Today I was accompanied by Bruce Dangremond, who along with Tim Ohr, will be monitoring the Flatwoods Park Bluebird Trail for the next 2 weeks while I'm on vacation. Today, because of the sporadic rain, it was a nice, cool day on the?? Bluebird Trail and we have 19 more fledglings, for a total of 151 fledglings (144 BB, 4 CC, 3 TM), with 21 chicks and 19 eggs, all bluebird. See attached spreadsheet for details. Also attached are pictures of chicks in boxes F4 and F15.
In addition to the bluebirds, we saw a flock of ibis, two great egrets, lots of black vultures, mourning doves, a white-eyed vireo and 3 ruby-throated hummingbirds in the native garden.
Attached are pictures of last week's mystery caterpillar, which was identified by Nancy McClelland as a clouded crimson moth,?? and was eating a gaura (Gaura angustifolia), which is its host plant. Also attached is a picture another native aquatic plant, the blooming string lily/swamp lily (Crinum americanum), and a picture?? for comparison of the spider lily (Hymenocallis crassifolia) which I sent last week.
Since Bruce will be monitoring and sending out the reports the next 2 weeks, he will be sending a test e-mail today just to make sure he has everyone's correct e-mail address. Do not respond to Bruce's e-mail because I will be able to tell him whether or not it has gone through. Thanks Bruce and Tim for monitoring while I'm gone, and I'll be reporting back in on July 30.