GoodGood WaterWater RipplesRipples Vol. 8 • No. 5 | Oct/Nov 2019 For information contact: http://txmn.org/goodwater or goodwatermn2@gmailcom Lori Franz, Editor • Holly Zeiner, Layout/Design

In Search of Swamp Rabbit and other Species of Greatest Conservation Need By Mike Farley

Sylvilagus aquaticus was observed in more efficient lookout during a vulnera- Armadillo, and Virginia Opossum was Williamson County early this year and ble moment. observed. We began using scents for throughout the year before at Berry attracting mammals to an ideal location Springs Park and Preserve, as well as In those six weeks there have been within camera view. We experimented North San Gabriel River - captured or seven observations of Bobcat all over the with food, vegetables and seeds, but observed by trail 35-acre south plot quickly abandoned this since it always camera and digital where we began drew numerous raccoons and fighting. camera. The county our search. Anoth- The scents now used are pure vanilla is on the westernmost er recent observa- extract, imitation vanilla, and apple cider edge of its range, tion was the Gray spray. with swamp rabbits Fox on the North being more common San Gabriel with Favorable camera locations include in east Texas and a rabbit clutched grasses, such as Inland Sea Oats, Vir- southeastern U.S. in its mouth and ginia Wild Rye, greenbriers, and dew- making its way berry. Dense thicket near water is the Swamp Rabbit is a back to a nearby rabbit’s preferred cover habitat, with a real and not den. All of this fast zig-zagging escape from predators. some fearsome beast predator activity The ultimate choice for evading capture from an old Monty combined with last involves this running pattern, then fol- Python movie. How- lowed by ever, since the start of our new Nature year’s severe jumping Tracking Project it has most certainly be- flooding is into wa- come our holy grail, and no less difficult probably ter and to find either! making our swim- search that ming Of the two species of greatest conser- much more to the vation need, I knew that Swamp Rabbit difficult. opposite was more under-reported than North bank American River Otter, both of which In ad- covered were observed prior to the project’s incep- dition to with tion. During the project’s first six weeks, these preda- vege- only trace evidence of Swamp Rabbit tors, an tation, was found, in the form of a latrine log. overwhelm- staying This unique elevated platform apparently ing abundance of common mammals, submerged all but its nose. It can be seen serves as a message board, as well as a such as Common Raccoon, Nine-banded in the daytime but it prefers to forage at In Search of Swamp Rabbit...continued night. A recent addition to the watch list, zation of biodiversity scientists dedicated Mark your Calendar Swamp Rabbit is rated (S5) in Texas. to providing information on imperiled species and ecosystems that is effective for October: While we have been short on Swamp conservation action). Rabbit sightings, we have had four River 5 - Berry Springs Fall Work Otter observations during the same time We are helping (TPWD) Texas Na- Day/Pot Luck Luncheon period. The otters’ conservation status ture Trackers by documenting Species of 10 - NPSOT* was previously listed as vulnerable (S3) Greatest Conservation Need. They are in Texas, but recently has been brought constantly updating their statewide coun- 14 - Master Gardeners* back to (S5) per NatureServe (an organi- ty map with biodiversity changes. 18 - Fall Native Plant Sale Cornell Lab of Ornithlogy finds Decline in (Lady Bird Wildflower Center) Breeding Population 18-20 Texas Master Naturalist By John W. Fitzpatrick, Executive Director Cornell Lab of Ornithology Program Annual Meeting

