This is the first post of several where I will explore invasive and non-native, or introduced, species. This is a big topic in the management of natural resources and the control of such species is a big part of the work we do at Pearl Creek Farm. Like any scientific topic, there is disagreement about these terms, what the concepts really mean, and how they apply in the real world. Naturally, I have my own opinions about them, but don’t take my word for it! Do your own research and ask your own questions.
Category Archives: Nature
Why Prairies Matter
Watch this short video. Then, get involved! Donate to the Missouri Prairie Foundation, volunteer, visit a prairie (ask me where!), or plant native species around your house this spring. The butterflies and beetles will thank you. :-)
Candid Camera for Wildlife
Inexpensive digital camera technology has revolutionized our ability to see all kinds of hidden things. Before, we might catch a fleeting glimpse of a wild animal here or there, but their lives remained a secret. Some we wouldn’t see at all. Here at Pearl Creek, we try to put out cameras every winter to see what is out and about.
Mostly, we photograph squirrels, groundhogs, raccoons, and possums. Occasionally, we’ll get feral dogs or cats. Sometimes we get deer and turkey or even a bobcat or coyote. Interestingly, we’ve never photographed (or seen) a fox at Pearl Creek Farm.
Read on to see some of our photographs from this winter!
First reptile of 2014
Can someone help me identify this sparrow?
My first guess is song sparrow, but white-throated sparrows are very common here and I wonder if it is a juvenile or female. Anyone?
Also, I saw a kinglet-sized bird yesterday that appeared to have very bold black and white stripes on its head. I could find nothing that looked like it. It’s possible it was a sparrow, too, but it was very small. Any ideas?
More snow brings birds to the feeders
We are at 20oF and holding steady. At 730 this morning, I measured almost exactly 3.0″ of new snow. Most had melted by yesterday afternoon, so this is all new. At 1230 this afternoon, it looks like we got an extra 1-2″ out there. The radar shows that it’s almost over and many schools in the area are closed, including Springfield and Willard. That might be as much to do with the expected cold temperatures as the snow itself.
Remember summer?
I do and I want it back! To tide you over, here is a photo from our prairie a couple of years ago.
Quail!
Okay, really Northern Bobwhite, but nobody shouts that when you flush a covey from less than ten yards. Although we occasionally hear them calling from some distance, we see them on our place only rarely. On January 1, 2014, we flushed a covey on top of the hill (I4). I hope they like what we’ve done with the place and stick around for a while.
