Spring Cleaning--Preparing Your Yard for the Birds

Written by Jenna Atma, Avian Biologist and Naturalist
All photos taken by Jenna Atma

Spring is just around the corner, and with the weather beginning to warm up, now is the perfect time to prepare your yard to welcome our feathered friends for the summer. Spring migration has already begun for some bird species, and when they arrive they will be looking for reliable food sources and safe nesting spots. By preparing your outdoor spaces now, you'll be able to create an inviting and safe environment for birds and beautify your yard in the process! 

Tree Swallow pair scoping out a birdhouse

Here is a guide to a few ideas to help you get your yard in tip-top shape for the spring season:

1. Clean Your Bird Feeders

Winter can leave bird feeders looking a little worn out and dirty, which can lead to mold, bacteria, or parasites that might harm the birds you’re trying to help. Start your spring prep by giving your feeders a thorough cleaning.

• Remove Old Seeds: Begin by discarding any old or moldy bird seed. This is important, as stale food can harbor fungus and bacteria.

• Scrub the Feeders: Use warm water and a mild soap to clean the feeders. A stiff brush is great for getting into the crevices.

• Rinse and Dry Well: Be sure to rinse your feeders thoroughly and allow the feeders to dry completely before refilling with fresh birdseed. A dry feeder is less likely to develop mold.

• Disinfect: To ensure your feeders continue to be safe for birds, you can wipe them down with Clorox wipes every so often to help prevent the spread of disease. You can also disinfect your feeders by soaking them in a 10% bleach solution for 10-15 minutes and then rinsing well before hanging them back up.

American Goldfinches and a Tufted Titmouse at a backyard feeder

2. Put Up Seasonal Feeders

Birds are looking for high-energy food to fuel their busy spring activities, whether that’s migrating, building nests, or raising chicks. You can add additional feeder types to offer a mix of foods that cater to different bird species.

• Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: These are a favorite for most backyard birds, including cardinals, chickadees, and finches.

• Suet Cakes: Suet is an excellent choice for woodpeckers and nuthatches. You can buy suet cakes or make your own with animal fat or peanut butter, seeds, and nuts.

• Sugar Water: If you have hummingbirds in your area, don’t forget to prepare your hummingbird feeders with a mixture of 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar. Do NOT use honey or premade nectar with red dye; it can cause mold growth and may make hummingbirds very sick! 

• Fruit: Some species, such as Baltimore Orioles, love sweet fruit, like oranges. Secure halved oranges to a platform feeder to draw them in!

• Mealworms: For insect-eating birds, such as bluebirds and wrens, mealworms (live or dried) can be an excellent source of protein. These can be offered in a dish feeder, preferably with a rain cover to keep the mealworms from getting mushy. 

Hummingbird feeders sometimes attract other species, like this Baltimore Oriole!

3. Provide a Water Source

In addition to food, birds love having access to clean water for drinking and bathing. Consider setting up a birdbath or small water dish in your yard. Keep the water level shallow and change it regularly to prevent the buildup of algae or bacteria. Bird especially love running water, like a stream or fountain!

4. Supply Birdhouses for Nesting Spots

Birdhouses provide safe, secure places for birds to build their nests and raise their young. Late winter is a key time for many birds to start looking for a nesting spot, so providing birdhouses in your yard can help create safe and useable nesting locations when the birds start nest-building. 

Eastern Bluebird building a nest in a bluebird box

If you are putting up new birdhouses, remember that the placement of your birdhouses plays a significant role in attracting birds and keeping them safe. You should try to place birdhouses in quiet, sheltered spots that are away from heavy human activity and predators (if you have free-roaming cats, keep them indoors to keep your birds safe--even fat or lazy cats are able to catch birds with ease!). Ideally, birdhouses should be mounted at least 5 to 10 feet above the ground, and in areas with some cover like trees or shrubs. If you are cleaning out old birdhouses, remember to remove any old nesting material from last year and inspect your birdhouses for any damage that may need to be repaired to keep your birds safe.

5. Plant Native

American Goldfinch finding food on native Brown-eyed Susans

One of the most important things you can do for your backyard birds is to provide a natural habitat and consistent food source throughout the spring. Native trees and shrubs provide crucial habitat for many birds, as well as serving as a food source or nesting location for many bird species. Planting native flowers is also important, as it provides a food source for birds as well as insects, which can also be a food source themselves for many bird species. 

