Young Ruby-throated Hummingbird with pollen covering its head
As young leave the nest and as hummingbirds that nested on the Gaspe Peninsula in eastern Canada and other points north begin to move south, hummingbird activity in our gardens soars. The time to easily see lots and lots of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds is fast approaching: late July through first week in September.
2013 Tours of Private Hummingbird Gardens
That being the case, I’m once again looking forward to leading “Tours of Private Hummingbird Gardens.” This year I’ve scheduled the tours mid-week, to avoid summer-at-the-shore weekend traffic. Join me, if you can, to see 18 fabulous hummingbird gardens over a three-day period: August 20-22 (Tuesday-Thursday). My own garden (and Eleanor and Gordon’s Engel’s garden below) will be on the “North Tour” (August 22), but all the gardens are wickedly delicious and full of hummingbirds.
My own garden in mid-July. It will look completely different by the August “Tours of Private Hummingbird Gardens”Eleanor Engel in the meadow that she and her husband Gordon created after successfully removing bamboo – what a Success Story!
Enjoy my recent posts about hummingbirds on “Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens”:
Clay Sutton (on left) and his co-worker, James Dowdell (on right)
Exciting News!
As many of you know, besides writing, Clay has continued to work as an environmental consultant and field biologist for many years. This year, he reached a major milestone with the publication of “Status and Trends of Raptors and Waterbirds on the Maurice River, Cumberland County, NJ. 25-Year Study Results: 1987-2012.”This paper was presented and featured at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary’s “Science and Environmental Summit 2013” held in Cape May in January 2013.
Sponsored by the praiseworthy group Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and its Tributaries, Inc. as part of its efforts to discover, monitor, and protect the many natural resources of the Maurice River, this study and report is one of very few true long-term studies that examines the changing status of biological resources in the Delaware Estuary. The study has monitored winter raptor and waterfowl numbers for 25 years on this wild and scenic Delaware Bay tributary, and has examined all waterbird usage – particularly spring shorebirds and fall raptors – for the past ten years as well.
The official abstract is found below, but you can view two versions of this landmark report on the Citizens United – Maurice River website. The short version is a 14 page glossy illustrated summary, and for those who wish to review the changing statuses and trends in depth, the full 98 page report is also found on the Citizens United website.
This unique study is ongoing, and is now in its 28th year and counting (pardon the pun!).
Pledge Your Support for this Raptor-Waterbird Study
Support Citizens United’s important work and the Raptor-Waterbird study in particular by supporting their team (of which Clay is a member), The Fish Hawksin the World Series of Birding on May 9, 2015. Pledge on the team’s efforts by filling out Citizens United’s Donation form:
Include your pledge amount in the “Other Amount” box and
In the “Designation” box write in “W.S.B.” (for World Series of Birding).
You’ll be supporting this dynamic conservation group in their award-winning efforts to protect the incomparable Delaware Bayshore!
Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and its Tributaries, Inc.
Under the auspices of Citizens United to Protect the MauriceRiver and its Tributaries, Inc., and with funding from the National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, and with goals of discovery, documentation, and conservation, raptors and waterfowl have been studied on Cumberland County, NJ’s tidal MauriceRiver for 25 years. Over 476 days of field work have been carried out in this long term study. Initially implemented to document avian ecovalues in response to industrial barging and dredging proposals, core winter raptor and waterfowl point counts have been maintained every season since 1987-1988. Significant increases are shown for Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Cooper’s Hawk, Black Vulture, Green-winged Teal and Canada Goose; substantial declines are seen for American Kestrel, Rough-legged Hawk, Am. Black Duck, Mallard, and Northern Pintail over the study period. Supplemental/adjunct fall raptor migration counts have been conducted at East Point, NJ to monitor the hawk migration moving west around Delaware Bay; in 60 days of observation in 1990 over 9,000 migrant raptors were counted (35% of the number recorded at Cape May). In 2003, studies were expanded into year-round census efforts for all water birds, including focused surveys of spring migratory shorebird use of the MauriceRiver; a daily high count of over 45,000 shorebirds using the lower Maurice was attained in 2009. Studies have yielded significant data on status and trends, spatial and temporal distribution, and habitat change (with implications regarding sea level rise and climate change). Findings have been used in the RTE listing process, oil spill protection, prioritization of conservation purchases, testimony in land use proceedings, in management decisions, as well as for educational and awareness projects. These long-term and continuing studies have substantiated the tidal Maurice River as an important bird use area for the Delaware Estuary, New Jersey, and the entire Mid-Atlantic region by any and all standards and at all seasons.
