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Jim's This & That!  ** Jim's This and That is a personal communication to individuals interested in the natural world -- primarily in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. If you have comments and questions about its content or wish to receive or not receive Jim's This and That e-mails, please e-mail to jevarnum@aol.com
All events described in Jim's This and That are open to the public.
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Jim's This and That - May 15 |
---<< Take a hike, Enjoy the wildflowers >>---
** Jim's This and That is a personal communication to individuals interested in the natural world -- primarily in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. If you have comments and questions about its content or wish to receive or not receive Jim's This and That e-mails, please e-mail to jevarnum@aol.com
0. From overseas!
* ·England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool
* ·Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.
1. Bumblebee Behavior
Are bumblebees good pollinators? For the most part, yes. But some with short tongues carve a hole in the side of tubular flowers and extract the nectar, leaving nothing behind. Darwin noticed this in the 19th century and we see it today. But it gets more intriguing. Some English researchers, studying bumblebees and non-symmetric flowers in Switzerland, and found that bumblebees in one meadow carve entry holes on the left side. And other bumblebees in a different meadow carve entry holes in the right side. And if there two bumblebee species in the same meadow, both are either lefties or righties. Isn't that cool? Do you want to know more? Visit this web article from the Economist news magazine.
http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21576627-strange-case-bandit-bumblebees-bad-beehaviour
2. Pine Siskin Irruption in Lower 48 States.
Do you remember from the past winter a higher number than usual of Pine siskins in the DFW Metroplex. Stephanie and I had Pine siskins for the first time ever, and on Project Feeder Watch days up to 24 at one time. According to The Cornell School of Ornithology, this was true throughout the lower 48 states, with record numbers reported in many locations. Here's some Pins Siskin info - http://birdsandbloomsblog.com/2013/01/28/pine-siskins-seen-this-winter-at-feeders-everywhere/
3. Didja Know...
A. The Indian Trail Master Naturalists conducts weekday Wildflower and Nature Walks at Mockingbird Park in Midlothian. Open to all free of charge. Next walks are at 10:00 AM on May 20, June 3 and June 17. Info at http://txmn.org/indiantrail/ and Information@itmnc.com .
B. You can find out what's happening in the World of Science - every day. Visit Science Daily at www.sciencedaily.com . An app is also available for your smartphone - Science Daily News by BSP.
C. There's an interesting article titled World's Longest-Running Plant Monitoring Program Now Digitized. Researchers at the University of Arizona's Tumamoc Hill have digitized 106 years of growth data on individual plants, making the information available for study by people all over the world. Visit http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130429154218.htm .
E. Carol Clark and I observed an Ornate Box Turtle crossing a road in Grayson County the other day. I didn't think much of it until I learned there are only two box turtle species in Texas. Three-toed and Ornate. For more info: http://www.texasturtles.org/ and http://www.dfwherp.org/boxturle.pdf
CALENDAR - May 16-31, 2013
Calendar note. Due to the large number of items in the calendar, I have streamlined the entries to date/time, event, location and information. If you need more information, please contact Jim at jevarnum@aol.com or 214-543-2055 or visit the web sites.
Thursday, May 16, 2013 all day
TRAC - Free Third Thursday and evening events
Guided Hikes & Animal Encounters throughout the day, Kids Crafts, Story Time & Bird Conservation activities. FREE.
Evening activities - Master Birder Program Summary - 7:00, Owl Prowl - 8:00
Chimney Swift Night Out - 7:45-8:45. Bring a chair, binoculars and bug spray.
Trinity River Audubon Center - http://trinityriver.audubon.org/
Audubon Dallas - www.audubondallas.org
Friday-Saturday, May 17-18, 2013 all day, both days
Texas Tree Climbing Competition - in Plano - Friday (8:00-5:00) & Saturday (8:00-2:00)
The International Society of Arboriculture - Texas Chapter (ISAT), will hold its annual Texas Tree Climbing Competition which also includes events for the public, on May 17 (8AM-5PM) and May 18 (8AM-2PM), 2013, in Bob Woodruff Park, South Pavilion, 3800 Park Blvd East, Plano, Texas 75074. Top tree climbers in the state will tangle for the supreme honor of being the states “Top Gun” among tree climbers. At its essence, the event is an amazing exposition of physical and mental skills necessary in the profession of arboriculture. The event is an international competition with this year's Texas event being held right here in North Texas. The two-day competition is sponsored each year by the ISAT, to determine who will represent the Texas chapter at the International Championship, being held in Toronto, Canada, in August 2013. Approximately 30 top tree care professionals from around the state will thrill spectators as they swing through the tree tops—sometimes as high as 85 feet--competing in several events testing their strength, agility, balance and “tree smarts.” In addition, the event is free and the public is welcome to compete in the stock saw speed cutting competition, knot tying contest as well as tree height/diameter guessing contest. For more info: www.isatexas.com or contact Competition Chairperson, Kevin Bassett C: 972-877-0358, kbassett@arborilogical.com .
