NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/654753
20 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2016 From Your Window By Adam Jones, Watchable Wildlife Biologist As you look out your window in the early spring you may notice an influx of birds and other animals coming home with the sounds of renewed songs, buzzing and chatter. Spring weather brings to your yard some of the largest concentrations of animals of the entire year. Birds such as vireos, flycatchers and goldfinches are some of the first birds to arrive, heading north from their wintering grounds now that the weather is warming, days are longer and food and water sources are more plentiful. Eastern red and hoary bats can also be seen, migrating short distances from Kansas and Missouri. But other mammals, such as the big-brown and silver-haired bats, never left. They have been hiding in caves and buildings. Red fox, raccoons and opossums, along with mice, emerge from dens to forage for food. Many insects, such as lady beetles, mourning cloaks and mosquitos appear from rocks, holes in the ground, woodpiles or cracks in your homes. You may also observe butterflies and bees collecting nectar from a variety of flowers, including pasque flower, juneberry and chokecherry. You will also see many species of ants mining for food in the soil while, near a lake or pond, you may see mayflies and damselflies. In the evening, if you are near water sources such as ponds, ditches or wetlands listen for the distinctive call of the chorus frog. They have just returned to the surface from beneath the frozen ground or under rocks. They are very loud for their small size and have a rattling call that sounds like running your finger over a comb. The Woodhouse's toad, small-mouth salamander and tiger salamander can also be viewed. Bullsnakes, ring-necked and garter snakes emerge from their winter dens to sun themselves as soon as it is warm enough. They are not alone, as some snakes hatch in the winter, so you will find adults and young foraging on early spring insects and small mammals. To enhance your experience enjoying the vast array of wildlife gathering during this exciting time of year, keep a set of binoculars handy, start a sketchbook of interesting sightings or have a camera ready for those unexpected moments. ■ Opossum Woodhouse's Toad Tiger Swallowtail Butterfl y PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS PHOTO BY JUSTIN HAAG