What We Learned from Nature and the Naturalists: Summer Seasonals 2022

What We Learned from Nature and the Naturalists: Summer Seasonals 2022

By London Craddock

Working as a seasonal naturalist at the Warner Parks Nature Center over the last two summers has changed me. The slightly awkward, future-insecure kid I remember from a little over a year ago is now a more confident young adult and a committed environmentalist. My fellow seasonals have grown as well. Here’s what we learned.

Paige Range, a rising senior at Hillwood high school, feels far more comfortable in nature than when she started.

“If I was even 50 feet within a snake I’d want to leave […] and then the other day, when we were searching the river, one of the people came back and they were like ‘there’s a snake sitting on a rock,’ and I immediately got up and wanted to go see it,” she said.

Paige (front left) takes picture with seasonals before caving

This kind of curiosity and enthusiasm is consistently modeled by the full-time naturalists on staff, and it is essential to our effectiveness as facilitators of natural experiences.

“The biggest thing I learned,” Paige said, “was how to […] make really fun, interactive programs. […] If people are excited about nature, then they’ll keep coming back, and that’s how you can really stick the information in.”

seasonals searching for animals at the pond

Gurnoor Majhail, a rising sophomore at Duke University, agrees with Paige, but they emphasize that this approach brings joy and fulfillment to their own life as well.

“Curiosity and wonder have been the big [values I’ve been focusing on] for this past year or so, and working here, I experience them every day,” said Gurnoor. “I love that we get to help other people experience such wonder […] outside and […] in nature. For example, at the beginning of the [PEN Pals] day, some of [the kids] are super into bugs and some of them are like ‘Ewww,’ and I think it’s so fun when, by the end of the day, they’re tapping on my shoulder and they’re like ‘Gurnoor, come look at this bug, it’s so cool!’ It’s just like that small pocket of happiness and joy that they find and that curiosity […] that maybe otherwise they wouldn’t have had. [It’s] such a gift to […] able to share that and to feel like I have an impact in a way that I want to.”

Gurnoor pointing out a bird to campers

Evidently, this job involves a great deal of interaction with the public and teamwork with fellow staff. Linnea Lyons, a rising senior at Belmont University, feels that her two summers here have increased her social confidence.

“Before I worked this job in college, I didn’t talk to people, I didn’t network,” she said. I feel like this job taught me how to communicate […] in a team setting and be more confident and open-minded around other people. Teamwork is so powerful and it’s really so efficient—that’s probably the biggest thing I learned.”

Gurnoor (left) and Linnea (right) admire the cave

I had a similar experience, as did Austin Anderson, a rising freshman at Eckerd College. However, he also appreciates that we were given opportunities to pursue individual projects and plan our own programs.

“I feel like my skills working with other people in general have grown,” Austin said. “The whole way that we have the seasonal program set up, where you work on your own thing for a while and then come back and work with others, was really great. […] It gave me an opportunity to work on both how I do things [independently and] how [I can] take what I’m good at and supplement what others are good at.”

Austin wheelbarrowing a dog

Even with abundant planning, unexpected challenges arise, and Bekah Truss, a rising senior at St. Louis University, says her experience here has taught her to embrace them.

“This summer and last summer, I’ve learned that it’s okay to not plan things all the way out, like when we had to plan [an] Explore with a Naturalist in like an hour,” she said. “That was a good experience because I wanted to think about it more, I wanted to have more time to plan it, but it turned out okay. And during the field trips, when [the groups] didn’t show up on time, and with PEN Pals—just being able to adapt and respond to things as they change […] is probably the biggest thing I’ve learned here.”

Bekah and London showing off a wood ear

It's safe to say that the nature of the work, the culture our bosses work hard to create, and the park itself have helped all of us grow. I want to extend my gratitude to all of the organisms of Warner Park (including the people!) for watering the soil of our budding adult selves this summer.

The seasonals presenting their hard work

The seasonals enjoying the nature center

Keeping Cool Sustainably

 

Keeping Cool Sustainably

Jessa Tremblay 

I’m not sure if you all have gone outside this week, but it is HOT! We are in the middle of a record setting heat wave right now in the country and our electrical systems are being put to the test. Our increased electrical usage is bad for our pocketbooks and is bad for the environment! So how can we take care of the planet while also making sure we are comfortable?