Red-spotted Purple caterpillar on its first walkabout, April 15, 2013. Notice its hibernaculum, the home where if safely survived winter.
It’s Spring
It’s spring and Red-spotted Purple caterpillars are venturing out of their winter hibernaculums. Partially grown caterpillars created these safe retreats last fall by silking a tiny leaf shut, silking the leaf to the tree, then crawling inside and going to sleep for the winter. All the other leaves fell from Black Cherry trees and Beach Plum bushes, but the hibernaculum leaves remained still attached – a tell-tale sign to a keen naturalist that some creature might be inside.
From late June on this lovely butterly is a regular in our garden, especially if we maintain a dish of gooey fruit – which they favor over flower nectar
As temperatures warm, these teeny tiny caterpillars (about one-quarter inch long) are venturing forth, sunning in the warmth and looking for tasty buds on their host plant (Black Cherry, Beach Plum, . . .).
Purple Loosestrife is planted with abandon as if there is no problem with it being an invasive species and finding its way into nearby natural areas
Cape May County, where I live, has more invasive species than any other county in New Jersey: 366 as of March 2013. Gardeners here are bombarded with invasvies every day in nurseries, plantings by landscapers, neighbor’s yards, school plantings, natural areas. It’s quite overwhelming. I delved into the problem in my latest post on Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens.
This is the 22nd year I’ve been leading these tours of private backyard wildlife gardens. And they just keep getting yummier and yummier!
Be sure to mark your calendar with the following dates & plan to join me on one, several, or all NINE of the 2013 “Tours of Private Wildlife Gardens” (pdf) that I will again be leading for NJ Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May.
NEW in 2013
The tours will be held mid-week (Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday) to avoid weekend seashore resort traffic!
Alert your friends, family, neighbors, … anyone you’re trying to HOOK on wildlife gardening!
These wildlife-friendly gardens offer so many ideas in the way of design, use of space, plant combinations, native plants that are lovely AND beneficial to wildlife, “chocolate cake” nectar plants, key caterpillar plants, great native shrub ideas, “how to” create your own meadow ideas, garden accents and features like misters, dragonfly ponds, arbors . . .
Imagine getting a glimpse into private backyard wildlife gardens, interacting with the artists who created them, having each and every garden and wildlife question answered, and enjoying it with a group of fellow wildlife gardeners.
Tiger Swallowtails (male on left, female on right) on Joe-pye-weed, a native perennial that is a Chocolate Cake to butterflies
More butterfly and hummingbird gardens are tucked into Cape May County than probably anywhere else in the country. Mid-July is the time of peak butterfly diversity and numbers. Gardens look completely different from one month to the next (so seriously consider all 9 tours). Learn the magic combination of native nectar plants and caterpillar plants that makes a garden especially attractive to butterflies. Design ideas and new wildlife plants will be showcased while tour participants are entertained by a blizzard of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Tours of Private HUMMINGBIRD Gardens — 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (one of dozens) in Sutton’s garden
At the peak of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration, we’ll savor an array of diverse gardens that have hosted nesting hummingbirds since May and are now drawing in dozens of migrants. Native nectar plants, healthy insect populations, water sources, and adequate cover are key elements of each garden.
Tours of Private MONARCH (butterfly) Gardens — 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Migrating Monarchs nectaring on Seaside Goldenrod, a native perennial that many pollinators are drawn to.