A new study - led by Cornell Lab of our choir of people who love birds and 24 - GWMN* Ornithology scientists - has found that nature, we need you more than ever to the breeding population of birds in the join us in lifting collective voices and 26 - GWMN Workday at the U.S. and has dropped nearly influencing change. Pollinator Garden in the 30% since 1970. Hutto Landfill Birds are resilient when we give them a 28 - Austin Butterfly Forum* The study, published in the journal Sci- chance - the data show that too. Water- ence Today by Cornell Lab scientists Ken fowl are up by 56%, and raptors have November: Rosenberg, Adriaan Dokter, and Laura increased by 200% thanks to focused Helft, and collaborators at six other insti- conservation funding and protections. 11 - Master Gardeners* tutions - found that nearly three billion I urge you to share today’s news with birds have vanished in our lifetime. These your friends and communities. Consider 14 - NPSOT* staggering losses have occurred across all how you can influence change - whether habitats, from grasslands to the Arctic, social, civic, or personal - to raise aware- 25 - Austin Butterfly Forum* shorelines to forests - and have taken a ness and help bring birds back. 28 - GWMN* massive toll on even common species, such as sparrows, warblers, blackbirds. Thank you for your ongoing support * Indicated Chapter Meeting - it made this research possible. To read If you have ever contributed citizen-sci- more about the findings and how you can Beauty and Wildlife in Your Yard ence data or know someone who has, help, please visit Birds.Cornell.edu/Bring- and Garden (Senior University) consider this: the findings emerged from BirdsBack. new techniques to detect the volume of https://senioruniv.org/classes/beau- migratory birds aloft using weather radar, ty-and-wildlife-in-your-yard-and-gar- as well as nearly 50 years of bird-mon- den/ itoring data, including citizen-science Presenter: Martin Byhower records. They show what we might not Mondays, 10:30 am - 11:30 am have perceived otherwise - a rapid loss of Sun City Activities Center Atrium more than a quarter of our nations’ bird populations. Week 3, 10/7 - Attracting birds Week 4, 10/14 - Attracting This new knowledge is a wake-up call pollinators - a signal that our natural systems are Week 5, 10/21 - Oh deer me! losing the ability to support the richness Week 6, 10/28 - Planning your and diversity of life that they once did native garden just decades ago. Because you are part of

Vol 8 • No. 5 | Page 2 Luna By Winnie Bowen

The first Luna moth we saw in New named the moth. They are the largest and butterflies. Eggs hatch in about two Brunswick was in a sea cave. Far into the moth in North America. Sometimes they weeks into a lime green caterpillar with cave, it was too dark to photograph. The are called Giant Silkworm or small orange spots along the sides. The next one we saw was hanging on the un- Moon Moths. caterpillar eats , sycamore and der edge of a stairway outside our cabin. walnut leaves. Never having seen one before and being Adult Luna moths live only 7-10 totally unfamiliar with it I was quite days, long enough to breed and lay eggs. Luna moths represent rebirth, fascinated with the beautiful unusual The female can lay 400 to 600 eggs, four renewal of body and spirit, regeneration green . On a rainy afternoon my to six eggs at a time, on the underside of and may even symbolize the soul itself. granddaughter was flipping through her leaves. The large beautiful exotic moth pictures. ranges from 3 to 4.5 inches across. The broad wings are lime-green, each with a “Grandma, this is really beautiful, transparent eye-spot and a narrow red- what do you know about it?” she asked as dish-rust colored band along the edges of she showed me the picture. I responded, both the forewings. The hindwings have “ I don't know anything about it as I'd delicate tail streamers whose eye-spots are never seen one. Why don't you see what thought to confuse predators. The larvae you can find out about it and then you are green. can share it with others at dinner.” The Luna moth is seldom seen due I marvel every day at how quick to their brief adult life and nocturnal these kids are using their phones and tech flying time. Like all giant silk moths, devices. In no time she is reading to me: adults do not eat, and thus are not seen The Luna moth is a Nearctic moth in visiting flowers. Like many moths and the family , subfamily Sat- butterflies, the beautiful moth has a urniinae, a group commonly known as docile personality. It has the normal four giant silk moths. In 1758 when Linnaeus stages of development: egg, caterpillar, created his binomial naming system he (cocoon), and adult as other moths

The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the wa- ter, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.