 

Quick easy solutions for the home:

1. Invest in some thick, light color shades for your windows. Any window that receives direct light lets in a lot of heat. The shades help insulate the windows keeping your room much cooler than if direct sunlight was able to penetrate.  You can increase the effectiveness of this if you have white or light colored curtains.

"Curtains in Ivory Linen with Coral Hem and Sheers" by DesignFolly.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

2. Replace the filter on your AC unit. Your AC unit runs inefficiently if your filter is dirty! Making sure this is replaced regularly will help your system run better and use less electricity. This could reduce your energy consumption up to 15%.

"dirty filter" by ryeckman is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

3. Wash your laundry on cold then hang your clothes to dry. Both the washing machine and the dryer are creating heat when they run. This heat can then radiate into your house. Doing this will help keep your house cool and reduce your electricity consumption.

"Vintage line-drying" by Andrea_R is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

4. Avoid cooking inside using heat. Once again these appliances generate a lot of heat that needs to go somewhere and that somewhere is your house. Instead of cooking with your stove or oven try making something that requires no appliances like a salad! (Bonus points if you don’t use meat) If you do need to cook a warm meal, wait for the evening once temperatures start to cool or cook outside on a grill.

 

Cooling Investment solutions:

We just looked through some solutions that are simple and cheap to do, but what if you want to do something bigger? Due to climate change, temperatures like this are probably going to become more normal. You might want to consider investing in some bigger projects that can reduce your long-term energy consumption!

1. Plant trees. Planting trees in strategic places throughout your yard is a simple way to keep your house cool. Just think about when you take a walk through Warner Parks. You can feel just how much cooler it is once you are under the canopy. Planting trees near your home can block direct sunlight and will keep your house about 5 degrees cooler otherwise.

2. Insulate, insulate, insulate. Many houses do not have the proper amount of insulation and they have air leaks. This means you are using more energy to heat and cool your house because the warm and cool air escapes. Luckily there are tests you can perform on your house where you can find those air leaks and fix them!

More about sealing your home.

3. Replace your windows. Old single pane windows let in a lot of heat and are huge sources for air leaks. Newer double paned windows are insulated which means you’ll use less energy and feel more comfortable!

4. Install a geothermal heating and cooling system. Have you ever been inside of a cave in the middle of summer? Caves are remarkably cool because they are underground For example caves here in Tennessee usually hover around 60 degrees inside. Geothermal heating and cooling systems tap into this idea and use the ground to heat and cool your home.

7. Use solar panels creatively. Not only can you generate energy by installing solar panels, you can create shade! Use solar panels to shade a carport, a back porch or even over a pool.

"Solar Panel Car Port" by Dave Dugdale is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

There are many different ways we can beat the heat sustainably. It’s important now more than ever that we start to implement thing like these ideas into our every day life. It’s only going to get hotter and we need to find new solutions to use less electricity.       

Armadillos: Warner Park’s Oddest Mammal!

 Armadillos: Warner Park’s Oddest Mammal!

 

 

Photos  and Videos by Kim Bailey

 

With squinty little eyes reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh’s Piglet, leathery ears, and an armored body, the armadillo looks like no other mammal in town. Indeed, it is the only mammal of the Order Xenarthra found in the United States. An identifying characteristic of this order is the presence of rudimentary teeth consisting solely of enamel-less, peg-like molars.

A century ago, you would have probably had to go to Texas to see an armadillo, but a warming climate and lack of predators has allowed this spunky critter to expand its territory. Due to their low metabolic rate and low fat reserves, populations are limited by prolonged cold weather. First documented in Tennessee in 1960, armadillos are now found as far north as southern Nebraska and as far east as North Carolina.

A number of sightings have been reported in Warner Park over the years. My favorite was of a mother and her young (each litter consists of identical quadruplets) near the Alleé.  What could be cuter than 4 tiny “Piglets” snuffling through the leaves?!  The most recent sighting was of a dead adult on the Hill Forest after a week of intense cold. I suspect most sightings are of dead adults, usually along the highway, where they fall victim to traffic.