Downy Woodpecker clinging to a backyard tree

Spring is an exciting time as migratory birds return to their breeding ground and local birds become more active. By preparing your yard now, you’ll not only create a welcoming space for our feathered friends by providing food and shelter, but it also allows you to enjoy the beauty and joy that birds bring to your yard. Happy birdwatching!

The Majesty of the Bur Oak

The Majesty of the Bur Oak

 By Rachel Carter, Naturalist

For me, Winter seems to be divided into three parts. When Winter’s arrival is new and fresh, when people are abuzz with the various December holidays and activities, when we gather around a fireplace or watch candles flicker and dance on the walls…well, that seems quite lovely to me. But then comes Winter’s next phase: January. Things become still and quiet. The hustle and bustle of December is often exhausting so this month is at first a lovely reprieve and, even though I’m chilled to the bone by now, I slow down, bundle up, and settle in for a mini hibernation…the proverbial long winter’s nap. However, the third phase arrives quickly. These Tennessee days are often cold and grey. I feel sluggish and blue. I become restless and anxious for my friend, Spring, whose arrival seems so far away. So how do I cope? I search for awe in nature! Beauty is easy to find. It’s Nature’s generous gift.

Burr Oak in the frosty sun. Photo by Rachel Carter.

Recently, a park patron asked me which tree I think is the most majestic. That’s a tough question because many trees flooded my mind. After a reflective pause, I answered, “On this cold winter’s day, the most majestic tree to me is the Bur Oak.” Typically, oaks hold onto their leaves almost all winter, a beautiful phenomena referred to as ‘marcescence’ – but the Bur Oak seems to scoff at its family members’ shyness. It releases its leaves right away to reveal one my favorite things about winter: Those incredible branches! I love the wicked beauty of them. The massive trunk covered in its deep, furrowed bark gives way to thick branches that grow with abrupt turns this way and that, heavily adorned with twigs ending in points reminiscent of thorns. It causes me to think of fairy tales. Imagine scenes of fantastical trees with twigs reaching out like gnarled hands to claw, grab, and catch. Remember Snow White fleeing through the Haunted Woods or the old illustrations of Hansel and Gretel trying to find their path home? But then remember the peaceful beauty and comfort the forest revealed once the sun rose the following morning. This majesty is what awes me! 

Burr Oak branches. Photo by Rachel Carter.

Let’s think about those branches and twigs. The bristly-fringed acorns that gives the tree its name are huge and heavy. Therefore, the limb needed to support such a weight must be spectacularly strong. The weight of the acorn strengthens the limb; the limb is strong for the acorn. In the summer those unique branches are almost completely hidden. But in the winter, we get to see this tree in all its architectural glory.

Burr Oak acorn and cap. Photo by Rachel Carter.

The Burr/Bur Oak - Quercus macrocarpa – also called the mossy-cup oak if you prefer a more whimsical name - is a pillar of ecological stability. They can grow 100 feet tall and live for up to 1,000 years. By now, I hope we all understand the importance of NATIVE plants and the crucial role they play. A quick review: local species, both flora and fauna, have evolved together since the beginning of their existence. Native plants have adapted to local pests and diseases, which means they don’t need human “help” for their defense like pesticides, etc. and certain insects can feed only on certain plants. The oak sprouts new leaves in the spring, the caterpillars start munching on them, the migrating birds begin flying through and are nourished for their long journeys by munching on the aforementioned caterpillars, the resident birds have safe nesting places, and autumn’s acorns feed a plethora of mammals. The tree’s large leaves soak up lots of carbon dioxide, its massive root system required to hold up this giant stabilizes our soil and allows the earth to quickly soak up water during floods. It’s a beautiful partnership all the way around. 

Photo by Rachel Carter

So, this winter if you want to feel awed and inspired, simply look up and observe the winter trees’ branches. Notice and admire their bare, outstretched arms. This canopy of fanciful lacework is visible for only a couple of months. And if you happen to spot the Bur Oak, see if you think it harkens back to storybook tales. Bundle up, step outside, and discover the majesty of nature!

If you are interested in a hands-on experience with oaks, join us for the "Grow Your Own" Native Oak Propagation Workshop on Saturday January 25^th, lead by the Garden Club of Nashville and WPNC Staff. Registration required!