I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day- The campground field at Berry Springs is mowed once or twice blind stars waiting with their light. a year by an individual to harvest hay. In exchange for the mow- For a time I rest in the grace of the ing, hay is given to Berry Springs for the donkeys. The gentle- world, and am free. man also fertilizes the field to get rid of invasives. Vol 8 • No. 5 | Page 3 Natural and Cultural Resource Management staff from Fort Hood invited Good Water Chapter to a bird banding on September 6. It was a scorcher of a day so we were through by 10:00 a.m. when both birds and people needed to get out of the heat. Here are some views of the event:

Black-capped Vireo - The BCV will be vacating their range at Fort Hood by mid-September. (photo by Jim Hailey shares his birding experience with Hunter Yarbrough) a Junior Master Naturalist (note the open "bird log")

The group attending the bird banding (photo by Scott Summers). Front Row (L to R): Wendy Deptula’s Mom (I didn’t get her name), Mary-Gail Hamilton, Emily West, Carole Minnix, Junior Master Naturalist, San- dra Spurlock Back Row (L to R): Wendy Deptula (seasonal crew), Nick Glover (biologist), Dr. David Cimprich (field biologist), Jim Hailey, Mike Finn, Kate Knight, Ryan West, some guy with a camera – Oh, Hunter Yarbrough, Randy Spurlock, Amy Flinn, April Rohlich, Brad James

Regal Darner: Welcome to the Neighborhood! By Mike Farley October GWMN Meeting Williamson County’s newest resident October 24, 2019 is Coryphaseschna ingens or Regal Darn- er. A member of the Aeschnidae family, “Good Bugs, Bad Bugs” this species is typically found in eastern or southern coastal Texas. Williamson Presented by: County is on the western edge of its known range and according to one ex- Wayne Rhoden, President, pert, “not seen in central Texas!”. It makes the 90th Williamson county species ob- GWMN Chapter and former served and reported to Odonata Central, President, Williamson County a national database. Texas has 243 total Master Gardeners species, with the U.S. having 462. Vol 8 • No. 5 | Page 4 Berry Springs Pecan Trees By Susan Blackledge

Berry Springs Pecan Orchard was planted in the 1920's by Admiral Mann, the fourth land owner of Berry Springs. This makes the majority of the trees in the grove approximate- ly 100 years old. He planted the trees 45' apart and used a rifle scope to plant them straight and a chain to measure the length. He planted them in rows north, east, west and south of each other. Myself, and fellow crew member, the late Dan Wooten counted the trees in the grove and adjacent areas in order to get a The trees we contract to spray looked at closely zinc and pesti- were those that are cide to protect at or near highly the trees. We trafficked areas, ie. stopped count- trails, pavilions, ing at 1,100. The playground, and trees suffered campground. greatly during the Due to safety, some of drought of 2011. That year we had to cut the trees had to be removed. Other trees down 36 large trees because they did not were trimmed back to survive and or were severely damaged. prevent the spread of the disease. For more infor- This summer, Arborist, Dennis Schey mation on hypoxlyn go and I assessed the current status of the to https://austin.org/gar- trees to decide if they needed trimming dening-landscaping/hyp- and/or removal. It was determined oxylon-canker-in-trees/. that 21 trees had to be removed due to One thing Dennis Schey damage, age, or the disease of hypoxlyn. did say was as an arborist Hypoxlyn canker causes a dark brown he had never seen a grove discoloration of the sapwood. With age of trees with so many the infected wood is lighter in color and heritage trees. Heritage has black zones or patterns in the wood. trees are 24" or larger in The core wood of the tree weakens and girth. We have learned becomes cork-like, making the trunk or to protect what we have limb weak. It primarily occurs in trees and plan for the future that have had stress conditions. Control by nurturing those trees is achieved by maintaining the trees in and planting more for the healthy conditions. Chemical treatments future. are not effective because the fungus is located within the tree.

