Natural Lands Trust Preserve Blog

Crow's Nest - Recent Research

This summer researchers from University of Pennsylvania made use of Crow's Nest Preserve to study Lyme disease and the bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi) that causes it. Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease among humans in the U.S. Since it relies on ticks and alternate mammal hosts for its spread, a habitat for these animals such as that found at Crow's Nest makes a good study site.

Graduate student Parris Humphrey carried out the research as part of Dustin Brisson's lab at Penn with the help of Ian Hannigan, a first year Vet student, and undergraduate Eric Williams from Carleton College.

Different genotypes of bacterium infect separate species of mammal—mice, chipmunks, shrews, and squirrels—thereby avoiding competition. Humans are infected by only some of these genotypes.

To further knowledge of B. burgdorferi the Penn study has several goals:

1. Identify the different genotypes of the bacterium infecting each of the species in our region. This involves live-trapping small mammals and collecting engorged ticks from them before releasing them. (Amazingly, mice had anywhere from zero to 60 ticks on them apiece!)

2. Compare host reservoir species in the mid-Atlantic with those studied in other regions. This requires collecting data on rates of transmission of each genotype to feeding ticks, tick burdens, animal densities, and the frequency of each genotype in host-seeking ticks.

3. Build predictive models for Lyme disease risk using variables such as forest type, forest fragment size, and climate.

4. Eventually, field test a vaccine for small mammals that blocks transmission of the Lyme disease bacterium between mammal hosts and feeding ticks.

In the photo above Parris is sorting collected ticks; he will be spending the fall in the lab analyzing their bacteria. We are happy that University of Pennsylvania was able to use Crow's Nest for this research.

Mariton - New Date for Picnic

Because of Tropical Storm Hannah, we postponed the Annual Picnic.  The new date will be Saturday, October 4 at 6:30 p.m.  But this time, instead of a potluck picnic, Mariton will host a reception with cheese, cookies, juice, wine and coffee.  Kathy and Eric Uhler from the Pocono Wildlife Rehab Center will start the program at 7:00 p.m.  If you plan to attend, please let us know, so that we can plan accordingly.

Mariton - Hummingbirds

The hummingbirds have been super active this week.  Maureen was working in the flower gardens yesterday and was continually buzzed by hummers.  They perch on plant stalks while waiting for space at the nearby feeder.  At one time there were three in one clump of Queen Anne's Lace.  The fact that they were sharing the same staging area says something.  Carole Mebus sent me this photo of a hummingbird that was visiting her garden.

If you fed the hummingbirds during the summer, don't let the feeders run dry now.  These tiny birds need all the nutrition that they can get as they bulk up for a marathon migration flight.  Let's hope they wait until the tropic weather settles down before they leave our neighborhood.

Farm to Table Tour

On October 7 the League of Women Voters is sponsoring a tour of local farms in Berks and Chester Counties: The Rodale Institute, Manatawny Creek Winery, and Cedar Meadow Swine. The tour will focus on the conservation practices of these farms.

If you drop me a line I will email you the brochure: dbarringer (at) natlands (dot) org.

Mariton - Picnic Postponed!

Due to the stormy weather, we are postponing the Annual Picnic and the program by the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.  We will be setting a new date, and you can check back here for that date and time, or call the Center next week.

Mariton - Annual Picnic and Program

This Saturday, will be the Annual Friends of Mariton Picnic at 6:00 p.m.  This is a potluck picnic, so bring something to pass.  Mariton provides settings, beverages, and a grill for cooking.  People should bring folding chairs or blankets. 

Following the picnic will be one of my favorite programs.  Kathy and Eric Uhler from the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will do a live animal show.  The audience will learn interesting facts about local wildlife, as well as what to do with a "lost" or injured animal.  Kathy and Eric use animals that cannot be released back to the wild, and everyone gets a close look at these animals.  It is fascinating, and I learn something new at each one of their shows.

Crow's Nest: Our new little guy...

Denise and Dan are thrilled to welcome our son Owen Daniel, our new little camper/conservationist.

Though of course the preserve remains open, you may have trouble reaching me at the office for a few weeks. We hope you'll still get out to enjoy the preserves, and stay tuned for the schedule of fall WebWalkers and Spiderlings. Also mark your calendars for the October Elverson Contra Dance at Crow's Nest, October 4.

Thank you to the Natural Lands Trust staff who have been so accommodating with my leave time and for looking after our household while we were gone.

Duck Stamp

I recently was at the Post Office and remembered to purchase a federal Duck Stamp.  Technically, they are called Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps (a term I have never heard used).  The stamp is required to hunt migratory birds like ducks, geese, woodcocks and doves.  I haven't hunted any of these birds in decades, but I still purchase the stamp every year, because it is a tax that I support. 

On the back of the card are printed two important facts:  "To date, Duck Stamp sales have provided $700 million that has been used to purchase 5.2 million wetland acres for the National Wildlife Refuge System."  The stamp costs $15.  This year's stamp features a print by Joseph Hautman of a pair of Northern Pintails. 

There are several National Wildlife Refuges (NWF) within a few hours drive.  Most recognizable are probably John Heinz NWF, near Philadelphia; Great Swamp in Basking Ridge, NJ; Cape May and E.B. Forsythe (Brigantine).  Most of the regional refuges have free admission,  but in other parts of the nation one has to pay to visit.  The Duck Stamp is a season pass to all NWFs. 

Fifteen dollars.  52 million acres protected.  Free pass into any National Wildlife Refuge.  My way to say, "I support wetland conservation."

Late August, fall is coming

Today we saw (and heard—their wings' noise is a phenomenon!) starlings massing in the trees—a sure sign of fall. We've had more than a week of fall-like weather. On our walk today Denise and I also saw wood ducks, several red-tailed hawks, turkeys, ring-necked snakes, and that the beavers have again raised the waters downstream of Harmonyville Road.

We've had some questions lately about the fall webworms (Hyphantria cunea). They've certainly had a good year, binding the branch tips of many trees with their webs and shredded leaves. They're easy to distinguish from another native caterpillar, the Eastern tent caterpillar, whose "webs" are in the crotches of branches (mainly black cherry) and appear in spring, not at the tips in later summer. We see the fall webworms most on black walnut trees, but also on hickory, persimmon, and black cherry. People find the fall webworms' damage unattractive but it is rarely harmful to a whole tree.

The building stewardship staff has been repointing the gable end of the Jacob barn. Here they are a month ago at the top of the scaffolding; Steve, Scott and Luke are just now reaching the bottom of the wall (and there are other sides to do!). Their work is beautiful and will extend the life of the wall.

Crow's Nest Postcards

Today had that crystal clear light that makes me want to take pictures. Here are a few "postcards" from Crow's Nest:

Let's start with another view of the lotus flower (actually yesterday, its second day). It won't last much longer. American lotus doesn't grow at the preserve naturally, though it is native to Pennsylvania.

Here Asiatic dayflower (Commelina communis) grows up through a cart wheel by our garage. This species is weedy and nonnative but can be tolerated most places: it's not so invasive as to disrupt native ecosystems.

The Houck house is nestled in the valley in the southern end of the preserve; Buzzard Hill in French Creek looms in the distance.

I brought the camera with me as I mowed trails today. I'm thinking of starting a a series of photos called "from the tractor seat."