 

 

Frost Flowers -- Nature's Winter Artistry

Frost Flowers -- Nature's Winter Artistry

Written by Jenna Atma, Naturalist

Frost "flower"

After a hard frost, like we experienced here at Warner Parks this morning, many plants retreat into a winter dormancy. But a few species, including a native perennial called White Wingstem (Verbesina virginica), will create a stunning spectacle when the temperature drops in the form of "frost flowers", which also earns White Wingstem the nickname "frostweed". 

Frostweed with its signature winter frosted base.

Frost flowers, formed in a process called crystallofolia, are a fascinating natural phenomenon that occurs when conditions are just right. The moisture in the plant's stem freezes, producing beautiful feathery-looking ribbons that appear to spill out from the stem, often close to the ground (where their roots continue to supply more water to the stem). White Wingstem in particular holds an ample supply of moisture in its stem, making it particularly adept at creating these ephemeral ice flowers. 

A cluster of frost flowers

Why do these plants create frost flowers? Although these formations are of course beautiful to observe, there are several potential practical reasons for them to occur as well, like helping to insulate the plant and protect it from harsher winter conditions. These frost flowers can also provide a source of water for some insects during cold winter months; a connection between plants and animals within the ecosystem.

An up-close view of the ice escaping the stem

If you look closely at the plant base where the frost flowers are formed, you may notice that the main stem itself doesn't split. The outer layer, or "epidermis", will rupture to release built-up pressure from the sap rapidly freezing. Plants that live in climates that freeze seasonally have a few options for survival: with annual herbaceous plants, the main plant dies while leaving a protected seed bank behind. Longer-lived species, like frostweed, will either remain active or become dormant during the winter. Some plants that remain above ground require mechanisms that allow them to persist in the cold, with one strategy being crystallofolia.

Frost flowers gleaming in the sunlight (Photo by Rachel Anderson)

Like snowflakes, each frost flower is different, with intricate patterns and shapes that are unique between every plant. The fleeting nature of frost flowers has led many people to think of them as reminders of the impermanence of life, and encouraging appreciation for natural beauty around us, no matter how transient it may be.

Every frost flower is unique

The best time to observe these magical occurrences is during the first few frosts of the season, typically in late fall to early winter. The best places in Warner Parks to observe frost flowers are the Nature Center meadows and the field in Long Hollow along the Old Roadway loop in Edwin Warner Park.

For all those who appreciate the subtle beauty of the natural world, the White Wingstem and its frost flowers remind us to pause and admire the intricate details to be found in nature, and the new discoveries that the winter season may bring. So, next time the frost settles in, keep an eye out for these stunning frozen flowers that remind us of the beauty and resiliency of the natural world.

Photo by Rachel Anderson

Where are the Monarchs?

Where are the Monarchs?

Written by Elyse Dilks, Naturalist

Monarch foraging on Milkweed in WPNC Meadow. Photo by Elyse Dilks

Where are the monarchs? It is a question that I have been asking myself a lot recently. A question quickly spiraling into other questions… Have they started migrating yet? Are they okay? Have they stopped flying through our parks? Did Hurricane Helene delay them? Are there even any monarchs left? My mind has been a whirlwind of concerns as I formulate reasons as to where they could possibly be. Here at Warner Parks, we are accustomed to seeing hundreds of monarch butterflies in the spring and fall seasons. They flutter around our meadows, visiting flowers and searching for the perfect milkweed leaves to lay their eggs on. I’ve seen females go from plant to plant laying eggs. They can lay anywhere from 100-300 eggs and when conditions are perfect, 1 egg per plant. However, where are the females to lay their eggs?

There have been a couple of sightings this fall season. One seen at Long Hollow and one near Butler’s Field. There was one monarch in the beginning of September, the 9th to be exact, that left her mark within our organic garden. Upon 3 of our healthiest milkweeds, 2-4 eggs rested on separate leaves. In total there were 7 monarch eggs. I was ecstatic! They were finally here! There had been speculation that a cold front in the north delayed the larvae development and start time of the monarchs’ usual migration period by at least 10 days. I wondered if she was the early bird and if more were soon to come after having been delayed. However, days of waiting and watching have now turned into weeks. Nothing. Those eggs I hoped to watch grow during their first phase of life were quickly eaten within the first couple of days. A tasty snack to ants, wasps, beetles, parasites, and many others. The early bird, or in this case the early monarch, did not succeed. Nature can seem so cruel, but it is simply being natural. I cannot help but feel sorrowful and a sense of dread lingers knowing that at this point, those eggs were the only ones laid here at the Nature Center. Maybe a few sneaky monarchs wandered to our meadows and laid eggs that were successful, but a cloud of doubt fills my mind. 

