Monthly Archives: January 2012

Who-Who–Who-cooks-for-you……

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Barred Owl (I took this photo in the Florida Everglades)

I invented a weird game several years ago while traveling alone many hours on the highways of Ohio. It’s a Roadkill contest. I’m the only one playing. (Hey, it kills time and keeps me alert.) Perhaps it is better described as a scientific wildlife survey. Whatever the case, here’s how you play: keep a mental tally of how many of what kinds of animals are on side of the road of which the vehicle is traveling. There is one exception to the rules: a dead deer can be counted no matter which side of the road it is spotted. It may sound morbid but it was very interesting to discover population patterns in during different times of the year. For instance, skunks are more prevalent in late winter/early spring. Groundhogs in the summer. Possums and raccoons tend to be found year round. I noted the decline of cottontail rabbits and the increase of coyote. Occasionally I’d spy a bird of some sort but it wasn’t the norm.

So when I recently glimpsed what I thought was a dead owl on the side of the road, I could hardly believe it. THAT’S a first for me. I checked it out later and discovered a beautiful barred owl that did not appear to be damaged – other than being dead. It seemed such a sad tragedy for such an gorgeous work of nature. I did what I had to do – and brought him home. Barry, as I affectionately named him, is now off to Wahkeena Nature Preserve (Fairfield County, OH) south of Lancaster, Ohio where he/she may be added to the natural history collection in Wahkeena’s Nature Center. In case you wonder about the title of this post, it is my interpretation of the call of a barred owl. You can listen to it HERE.

If you are alert, you too may find nature all around you – even at this time of the year. Keep your ears open for the great horned owls who are in mating season right now. I have heard that the male has a hoot/call that is lower pitched than the female. Keen ears may also hear coyote who are in mating season as well.

Educational Opportunities

Greene County Master Gardener Program

If you live in Greene County and would like to become a Master Gardener Volunteer,  Master Gardener Applications are being accepted for the class starting in February 2012. Detailed information is available under Master Gardener Volunteer Program at http://greene.osu.edu or by calling 937-372-9971.

Flowers in January?

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Helleborus spp.

It’s hard to believe that anything in our Miami Valley gardens would be thinking about growing let alone blooming in January yet a stroll around the garden proved just that. Today’s spotlight is on the plucky group of perennials in the Helleborus genus which are also known as Hellebores or the Lenten Rose.

If the perk of having something bloom in your garden in late winter/early spring isn’t enough to entice growing these beauties, perhaps knowing that many of the cultivars have leathery, evergreen foliage will. The Hellebores are truly a sight for sore eyes on a day like today!

Educational Opportunities

Montgomery County Master Gardener Classes Gear Up

Do you love to garden?  Would you like to learn new skills and meet others who share your horticultural interests? Applications are currently being accepted for the 2012 Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program.  Classes meet every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 6 through May 8, 2012, at the extension office at Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 1001 South Main Street, Dayton.

Training provides 50 hours of classroom instruction provided by OSU professors, county extension agents and other experts.  Topics cover a broad range of subjects, including plant propagation, herbaceous and woody ornamentals, trees and lawns, soils and fertilizers, fruits and vegetables, herbs, pest management and more.

Participants must attend one of several volunteer orientation sessions scheduled for February 7 – 9, 2012.  They also must pass a background check before entering the program and volunteer 50 hours of horticultural service to the community after completing the classroom instruction to become a certified Master Gardener Volunteer.  The class fee is $150.

For more information, please contact Clare Thorn, Program Assistant, Horticulture, at (937) 224-9654.  Applications and other required forms are available on line at www.montgomery.osu.edu.  The deadline for application is January 30, 2012.

Birds of a feather

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Snowy Owl, Hardin County, OH

Were you one of the lucky few who caught a glimpse the glorious Snowy Owl in nearby Hardin County north of Bellefontaine (OH)? If not, our Viner friend Roger Garber put his new camera lens to work and has shared a wonderful shot for you. Snowy Owls, normally residents of the Arctic north, have been spotted much, much farther south of their native range. This unusual visitation is called an irruption and may be the result of inadequate food sources, primarily lemmings, that may have driven some owls this far south.

Sadly, it was reported today on the Ohio Ornithological Society’s Facebook page that our local avian media star was found dead today perhaps a victim of starvation. Take a listen to Jim McCormac, a biologist with ODNR’s Division of Wildlife, who was interviewed on  NPR’s All Things Considered by Melissa Block HERE.

The Harry Potter fan in me says, “Hedwig, we hardly knew ye….”

Pileated Woodpecker

I always enjoy feeding the birds in my backyard. Suet is a great way to attract many birds. Imagine my excitement spotting this pileated woodpecker. Thank goodness the feeder had a tail prop or else this guy would have been left hanging!

Educational Opportunities

Yes, it’s that time again! WHOOOOO HOOOOOO! The seminars, conferences and symposiums are gearing up.

Adams County Amish Bird Symposium – Saturday, March 3

This daylong celebration of birds features speakers, vendors and activities at the Wheat Ridge Amish Community Building, West Union (OH). Speakers include Harvey B. Webster, Cleveland Museum of Natural History; author Geoff Hill, Auburn University professor; Chris Gilkey, Wildlife Officer; Jim McCormac, Division of Wildlife; and Kimberly Kaufman Black Swamp Bird Observatory. Amish lunch included. Find registration information HERE.

Wildlife Diversity Conference – Wednesday, March 7

Wildlife Diversity: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Held at the huge Shriner’s Complex in Columbus, this event is awesome. Speakers are among the best in their field. Worms, Freshwater Mussel Restoration, Aquatic Invasive Species, Lake Erie Pelagic Bird Survey, Wildlife Orphans, Wetland Restoration & Small Mammal Community Structure and Beavers/Porcupines and Fishers. All in one day! Read more/register HERE.

Hosta College – Friday/Saturday, March 16 & 17

One of the most anticipated events of the spring is the American Hosta Society Great Lakes Region’s Hosta College in Piqua (OH). This year the date is Friday-Saturday, March 16 & 17. Check it all out HERE. Early class registration for Miami Valley Hosta Society members opens 12 midnight January 13. Non-member registration opens January 25 at midnight.