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 animal 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 Canada 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 Moth 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 Moths or small orange spots along the sides. The next one we saw was hanging on the un- Moon Moths. caterpillar eats hickory, 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 insect. 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 Saturniidae, 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 pupa (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.