Left photo taken in WPNC Organic Garden. Right photo taken in WPNC Meadow. Both photos taken by Elyse Dilks, July 2023

This year has turned out to be a major hit to the monarch populations. After a couple of heavy cold spells in January of this year, many monarchs from the roosts of Mexico did not make it. Scientists with the World Wildlife Funds estimated there was a 59% decrease in population from the previous 2022-2023 year. This estimate was based on the number of acres inhabited during the winter roosts in Mexico, with 2022-2023 having 5.5 acres used for roosting as opposed to this year’s 2023-2024 season only making up 2.2 acres (“Eastern Migratory Monarch Butterfly”). To give some perspective, the largest roost documented, spanned 18 acres. Since being documented and observed, monarch populations have been decreasing for the past 30 years, due to climate change, deforestation, and habitat loss. I worry that now it has become too noticeable that something is amiss.

Here in Warner Parks, we did not see a single caterpillar at our monitoring sites in 2024. Any eggs seen were snatched within the snap of my fingers. Many of us have been aware of the monarch populations decreasing, but we still saw them in large enough numbers. My brain never truly processed what it could result and now I am witnessing it firsthand. The lack of monarchs poses to us a cautionary tale. The absence of their presence foreshadows much larger problems for not just monarchs but to all living things in this world, which has caused me to realize the privilege of observing a monarch perform pirouettes in the air, carefree to us worried onlookers. As their populations dwindle, I watch our milkweeds begin to reach to high to the sun without monarch larvae to help prune their leaves. Like Icarus, their once bright green leaves scorch and shrivel, their bodies covered in black mold. Where did the mold come from? Greedy aphids feast upon the milky latex of milkweed and excrete a byproduct known as ‘honeydew’. A sticky but delicious delicacy for many organisms. While aphids’ honeydew coats the milkweed, sooty mold seeks the opportunity to daintily rest upon the plants and eat away at the sugary treat. Leaving behind the decrepit image of a burnt corpse. Unhabitable and undesirable.

I refuse to leave this on a sad note. In my heart, I believe the monarchs simply skipped Warner Parks this year and rushed down to Mexico to roost after potentially being delayed by cold fronts and a hurricane. Maybe next year as they travel up north, there will be a population explosion. To you as the reader, consider growing milkweed and let your yard flourish with native plants. If you live in an apartment, plant natives in pots or other outdoor containers. Even if the Monarchs don’t visit, at least you are providing food and shelter to other species that may be just as affected by the changes of our world. If the resources are there, such as Milkweed and other native flowers to forage, who knows what could happen. Nature likes to be unpredictable. I prefer it that way. Untamable just like the wild Monarch that flutters away as you catch a glimpse, leaving you hunger for more.  

Works Cited

“Eastern Migratory Monarch Butterfly Populations Decrease by 59% in 2024.” Worldwildlife.org - Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.

Additional educational links:

Why you'll be seeing fewer monarch butterflies this fall (discoverandshare.org)

-Great little article that breaks down what the World Wildlife Fund reported

Monarch Watch » Blog Archive Monarch Population Status - Monarch Watch

-An all around educational site and organization dedicated to monarch research, blogs, community science, and much more

Don’t Make This Mistake When You Plant Milkweed (A How-To Guide) – Garden Betty

-Not necessarily a “How to Guide” but a fun read to help give some more background in not just planting milkweed but also native plants

Leave the Leaves

Are you dreading having to rake your leaves over and over again this fall? Well you're in luck, because the "Leave the Leaves" initiative says you don't have to! 

We don't often think about the fall leaves covering our yards as serving much of a purpose; but in fact, they are massively beneficial for many reasons. So before you grab your rake and jump into the usual fall clean-up routine, consider leaving your leaves in place--it may actually be the best thing you can do for local wildlife.

1. Leaving leaves creates habitat for wildlife

One of the primary benefits to leaving your leaf litter in on the ground is that it provides crucial habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Insects and critters such as beetles, spiders, salamanders, lizards, and many other creatures use the decaying leaves and for shelter and a way to find food. In turn, birds, mammals, and other predators also find food amongst the leaves, making leaf litter an important place for many animals to find shelter and sustenance during the fall season.

