Beaver Creek Reserve Hates Dogs??? The Answer May Shock You

Let’s make one thing clear: at Beaver Creek we love dogs. Many of our staff have dogs of

their own, and we all appreciate a good pup. However, we do not love when dogs are at Beaver Creek Reserve, because it’s against our rules. It’s been a rule we’ve had for a very long time, and we will not be allowing dogs at our trails any time soon. With the Coronavirus quarantine, we’ve had a steady stream of people using our trails, which you’re welcome to do! Some of these visitors though are bringing their dogs along, which we don’t want to see. Here are a few reasons why we don’t allow dogs on the trails at Beaver Creek:

• They disturb the natural environment. Maybe you’re saying to yourself “Well that’s not my dog. Floofy is a model of good behavior” Just because you don’t see rabbits and birds running away from you and your dog in terror does not mean that you are not disturbing nature. Regardless of whether your dog is the local menace to squirrels everywhere, they are having an impact. Even if they never catch that squirrel, chasing it up a tree still forces it to expend energy fleeing for its life, an expense that may allow other predators to catch them later on. Dogs are also leaving behind scents and scat. Both of these things can affect wildlife behavior. If your dog likes to munch on plants, or drink water from a puddle, they’re also directly competing with wildlife by taking away resources that those animals need to survive. Dogs may also be a vector for diseases that could be devastating to wild animals.
  
  
• Bringing your dog into the natural environment is a risk to them and you. Your dog can be exposed to ticks and poison ivy in the woods and pass those on to you. Even on a leash, they’re more likely to be digging their faces in the bushes than you are. Lyme’s disease is a real threat to be concerned about when you spend time in the woods, and in the Midwest, there are a variety of tick-borne illnesses that don’t even have names. And if you’ve never had poison ivy, we promise you that’s not something you want to try even just once.
  
  
• Not everybody likes dogs! Some people may be hiking the trails at Beaver Creek to listen to the birds and get away from the sound of barking dogs. Especially when we explicitly DO NOT ALLOW DOGS on our trails. When you visit Beaver Creek Reserve and enjoy our land and our facilities, we ask that you be respectful of other people’s experiences while here and follow our rules.

There are many places in Eau Claire County that offer hiking trails and allow your dogs to be there on a leash. Consider taking a hike at a County Park like Lowe’s Creek, Coon Forks, or Harstead. Or look towards the multiple dog parks in the city of Eau Claire! Many state parks allow dogs on leashes as well. We thank you for your understanding and respect for our rules.

Summertime’s Natural Nightlights

By Ruth Forsgren

On warm, humid summer nights, if you are in the right habitat with little to no artificial light, you may see the flashing and blinking of the fireflies (AKA lightening bugs). One thing to keep in mind is that these little glowing insects are neither flies nor true bugs (AKA Hemiptera), but are instead beetles.  There are over 2,000 species of fireflies in the world and about 150 species in North America. Interestingly though, not all adult fireflies are bioluminescent (produce their own light).  

The bioluminescence of the adults occurs in a dedicated light organ located under the abdomen. The color of the flash depends upon the species of firefly with yellow, green or orange being the most common colors. The light comes from a chemical reaction. The light is known as a cool light because there is no heat by-product as there is in most forms of light production. The fireflies have dedicated cells that absorb oxygen, which is then mixed with a chemical called luciferin. When this combination takes place in the presence of the enzyme (or trigger) luciferase, light is produced.  It is considered one of the most efficient lights in the world, as almost 100% of the energy used in the reaction is emitted as light. For comparison, in an incandescent light bulb 10 % of the energy produces light while the other 90% of energy is lost as heat. Now while not all adult fireflies produce light, it is believed that all firefly species produce light in their larval stage. Many species even have eggs that glow.

Firefly larvae feeding on a slug

Firefly larvae are carnivorous (meat eating). They live underground and feed on worms, snails and slugs. The way they eat is similar to some spiders, they inject numbing fluid and digestive acids into   Some species of fireflies will live as larvae for two years and like many insects will only live a few weeks as adults.
the prey and then suck out the resulting soup. As adults, many fireflies do not eat, or feed on nectar and pollen with one notable exception (you’ll have to wait for it).

The fireflies that we see flying are the males, they are looking for a mate. The females are sitting in the grasses or up on plants and shrubs. 

Female fireflies flash from the ground. 

But finding the little ladies in the dark can be tough so the males flash, if the female likes what she sees, she will flash back. So what about the non-light producing species? They, like many insects, use smell and pheromones to find each other. Each species has its own unique flash pattern that both male and females use (with a few exceptions that I will get to in a moment). If you find an area with fireflies, watch carefully you will notice the different patterns and perhaps different colors. You might notice that some species may have a steady flash pattern (- - - - - -), some may have long and short combinations (___---___ ---), some may have a really long flash with a dip there are so many possibilities!

Flash patterns of several firefly species. 

Now back to that exception that I mentioned a couple of times. There is one group of fireflies, known as the photuris where the female will copy the flash pattern of other species to lure them in. It is believed that the chemical that helps the fireflies light up is distasteful or toxic to predators, females pass this toxin down to their eggs, making the eggs and eventually the larvae and adult toxic. The photuris females lack this toxin. So by mimicking the flash pattern of other species she seduces those males to come down by her, where she captures them and eats them. She is then able use their poison to protect her eggs.

Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains

In some parts of the world the fireflies synchronize their flashes producing a fantastic light show for observers. It is unclear why the flashes sync-up, some scientists think it might be because of competition, each male is trying to be the first to have his light be seen.  The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one place that the synchronized show takes place. Click here to watch a short National Geographic videos on synchronized fireflies.

