Welcome

Outside my office window at the Preserve I always keep a feeder and enjoy keeping up with the bird world. Last summer I had a nectar feeder for hummingbirds hanging very close to the window. During the winter I hang a hot pepper block of suet there and then in spring a tube feeder of black oil sunflower seed. Last week I got an early surprise from a hummingbird who flew to the seed feeder and seemed to remember that when she was last here the nectar feeder was hanging in the same place. I scurried around and cooked up a batch of nectar here is my recipe in case you would like to make your own: 1 part sugar to 4 parts water, heat 1 minute in the microwave to dissolve the sugar, stir and store in the refrigerator. On day 2, I had the hummingbird feeder hanging outside, ready to go but further back from the window. Again the hummer came to visit and again to the seed feeder, what a memory! It wasn't until day 3 that she located the nectar feeder and was able to feed.

Your backyard is wildlife's habitat, welcome them with safe places to hide and raise their young such as brush piles. Plant your yard with wildlife friendly brushes and flowering plants and you will be royally rewarded by their visits!

~Nancy Jones

Guidance from The National Parks Service

We had a visit from Allyson Read from the National Park Service to discuss installing wildlife cameras at the Preserve. Pictured are Kevin, Maura, Trace and Allyson.

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We are also borrowing friendly turtle traps from the Park Service to begin a survey at the Preserve. Turtles will be trapped, tagged and released to give us an idea of the various species we have . This information will help guide our decisions about future turtle habitat restoration.

We took some great photos on this visit. Here's a Yellow-bellied Slider Turtle crossing over the wooden bridge at the turtle crossing sign.

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Snapping Turtle crossing under the bridge!

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