Category: Water

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Swamp Heritage Festival this Weekend!

Join Bigbig cypress flyer (1) Cypress on December 5, 2015, from 10:30 to 4:00 pm, at the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center (33000 Tamiami Trail East Ochopee, Florida 34141) as we celebrate the history and culture of South Florida for the FIFTH annual Swamp Heritage Festival!

Learn about the history of this rugged, yet beautiful environment through park rangers, volunteers, local experts and residents that will share their love of the swamp through programs, activities, and thought-provoking presentations.

This FREE family-friendly event shines a spotlight upon the inhabitants of early South Florida, whose rugged strength and pioneering spirit contributed to the shaping of today’s unique and diverse culture. Through living history demonstrations, informative presentations, and exhibits everyone can learn what daily life was like in such a remote, and at times, inhospitable place. These unique chapters in American history add to the rich and colorful tableau that comprises our shared past and present.

To learn more about the event, or see the full article visit: http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/swampheritagefestival.htm

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Boost your family’s health with a “Vitamin N” hike at CREW

children playing outside

children playing outside When: December 5th, 2015, 9 AM to noon
Where: CREW Cypress Dome Trails
Register by clicking here

Come join CREW for a fun, family walk in the woods – with activities that will get you dirty, inspire you, and engage all your senses – giving everyone a nice dose of Vitamin N (that is “Nature”). This is an active walk for the whole family to get involved and enjoy nature at its best.

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, describes time in nature as “Vitamin N”. He writes about the importance of Vitamin N for families here. Getting out in nature with the family can build bonds, improve mental and physical health, boost creativity and help form strong, positive connections to the natural world.

So come on out and play in the woods with CREW staff and volunteers!

This walk is limited to the first 20 people who register. Children must be accompanied and supervised by their adult guardian during the walk.

Registration ends December 3rd. So sign up today 🙂homeschool

 

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What you can do at CREW 2015-2016!

laura write up picture

Just in case you missed Laura Tichy-Smith’s great article on CREW Field Trips, here is what you need to know. The article titled “Field Trip” was released October 25th, 2015 in The News-Press Coastal Life. laura write up picture

  • We have 2 free primitive campsites with grills, picnic tables, and fire rings. Get your permit here: https://crewtrus.mystagingwebsite.com/2011/08/11/camping/
  • All events require registration through the CREW website or by phone 239-657-2253.
  •  Guided walks at the CREW Marsh Trail Start at 9 a.m.-noon on First and third Tuesday and second Saturday monthly (November- April)
  • Guided walks at Bird Rookery Swamp start at 9-11:30 a.m. every Wednesday and fourth Saturday monthly (November-April). As well as in the afternoons: 1:30-4 p.m. first
    Sunday monthly (November- April)
  • Our Strolling Science Seminars cost: $25 non-members; $15 CREW members. They are adult only:
    • Dec. 4: Dendrochronology (tree coring science) with Dr. Disturbance by Dr. Win Everham, FGCU
    • Saturday, Jan. 16: Snake in the grass: Not always a bad guy by Dr. John Herman, FGCU
    • Saturday, Feb. 6: Birding with the master by Dr. Bernie Master (international conservationist)
    • Friday March 11: Adaptation or extinction: The lives of CREW’s
      most interesting plants by Jack Berninger
  • Other specialty hikes:
    • Nature’s peace at CREW: A nature walk for early-stage Alzheimer’s patients at 10:30 a.m.-noon on the First Mondays monthly (November-April)
    • Get your vitamin N: A nature walk for families at 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Dec. 5
      and Saturday, March 19
    • Bike tours at Bird Rookery Swamp at 8 a.m.-noon on Friday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Feb. 12. You must provide own bicycle, and helmet.
    • CREW Concert & Silent Eco-Auction at 5-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13. Located at Riverside Park, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs
    • Spring wildflower walk with Roger Hammer at 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 2
  • We have 2 member-only events, you can sign up to be a member and get discounts on all events at https://crewtrus.mystagingwebsite.com/become-a-member/
    • Wine and Cheese Social on Thursday, Jan. 21
    • Campfire and S’mores Social on Thursday, Feb. 25

To see the full article visit: http://www.news-press.com/story/life/coastal-life/2015/10/24/crew-offers-recreational-opportunities/74490760/

Thank you Laura Tichy-Smith for such a great article

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Wildfile Q & A: What makes the holes in Alligator Flag Leaves?

alligator flag rolls

Q: What makes the orderly slits and holes in Alligator Flag leaves?

alligator flag rolls

A: The culprits are caterpillars.