In the United States there are three main groups of the fireflies that produce light. The photinus, are small reaching about ½ inch in length and they typically have a yellow-green flash. The pyractomena are also about ½ inch long but often have a warm amber colored light.  And then there are the photuris, who are up to one-inch-long and tend to have greener flashes.

Photuris

Photinus

Pyractomena

Fireflies live in a variety of habitats but like warmer areas that have good moisture: open forest areas, forest edge, savanna and yards with gardens.  These conditions are most conducive for the soft bodied prey that the larvae need. A yard that is primarily turf grass does not provide hiding places for the females and it may be difficult for her to get through the grass to the soil to lay her eggs.

If you go out to look for fireflies be sure to pick a humid, warm night when there isn’t a bright moon in the sky. Turn off all outside lights and get as far from streetlights as you can. If you want to catch a firefly to watch it up-close you will need a glass jar with holes poked into the lid. Put a damp paper towel or damp, unbleached coffee filter in the bottom to keep the humidity level high. After you have observed the firefly for a while be sure to release it before you go to bed for the night.

Scientists believe that firefly numbers are declining. There are several possible reasons why. When there is too much artificial light (street and yard lights) it might be too hard for the fireflies to see each other’s flashes. Habitat loss is another probable problem. Studies from the Smithsonian suggest that if the habitat is destroyed the fireflies will not migrate to a new area they simply perish instead. Of course insecticides will kill the fireflies along with killing the slugs and worms that the larvae need to feed upon.

Want to help the fireflies? You can make sure to turn off all outside lights during firefly season. Plant part of your lawn with native flowers to give them someplace to hide and rest. Minimize use of insecticides, and chemical repellents. You can even join a national citizen science project called Firefly Watch. It only requires 10 minutes per week during the weeks that fireflies are flying. If you want more information on Firefly Watch please click here.  

Species Spotlight: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  (image by Rut Forsgren) 

By Ruth Forsgren

Hummingbirds are fascinating little critters. It is amazing how something so small can capture the hearts and imaginations of so many people, birds and non-birders alike. There are about 350 species of hummingbirds in the world and all of them are found only in the Americas. There are eight species that are considered regularly occurring in the United States and only one that nests east of the Mississippi River, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Female Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Both males and females have a
green back and head.
(image by Ruth Forsgren)

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are small. They average between 2.5 to 3.5 inches long, they tip the scales at a whopping two to six grams (remember that a U.S. pennies weigh 2.5 grams) and their wingspan ranges from three to four inches. Both males and females have a brilliantly emerald green back and head. They would definitely be welcome in the Emerald City of Oz. Adult males have the bright, shiny fire engine red gorget, or colored feathers on the throat. The feathers of the gorget are iridescent. That means that there isn’t pigment causing the color, 

instead it is caused by the refraction of light off of microscopic structures in the bird’s feathers. When thinking of refraction, think of a prism that splits light into strong component colors. If light is not present or is at the wrong angle the gorget will appear dark. The male can control the feathers to an extent, helping to showcase the brilliant color.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird with dark gorget.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird with gorget refracting light.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nest throughout the eastern half of North America.  The habitats that they can utilize include open woodlands, forest edge, parks, gardens and backyards. They usually build their nests on top of a branch anywhere from ten to forty feet above the ground. The nest is built of thistle or dandelion down held together with spider silk and then camouflaged with lichens or moss and take from six to ten days to complete.

The mating dance is fun to watch. The male will do what is referred to as a U dance. He will go straight up usually about six to ten feet (but can go as far as 50 feet up) fly straight back down, over and back up in a U shape. If you look carefully the female is typically in the bottom of the U. Once she has shown interest, if she perches he will fly very quickly from side to side directly in front of her in a face to face dance.

Flying backwards off the feeder.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Hummingbirds are incredibly controlled fliers; they can move their wings differently than other birds. This ability allows them to fly in any direction, forward, backwards, sideways and even upside-down. But one thing they cannot do is walk or hop because their legs are too short. Hummingbirds and swifts were placed in the same taxonomic order; Apodiformes, which means without feet. The only way a hummingbird can scratch or groom its head is by raising the foot up from under the wing.

These tiny flying machines really use up the energy. Their wings move at over 50 beats per second and their heartrate is about 1200 beats per minute or 20 beats per second! They cannot feed at night to refuel their bodies so most hummingbirds spend a lot of their nights in a state known as torpor. Torpor is a form of hibernation. Torpid animals can slow their body processes or metabolism, according to surrounding air temperatures. This allows them to drop their energy consumption down to 5 to 30% of what they normally use when awake and just resting.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds usually return to the Chippewa Valley during the first week of May. The advance guard members are seen first but the main thrust of returners seem to show up when the crabapples, wild plum and serviceberry start to bloom.

Hummingbirds at a sugar water feeder.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Hummingbirds will readily come to nectar feeders. The recipe is simple four-parts water to one-part white cane sugar. Boil the water first, then add the sugar, and stir until dissolved. You can use hot tap water but your mixture will last a little longer if boiled, and for me it is easier to get the sugar to dissolve. DO NOT add red dyes! It is not needed to attract the birds and may actually be harmful to them. Remember that this is a syrup and will get sour in hot weather, so change the mixture every couple days. In the fall leave hummingbird feeders up for about two weeks after your last sighting. Your feeder will not make them stay too long but it might provide the energy needed if there has been an early killing freeze.

So when out in the flower garden keep an eye and ear open for these tiny little flying jewels.

 

Female hummingbird feeding on Salvia
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have a
white throat and white spots on the outer tail feathers.
(image by Ruth Forsgren) 

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (image by Ruth Forsgren)