By the time you are reading this, we’ll be well into August with autumn changes on the horizon. What’s happening nature-wise at the Conservancy in these waning dog days of summer?  Prairie enthusiast and FOPFC member Curt Caslavka shared his observations from early August so that you can be on the lookout too.

Birding

For the birders in the crowd, you’ll see several different bird species out and about with their friends. These include sedge wrens in the Blackhawk Prairie; Eastern kingbirds, clay-colored sparrows, song sparrows, and American goldfinches located in the Wheatfield Prairie. Over in the Hillside Prairie and Oak Savanna are field sparrows and common yellowthroats. Families of bluebirds can be seen in several locations in the conservancy with a total of 59 bluebirds fledged from the boxes this year on the property. Flocks of red-winged blackbirds were spotted feeding on insects in the North and South Prairies.

In late August thru September look for migrating warblers and lots of other species at Pope Farm.  The best viewing locations include the Ravine and the Oak Savanna. You will probably want a pair of binoculars and a birding field guide. There is a free bird identification app you can install on your phone from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology called Merlin. It’s easy to download and offers excellent photos and bird vocalizations.  It’s a great resource if you’re a beginning or becoming a more seasoned intermediate bird watcher.       

Prairies

Plant-wise, the remaining prairie plants that will soon be flowering include the goldenrods, native sunflowers, and species of asters. All attract pollinating insects that are collecting nectar.  

Insects

From the insect world, the most noticeable species this time of year are monarch butterflies and large predatory dragonflies. Both of these insects are migratory, and the prairies provide a source of food for them as they head south. Closer to the end of August, look for monarchs clustering in the trees of the Oak Savanna.

The other most noticeable insects are the swarming hordes of mosquitoes. With abundant rainfall we’ve had, you won’t have to search
hard to find them…and probably won’t want to! 

Thanks again to Curt Caslavka for sharing this Nature Watch with the Friends. Photos by Bryan Palchik (goldfinch), Janie Starzewski (prairie), and Paul Ludden (monarchs).