When new leaves of the Alligator Flag (Thalia geniculata) first emerge, the leaflets are tightly rolled.

Once the leaves approach their mature length, they begin to unfurl. That’s why there are rarely small and large leaves on the same Alligator Flag plant.

Brazilian Skipper butterflies use Alligator Flag as their larval host plant, which means eggs are laid and caterpillars hatch. When the caterpillar feeds on a new, still-rolled leaf, it  bores through the leaf. Then the leaf unfurls and … voilá! There is a neat pattern of orderly little geometric holes in the leaf.

To make a comparison that’s easy to relate to, think back to making a chain of paper dolls or making snowflakes from a sheet of paper by folding the paper several times and making a few cuts with a scissors.

Unfold the paper and a nice chain of dolls or snowflake-like symmetrical pattern magically appears.

Nature just uses leaves and caterpillars instead of paper and scissors.

By Dick Brewer

http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html

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A View of Bird Rookery Swamp: Surprises on the tram

Water moccasin with mouth open

Bird Rookery Swamp observations
Saturday, November 14Tri colored heron at BRS
6:25 am-1:05 pm
“There were all sorts of surprises on the tram. The first was a small flock of Robins that flew into the trees to the west of the gravel path; it was good to see them back. Later, a visitor said he saw another larger flock near marker 5.

Another surprise was the huge number of White Ibis that flew into the trees around the parking lot pond a little before sunrise. They just
kept coming, wave after wave. The total number of individual ibis for the day was 261, and all but nine of those were in that pre-dawn arrival.

Ida at BRS One more surprise was how few gators were present, even into the early afternoon. Ida was in her pond in the afternoon, resting in the water by the culvert (left photo).

Water levels have dropped along the tram — there are only two spots between markers 6 and 3 where walking through the water is still necessary.

Nineteen species of butterflies was also a bit unusual considering the wind. Nine of those species were the little grass skippers who stayed very close to the ground or on Alligator Flag leaves when the sun hit them. One new butterfly species for me was a Fulvous Hairstreak.

The biggest surprise was when I almost stepped on a 3-12 to 4 foot
Water Moccasin in the thigh-high grasses. Each of us was startled and
retreated a bit. A photo of the snake showing his displeasure at being
disturbed is attached.
Water moccasin with mouth open

BIRDS
Pied-billed Grebe – 3
Anhinga – 15
Great Blue Heron – 7
Great Egret – 10
Little Blue Heron – 22
Tri-colored Heron – 3
Green Heron – 4
Black-crowned Night Heron – 8
White Ibis – 261
Wood Stork – 3
Black Vulture – 14
Turkey Vulture – 39
Red-shouldered Hawk – 14
American Kestrel – 1
Limpkin – 1
Belted Kingfisher – 12
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 16
Downy Woodpecker – 1
Pileated Woodpecker – 4
Eastern Phoebe – 10
Blue Jay – 2
American Crow – 5
Tufted Titmouse – 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 32
American Robin – 8
Gray Catbird – 13
Loggerhead Shrike – 1
Black-and-white Warbler – 1
Yellow-throated Warbler – 1
Palm Warbler – 8
Common Yellowthroat – 2
Northern Cardinal – 3
Common Grackle – 65

BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 2
Tiger Swallowtail – 7
Spicebush Swallowtail – 1
Ruddy Daggerwing – 2
Gulf Fritillary – 1
White Peacock – 153
Red Admiral – 1
Viceroy – 2
Phaon Crescent – 4
Fulvous Hairstreak – 1
Barred Yellow – 74
Dorantes Longtail – 2
Brazilian Skipper – 23
Eufala Skipper – 3
Least Skipper – 1
Three-spotted Skipper – 3
Twin Spot Skipper – 5
Tropical Checker – 5
unknown skipper – 1

DRAGONFLIES/DAMSELFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 12
Needham’s Skimmer – 1
Blue Dasher – 2
Regal Darner – 1

MAMMALS
Gray Squirrel – 1
Raccoon – 1

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
Alligator – 21
Brown Anole – 2
Green Anole – 1
Water Moccasin – 1
Green Treefrog – 1

By Dick Brewer

http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html

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Wildfile Q& A: What do butterflies and other insects do when it rains, and where do they go?

Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly resting under a leaf

Q: What do butterflies and other insects do when it rains, and where do they go?

Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly resting under a leaf
Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly resting under a leaf by Dick Brewer
A:
Where insects go when it rains depends on how much rain falls and on the species of insect.
If the rain is light enough, many insects stay out and are unaffected.
If the rain is moderate, most insects adapt and seek shelter. Butterflies and many other insects find spots under flowers, leaves, branches, or other vegetation, cling to the spot, and use it like an umbrella. If they are small enough, they may take shelter in a bark crevice.

If the rain is heavy, insects that are more accustomed to dry land will cling to whatever shelter they can find. The heavier the rain, the more substantial shelter they seek so they are not knocked into the water. Even if they are dislodged, it is uncommon for insects to
drown because of heavy rain. Most are just displaced and then find themselves in new surroundings.

Small burrowing insects such as ants find air pockets in underground burrows, even during flooding and flowing water. They require very little oxygen and can survive for weeks using air pockets that are always available even in densely flooded areas.
Insects that frequent water more often, like water beetles and mosquitoes, can negotiate rising, flooding and flowing water with more ease and they simply go with the flow.
                                     -Dick Brewer
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A View of Bird Rookery Swamp: Water is slowly receding….

Osprey that landed on a cypress
Osprey that landed on a cypress
Osprey that landed on a cypress
Bird Rookery Swamp observations
Saturday, October 31
7:25 am-1:00 pm

“The water is slowly receding, but there are still wet areas and muddy spots between markers 6 and 3. Heading out early in the morning, I could only find 11 gators, but on my way back in the late morning and early afternoon, 38 more had appeared. I think Ida moved from her pond to the ditch beside the gravel path, close to the kiosk. She was in
the water there right around sunrise and was basking on the far bank in the early afternoon. Baby gators were chirping close to her vicinity.

An interesting sighting around 1 o’clock in the afternoon was an immature Common Gallinule foraging in the southeast corner of the parking lot pond near Shady Hollow. It had the adult call and size, but its shield and bill hadn’t turned adult colors.”

juvenile Common Gallinule
juvenile Common Gallinule

BIRDS
Anhinga – 14
Great Blue Heron – 6
Great Egret – 7
Little Blue Heron – 17
Tri-colored Heron – 3
Green Heron – 12
Black-crowned Night Heron – 11
Yellow-crowned Night Heron – 1
White Ibis – 54
Black Vulture – 24
Turkey Vulture – 10
Osprey – 1
Red-shouldered Hawk – 18
Common Gallinule – 1
Limpkin – 1
Belted Kingfisher – 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 20
Pileated Woodpecker – 1
Great-crested Flycatcher – 7
Eastern Phoebe – 13
Blue Jay – 1
American Crow – 4
Tufted Titmouse – 9
Carolina Wren – 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 19
Northern Mockingbird – 2
Loggerhead Shrike – 1
Gray Catbird – 39
White-eyed Vireo – 1
Palm Warbler – 8
Common Yellowthroat – 5
Northern Cardinal – 5
Common Grackle – 20

BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 9
Tiger Swallowtail – 9
Ruddy Daggerwing – 3
White Peacock – 106
Viceroy – 2
Phaon Crescent – 7
Pearl Crescent – 3
Cloudless Sulphur – 1
Barred Yellow – 13
Brazilian Skipper – 32
Dorantes Longtail – 2
Tropical Checker – 2

DRAGONFLIES/DAMSELFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 27
Needham’s Skimmer – 16
Blue Dasher – 5

MAMMALS
Gray Squirrel – 2

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS

Green Anoles.
Green Anoles.