One of the many benefits of leaving leaves during the winter is that you might find your garden full of butterflies in the following spring! many insects, including butterflies, have larvae (like caterpillars) that live under the leaf litter in fall. 

2. Leaving leaves supports soil and plant health

The decomposing leaves offer more than just a shelter for small critters; they also add important nutrients back into the soil. Decomposing leaf litter creates a natural mulch that helps to suppress weeds while fertilizing the soil as it breaks down. Animals, plants, and fungi that consume decaying matter, known as "detritivores", also help to break down the leaf litter, which helps speed up the decomposition process to make your yard's soil more fertile and thus helps plants grow in the spring.

If you must move your leaves from the lawn, considering using them as a natural mulch for your garden or in landscaping. Mulch can help mediate soil temperature by keeping plant roots warmer during the winter and cooler in the summer. Mulching also keeps the soil moist, which is especially helpful during hot weeks with little rain. Leaf litter is a free and eco-friendly mulch option you can use!

3. Leaving leaves promotes a natural landscape

Allowing leaves to remain where they fall can help promote a more natural landscape to flourish. Traditional lawns limit the amount of natural processes that can occur, and allowing leaves to stay is a fantastic way to encourage your yard to be more beneficial for local biodiversity and help support many more organisms than it otherwise could.

4. Leaving leaves helps reduce our environmental impact

Raking and bagging leaves contribute to the growing problem of yard waste in landfills. By leaving leaves in your yard, you’re helping to reduce the volume of yard waste that ends up in landfills. This small change in your yard maintenance routine can be a simple, yet effective way to make your lawn care more eco-friendly. And gas powered leaf-blowers are big polluters - not only are they noisy and disrupt the critters living in your leaves, it is also estimated that one hour of operating a commercial leaf-blower emits smog-forming pollution equal to driving a car about 1,000 miles!

While the temptation to rake up those autumn leaves is strong, especially if you’re aiming for a pristine lawn, there are compelling reasons to reconsider. By leaving leaves in place, you’re supporting local wildlife, enriching the soil, reducing waste, and fostering a more natural landscape. This simple act of letting nature take its course can have a profound positive impact on both your yard and the environment. So, this fall, think twice before reaching for that rake—your local ecosystem will thank you!

Hooked – A Story of Snake Ensnared

Northern Watersnake photo by Elyse Dilks

Content warning: This story includes photos and mentions injuries to wildlife that may be upsetting to some readers. 

Hooked - A Story of Snake Ensnared

Written by Elyse Dilks, Warner Parks Naturalist

Yes, this is a story about a snake, but more importantly, this is the success story of a Northern Watersnake that had been hooked by a fishing line here at Warner Parks.

To unveil the full story for this blog, I dug deep by interviewing those involved with this snakey incident, comprising mainly of our very own Warner Parks staff and the Nashville Wildlife Conservation Center.

It all started when one of our Naturalists, Rachel Carter, was at the Little Harpeth River working with our summer camp kids. There, she encountered a teenager who was getting ready to fish nearby. She ushered him to portion of the creek a little further away from the kids. It was shortly after this moment that Rachel C. heard,

“Snake!”

Rachel C., upon hearing this, turned towards the direction of the call and saw a large Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) swimming in the water near the fisherman. Watersnakes are a common occurrence in our parks, so--not yet understanding the full situation--Rachel C. exclaimed excitedly,

“Oh my gosh look at that snake! That’s a huge snake!”

“No, it ate my fishing line… it ate my lure!”

Now realizing the dire situation at hand, Rachel C. watched as the snake, hooked in mouth, began swimming towards a pile of rocks, dragging the fishing line with it. Although Rachel C. “has a healthy respect for snakes” and describes them as “beautiful creatures that are misunderstood and receipients of irrational fears”, she still felt inexperienced in her abilities in catching a snake of this size. She decided to call Rachel Anderson, another park Naturalist, and myself for guidance on what to do. As Rachel C. was frantically trying to find a solution, the young fisherman beckoned for his mother to come back. Knowing he would have to cut the line and potentially ruin their chances of rescuing it, he protested, but then both to his and Rachel C.’s dismay, they watched as the line snapped…

Over at the Nature Center, Rachel A. had received the phone call from Rachel C. and was headed towards the location where the snake was. As Kassie, our front desk Naturalist recounts,

“Rachel A. ran by, saying ‘I have to go save a snake!’”

