Discover Ohio’s Scenic Rivers Program, first in the nation, through this documentary! Call of the Scenic River shows breathtaking Ohio scenery while sharing the journey from the Clean Water Act of 1972 to the beautiful waterways we have today.
Usually August is my water month. The Mike Utt Memorial Scioto River Cleanup occurs, water levels are lower and I’m usually in a stream monitoring somewhere. However, this year June is shaping up to be a water month too. Here are some upcoming June events.
June 6, 2012
Rain Barrel Class
7:00- 9:00 p.m.
DCRC
Register online at www.dublin.oh.us/recreation
Register in person or by phone at the Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road, 614.410.4550.
Registration ends May 30.
June 13, 2012
Call of the Scenic River (A beautiful documentary on Ohio’s waterways)
1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m showing
Dublin Community Recreation Center Abbey Theater | 5600 Post Road | Dublin 43017
For tickets, visit http://scenicriverdublin.eventbrite.com/
June 16, 2012
Stream Quality Monitoring
10:00 a.m. o 2:00 p.m.
Dublin Service Complex (We will then travel to a park and get in the water!)
Learn how clean Dublin’s water really is! We’ll look at macro-invertebrates and discover an amazing underwater world!
RSVP to Mime Migliore (mmigliore@dublin.oh.us or 614-410-4730)
**This event is not only weather dependent but also water level dependent!
I’ve been focused on water for various reasons this May. One of my meetings took me to the OSU Mussel lab http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~molluscs/OSUM2/. Tom Watters, Curator of Mollusks
Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology shared incredible facts about these overlooked creatures. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing Tom speak on a few occasions and his passion for mussels easily pulls people into a very unique world.
The Ohio State University Mussel lab works to preserve many mussel species. A unique and in my opinion complex reproductive cycle can make it difficult to protect fresh water mussels. Reproduction of mussels starts with the release of sperm from males that is hopefully taken in by females. After fertilization, females grow glochidia, a tiny larval stage of mussels. Glochidia must attach to a host fish to complete their life cycle. This host fish supplies nourishment and after several weeks, the mussel drops off in a new location. Many mussels have a specific host fish. However, researchers often do not know what fish belongs to what mussel.
Mussels can attract their host fish in a variety of ways. Many imitate (through adaptations to their mantel) prey fish, crayfish or even insects to attract a fish; while others just open and rely on the curiosity of a fish. When the fish makes contact the mussel releases their glochidia which then attach to the mussels gills and fins. Unfortunately if the host fish disappears from an environment so can the mussel.
Mussels are important because they clean water. A bed of mussels can filter out bacteria, algae and other small particles from hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water a day. However, because of human intrusion mussels have declined and many are endangered or threatened. Major declines occurred in the 1800’s with button factories and fresh water pearl collection increased. Luckily with the invention of cultured pearls and plastic buttons collection declined in the mid 1900’s with the invention of plastic buttons. Laws also effectively brought collection to a halt and today, it is illegal to remove any mussel or even collect the shell in the state of Ohio without a permit. Today, we affect mussels through non point source pollution including salt, sediment and lawn care products that get into waterways.
I often see mussel shells along the Scioto and we’ve pulled mussels out while monitoring the river too. We’re uncertain of the species but it’s nice to see they’re present. It’s been decades since mussels were studied in the Scioto River. Where have you seen mussels?
For more information contact Mime!
We’re in the peak of migration! We”ve heard from many of you about what you’re seeing. Scarlet Tanagers, several warblers, oreols, vireos, flycatchers and Indigo Buntings are just a few of the birds reported along the Scioto River and Indian Run. Keep your eyes and ears open and don’t hesitate to let us know!
For more information about parks along the Scioto River visit the park web page or contact Mime Migliore.
Sharon Tinianow from COSI will be traveling the Scioto River from start to finish. Visit her blog to read about her incredible journey!
1. Saturday, May 5: Leadership Dublin’s Community Service Day. Check in at the Dublin Community Recreation Center at 9:00 a.m. and you’ll be matched up with a project site. Volunteers are needed to help with spring clean up projects for our senior citizens who can’t get to their yard work. Go to www.leadershipdublin.org to sign up.
2. Saturday, May 5: Garlic Mustard Pulling! Spend a Saturday morning in Scioto Park while getting rid of invasive garlic mustard. E-Mail shaberkamp@dublin.oh.us for more info.
3. Saturday, May 19: We’ve got two projects going on that day: 1) Planting flowers in Historic Dublin (age 16 & up only please) and 2) Mulching/Weeding at Belvedere Park. Belvedere is a great family-friendly or youth group opportunity for service. Each project begins at 9:00 a.m. Go to www.dublin.oh.us/volunteer to sign up.
4. Monday, May 14: Dublin Irish Festival applications go on-line at www.DublinIrishFestival.org. Your calendar is already marked, right?
Many organizations are in need of volunteer help this spring and summer. Here are just a few:
The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance: Be a part of this extraordinary event where all eyes of the world are on Dublin. Individuals are welcome, and groups are especially needed to help. Go to www.thememorialtournament.com and click the volunteer link at the bottom of the page.
The Nature Conservancy: Have fun and meet like-minded nature lovers as you contribute to protecting the headwater of Big Darby Creek. Projects include trail maintenance, fence removal and trash cleanup. Learn about the natural history of the area as you work to protect it!
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/ohio/index.htm
The Miracle League: Every child deserves the chance to play baseball, and The Miracle League makes it possible. But it can’t be done without volunteers to buddy up with children with disabilities. Go to http://www.ohiomiracleleague.org/ to learn how you can make a difference.