Alligator – 49
Brown Anole – 14
Green Anole – 3
Yellow Rat Snake – 1
Red-bellied Turtle – 3
Green Treefrog – 11

 

By Dick Brewer

http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html

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A View of Bird Rookery Swamp- Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

black Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

Bird Rookery Swamp observations
Saturday, October 24 ~ 7:10 am-1:20 pm

“Nice day with 36 species of birds and 13 species of butterflies. Top birds were a flock of 9
black Black-bellied Whistling Ducks foraging in the Pickerelweed to the east of the gravel path leading to the boardwalk. A photo with one adult and three of the juveniles in the family is attached. Also had two Pied-billed Grebes in one of the large open water areas between markers 6 & 3.

Lots of night herons were back — 15 Black crowned combinations of adult and juvenile. I didn’t see any gators the first three and a half
hours, but it was cooler then. Once the sun warmed things up, they came out. A photo of a seven-eight footer is attached; it was acting as “greeter” between the end of the boardwalk and Ida’s pond (no Ida, though).” – Dick Brewer Gator on the BRS trail

BIRDS
Pied-billed Grebe – 2
Black-bellied Whistling Duck – 9
Anhinga – 18
Great Blue Heron – 8
Great Egret – 6
Snowy Egret – 2
Little Blue Heron – 7
Tri-colored Heron – 7
Green Heron – 16
Black-crowned Night Heron – 15
Yellow-crowned Night Heron – 3
White Ibis – 91
Black Vulture – 39
Turkey Vulture – 29
Red-shouldered Hawk – 12
American Kestrel – 1
Limpkin – 1
Barred Owl – 1
Belted Kingfisher – 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 20
Downy Woodpecker – 2
Pileated Woodpecker – 6
Great-crested Flycatcher – 6
Eastern Phoebe – 15
American Crow – 4
Tufted Titmouse – 4
Carolina Wren – 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 19
Northern Mockingbird – 3
Gray Catbird – 35
White-eyed Vireo – 2
Northern Parula – 1
Palm Warbler – 9
Common Yellowthroat – 4
Northern Cardinal – 9
Common Grackle – 46

BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 15
Spicebush Swallowtail – 1
Tiger Swallowtail – 4
Ruddy Daggerwing – 1
White Peacock – 46
Viceroy – 1
Phaon Crescent – 2
Fiery Skipper – 1
Least Skipper – 1
Brazilian Skipper – 12
Long-tailed Skipper – 1
Dorantes Longtail – 3
Tropical Checker – 7

DRAGONFLIES/DAMSELFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 28
Needham’s Skimmer – 1
Eastern Amberwing – 2
Blue Dasher – 3
Citrine Forktail – 1

MAMMALS
Raccoon – 2

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
Alligator – 42
Brown Anole – 5
Red-bellied Turtle – 2
Green Treefrog – 3

By Dick Brewer

http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html

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A View of Bird Rookery Swamp: Ruby-throated Hummingbird & Limpkins