Saturday, May 18, 2013 10:00 - 4:00 Take a hike
Clymer Meadow Wildflower Tour
Get back to nature with us at The Nature Conservancy’s Clymer Meadow Wildflower Tour. This 1,400-acre preserve contains one of the last remnants of the Blackland Prairie, an ecosystem that once stretched from the Texas coast to southern Manitoba. Catch a glimpse of many rare plant species as well as three very rare prairie types, or bring your guidebook and turn an eye to the sky for birdwatching. Pack a picnic lunch and a beverage, and bring the whole family!
Questions - Contact Jim Eidson (903 568-4139 or jeidson@tnc.org) for more details.
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/texas/events/clymer-meadow-wildflower-tour.xml
Location - Clymer Meadow Preserve - Hunt Co, Rd 140, near Celeste, TX
Saturday, May 18, 2013 8:00 - 10:00 Take a hike
CRP - Painted Bunting Walk with MN Jim Varnum
Longtime CRP volunteer and birder Jim Varnum leads a walk to find some of the most brilliant birds of the spring. The walk will go through the mixed prairie area of the preserve and locate territories of both Painted and Indigo Buntings. Other birds we may encounter include Black-chinned and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, White-eyed Vireos, and perhaps some warbler species. Bring your binoculars, bird guide and camera. Wear sturdy boots or shoes with good ankle support. Dogs are not permitted on the walk.
Location - Cedar Ridge Preserve, 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas 75249. Information? - contact Jim at jevarnum@aol.com or 214-543-2055. RSVP is appreciated but not required.
Saturday, May 18, 2013 9:00 - 12:00
Cedar Ridge Preserve - Conservation in Action workday
CRP workdays every third Saturday. Wear sturdy boots or shoes with good ankle support and bring gloves. People are welcome to come and leave early if they can't stay. And bring a friend!
Location - Cedar Ridge Preserve, 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas 75229 www.audubondallas.org
Contact - info_CRP@yahoo.com
Saturday, May 18, 2012 10:00 -2:00
BRIT - Annual Prairie Day Event - Free to the public
Join Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) scientists and botanists at the BRIT campus in the heart of the Fort Worth Cultural District, for Prairie Day. This is BRIT’s annual, free event celebrating the beauty and vibrancy of the North Texas native landscape with family-oriented, hands-on activities, events, demonstrations, and entertainment that showcase the native grasses, wildflowers, and vegetation that blankets the BRIT campus
Location - 1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76107-3400 (next to Fort Worth Botanic Garden at the SW corner of University and Harley Avenue) More info at BRIT web site - www.brit.org
Sunday, May 19, 2013 3:00 PM
NPSOT-Garland Chapter monthly meeting - Becky Rader on History of the White Rock Lake Prairie.
Location of meeting - 5001 Bass Pro Drive, Garland, Texas 75043 in the Conference Room, Lower Level.
Web site - https://npsot.org/Garland
Sunday, May 19, 2013 1:00 - 2:30 PM Take a hike
Vine Identification Workshop by Dana Wilson (SCFP, Garland)
Presenter - Dana Wilson is a Dallas-area naturalist with a wide experience with flora, fauna, geology and their interrelationships. In this workshop Dana uses a dichotomous key to help you learn how to identify local vines.
Location - Spring Creek Forest Preserve, 1770 Holdford Dr, Garland, TX (on the right side of Holford when driving from Arapaho to Pres Geo Bush Tpke.)
Bring a clipboard and pen; space is limited & RSVP is required... to Dana at danawilson59@yahoo.com
Sunday, May 19, 2013 2:00 PM Take a hike
New York Avenue Blackland Prairie (Arlington) - Nature Walk by MN Jim Varnum.
What - Native prairie, grasses, a gazillion wildflowers, gilgais, photo ops, etc. Gilgai? What's that? Come and find out.
Location - in Arlington, on New York Avenue about 1 mile south of IH-20.
For Arlington Conservation Council - http://www.arlingtonconservationcouncil.org
Long pants, closed footwear, water, camera, etc. RSVP to Jim appreciated, but not required.
Monday, May 20, 2013 7:00 PM
NPSOT-Dallas monthly meeting - Native Bees of Texas by Mike Warriner TPWD
Michael Warriner is the invertebrate biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Michael's website - Texas Native Bee Co-op - http://www.txnativebees.com/
Location of meeting - REI upstairs meeting room, 4515 LBJ Fwy between Midway & Welch, Dallas
Chapter web site - www.npsot.org/Dallas
Monday, May 20, 2013 7:00 PM Moved to 5/20 due to 5/27 being Memorial Day
Indian Trail MN - Tracking Bobcats by Sat. by Dr. Richard Ashley
New Location - Red Oak Library, 200 Lakeview Pkwy, Red Oak, TX
Information - http://txmn.org/indiantrail
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 7:00 PM
Central Texas Audubon Society - "Lake Waco Eagle nesting platform project" with Connie Kassner from the Cameron Park zoo.
Location of meeting - Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd, Woodway, TX 76712
CTAS website - http://centexaudubon.org/
Thursday, May 23, 2013 7:00 PM
NPSOT-Trinity Forks (Denton) - monthly meeting - Speaker - Bill Freiheit of LLELA.
