February 26 – March 1, 2024 is National Invasive Species Awareness Week. You’ll likely see many invasive species as you explore nature. Invasive plants are non-native plants that have a negative effect on native plants and animals. The NC Invasive Plant Council and the North Carolina Native Plant Society have published a comprehensive list of… Continue reading National Invasive Species Awareness Week
Blogs
Field Report- February 26, 2024
The spring beauties and sticky mouse-ears are starting to open! It’s going to be an unusually warm week this week. What do you think will come out next?
What Flowers Will Bloom in March?
The flowering trees will start to bloom this month. Look for the dogwoods, the beautiful pink blooms of the eastern redbud, and the colorful flowers of the azaleas. In the woods, look for jack-in-the-pulpit, rain lilies and little brown jugs.
Surprise on the Trail
I came around a bend in the Shiloh Greenway yesterday and was surprised to see a group (a gaggle) of six geese walking up the trail toward me. Of course, the geese are very common around here, and I often see them on the Indian Creek Greenway at the trailhead by the water. When I… Continue reading Surprise on the Trail
Field Report- February 15, 2024
Today I saw the first blooms of narrowleaf vetch, running five-fingers and wood sorrel. The wood sorrel was out in early January, but it died back with the freezing temperatures. Soon, it will be hard to miss!
Field Report- February 14, 2024
The first southern bluets of the season were spotted on the Shiloh Greenway today. Have you noticed that the Carolina jessamine is also starting to bloom this week?
What’s That? February 8, 2024
I was walking in Bond Park the other day and noticed something peculiar. It looked like a piece of shredded wheat cereal tied to a vine. I had no idea what it was, but I knew it wasn’t a piece of cereal. After doing some research, I learned that this is an egg case from… Continue reading What’s That? February 8, 2024
Field Report- February 3, 2024
The first tiny bluets of the season were seen on the Shiloh Greenway today! You have to look closely, or you’ll miss them! This is what they look like when you’re just passing by. Can you see them? Here is a closer picture. One lonely field pansy was also spotted for the first time today.
What Flowers Will Bloom in February?
Several flowers start to bloom in February. These are the top 5 flowers that I saw last year. I can’t wait to see what comes up this month!
Hooded Mergansers
Have you seen the hooded merganser ducks that overwinter in North Carolina? Sometimes you can see them in the retention ponds. They seem to be very shy, though. As soon as they notice a person, they tend to go to the far side of the pond, if not fly away. The male’s head is black… Continue reading Hooded Mergansers