A View of Bird Rookery Swamp-“Great day for butterflies”

Below are first hand observations from our volunteer Dick Brewer. Who does weekly visits to Bird Rookery Swamp and very week sends us incredible stories of the magical 12 mile loop. If you would like to see more of his observations visit: http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html

By Dick Brewer
By Dick Brewer

 

“Below are observations from BRS on June 6. Great day for butterflies with 19 species identified, plus three more skippers that I don’t know and haven’t identified. The attached photo shows two Silver-spotted Skippers, one Dun Skipper, and one Ruddy Daggerwing all feeding on the same Buttonbush plant.

The juvenile Barred Owl was on a limb over the pond at marker 6. It flew down into the grass one time where it caught and ate something very small; then, it flew back up to its limb and began hissing for an adult to bring it more food.

The otter family was in a water hold blanketed with Duckweed but each otter was quite successful at catching fish. The second photo shows one of the otters really chewing a fish it caught, first on one side of its mouth, then the other, and finally chomping with both sides.
The tail of the fish is still hanging out of the right side of its mouth in the fourth panel.

River otter
By Dick Brewer

Bird Rookery Swamp observations
Saturday, June 6 ~ 7:35 am1:05 pm

BIRDS
Anhinga – 2
Great Egret – 8
Snowy Egret – 2
Little Blue Heron – 1
Tri-colored Heron – 1
Green Heron – 1
Black-crowned Night Heron – 5
Yellow-crowned Night Heron – 1
Black Vulture – 67
Turkey Vulture – 6
Swallow-tailed Kite – 3
Red-shouldered Hawk – 20
Mourning Dove – 1
Common Ground Dove – 2
Barred Owl – 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 22
Downy Woodpecker – 2
Pileated Woodpecker – 2
Great-crested Flycatcher – 3
Blue Jay – 2
Tufted Titmouse – 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 2
Carolina Wren – 18
White-eyed Vireo – 17
Northern Parula – 3
Northern Cardinal – 22

BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 13
Spicebush Swallowtail – 4
Ruddy Daggerwing – 23
Zebra Longwing – 4
Queen – 1
White Peacock – 36
Viceroy – 3
Red Admiral – 1
Great Southern White – 10
Gray Hairstreak – 1
Cloudless Sulphur – 1
Dorantes Longtail – 1
Brazilian Skipper – 5
Dun Skipper – 7
Fiery Skipper – 2
Least Skipper – 6
Silver-spotted Skipper – 6
Southern Brokendash – 3
Tropical Checker – 3

DRAGONFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 33
Needham’s Skimmer – 4
Halloween Pennant – 3

MAMMALS
River Otter – 4
Raccoon – 3
Gray Squirrel – 1

REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
Alligator – 148
Brown Anole – 7
Green Anole – 1
Water Moccasin – 2
Green Treefrog – 18
Squirrel Treefrog – 4
Greenhouse Frog – 6

FISH
Brown Bullhead – 227″

-By Dick Brewer

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

A View of CREW by Dick Brewer

Map of CREW

Below are first hand observations from our volunteer Dick Brewer.  This is a special week as we are luck to get Dick’s observations from all three trail systems. If you would like to see more of his observations visit: http://www.dickbrewer.org/CREW.html

Red Rat Snake By Dick Brewer
Red Rat Snake By Dick Brewer

 

Monday, May 11                           Marsh Trails-  6:45 am-8:30                        Cypress Dome 8:35am-10:30

 

Great Egret………………………………………………… 6………………………………………………………………

Black Vulture……………………………………………… 3………………………………………………………….. 25

Turkey Vulture……………………………… …………….. ……………………………………………………………. 2

Swallow-tailed Kite………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………. 5

Red-shouldered Hawk………………………………… 3……………………………………………………………. 5

Barred Owl………………………………….. …………….. ……………………………………………………………. 1

Limpkin………………………………………… …………… 1………………………………………………………………

Sand Hill Crane…………………………………………… 2………………………………………………………………

Mourning Dove…………………………………………. 11………………………………………………………….. 10

Red-bellied Woodpecker……………………………… 5……………………………………………………………. 5

Great-crested Flycatcher………………. …………… 1……………………………………………………………. 4

Blue Jay………………………………………. …………… 3……………………………………………………………. 2

Tufted Titmouse……………………………. …………… 1………………………………………………………………

Carolina Wren………………………………. …………… 4……………………………………………………………. 1

White-eyed Vireo……………………………………….. 5………………………………………………………………

Northern Cardinal……………………………………… 24………………………………………………………….. 10

Common Grackle………………………………………… 4………………………………………………………………

BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS

Common Buckeye…………………………. …………… 1……………………………………………………………. 1

Great Southern White……………………. …………… 2……………………………………………………………. 8

White Peacock……………………………… …………….. ……………………………………………………………. 2

Viceroy……………………………………….. …………… 2………………………………………………………………

Zebra Longwing…………………………… …………….. ……………………………………………………………. 1

Giant Swallowtail…………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………. 2

Pearl Crescent……………………………… …………… 1………………………………………………………………

Tropical Checker………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………. 1

Bella Moth (Utetheisa bella)…………… …………….. ……………………………………………………………. 3

DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES

Halloween Pennant………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………. 1

Regal Darner……………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………. 1

Blue Dasher…………………………………. …………….. ……………………………………………………………. 3

Needham’s Skimmer……………………………………… ……………………………………………………………. 7

Eastern Pondhawk……………………………………….. ………………………………………………………….. 13

Citrine Forktail………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………. 1

Carolina Saddlebags…………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………. 2

