City of Hudsonville - Friends of the Nature Center

FRIENDS

THE

NATURE

CENTER

Fall Issue, 2001
A Quarterly Publication

MAS Feeder Survey

Each winter the Michigan Audubon Society holds a bird feeder survey. Participants are asked to record the species of birds seen at their feeders throughout each month from November through April. One day each month, you are also asked to record the numbers and species of all birds seen at your feeder for the day, along with the day’s weather information. This information is important and helpful in research and tracking various species of birds in Michigan.
If you are interested in participating in the Michigan Audubon Society’s feeder survey which tracts species and numbers of birds at feeders state wide, phone 616-381-9738 or e-mail radams@naturecenter.org.

Bird Feeding Basics

Many people like to attract birds to their yards in winter by feeding them, but this can become expensive and leave much uneaten seed. The following three kinds of seed are eaten by the biggest variety of birds and should be the only, or at least main ingredients of any bird feed mix.
Sunflower - the first is sunflower, which comes in two common types. The larger striped sunflower seeds are mostly by bigger birds such as Blue Jays and Grackles, while the smaller black-oil type is eaten by most of the birds that will visit your feeder and is

preferred by many of the smaller songbirds. Sunflower hearts are more expensive, but can also be used.
Millet - this small shiny grass seed is preferred by the sparrows and is in most all commercial bird feed mixes.
Corn - Eared corn can be placed on a separate feeder or nail for the Blue Jays and squirrels, and yes you will likely get at least a couple of squirrels. Cracked corn is eaten by many birds and preferred by the Mourning Dove.
Some other specialty feeds you may want to consider are Niger Thistle for finches, Safflower for cardinals and some woodpeckers. Suet is another excellent choice which is eaten by many birds besides the woodpeckers that most of us would put it out for.
Two seeds to avoid because most birds will not eat them, and only then when there is nothing else to eat are milo and wheat. Both of these grains are used as fillers in many so called "economy" mix which will be emptied from your feeders quickly and build up uneaten on the ground below.
Feeders should be kept clean to prevent disease from spreading among the birds.
They should be placed in the open so that birds can feel safe from predators while they visit and eat, but close enough to trees or bushes for them to perch and take cover in. Some birds like the cardinals will perch and observe the area to be sure it is safe before coming to the feeder. One way to keep

costs down and enjoy birds at your feeders, is to only put a certain amount out each day. When it is gone, they will be back tomorrow. Keep in mind that these birds do not need our feed to survive, but as creatures of habit, will depend on you once you start. So don't stop feeding them in the middle of the winter or cold weather.
Included with this mailing is a copy of a chart show the different feeds and birds that can be attracted with them.

Fall is Good Time to Enjoy Nature Center

The predictions are for a long and colorful display of Michigan's trees this fall. Since the prairie will continue to bloom until late October or early November, depending on the weather and when we get a hard freeze or two, you can walk the trails of the Nature Center and enjoy both aspects of fall color and beauty. As the leaves begin to fall, the birds that stay the winter will also be easier to view and enjoy.
Walk the trails on you own at you leisure or join others on one of our scheduled walks this fall.

Species Profile

Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus - The large orange Monarch can be found around the world, from 45 degrees south latitude to 45 degrees

north latitude. It is common in Michigan from late May to mid September, with some individuals staying until mid October. The Monarchs are beginning to congregate as they prepare for their long journey to Mexico for the cold winter months. Around the middle of September, the greatest numbers will flock together and begin the journey south.
In late winter the Monarchs that left the north will leave their winter roosts and begin a northward journey. After mating, the females will begin to lay her 400-800 tiny eggs on milkweeds as she works her way north. Since these over-wintering adults will not make the complete return journey north, their second and third generations will.
After four or five days a two millimeter, gray with chocolate ringed caterpillar will hatch and begin to eat the leaves and flower buds of the milkweed. Monarchs feed on any species of milkweed, which is why they are also known as the "Milkweed Butterfly". At four or five days old the caterpillar will shed its skin for the first of five times, it now changes to strips of white, yellow, and black, with a set of black antenna at each end of its body. In the 20 days since the egg is laid it will increase its weight 2700 times! The caterpillar will now find a suitable place to form its chrysalis and hang upside down in a "J". After several hours it then sheds it's skin again and forms a light green chrysalis with several gold spots. In about 7 to 8 days, the outer skin of the

chrysalis begins to turn clear and the butterfly can be seen developing inside. A couple of days later, the adult emerges, fat, crumpled and wet. After a few minutes the wings are pumped full of fluid, and smooth out. Before the beautiful orange creature can fly, it must rest for a couple of hours to allow the wings to dry.
The adult's wingspread is usually three to four inches across; they are orange with black veins and boarders, and white spots. The adult butterfly will feed on flower nectar from many kinds of flowers through a tube called a proboscis, which is coiled up into the mouth when not in use. Monarchs are more abundant towards the end of summer in our area, and as they begin to gather for their journey south we see many more of them.
The Monarch is a favorite butterfly to raise and study, in that its life cycle can be completed and observed in such a short time. If you want to learn more about Monarch migration, check out the Monarch watch web site at http://monarchwatch.org or Journey North at http://www.learner.org/jnorth/fall2001/monarch The North American Butterfly Association also has information on butterflies and butterfly gardening at http://www.naba.org or you may wish to check out the local chapter through the NABA web sight links. The local chapter, The West Michigan Butterfly Association meets the last Saturday of the month.

Calendar of Events

September 15, 10 a.m.

“TREES” Learn about and how to identify many of the trees and shrubs of the Hudsonville area which are in the Nature Center. This is a good opportunity for students working on leaf collections for school.

September 16, 2 p.m.

“Fall Nature Walk” Walk the trails looking for late season wildflowers, trees, birds, and other natural features of interest.

October 7, 2 p.m.

“Fall Nature Walk” Fall is a very enjoyable time to be in the out-of-doors, come walk the trails as a group, looking for late season wildflowers, trees turning colors, birds and other natural features of interest.

November 11, 2 p.m.

“Preparing for Winter Walk” Walk the trails looking for birds and natural features of interest while discussing what some of the flora and fauna are actually doing at this time and what some are doing to prepare for winter.