Advocacy

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Nicotine bad for bugs and birds?

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Neonicotinoids are a type of pesticide used on a wide variety of crops in this and other countries. They can be long-lasting, effective against many insects, can be applied via seed coatings, and are less toxic to mammals than other pesticides. Those first three attributes are why they have raised many concerns among conservationists and environmentalists. Lots of insects are beneficial to us and even those that are bothersome can be important food for other creatures, especially birds. Birds eat seeds as well as bugs.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

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Citizen Science and the Prettiest Little Falcon in the World

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Brand Smith, former MAS President, super volunteer, wonderful birder, and all-round nice guy, has led Madison Audubon's kestrel nest box monitoring program for several years. Many volunteers in turn have helped build and install the boxes and monitor them throughout the season. Madison Audubon has long documented the outstanding success of these nest boxes in helping kestrels produce healthy youngsters. In and of itself, that's invaluable because kestrels are on the sad list of bird species which are declining.

Photo by Jim Stewart

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A Duck Stamp goes a long way

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The 2020-2021 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (aka the Duck Stamp) is now available. Please buy one or a bunch soon. I just bought several even though my duck hunting days are probably past. The reason:

Revenue from the Duck Stamp supports the National Wildlife Refuges and the Waterfowl Production Areas. The Wildlife Refuges are big and mostly well known as are the habitat and wildlife they offer.

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Ways you can help monarchs this month

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Ways you can help monarchs this month

This time of year, monarch butterflies begin their annual migration from their summer breeding grounds to their overwintering sites in Mexico. The massive influx of these insects through our area is not only quite a sight to see, it’s also a great opportunity to give a helping hand, from where you are. There are three ways you can help monarchs this fall.

Photo by Howard County Library System

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Snakes and Birds Mix with Mixed Results

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Please see this link to assist the DNR in conserving reptiles and amphibians. DNR biologists need our help in identifying road crossings that cause a lot of herp mortality. Their work with turtles at such crossings have shown that such identification and subsequent work on signage or other steps can reduce that mortality.

One such crossing, which doesn't need such protection because our members and guests tend to be careful and drive slowly, is at Goose Pond on Prairie Lane between the prairie and the observation area and Goose Pond itself. Many salamanders over-winter in the prairie and return to the pond in late spring or early summer.

Photo by Nick Walton // DNR Press release