Armadillos can be relatively easy to observe if you are lucky enough to be downwind. Intent on foraging, they seem oblivious to their surroundings and may even walk right up to you.  It quickly becomes clear that they have extremely poor vision. When alarmed, they stand up on their rear feet and sniff the air for any sign of danger. If a threat is detected, they run for cover, the bands of armor protecting the body from thorns and low- growing brush.

An armadillo runs with surprising speed when it detects danger.

The armadillo will dive into a burrow if one is nearby.  If one is not handy and loose soil is available, it will put its claws to work, excavating a burrow in record time. 

The sharp claws of an armadillo are perfect tools for digging.

Contrary to popular belief, nine-banded armadillos cannot curl into a ball. They have too many bony plates. But if escape is not possible, the armadillo will curl up as best it can to protect its soft, pinkish underbelly.

Armadillos spend most waking hours with their highly- sensitive noses pressed to the ground, pushing up leaf litter in search of insects and other invertebrates.  

 

Armadillos use their sensitive nose to search for prey.

Those strong claws are adept at digging up tasty prey, which are snatched up by the sticky tongue.   

Arthropods, especially ground beetles and ants, make up the majority of their diet, but armadillos are opportunistic. 

Patent-leather beetles are favorite prey.

They have been known to eat berries, reptiles, amphibians, bird eggs, carrion and even young rabbits.  Many homeowners complain of the holes left behind by a foraging armadillo: it is the price we pay to coexist with this intriguing mammal. 

Armadillo foraging in the Hill Forest

Armadillos are fond of water and are surprisingly good swimmers. They can dog paddle and even float by gulping air and inflating their intestines. They can also hold their breath for up to 6 minutes and sometimes choose to simply walk across the bottom of small streams.

If you’ve seen an armadillo in the park, share your story in the comments below. And if you haven’t, I hope you will be lucky enough to see one of these fascinating mammals for yourself someday!

-Kim Bailey, naturalist

 

The Birds, Bees, and Butterflies Too

 

 

 

 By Melissa Donahue

Naturalist

Spring has arrived!  The weather is warmer.  We are all anxious to get outside, in the woods and in our yards.  Many of us are planning gardens and purchasing plants with the birds, bees, and other insects in mind. But be aware, a plant labeled butterfly, bird, or bee friendly, may not be so.

 

Farm equipment spraying pesticides 

 

As a beekeeper I’ve known about the dangers of Neonicotinoids (Neonics) for a while.  Neonics are now the most widely used insecticides in the world.  Used in both agricultural and ornamental plants, neonicotinoids are highly toxic to many insects. The insecticide is applied as a coating on a crop seed or sprayed directly onto the plants after they grow.  If coated on the seeds this coating is water soluble and is taken up and dispersed throughout the plant.  Although meant to target only destructive insects, they affect all insects.  The residual of neonics can stay in the soil and pollute the ground water. Unfortunately, the insecticide has been detected in untreated crops and woody plants.

 

 

Honey Bee on Flower

 This poison is systemic and found in the pollen and nectar of plants.  When bees, (honey, solitary, and bumble) visit the flowers of neonic-treated plants, they are negatively affected.  Honeybees may experience problems with flight and navigation, be slower at learning new tasks, and have reduced taste sensitivity.  This effects the overall productivity of the hive.

 

 

Beekeepers

Management by humans helps to maintain the population of honeybees  The native bees are not as lucky.

 Bumblebee

 When visiting neonic-treated plants, bumble bees experience reduction in food productions, reduced reproduction rates, lower worker survival rates, reduced colony survival and diminished foraging activity.  Because a Bumblebee Queen’s production is significantly reduced by neonic exposure, there will be fewer colonies established over the following year.

 

Female  Mining Bee - photo credit: FarmandDairy.com

 

Some solitary bees can be affected by delayed maturation of larva, reproduction ability and increased  mortality rates due to neonic exposure.