Limpkin

Bird Rookery Swamp observations

Saturday, October 17 ~ 7:20 am–1:35 pmLimpkin

Below are observations at Bird Rookery Swamp for Saturday, October 17. It was a great day including lower humidity and a nice breeze. I had 36 species of birds and 17 species of butterflies. Among the nicest of the birds was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird getting nectar from Alligator Flag blooms just north of marker 2 and the vulture roost and two Limpkins. One Limpkin was in the trees near marker 6 but the other was very cooperative walking across the tram between markers 2 and 3. There were also five warbler species including a pair of female American Redstarts, lots of Palm Warblers, and a Lousiana Waterthrush. A photo below of the waterthrush  is one of a small Green Treefrog peeping over the top of a leaf.
gtf151017
BIRDS
Anhinga – 7
Great Blue Heron – 3
Great Egret – 7
Little Blue Heron – 14
Tri-colored Heron – 1
Green Heron – 3
Black-crowned Night Heron – 4
White Ibis – 81
unknown ducks – 2 (possibly Wood Ducks)
Black Vulture – 8
Turkey Vulture – 27
Red-shouldered Hawk – 10
Limpkin – 2
Mourning Dove – 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 1
Belted Kingfisher – 14
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 24
Downy Woodpecker – 2
Pileated Woodpecker – 3
Great-crested Flycatcher – 5
Eastern Phoebe – 15
Blue Jay – 1
Tufted Titmouse – 2
Carolina Wren – 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 2
Northern Mockingbird – 1
Gray Catbird – 30
Loggerhead Shrike – 1
White-eyed Vireo – 9
American Redstart – 2
Black-and-white Warber – 1
Palm Warbler – 13
Common Yellowthroat – 3
Louisiana Waterthrush – 1lowa_1017
Northern Cardinal – 9
Common Grackle – 10

BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 11
Tiger Swallowtail – 1
Ruddy Daggerwing – 1
White Peacock – 44
Queen – 1
Viceroy – 4
Cloudless Sulphur – 1
Pearl Crescent – 1
Barred Yellow – 2
Fiery Skipper – 1
Least Skipper – 1
Twin-spot Skipper – 1
Whirlabout – 1
Delaware Skipper – 2
Brazilian Skipper – 7
Dorantes Longtail – 3
Tropical Checker – 11

DRAGONFLIES/DAMSELFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 23
Needham’s Skimmer – 4
Carolina Saddlebags – 1
Eastern Amberwing – 3
Citrine Forktail – 1

MAMMALS
River Otter – 1
Raccoon – 1

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
Alligator – 54
Brown Anole – 8
Red-bellied Turtle – 2
Florida Soft-shelled Turtle – 1
Banded Water Snake – 1
Green Treefrog – 3
Cuban Treefrog – 1

 

By Dick Brewer

http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html

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Guided Hikes at CREW Trails Starting in November

guided hike

Join our excellent volunteers for an entertaining and informative 2.5-hour guided walk on a portion of the Bird Rookery Swamp trails near Naples, FL. Learn the history, see wildlife and enjoy the view.BRS eventbrite pic

 

  • Wednesdays (9:00 – 11:30 AM) – November through April
  • 1st Sundays (1:30 – 4 PM) – November through April
  • 4th Saturdays (9 – 11:30 AM) – November through August

The Bird Rookery Swamp Trail is part of the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (owned by the South Florida Water Management District). It includes a 1500 ft. boardwalk and nearly 12 miles of raised trails on old railroad trams. The cypress/maple swamp is home to wading birds, owls, deer, bear, panther, bobcat, limpkins, and much more.

Register ahead at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/bird-rookery-swamp-guided-walks-tickets-17327245257

 

Join CREW Land & Water Trust volunteer and FL Master Naturalist, Dr. David Cooper, for a humorous and informative 2.5 to 3-hour guided walk at the CREW Marsh Hiking Trails. Learn about the watershed as a whole, view wildflowers, animal signs, birds, butterflies, and more.marsh trails for eventbrite

  • 1st and 3rd Tuesday (9:00-12:00) November-April
  • 2nd Saturday  (9:00-12:00) November-April

 

The CREW Marsh Trails are part of the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (owned by the South Florida Water Management District). These trails meander through pine flatwoods, along the edge of the marsh, to oak hammock and popash slough. The Marsh Trails are home to FL black bears, FL panthers, bobcats, limpkins, many songbirds, and more.

Register ahead at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/crew-marsh-trails-guided-walks-registration-17800793653