At the peak of Cape May County’s world-famous fall Monarch migration, tour diverse gardens that have hosted Monarchs since May. Each features native nectar plants and as many as five different kinds of milkweed (used by Monarchs for egg laying to create the next generation). Expect clouds of Monarchs and other butterflies, Monarch eggs, caterpillars, and maybe even a chrysalis. The complex Monarch migration will be both explained and enjoyed.
TOUR DETAILS AND PRICING
Gardening naturalist and author, Pat Sutton, leads these tours, which include her own garden in Goshen (North tour). Bring lunch since the group will eat in one of the gardens.
If some of you are keen to create a butterfly & hummingbird garden, be sure to download the article & plant list I wrote / created:
Limit: 25 per tour. Nine Tours / Cost per tour: $35 members (NJ Audubon), $45 nonmembers. (Join three tours at a discounted rate of $90 members, $115 nonmembers.) These tours require preregistration with payment.
Registration: you may register by phone at 609.898.8848 with a credit card or send payment to the Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 (noting which tours and full names, addresses, and phone numbers of registrants).
NCCM reserves the right to cancel programs, and refunds are available only if NCCM cancels the event. Walk-ins are welcome on a space-available basis. Become a member of NJAS and receive discounts in the gift shop and on many programs.
The Mid-County Tour included private wildlife gardens in North Cape May, Villas, and Erma.
You can also see gardens that were included on the North Tour and on the South Tour.
July 2012July 2012July Tour 2012August Tour 2013July Tour 2012July Tour 2011July Tour 2011July Tour 2010August Tour 2013August Tour 2013July Tour 2012May 28, 2014June 17, 2013August Tour 2013July Tour 2013August Tour 2013August Tour 2013August Tour 2013May 18, 2013August Tour 2013August Tour 2012August Tour 2012July Tour 2013September Tour 2013August Tour 2013July Tour 2010July Tour 2010May 18, 2013: The Springtime GardenThe Summer Garden (same garden as above). July Tour 2010Heading around back for the view of Delaware Bay. August Tour 2010July Tour 2012August Tour 2010September Tour 2007July Tour 2012August Tour 2012July Tour 2008September Tour 2007July Tour 2008September Tour 2007
The North Tour included private wildlife gardens in Cape May Court House, Goshen (including my own garden), Dennisville, Eldora, South Seaville, and Ocean View.
July Tour 2014July Tour 2014I couldn’t wait to include Dolores’ garden on the tour to showcase the transformation from boring lawn to . . . (wait for it)July Tour 2014July Tour 2014July Tour 2013July Tour 2013August Tour 2013August Tour 2013July Tour 2013March 6, 2003July Tour 2012July Tour 2012July Tour 2012July Tour 2013July Tour 2013July Tour 2013August Tour 2013September Tour 2013September Tour 2013July Tour 2012July Tour 2013July Tour 2012July Tour 2008July Tour 2008July Tour 2013July Tour 2013September Tour 2013September Tour 2011July Tour 2012August Tour 2013July Tour 2012July Tour 2012September Tour 2011May 2010July 9, 2013July 28, 2013September Tour 2012August Tour 2012August Tour 2013July Tour 2008July Tour 2011July Tour 2008August Tour 2013August Tour 2012July Tour 2012July Tour 2009August Tour 2010September Tour 2007July Tour 2011September Tour 2011July Tour 2008July Tour 2008
The South Tour included private wildlife gardens on Cape Island (south of the Cape May Canal): Cape May, Cape May Point, West Cape May, and Lower Township.