Information - www.npsot.org/TrinityForks
Saturday, May 25, 2013 8:00 PM Take a hike
LLELA Spring Night Hike
Trail guides will lead moonlit strolls on the Redbud Trail, a 1.4 mile trail through open grassland and scattered woods.
LLELA - 201 E. Jones St., Lewisville. The hikes are open to anyone 5 and older. $7 per person. Hikes will be scheduled in the event of rain. Registration is required. 972-219-3930 lisacole@unt.edu . Website - http://www.ias.unt.edu/llela/main.htm
Sunday, May 26, 2013 2:00 PM Take a hike
Bob Jones Nature Center - Wildflower walk with MN Jim Varnum
Join Master Naturalist Jim Varnum for a leisurely stroll throughout the grounds to observe and learn about Texas wildflowers. Fun for all - adults, children and families. Wear long pants, closed shoes. Bring binoculars, cameras, etc. Also sun and insect protection. Bob Jones Nature Center, www.bjnc.org .
Sunday, May 26, 2013 1:00 - 5:00 Take a hike
Open house on the Connemara Meadow Preserve
Here is your chance to wander (and wonder) at the Meadow by hiking the trails, watching the flora and fauna and enjoying being somewhere pretty much away from the hustle and bustle of Texas suburbia.
Location - Connemara Meadow Preserve. Alma Rd, just south of Bethany, Allen.
Information - www.connemararaconservancy.org
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 6:00 PM
PTAS - monthly meeting -at Blackland Prairie Raptor Center
6:00 Come and joined us for a picnic in the park. Bring your own food and drink or co-ordinate your food with a group of your fellow members. There are tables with covers, city water, and restroom facilities.
7:00 Main Program - "Blackland Prairie Raptor Center and its Birds” Erich Neupert, Executive Director.
Visit http://www.prairieandtimbers.org/programs.htm for more information and directions to BPRC.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 10:00 - 2:00 or so
Field Trip to Arc Ridge Ranch near Ben Wheeler, Van Zandt Co.
Arc Ridge Ranch has woods, sandy soil prairies, 2 lakes, a bog, alligators, carnivorous plants, other plants not seen in the DFW Metroplex. All day trip. Leaders: Sonnia Hill, Jim Varnum. Agenda: 10:00 meet at Moore's Store in Ben Wheeler. Visit Arc Ridge. Back to Moore's for lunch, back to Arc Ridge. Ask Jim for more details and to RSVP. Carpool from N. Dallas available.
Events in early June, Need details now? Just ask.
June 1 Native Texas Butterflies by Dale Clark - at JBSWC - 10:00-12:00
June 1 Audubon Birding Basics - At Dogwood Canyon - 8:30 - 10:30
June 1 BRIT Science Saturday - 10:00 - 2:00
June 1 JBSWC - Walk and Talk Bird Tour with Dan Harvey and Jane Ramberg - 9:00-11:00
June 1 NPSOT- Native Landscape Certification Program-Level 1 - in Lewisville - all day
June 1 19th annual Water-Wise Landscape Tour - 9:00-1:00
June 2 Connemara Bird Walk with Gailon Brehm and Rodney Thomas - 8:00 - 10:00
June 4 NPSOT-Collin County - "Native Annuals" by Bill Hunter - 7:00 pm
June 5 LBJ Grasslands - field trip - 9:00 AM
June 5 NTMN monthly meeting/speaker - "On Photographing Birds" by John English - 6:30 pm
June 6 Dogwood Canyon - First Free Thursday
June 8 TRAC - 2nd Saturday workday - 9:00 - 12:00
June 8 LLELA - bird walk with Keith Lockhart - 7:30 am
June 8 Hagerman NWR 2nd Sat. - Bruce Hysmith, TPWD fisheries biologist - 10:00 - 12:00
June 11 BPMN monthly meeting/speaker - Matt White, author of "Prairie Time: A Blackland Portrait." - 7:00 pm
June 13 NPSOT - Cross Timbers (Weatherford) - monthly meeting - Native Plants by Manan Shockey - 6:30 pm
June 15 CRP - Conservation in Action workday - 9:00-12:00
** Acronyms used herein. BPTMN = Blackland Prairie (Chapter) Texas Master Naturalist, BRIT = Botanical Research Institute of Texas. CRP = Cedar Ridge Preserve. TMN = (Texas) Master Naturalist. NPSOT = Native Plant Society of Texas. NTC = North Texas Chapter (Also NTMN) of Texas Master Naturalist. PS-SCF = Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest, TDG = Texas Discovery Gardens, TRAC = Trinity River Audubon Center. DCAC = Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, JBSWC = John Bunker Sands Wetland Center
** I try to publicize most events, depending on the subject and my time constraints. Just send 'em along: event title and description, presenter, organization, date & time, location, what to bring, contact person, cost, etc. Caution: If you forward formal announcements you run the risk of me editing incorrectly, or not wanting to take the time to do so.
Deadline for submitting info to the next Jim's This and That is May 26, 2013.
Jim Varnum jevarnum@aol.com Just spreading the word.
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Jim's This & That!