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In this issue:
- Dressed for Success
- What's in a Name?
- Pollinator Photo Contest Results!
- Upcoming Programs
- Tales From the Trail
- Greenways: Valerie--in the spotlight!
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Dressed For Success
One penguin says to another, “You look like you’re wearing a tuxedo.”
The second penguin says, “Who says I’m not?”
We humans sometimes joke about birds who appear to “wear tuxedos,” such as penguins. Birders often describe the bobolink, a bird of vanishing grassland habitats, this way; “No other North American bird has a white back and black underparts (some have described this look as wearing a tuxedo backwards).” And, again, who says they’re not?
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But consider the more businesslike “attire” of a ground feeding bird, dressed in cloak of understated “banker’s grey” feathers with a contrasting white belly? Although this understated bird is dressed for success, there is a bit of flash to this traditional attire, though. As this little sparrow flies up and away, note the white “racing stripes” of the outer tail feathers that flank the mostly grey tail. And what color complements this rich shade of grey? A lovely pink bill, just right to crack open the seeds on the ground! These field markings would confirm your identification of this winter visitor, the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), which Michiganders typically see only in winter months. (Photo by Jim Simek) | |
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These forest birds are among the most abundant of North America. Their spring and summer breeding habitat is the coniferous or mixed-coniferous forests across Canada, the western U.S., and in the Appalachians. During winter, you’ll find Dark-eyed Juncos in open woodlands, fields, parks, roadsides, and backyards; you’ll see them on woodland walks, as well as in flocks at your feeders or on the ground beneath them.
(Photo by Bob Vuxinic)
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For those who look forward to wintertime, these little birds bring tidings of great joy upon their seasonal arrival in autumn; but for those longing for spring and warmer weather, it’s their departure they look forward to.
Like the latest runway fashions, catch’em while you can. It won’t be long before the Dark-eyed Juncos take their fashion show on the road, heading back north or to the mountains again to raise their families! (Photo by Nikki Lynn Design)
-Dorothy McLeer
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What's in a Name?
Neighborhood Cooper's Hawks and other birds, like Anna's Hummingbirds, Gambel's Quail, and , Bewick's Wrens, are about to be renamed. The move comes as part of a broader effort to diversify birding and make it more welcoming to people of all races and backgrounds.
(Cooper's Hawk photo by Mick Thompson)
The American Ornithological Society has has vowed to change the English names of all bird species currently named after people, along with any other bird names deemed offensive or exclusionary. The Society has promised to engage the public and says that birds' scientific names won't be changed as part of this initiative.
"It's going to feel like a bother to some people, but I think it's actually an exciting opportunity," says Kenn Kaufman, prominent author of field guides. "It's an exciting opportunity to give these birds names that celebrate them — rather than some person in the past."
The project will initially focus on 70 to 80 bird species that occur primarily in the United States and Canada. That's about 6 or 7 percent of the total species in this geographic region. Stay tuned for developments in this effort that is set to begin begin next year
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Pollinator Photo Contest Results! | |
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So, what's the buzz on the contest?
Dr. David Susko, founder and organizer of the Pollinator Photo Contest, reports:
"We had another great response to the contest from the public with 163 photos submitted. This year's contest had the most geographically diverse contestants in the US (from 15 different states, including California, Oregon, Washington, Georgia, Alabama, NC, SC, Wisconsin, NY, NJ, Minnesota, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and, of course, Michigan) compared to past contests. We also had a submission from Ontario, Canada [and it wasn't David's!]."
Featured above is the winning submission in the Pollinators Up-close category: "Western Honey Bee" by Evan Deutsch. Below left, winning in the category Pollinator Interactions, is "Insatiable," submitted by Curtis Coates. Representing the Pollinator Landscapes category is "Native Beauty" by Lonnie Fleming, below right.
David has also put together a video featuring the collected submissions, with musical accompaniment, for all to enjoy. The EIC Staff are thankful to David for his help in keeping this tradition going. In 2019, the University of Michigan-Dearborn became the first public university in Michigan to be recognized with Bee Campus USA USA certification for its education and conservation efforts with pollinators.
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Detritus Detectives
(AKA get the scoop on soil)
Saturday, November 18, 1:00-2:30 PM
Curious about the hustle and bustle happening below your feet? Come and find out some fascinating facts about soil! We will examine the different components of soil,
compare soil types using our senses, and observe interesting invertebrates that make
the soil their home! Maybe you’ll even get your hands a little dirty! This program is open
to all ages, meet at the EIC! Please register for this program
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In Search of Owls
Friday, Dec. 15, 7:30-9:30 PM
Join EIC naturalists to listen and look for owls in the Environmental Study Area. A short program indoors will be followed by a nighttime walk through the woods. Dress in layers for the weather that evening.
Please register for this program.
The Eastern Screech Owl, pictured left, was playing "peek-a-boo" with volunteer Joe Turek on a wintry day. Can you spot this little owl...
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2023 Fall Schedule: November 20, December 4th
(Last Walk & Celebration)
Focus on your mental health this fall by attending 45-minute guided walks through nature. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to join!