 

    Purple Martin with Insect - Photo Credit Charlie Curry

 

Because I was focused on bees, I didn’t take into consideration the full impact of neonicotinoids.  These pesticides affect the entire food chain.  They are not only harmful to insects, but to the birds and other animals that consume these insects.  Studies have revealed these insecticides are harmful to birds and invertebrates even when used at low levels.    

 

 Male Bluebird – Photo Credit Deb Beasley

According to a study published in Nature the increase in neonicotinoid use led to statistically significant reductions in bird biodiversity between 2008 and 2014 relative to a counterfactual without neonicotinoid use, particularly for grassland and insectivorous birds, with average annual rates of reduction of 4% and 3%, respectively. The corresponding rates are even higher (12% and 5%, respectively) when the dynamic effects of bird population declines on future population growth are considered. Li, Y., Miao, R. & Khanna, M. Neonicotinoids and decline in bird biodiversity in the United States. Nat Sustain 3, 1027–1035 (2020).  This article contains more information.   https://abcbirds.org/neonics#:~:text=As%20our%202013%20report%20revealed,enough%20to%20kill%20a%20songbird. 

Monarch Butterfly on Thistle

 It’s not just the birds and bees that are at risk because of neonicotinoids. Recent studies have also detected a disturbing downward trend in monarch butterfly populations.  A naturally occurring parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) has increased in the monarch population. This debilitating pest can shorten the monarch’s life span.  

 

Tropical Milkweed - Photo Credit - North American Butterfly Association.

Along with climate change, one plant is believed to contribute to this decline.  Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), a non-native milkweed, is attractive to both butterflies and humans. The Monarchs will land on the leaves of this milkweed and some of the spores from the parasite will fall onto the leaves.     When the spores fall onto the leaves of a native milkweed, the spores die in the winter when the leaves fall off the plant.  Because of climate change this plant can now survive southern winters, the leaves never fall off and the spores survive.  Winter survival of the parasite leads to a larger population of parasites.  This larger population of parasites is responsible for the decline in the monarch population.  More information is contained in this article.

https://monarchjointventure.org/images/uploads/documents/Oe_fact_sheet.pdf

 

 Butterfly weed is a beautiful native milkweed.

We can turn things around.  Use native plants purchased from a respected nursery.  Buy organic food when you can.  Check the labels when buying flowers and seeds, if they are not labeled, ask if the plants were grown with neonicotinoids.  Support research and local charities, such as Friends of Warner Parks, https://www.warnerparks.org/  that value native plants, the birds, and pollinators.   Making these changes will keep the birds, bees and butterflies around for a long time.

 

 Who Knew Nature Could Be So Fun!

"I like how it feels" - McCabe CC

“If I keep this dirt in the jar for a long, long, long time, what will happen?” 

“Where will these ants find their food?”

“Ugh, stink bugs! But they’re so interesting to watch.”

“I love the colors of this bug.”

“Will it bite me?”             “Oh, it tickles!”

Apologies, dear reader, but there are hardly any pictures to go with my story. We’re always just too busy. Sometimes we take a photograph of a specimen to be able to look up information later, but you’ve seen plenty of bug pics in your life. No need to show those here.

Instead, imagine hearing the excitement in the words of the kids as I have shared above. Try to visualize them as they saunter slowly over the grounds of the community center parks carefully looking for living things. Then, suddenly, the race is on as someone shouts, “Come see what we found!”

                               

Kids at Madison Park CC explore leaves and trees.

Because, dear reader, this is what Naturalists do. 

And this is my marvelous world as I visit Metro Parks Community Centers in the role of the Urban Naturalist representing Warner Park Nature Center. I’m the Nature Lady, Ms. Betty, or just the person they hit on the arm to ask a question. 

My mandate is to get kids outside to discover the natural world – their natural world. This is the goal. We want children to understand that they are one with nature. Nature is not out there. Nature is part of us, and we are part of Nature. The Sun’s energy cycles through microbes and plants and animals and us. It’s our own back yard, in the bark of the tree, and in the crack in the sidewalk.

Discovery and sharing are important aspects of what we do together. Our club is called Nature Detectives and we look for clues to learn the answers to our questions. We notice. We wonder. We observe. We always look for evidence. We learn scientific terms and do not assign human emotions to the animal specimens.