And finally, we’re always telling you this…but volunteering really is a healthy habit, you know. Please become part of our Healthy Dublin community by getting involved in the many free program offerings available to you. Go to www.healthydublin.org and register for 411Fit. Be a part of making Dublin a healthier place to live and work!
Nature Scoop” is a short, monthly nature email about small steps you can take to help native butterflies, songbirds, bees, hummingbirds and our environment. It includes timely tips tailored for your Ohio yard, nature educational events, articles and more! It is written by Habitat Ambassador, Toni Stahl, 2008 National Wildlife Federation Volunteer of the Year. Toni has written articles for 12 different organizations. Please see the accompanying website for details and videos of the yard at www.backyardhabitat.info.
To subscribe, email subscribe@backyardhabitat.info from the email address you wish to have Nature Scoop sent to each month. You can be removed at any time by sending an email to unsubscribe@backyardhabitat.info - your email is never shared for any other purpose.
Ohio Nature Education has released their new schedule!
April and May Program schedule edited(2) pdf
When I was a young girl I remember going to the airport with my dad on occasion to watch planes take off. We’d wave to the people leaving and I sometimes daydreamed about who they were and their destination. We also lived close to the Pittsburgh airport and C130’s, which we called ‘whale planes’ often flew so low over our property that trees would sway and we could wave at the pilots. Where were they coming from?
Now, with a significant other as a pilot, I’m humbled to say that I am often one of those people taking off and landing in an airplane. Small children and families often wave to us as we leave and I am swept back each time to being a daydreaming child. I pump my arm as we go to make sure they see us waving back.
Now, I know that flying is a gift and although I fully know what’s on the other side of the child’s daydream, I am still caught up in the emotion of flight. I am blessed and feel rich to be the person on the other side. I don’t feel exhilaration when I leave the ground. I simply feel in awe. I am able to see the countless ways in which humans are connected. I visually trace riparian zones, roadways, train tracks, tree lines, fence rows and waterways. I typically just stare trying to take in as much as possible.
We usually cruise around 3,000 feet and typically travel around 100 knots. (I had to ask for a conversion. This is approximately 115 mph). The land is a checkerboard of color depending on the season and crops grown. Waters run from blues to greens to browns. I sometimes spot birds soaring below us but try to be a good copilot and keep my eyes open for things at our altitude too.
The Birder’s Handbook states that most birds fly around10 to 40 mph and stay under 500 feet except during migration. Long distance migrating birds typically start off at 5,000 feet and can climb as high as 20,000 feet as their journey progresses. The Handbook also says that there is little correlation between the size of a bird and how fast it flies. The record for highest recorded flight is by a Ruppell’s Griffon, a type of vulture. One was sucked into a jet engine at 37,900 feet. The plane did land safely. Bar-headed Geese fly over 30,000 feet to fly over Mt. Everest. Wow.
Many migrant birds have returned and there are more to come. Warblers will be singing their songs along the Scioto River soon and Hummingbirds will be visiting feeders. There are many websites that provide great information on migration. I follow Ebird and Journey North.
I wonder what birds feel when they break free of Earth. I like to think I catch a glimpse of their world.
Tell us what you birds you’re seeing!
COSI has an incredible new exhibit on water! We share the Scioto river with this great organization and I appreciate their education efforts!
So much is happening outside that I don’t have a focus for this month’s blog. Migrants have returned, eggs are hatching, birds are claiming territories, rabbits have mated and we should expect young very soon. Within the hustle and bustle of spring events I am reminded of the patience of nesting birds. I’ve been fortunate to see many including Bald Eagles. I’ve wondered what thoughts cross the minds of those incubating. Do they relax in the task of tending to eggs or do they rest with anticipation of the amount of work to come. I wonder what happens when inclement weather such as yesterdays occurs. Nature is amazing!
Knowing that young are being born, the Ohio Wildlife Center and the City of Dublin will start receiving phone calls regarding orphans. Before you call, take a look at the Ohio Wildlife Center webpage. Please share information with your neighbors too. As you already know, I consider you ambassadors and educators in our community and I’m certain you help clear up misconceptions pertaining to wildlife. Thank you and enjoy this unusual warm weather. In the hustle and bustle of the season I hope you find a moment to relax in your task as an incubating bird!
Web cams are up and running around the U.S. I keep track of a few but find they could steal every second of my time! Let us know what you’re seeing out there! We absolutely love hearing from you!
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. Please RSVP to Mime if you plan on attending.
At the end of January I spotted ants crawling in the flowerbed and on February 1st a wolf spider was walking across a rock at my pond. I am unnerved by the number of warm days we’ve had. Yes, I’ve enjoyed being outside more and appreciate not shoveling the driveway and trudging through slush. However, the consequences to pay for a warm winter might show themselves next spring and summer. Therefore, I appreciate the coming cold and snow.
Cold has its place. Without it we can expect increases in pest insects and pathogens that affect crops. Cold spells help kill much of the dormant insect population, including mosquitoes. Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, a professor of entomology and a specialist with the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, shared: ‘Anticipate the mosquito problems we normally see to be much more intense and begin earlier than usual if the weather continues to be mild. Even the fleas have had a boost so far this winter and many people are complaining about flea problems right now, in the middle of winter.’ Mammals have also been affected with a number of states reporting Black bear sightings, much earlier than usual. Hibernation typically ends in March. Plants can also be affected. Those growing now can lose valuable stored energy if damaged by a subsequent freeze. Read more at dailymail.
Why is this occurring? According to NOAA , the arctic oscillation (the pressure system that drives the jet stream) has been at a much higher latitude this winter allowing the jet stream to remain far to the north. Predictions say unusually warmer weather will continue through March. However, the arctic oscillation can only be predicted two weeks in advance. Hmm, uncomfortable cold or more mosquitos? I think I’ll stick with the cold! Come on ocillation!
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