August Tour 2014September Tour 2014July Tour 2013July Tour 2013August Tour 2012September Tour 2013September Tour 2013September Tour 2013July Tour 2012September Tour 2007June 2012July Tour 2012August Tour 2013June 2011August Tour 2013September Tour 2013September Tour 2013August Tour 2013September Tour 2013August Tour 2013June 26, 2011August Tour 2013July Tour 2013July Tour 2013July Tour 2013August Tour 2013September Tour 2014September Tour 2013September Tour 2013July Tour 2011September Tour 2007Two Monarch lovers in Mildred Morgan’s garden: Mildred and me (September Tour 2014)July 2012July Tour 2010July 2012July Tour 2012July Tour 2011September Tour 2009September Tour 2012September Tour 2008September Tour 2008August Tour 2008July Tour 2007July Tour 2006September Tour 2008September Tour 2006
Happy New Year! I am excited to share the dates (below) for my popular series of 5 property-owner, “Gardening for Wildlife” workshops (pdf). They’ll be held in March 2013, the perfect time to shake off winter and begin planning and planting (or enhancing) your property and wildlife garden.
Native plants and wildlife-friendly practices are the key and will be emphasized and detailed throughout.
I present a zillion one- to two-hour programs each year and maybe you’ve attended a few of these. I love teaching them, but (with only one or two hours) they are more one-sided presentations, me sharing fun natural history information and images with you, the audience.
These workshops offer the opportunity to be far more in-depth and interactive and are more likely to empower you, take you to the next level.
The 5-hour format (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) allows for:
an interactive workshop atmosphere
each workshop covers a unique aspect of wildlife gardening (in-depth)
each workshop builds on the others, but is not repetitive (so you’ll want to attend all 5, if possible, to maximize your learning opportunity)
resources (handouts and circulated books) will be shared and showcased
you’ll learn how to utilize these resources (find answers to burning questions you may have)
time for in-depth questions
time for in-depth answers
during a working lunch we’ll brainstorm (as a group) each participant’s specific challenges (you’ll draw a rough sketch of your yard and submit a photo of your sketch to project for this)
time to get to know one another and learn from each other (of garden triumphs and tribulations, successes and pitfalls). Nothing beats collective experience and roundtable discussion
each workshop will culminate in a site visit to a nearby backyard habitat where wildlife-friendly practices and design and plant selections will be showcased
So, what do you say! Will I see you in March?
Sign up today and begin getting ready for the workshops. Draw a rough sketch of your yard, indicating structures (and hardscapes like driveways, decks, etc.), existing habitats (lawn, forest, lone trees, shrub islands, gardens, bird feeding station, brush pile, etc.), and mark NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST on the sketch. Take time to note the sun’s path through your yard and where the sunniest areas are. Bring a wish list of the elements you want to add as well as the elements you need to work around.
Where: The March 2, 3, 9, & 16 workshops will be held at the Cape May Bird Observatory Center for Research & Education, 600 Rt. 47 N, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 (and include a site visit to Sutton’s nearby wildlife gardens). The March 23 workshop will be held at the Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204 (and include a site visit to a Cape May wildlife garden).
Limit: 20 participants; preregistration is required (through NJ Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204; 609-898-8848).
Cost/workshop: $35 member of NJ Audubon Society, $45 nonmember (includes handouts).
Sign up for all five workshops for a discount: $125 member, $150 nonmember.
Around homes, as treasured wood piles are dismantled for firewood over the course of a winter, possibly quite a few Mourning Cloaks, Question Marks, and Commas are disturbed from their slumber on brutally cold winter days and meet their demise.
To ensure the survival of these unique butterflies that overwinter as adults, consider building a Butterfly House.
Our butterfly house
Learn how easy it is to build a Butterfly House by reading my latest column at Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens.
This is the 22nd year I’ve been leading these tours of private backyard wildlife gardens. And they just keep getting yummier and yummier!
Hi Gang,
Sign up today and begin getting ready for the workshops. Draw a rough sketch of your yard, indicating structures (and hardscapes like driveways, decks, etc.), existing habitats (lawn, forest, lone trees, shrub islands, gardens, bird feeding station, brush pile, etc.), and mark NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST on the sketch. Take time to note the sun’s path through your yard and where the sunniest areas are. Bring a wish list of the elements you want to add as well as the elements you need to work around.