These 45 minute strolls, hosted by Planet Blue Ambassadors, Counseling & Psychological Services Mental Health & Wellness Peer Educators, and the Environmental Interpretive Center, are meant to help you press pause on the chaos of life and reconnect with nature and your well-being.
EIC Parkhurst Natural Areas Fellow and Program Coordinator Alexis Kott will point out any interesting wildlife and natural phenomena encountered along the way and a Mental Health and Wellness Peer Educator from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will share brief guided meditations and mental health check-ins. Meet inside the EIC.
Contact ankott@umich.edu for more information.
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Nature Photography
Wednesday, November 22, 2:00-3:00
Join EIC Naturalist and Nature Photographer on a guided nature walk. Bring your own cameras and accessories, we supply the scenery! Meet inside the Environmental Interpretive Center. For more information, or for accommodations, please email ankott@umich.edu.
Art in Nature
November 27, 2:00-3:00
Experience art outdoors with an EIC Naturalist and Artist! Guided nature walks include art demonstrations and tips. Meet inside the Environmental Interpretive Center, and bring your own art supplies. For more information, please email ankott@umich.edu
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High School student adds to our knowledge of trees in the Environmental Study Area!
Editor’s note: Simon Jolin is a high school student who took part in the 9-month EIC Homeschool Field Biology program for High School Students in 2022-23, led by Rick Simek. After the program had concluded, Simon expressed interest in applying the tree identification skills he learned to conduct a formal survey of tree species within a designated portion of the ESA, under Rick’s supervision. Here are Simon’s reflections:
This summer I had the opportunity to conduct a tree survey in a 2-acre section of forest just north of Fair Lane Lake. Using standardized tree survey methods, I recorded data for individual trees including species and trunk size. I also designated GPS coordinates for all trees greater than 8 inches in diameter. In total, I identified and recorded data for 116 trees of 18 species and trunk size.
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The survey results were interesting, with the Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides), Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) comprising over 62% of the trees surveyed. In contrast, nine species had only one individual tree in the 2-acre site. The distribution of the trees was also quite fascinating, with the Eastern Cottonwoods occurring in the eastern portion of the site, the black walnuts occurring toward the west, the black locusts located primarily in the southeast, and the other species sprinkled throughout.
If I had to pick one element of the survey I enjoyed most, it would have to be learning more about the intricacies and subtleties of tree identification. As mundane as it may sound, identifying a species that you have never paid close attention to can grant a sense of discovery as well as a heightened appreciation for the trees around us.
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One large tree I encountered during the survey represents this feeling quite well: an oak with leaves reminiscent of a Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) and acorns similar to that of a Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra). A species that loosely fits these criteria when accompanied by other characteristics is the Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii), pictured left. | |
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The distribution of Shumard Oaks in Michigan is sparse, and they are a species of special concern in the state, so the odds of finding one are slim. It is still unclear which species this particular tree is, due to the diversity and variety of oaks and oak hybrids. Further investigation is needed by those more experienced than I am. Shumard Oak or not, it is hard not to get excited about that possibility!
I am truly grateful and appreciative of the experience I had in doing the survey.
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Congratulations, Valerie!
EIC staff member and Cooper Family Fellow Valerie Osowski was in the spotlight, featured in the Planet Blue Ambassador (PBA) Newsletter. This feature was originally published in the PBA newsletter.
Peruse the newsletter to find out more about sustainability efforts on the UM-Dearborn campus, including the EIC!
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Become an Ambassador
This month, we’re highlighting an exceptional Planet Blue Ambassador: Valerie Osowski! Valerie is an Environmental Science major with a minor in Sociology. She currently works at the Environmental Interpretive Center (EIC) as a student naturalist and is the 2023 Cooper Family Intern. She is also the current President of the Student Sustainability Coalition student org.
One of Valerie’s biggest accomplishments this past summer was improving rain gardens at the EIC. After conducting very thorough research, Valerie redesigned the rain garden near the main entrance of the building to create a more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing space, replacing old grasses and aggressive species with native plant species. These improvements will help facilitate many faunal associations for pollinators and provide other health benefits for chipmunks and birds.
If you know of a PBA like Valerie that is doing impeccable work to improve campus sustainability, let us know! We’d love to learn about their work.
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Meet Greenie!
Valerie and her new friend, Greenie, will be collecting compostable leftovers from children's lunches, thanks to Valerie's new efforts to reduce food waste here at the EIC!
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Venturing outdoors and encountering nature is good for your health. Our trails are accessible, so please visit our Environmental Study Area. Stay engaged in learning activities and check out our Remote Learning Activities & Resources page for ideas to create a “Neighborhood Nature Journal” and “Family Nature Walk” activities!
We also hope to see you in person at our upcoming programs!
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Please remember...
The EIC Environmental Study Area is open daily from sunrise to sunset. We would like to remind nature-goers that fishing on site is prohibited and to leave bikes and dogs at home because they cause disruption and stress to the EIC wildlife.
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