OTHER

White-tailed Deer………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………. 1

Squirrel Treefrog………………………………………. 14………………………………………………………….. 14

Pinewoods Treefrog…………………………………. 10……………………………………………………………. 3

Green Greefrog……………………………. …………. 33……………………………………………………………. 4

Cuban Treefrog………………………………………….. 3……………………………………………………………. 4

Greenhouse Frog……………………………………….. 2………………………………………………………………

Red Rat Snake……………………………… …………….. ……………………………………………………………. 1

Brown Anole……………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………. 6

Grass Pink and Pine Pink Orchids by Dick Brewer
Grass Pink and Pine Pink Orchids by Dick Brewer

 

 


Red Shouldered Hawk By Dick Brewer
Red Shouldered Hawk By Dick Brewer

Bird Rookery Swamp observations
Saturday, May 16 ~ 7:30 am-1:15 pm

BIRDS
Anhinga – 1
Great Egret – 6
Tri-colored Heron – 1
Black-crowned Night Heron – 1
White Ibis – 1
Black Vulture – 22
Turkey Vulture – 23
Red-shouldered Hawk – 18
Common Ground Dove – 11
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – 3
Barred Owl – 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 22
Pileated Woodpecker – 2
Great-crested Flycatcher – 3
Blue Jay – 2
Tufted Titmouse – 11
Carolina Wren – 23
White-eyed Vireo – 9
Northern Parula – 5
Northern Cardinal – 28
Common Grackle – 2

BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 6
Spicebush Swallowtail – 1
Ruddy Daggerwing – 16
White Peacock – 55
Viceroy – 5
Great Southern White – 5
Tropical Checker – 1

DRAGONFLIES

Barred Owls By Dick Brewer
Barred Owls By Dick Brewe

Eastern Pondhawk – 46
Needham’s Skimmer – 3
Roseate Skimmer – 11
Halloween Pennant – 2
Eastern Amberwing – 2
Carolina Saddlebags – 1

OTHER
White-tailed Deer – 2
Alligator – 87
Brown Anole – 7
Soft-shelled Turtle – 1
Water Moccasin – 1
Green Treefrog – 56
Squirrel Treefrog – 4
Cuban Treefrog – 3
Greenhouse Frog – 8

February Strolling Science Seminar: Gopher Tortoises

Get ready to meet one of Florida’s most important keystone species – the Gopher Tortoise – at CREW’s Strolling Science Seminar (SSS) on Saturday, February 7th at the CREW Cypress Dome Trails . This exciting strolling seminar – The Gopher Tortoise: How protecting one species actually protects hundreds – will be led by FGCU biology instructor, Dr. John Herman. Registration is required, sign up here.

john herman with gopher tortoise
Dr. John Herman works with gopher tortoises

Dr. John Herman’s enthusiasm for reptiles is contagious and his first-hand knowledge is vast. Don’t miss this chance to learn science from one of the best.

Gopher Tortoises are called ecosystem engineers because they fundamentally change the environment where they live by digging burrows. Their burrows provide critical habitat for over 300 other species. We will investigate these burrows and get to know many of these co-inhabitants. Whether you love reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, insects, or plants; this seminar will have it all, thanks to the mighty Gopher Tortoise!

Gopher Tortoise

What to wear/bring: Wear comfortable outdoor walking clothes and closed-toed shoes. Please bring water to drink and to use to rinse hands. Also please avoid putting sunscreen, lotion, hand sanitizer, or any other chemical on the palms of your hands during this session.

Are there age limits for this event? Yes – this walking seminar is for adults, ages 18 and over.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event? No. We like to conserve resources, so print tickets will not be issued. Just check in with the CREW staff when you arrive.

Get Smarter – Take a Stroll with an Expert

The CREW Trust is offering a brand new adult environmental education program this season. Called Strolling Science Seminars, these 1/2 day long hike/workshops take place on the CREW trails with professors and land managers – all experts in their respective fields and fun, fascinating people to boot.

The goal is to introduce adults to scientific concepts like how to conduct simple research projects, how to monitor wildlife, and how animals and plants interact with their environment. Once you have some background knowledge and get some hands-on experience in the field with the hike leaders, you will be able to take what you know back home and use it to engage in a citizen science project of your own choosing.

We’ll also provide you with a specially designed Citizen Science website and handouts so you will have support and can get more information if you need it.

This six-seminar series begins November 5th, 2011 with Science in a 1/2 Day. Dr. billY Gunnels, from FGCU will take you through the scientific process – letting you explore, observe, and then pose a question about what you see along the trails. Then you’ll get to collect data and analyze it, finishing with a report back to the group. It’s a whirlwind science project out in the field and it is a fabulously fun day!

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today! SSS Registration Form

For more information on the other five strolling science seminars, go here.

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