Vol 8 • No. 5 | Page 5 Old Man’s Beard: Fence line blooms By Mary Ann Melton

Old Man’s Beard, Clematis drum- can completely cover (and kill) trees and specimens of birds that were distributed mondii, are very conspicuous all around plants. among the museums and scientific in- Central Texas right now. The beautiful Wildlife use the plant for cover, birds stitutions of the world. He died in Cuba white, bushy seed plumes cover vines eat the seeds and use the vines for nest- before completing his survey of Texas. growing along ing sites. It will attract bees and the rural fences. butterflies as well. It is the larval Old Man’s Beard can be planted as It is also called host plant for the Fatal metalmark a perennial ornamental because of its Drummond’s butterfly. delicate foliage, long blooming attractive clematis, Texas flowers, and beautiful feathery seed clus- virgins’ bower, or It can be brewed as teas that are ters. It should be grown along a fence or Goat’s beard. This useful for headaches and migraines. trellis. It can be grown from seeds, prop- time of year white The leaves can be used as a poultice agated by rooting from node cuttings, or plumes from the to treat transplanted while it is dor- seedpods catch the skin irri- mant in the winter. One can sunlight drawing tations in collect seeds from vines along our attention. It people and county roads; by allowing grows in dry soils . the seed heads to dry on the along roadsides, thickets, and canyons. plants, then remove and save The vines twine over weeds, shrubs and The plant the seeds for fall planting. The fences. It grows in central, south, and is named for vine is drought resistant and west Texas and westward to California. Thomas Drum- tolerates shade. It is available mond, a Scottish from native plant nurseries. It is clematis in the Ranunculaceae naturalist. He When grown as an ornamen- (Buttercup) family. During the bloom came to the tal, it is wise to deadhead it to stage, the blooms are actually sepals United States in avoid numerous seedlings. It rather than petals. Old Man’s Beard 1830 to collect should not be planted outside flowers do not have petals. Sepals are the specimens from its native range because it can outer structure of flowers, surrounding the western and be invasive and damage other petals and are usually green. Old Man’s southern United native plants. Beard sepals are creamy and scented. The States. A related species, Clematis vitalba is flowers are small. The stems are grooved. not native. It is also called traveller’s joy The fruit are achene-type fruits, one-seed- He arrived in Texas in 1833 and spent or wild clematis. It came from Europe ed dry fruits that don’t split open when 21 months working between Galveston and South West Asia. This species should mature. and the Edwards Plateau along the Bra- NOT be planted in Central Texas because This woody vine is an aggressive plant, zos, Colorado, and Guadalupe rivers. He it IS invasive. growing up to 100 feet long. The vines collected 750 species of plants and 150

The 20th Texas Master Naturalist Program Annual Meeting, will gather, learn and cele- brate another year of the Texas Master Naturalist program. This year’s event, in Rockwall, Texas, is Friday, October 18th through Sunday, October 20th. It will be at the Hilton Dallas/ Rockwall Lakefront Hotel on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard just east of Dallas. Keynote Speaker: Nathan Van Vranken is a vertebrate paleontologist based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. When he isn’t doing paleontology he works as a professor for the Tarrant and Dallas Community College School Districts teaching undergraduate geology courses. His research specialization ranges from understanding the Cretaceous geology of Texas, incorporating three dimensional visualizations into paleontology, fossil fish, coastal di- nosaurs, marine reptiles, such as ichthyosaurs, and mosasaurs, along with the early evolution of tetrapods in the Appalachian basin.

