets drop as low to the ground as possible and stay motionless. They are attracted to motion.

Queen Yellowjackets spend the winter tucked deep in the crevice of bark or other protected areas in a state called diapause (a type of dormancy). When the warm temperatures of spring and the threat of frost have passed they come out and look for a place to start building a paper nest. Most of the time queens choose a protected area, such as a hole in the ground or even in house siding. They’ll find decaying wood and takes big mouthfuls, mixing it with saliva to form a type of paper to use in building. A Queen builds a structure of cells and lays the first eggs which were fertilized by a male the previous fall.  The eggs hatch and the queen tends to the larvae, feeding them protein in the form of caterpillars and other insects until they pupate into adults. These adults, all female workers, take over complete care of larvae and nest building. The queen’s only job from this point forward is to lay eggs and she might never again leave the nest.

The workers tend to larvae bringing the same pre chewed protein rich meals of other insects. (Interestingly, scientists have discovered that many times the intestines of prey are discarded.) Larvae produce a very sweet substance which the adults relish. This process is called trophallaxis. That is, when food or liquid is passed between organisms (mouth to mouth or anus to mouth) for feeding.  Adult Yellowjackets also find nourishment in pollen and nectar. The nest expands throughout the summer. Only the shorter days of fall bring changes to the nest. Large females are born and intended to be the next year’s queens. The only males of the season are also born in fall. They along with the larger females leave the nests to find mates. Males die after mating. Fertilized females fatten themselves and seek refuge for winter, emerging in the spring to start the process again.

Another fall change in Yellowjackets can be obvious to humans; that is the change in the diet of workers. As the final larvae of the year reach adulthood there is less sugary substance produced for workers to eat and they are forced to find food elsewhere. Workers seek our sugary meals and even pluck protein from our picnic plates. This stage is fleeting. Cold weather will soon take its toll and worker lives will end. However, sales of Yellowjacket traps increase this time of year. Just remember to keep food tightly covered and slowly move away from Yellowjackets. Swatting and running can provoke them.

Insects are easy to overlook because of their size, but according to my Handy Bug Answer Book there are over 900,000 known insect species, about 75 percent of all the known animals on Earth. Amazing.  Insects affect us in a wide variety of ways. Regardless of the good and bad they play an integral part in the world. Tell us an insect story!

 A local ambassador with the National Wildlife Federation sent the following invittion for Nature Scoop: 

This monthly, educational email is short and contains timely property maintenance tips tailored for your yard, upcoming educational events and more. It is based on National Wildlife Federation’s certification program.  Email  marc-a@columbus.rr.com with “subscribe” in the subject line if it is something you’d like to receive. You can be removed at any time and this list is never shared for any other purposes. Please visit the corresponding website at www.backyardhabitat.info for more information.

Thanks to everyone that attended the Stream Quality Monitoring training. I’m happy to share that the water quality of the South fork of the Little Indian Run rated excellent! We even discovered Rainbow Darters. Our next gathering will be the Annual Mike Utt Memorial Scioto River Cleanup on Saturday, August 20^th from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. We’ll be meeting at Coffman Park and will carpool to various locations for cleanup and water quality monitoring. Please RSVP if you plan on attending.

I am anxious for the River Cleanup this year. We hope to have enough volunteers to do some water quality testing in a few locations and I look forward to seeing the results. One area in particular intrigues me. We’ve always had very poor water quality in the South fork of the Indian Run in Coffman Park. This is primarily due to its proximity to the road. Runoff undoubtedly played a role but how is it recovering? Are there other influences that will keep the quality low through this stretch? We haven’t tested this area since the road changes and permanent shut down of the road closest to the stream.

Further west in the South fork is where we discovered Rainbow Darters. Rainbow Darters are common in Ohio. Their presence is considered an indicator of clean water as they do not tolerate pollution very well. Males are more colorful than females with orange, greenish-blue, and tan coloration especially during breeding season. The duller, browner female lays up to 800 eggs in pools with pebble bottoms. Rainbow Darters are considered a benthic fish, surviving near the bottom of streams. They eat macro-invertebrates like those we found during our testing (mayfly nymphs, fingernail clams, crayfish, caddis fly larvae, etc…).

 I am excited by their presence because the Indian Run has been channelized and filled with field run off for years. Changes in the flow of water caused by development have most certainly changed water levels, which can cause prolonged dry periods. Yet this colorful small fish survives. Currently the number one threat for Rainbow Darters is runoff and pollution due to urbanization. With rather drastic declines in small fish populations across the United States, it is great to still have darters in our stream.

For more information visit the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s Fish Page!

What do you do to keep water in our community clean? We’d really like to know.