On Rachel A’s. way, she bumped into two of our Summer SWEAT crew members, Austin and Lars, who were eager to help with the rescue. They appeared at the scene and quickly scouted out the snake with Rachel C.’s help. They were able to safely capture the snake, and brought it back to the Nature Center where they created a makeshift container to hold it: a simple bucket with a towel taped around the top with holes cut into it for better airflow.

Two of our staff members, Kassie and Caroline, started calling different wildlife rehabilitation centers and even local veterinarians to see if they would take in the snake. At this point, the snake’s condition was dire. It had swallowed the hook and only a string could be seen hanging from its mouth. Everyone knew that it needed medical professionals to removal the hook. After many calls and no one able to take it in, the name Debbie Sykes, a former Warner Parks employee, was mentioned.

Debbie seemed like the right person for the job. She created the Nashville Wildlife Conservation Center (NWCC), is an ER Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician and takes in all sorts of injured wildlife. Once Debbie was informed of our emergency, she assured our staff that she would be able to take the snake, but not until the next day. Because of this, Rachel A. took the snake home, kept it overnight, and delivered it to Debbie the next morning.

Radiograph of the hook inside the watersnake by NWCC

Watersnake post-surgery, still under anesthesia by NWCC

Once it was in Debbie’s care, she immediately took the snake be radiographed, which revealed that the hook had punctured through its internal wall and was now stuck in its neck. A surgery was performed by a veterinarian, and the hook was successfully removed. Debbie stated that “After a couple of weeks of pain medication and antibiotics, along with proper housing to decreasing stress and promote natural behaviors, he was deemed ready to go.”

On July 27^th at 9:09am, Rachel A. and I watched the watersnake be released back into the Little Harpeth River by a NWCC volunteer. To say it was an astonishing sight observing the snake be released, is quite frankly an understatement. This was a snake that had all odds against it: swallowed a hook, impaled internally, went through surgery, and was then kept in captivity for a few weeks. These are highly stressful events for even a person to go through, so imagine what it may have been like for this snake!

NWCC Volunteer during snake release, photo by Rachel Anderson

Watersnake release photo by Elyse Dilks

As Rachel A. remarks, “I was impressed on how resilient of a creature it is,” which I think perfectly encapsulates everyone’s opinions on our mighty little legless friend.

Some may wonder why we would intervene and help this snake out? Well, here is the simple and cold truth: It would have died without our intervention. When an animal gets hooked or wrapped up in fishing line, it interferes with its daily life. Its mobility is lowered, it can have difficulty eating, or even have internal complications arise. As Rachel C. stated,

“I feel we were obligated to help that snake. It was a victim of human actions, so therefore humans were responsible for doing everything they could to undo the damage they caused.”

(Photo of snake release by Rachel Anderson)

Everyone I talked to agreed that intervening was the right call. As Lars (SWEAT crew member) mentioned,

“It would have been different if the snake was injured by another animal or was just old, but it had fallen victim to something that was never meant to affect it. Something that it couldn’t avoid or understand.”

Although it was a happy ending for the snake and all those involved, oftentimes there are different outcomes to a story. While in the midst of typing up this blog, another animal was found hooked at our Little Harpeth River: this time, a juvenile Belted Kingfisher. The young bird was seen dangling in a tree by a fisherman, having been hooked by a line that had been tangled up in the branches and abandoned. Warner Parks staff once again hopped onto the scene. Unfortunately, in this case the Kingfisher was not as lucky as the watersnake, and had withstood too great an injury to have been rehabilitated. A heartbreaking end to pair with the success story of the Northern Watersnake.

Photo of the hooked Belted Kingfisher by Laura Cook

Both of these fishing hook encounters sparked conversation among our Nature Center staff. Two different hooked animals, with two different ends to their stories. Warner Parks is a nature sanctuary, and we do not allow our flora and fauna to be harmed or removed. When interviewing staff, I would often ask them: "What is one way you think would have prevented this situation from happening again?" Some, when prompted with this question, suggested on banning finishing in our parks. Others want to urge park fisherman to cleanup their fishing supplies, leaving nothing behind. Some staff were unsure on the best course of action. As Kassie put it,

“We are a city park and nature sanctuary, should fishing be allowed when we don’t allow the harming or taking of our animals?”