Vol 8 • No. 5 | Page 6 Monarch Migration In Review: By Wizzie Brown Twelve Lessons of the Desert By Judy Grimes Many people want to know how they can help Twelve Lessons of the Desert the monarch population as is a collection of nature notes there are numerous news and essays written by river guide, reports on how populations storyteller and artist Sam Rich- are declining. One way ardson. He lives the Big Bend that most likely will NOT lifestyle in a little cabin on Rough work is by rearing monarch Run Creek. With 17 years of jour- butterflies to release into nals filled with notes and obser- the wild. Researchers have vations, Richardson has provided found that monarchs raised the reader with astute insider in captivity are unable to orient for migratory purpos- views of what it is truly like to be es. Some monarch research- immersed in Big Bend with all of es are against the practice its diversity and extremes. of releasing captive bred I’m sure that many of you know about monarchs into wild populations for fear Richardson provides a seasonal the migration of monarch butterflies. For of disease transmission and the possibility journey through Big Bend, be- those of you who do not or anyone who of genetic effects when captive-bred but- ginning each month with lessons needs a refresher…..monarchs spend the terflies mate with wild populations. You and insights he’s learned and can read their statement here: winter in roosting spots. Monarchs west ends with a relevant drawing. In of the Rocky Mountains fly to areas along between the beginning and end the California coast while monarchs east https://monarchlab.org/images/up- of a lesson, the reader is privy to of the Rocky Mountains fly south to for- loads/attachments/Captive_Breeding_ ests in the mountains of Mexico. This is a and_Releasing_Monarchs_oct2015.pdf the seasonal rhythm of the land, two way migration that happens in spring weather and inhabitants. Through and fall, but monarch butterflies that fly What can we do to help wild monarch his narrative it is as if you are north in spring are not the same butter- populations? there, experiencing the desert as flies that return in the fall. The butterflies Plant NATIVE milkweed and a pol- Richardson has and you begin to that fly south in the fall, are the spring linator garden. While spring monarch understand what gift each month butterflies’ children’s grandchildren. populations rely on milkweed to lay eggs bestows on those lucky enough to and rear young, fall populations rely on have experienced Big Bend. Not only are there two major migratory nectar plants to provide energy for the populations of monarchs in the U.S., journey south. Use an IPM approach for I think Richardson says it best, but there may also be a population that managing pests in your environment. overwinters in south Florida. A biologist Become a citizen scientist. There are nu- “Twelve months, twelve lessons, at the University of Florida discovered merous organizations that track monarch each lesson tied to a month of recently that a non-migratory popula- butterflies such as Monarch Watch and the year, each month its own tion of monarchs in south Florida also Journey North. season. My spiritual connection to contained monarch butterflies from the Go to this site to find out more about the land and to nature and to the Midwest and Texas. She discovered this Texas monarchs and milkweed. changing seasons of Big Bend of using a technique called stable isotope http://texasento.net/dplex.htm Texas has been one of my great- analysis which looks at chemicals that are est teachers. It has been said fixed in the monarch’s wings as the wings For more information or help with that there are no mistakes, only developed and can therefore be tracked to identification, contact Wizzie Brown, lessons, and that the universe will plants fed upon as caterpillars. This paper Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service suggests that monarchs may be overwin- Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. keep providing you with lessons, tering in other locations than Mexico and Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm. one at a time, until you learn California. blogspot.com them. It’s true.”

Vol 8 • No. 5 | Page 7 Thoughts On Volunteering For more information about By Amy Flinn the Good Water Chapter As we drove home from our second Bird Counts. contact us at: round of bird banding at Fort Hood I COMMERCIAL BREAK FOR looked at my terrible cell phone photos CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS – Check http://txmn.org/goodwater and felt a “failure to organize” the event the Audubon pages. There are bunches of or (on my part). We slowly cooled-off in counts in our area. They start as early as [email protected] the car air-conditioning and recognized December 14 (Bell County). I was not made for September heat and humidity. Tell them you are a new (or bad) birder and you will be paired with an experi- What am I getting at? Thank you for enced one. They are fun, a great way to asking. see and learn about birds – those familiar and unfamiliar, and an excellent way to This is your pep talk about volun- earn volunteer hours. teering. What you new members, you members in training, and you long-time And, while I am still a bad birder I naturalists might need to be reminded know things now I did not know three of is this – NO ONE IS ASKING YOU years ago. I know where the humming- TO BE PERFECT. Things will work out! birds feed at the ponds I monitor. I know Your skills will improve, or they will not. where the Red-shouldered Hawks nest in In either case you will learn something the park where I walk Zelda each morn- and can make future decisions according- ing. And I know the rattling call of the ly. Ringed Kingfisher (that is not supposed to be here, but is). I may never have Mary Ann Melton’s organizational skills, but I will continue Find your park, your interest, your to throw a party or two (and I can do niche. Recruit your friends! Maybe they Sign Up Genius now – so anything is will go to the sparrow class with you or possible). loan you a photograph or take you to hear the Spotted Chorus Frog calling I may never have Hunter Yarbrough’s from the flooded fields. skills in photography, but I will keep working and learning and borrow his photos when mine are bad. Left: Male Widow Skimmer, I may never know the sparrows like Inks Lake. Jim Hailey, but I know them better every Holly Zeiner photo. year.

I will never tolerate the heat any better than I do now, but I can do most of my work in the cooler months and prepare for the odd day I am out in the summer heat (sunscreen, hat, water, shade, more water!).

The important thing is to find your Right: Northern Cloudywing, niche. Try something new. Mike (Finn) Berry Springs Park & Preserve. and I are committed to Amphibian Susan Blackledge photo. Watch. We are determined to be better birders and so we volunteer for Christmas

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