But we do establish relationships with creatures and plants as we compare our basic needs with theirs and learn how very clever and unique each species is in providing water, food, shelter, and safety in their habitat. 

Similarities of need help children establish an emotional relationship with the natural world. So, then you’ll hear, “Don’t step on that ant. The colony is depending on it for food. Don’t you know they have to all work together?” 

A small, small world unites us. My hope is that these “detectives” will protect our Mother Earth.

Betty Krogman

Urban Naturalist

Warner Park Nature Center

February 2022

          Name That Winter Sparrow

         Melissa Donahue - Naturalist

Photo by Charlie Curry 

When hiking through a field in the winter have you noticed small birds flitting around?  Do you peer through the brambles to try to figure out what the little brown bird might be?  Often this little brown bird is a sparrow, and sparrows can be hard to identify.  Winter is the best time to see sparrows in Middle Tennessee.  Often found in fields, along the forest edge or sometimes at feeders, we can spot both year-round residents and migrants.  Through close observation you will begin to notice the differences in these little brown birds as they search for seeds.

 

 Field Sparrow – Photo by Graham Gerdeman

 The ranks of these small year-round sparrows swell in the winter as short-term migrants join year-round residents. The pink bill and legs are an identifying feature of Field Sparrows.  For further identification look for a gray face, light eye ring, reddish cap, and rusty brown streak behind the eye. The male can be heard singing from late winter to mid-June.  Listen for this song as you drive into the Warner Park Nature Center Parking lot.

  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Field_Sparrow/sounds

 

 Song Sparrow – Photo by Graham Gerdeman 

   Behavior helps with identification of this bird.  Watch for it feeding on the ground with a cocked tail and scratching with both feet to expose food.  The Song Sparrow is a winter visitor to parts of Tennessee, year-round in the East.  This sparrow is brown with dark streaks on its back and the breast is white with dark streaking that forms a dark central spot.  The song sparrow’s song lasts for 2 – 4 seconds and can vary greatly from one place to another. 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/sounds

Fox Sparrow – Photo by Graham Gerdeman

This large Fox Sparrow is a regular but uncommon winter resident.  Seen at feeders as well as foraging in the leaf litter this sparrow is easily recognized by its reddish color.  The sparrow is heavily steaked on the chest with a reddish tail.  On warm winter days this bird sings from a camouflaged post, so you will hear the song before you see the bird. 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Fox_Sparrow/sounds

 

White Crowned Sparrow – Photo by Graham Gerdeman

This White-crowned Sparrow, another winter visitor that may be seen on the ground below feeders, in grasslands, and in fields.  This bird has an eye-catching crown on the head with two broad black stripes separated by a broad white stripe.  A sparrow with little streaking, it has two white wing-bars and a dark brown tail.   As spring arrives listen for this sweet whistle.

   https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/sounds

                                       White Throated Sparrow – Photo by Charlie Curry

Each October I listen for this call, a distinct Oh Sweet Canada Canada Canada telling me this winter migrant, the White-throated Sparrow, has returned.  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Sparrow/sounds   Arriving in flocks these are the most abundant of Tennessee's wintering sparrows.  Often seen at feeders, this songbird also prefers shrubby edges in areas that facilitate ground foraging for seed.  Look for a sparrow that is brown above and gray below with white throat.  There are two morphs for head coloration, a coloration white crown and a coloration with a tan crown.

Photo by Graham Gerdeman

Want to learn to more about these sparrows and how to better identify them?  Sign up for the Identifying Winter Sparrows Workshop happening this Friday and Saturday! During this workshop, BIRD Program Volunteer Graham Gerdeman, will teach you where to find and how to identify winter sparrows and other winter grassland birds. The workshop will focus on key characteristics, vocalizations, habitat, and behavior that aid in identification. Beginning with a Friday-evening webinar followed by a morning hike you will search the fields and edges of Warner Parks for these often shy, but impressive birds.          

email wpnc@nashville.gov or call 615-862-8555  to register.

Presenters: Graham Gerdeman and BIRD Program Staff