 We wish there was a simple solution. However, it is important to note that Warner Parks are a part of the Metro Parks system. Because of this, fishing in any Metro Park is allowed as long as anglers have a required, valid fishing license. Even though we do not have a definitive solution to this issue, here are some ways you can help prevent an incident like our hooked snake and kingfisher friends experienced from ever happening again:

- Leave no trace! Clean up after yourself and others, and do not leave anything behind. If out fishing and your line snaps or a lure gets caught, please retrieve it and discard it into a proper waste container.

- Be aware of your surroundings. If you are in a location where you could encounter animals other than fish, be mindful of where you cast your line and be vigilant as to what is being attracted to it.

- If you do catch something that’s not a fish and are unsure how to extract it, please contact the Nature Center at 615-862-8555 or wpnc@nashville.gov. Do not cut your line or leave a hooked animal in the Park.

A big thank you to the Nashville Wildlife Conservation Center for being our helping aid for both the Northern Watersnake and Belted Kingfisher. If you would like to help support the NWCC, you can go to the link to donate or visit their site: https://www.nashvillewildlifeconservation.org/ways-to-help

Photo of snake release by Rachel Anderson

The Great Cicada Emergence

  

The Great Cicada Emergence

By Jenna Atma, Warner Parks Naturalist

Something exciting is happening in the park—the first sightings of some very special cicadas! Whether or not you've already heard about “the big cicada emergence” this year, you may very soon notice several of these small, red-eyed creatures buzzing around in the trees or crawling on the sides of plants and buildings. 

You've probably seen or heard cicadas before, especially if you've spent at least one summer in Tennessee, but the cicadas emerging this year are part of a special group. These cicadas are called Periodical Cicadas and are a species that spends the first part of its life, a whopping 13 years, completely underground, only emerging to sing and find a mate. They’re called “periodical” because they only emerge above ground on a 13-year cycle, based on their lifespan. Because they’re cyclical, we can predict when they will emerge, and each of these “broods” is numbered. In 2024, we’re experiencing “Brood XIX”!

Discarded exoskeleton (outer skin) of a cicada nymph

Many cicadas spend the majority of their lives in nymph-form, drinking nutrients from tree roots underground. Once they are ready to emerge, they dig their way out of the ground and crawl up the sides of plants, trees, and buildings, and shed their nymph exoskeleton, similar to a butterfly hatching from a chrysalis or cocoon. They will then perch nearby and wait as their shells harden and wings dry out. Then, off into the night they fly, leaving their exoskeleton behind! You can watch this process in the time-lapse video below:

Time-lapse video of a cicada emerging from its nymph exoskeleton

However, not all cicadas spend years and years underground. Many of the cicadas you see and hear every year are “annual cicadas”, which mature in just 2-5 years. This means that annual cicadas emerge unsynchronized from each other, whereas the periodical cicadas have synchronized broods and all emerge en masse in the same year as the rest of their "brood". 

An annual (also "Dog-day") cicada, which is larger and has black eyes with green markings

Although cicadas are loud and can be rather alien-looking, there’s no need to be afraid of them. Cicadas don’t bite defensively or have any stingers, nor are they poisonous. In fact, they are quite harmless! Large broods of cicadas emerging can also provide a valuable food source for birds and other insect-eating animals, and the tunnels that cicada nymphs dig helps aerate the soil, which can have a positive impact on plant growth and available soil nutrients. So don’t worry—cicadas aren’t going to harm your gardens or trees!

Freshly-emerged cicada drying its new wings at Warner Parks

So where can I find cicadas, you may ask? You'll be able to see (or mostly just hear) both periodical and annual cicadas during early summer evenings and nights here in Tennessee. Brood XIX has the largest range of all the periodical cicada broods, and can be found in many parts of Tennessee. Cicadas from Brood XIX will also be emerging in many other states in the Midwest and eastern U.S.; and along with them, another brood of periodical cicadas will be emerging as well, a species of 17-year cicadas called Brood XIII! Although we won’t be able to experience them here at Warner Parks, these two broods will be overlapping emergence years in parts of their ranges for the first time in 221 years, which makes this year a very special one for cicadas indeed! 

So take some time in the evenings this summer (early May – late June) to go outside and listen for the chorus of cicada calls, and enjoy these amazing little creatures on this very special year!

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Want to come and celebrate or learn more about cicadas here at Warner Parks? Join us for our upcoming Cicada Celebration on May 23rd and 24th from 1-3pm, or visit our upcoming program and events schedule to discover other fun happenings here at Warner!