Hummingbirds

Let's talk hummers!

There are more than 300 different species of hummingbirds in the world, 23 of which have been documented in North America. In Ohio, we are fortunate to have a beautiful little hummingbird species, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris. Attracting these flashy flying whizbangs requires only some sugar-water, (ratio 1/4 cup table sugar to 1 cup hot water), and a suitable feeder. It is not necessary to add food coloring to the water. Acquiring that "perfect feeder" can be difficult. The main consideration is ease of cleaning. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned once or twice per week to prevent mold and fermentation in the hot humid summer months. See the link below for a breakdown of decent hummingbird feeders, (our family owns the top-choice on the list, the "Aspects" feeder, which we found on eBay, since Amazon was out). Please keep feeders up until well past fall migration. It is a cruel myth that hummingbirds will stick around too long if feeders are left out. Hummingbirds, like many other migratory animals, do not sick around just because a food source is still present. Their instinct to survive is much stronger than that - they know that cold weather will kill them, with or without available sugar water. Leaving the sugar-water up until the hummingbirds fly south on their own will ensure that they have access to extra calories right up until they leave on their incredibly long and difficult journey. A good rule of thumb is to leave the feeder up until no hummingbirds have been sighted for 7-10 days, then you may take the feeder down and clean, disinfect, and store for the winter.

https://birdwatchinghq.com/best-hummingbird-feeders/

Here is a link to Cornell's informational page about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/overview

Rosy Visitors Arrive in Adams County

Bird watchers have been delighted to witness a large influx of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in the area this spring. Feeders are attracting this beautiful species, allowing residents a close glimpse of an otherwise infrequently-seen bird. Sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and raw peanuts are great attractants. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks do not normally nest this far south in Ohio, but they stop here along their way to breeding areas farther north. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are long-distance migrants. They fly from their North American breeding grounds to Central and northern South America. Most migrating Grosbeaks fly across the Gulf of Mexico in a single night, although some migrate over land around the Gulf. Please consider putting out some nutritious seeds to help this amazing bird regain calories lost during their long journey. You will be helping maintain the population for future Adams County residents to enjoy!

For more information about Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, please visit The Cornell Lab:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rose-breasted_Grosbeak/id

Garter Snakes

Garter snakes are amazing! While many native species of reptiles are becoming less common as humans take over their habitat, garter snakes seem to thrive in the disturbed areas of our lawns and subdivisions. Our small quarter-acre lot in the Village of West Union has a healthy colony of garter snakes. Every spring, dozens of snakes emerge from underground, (where they spend the winter in communal quarters), and settle into several brush piles we leave for them. We have a small garden pond in which the snakes hunt tadpoles and frogs. 

Garter snakes are often called "garden snakes" by folks unaware of the reason behind the term "garter". The name "garter snakes" probably comes from the snake's resemblance to the old-time garters worn by people to hold up their stockings. 

Garter snakes are true reptiles, like all snakes, but they give birth to live young. The baby snakes form inside eggs within the female and hatch from the egg and emerge as fully-formed miniature versions of the adult snakes. The term for this type of birth is "ovoviviparous". Gestation is usually 2-3 months, and litter size ranges between 10 and 40 baby snakes.

Garter snakes provide valuable pest control in their environment by eating slugs, insects, leeches, and snails. 

Food Webs in Adams County

Food webs are everywhere! This short video is geared for little learners - use it to start conversations about food webs in your own yard.

Food Webs Video

Morel Mushrooms

It is mushroom-hunting time! 

Morel mushrooms pop up as if by magic in the springtime in Adams County. Moisture and temperature are key to their appearance - they like moist conditions (search near streams) and not too warm, not too cool conditions. One observation made by veteran morel-hunters is that the mushrooms often appear in disturbed ground, clear cuts and wildfire burns.  One theory about why this might happen is that the morel, which is a type of fungus that feeds off of nutrients in the soil and around tree roots, is "cut off" from its host in areas of disturbance. The fungus then works hard to produce the delicious fruiting body, and the associated spores, so that it can disperse and reproduce. 

To aide in your search for morels in Adams County, try these tips: 

1. When the spring leaves of the oak trees are about the size of a mouse's ear, it is time to start hunting for morels.

2. Know your trees. Morel fungus is associated most often with sycamore, hickory, ash, and elm trees, as well as fruit trees. 

3. Soil temperatures in the 50's seem to favor morel eruptions.

4. False morels, which include a number of different species, are toxic. Research the different types of false morels and be cautious about what you harvest. When in doubt, as an expert. This is a photo of one species of false morel:

Some species of false morels contain the chemical monomethyl hydrazine (MMH). MMH causes vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, and sometimes death. MMH is also suspected to be a carcinogen.

5. Go out with veteran mushroom-hunters to learn more tricks of the trade. A great group to contact is the Adams County Wild Mushroom Club, which can be reached at 937-549-3954. 

Enjoy! Happy-hunting!

Local Pottery Making with Homemade Kiln

Adams County has an abundance of amazing natural resources. One of those resources is clay! It is a fairly simple and fun process to collect local clay and turn it into pottery.

First Step: Find a source of clay. Be sure to get the landowner's permission.

Keep the clay moist until ready to use. It helps to work the clay in your hands for a few minutes before trying to shape it. Natural clay has many inconsistencies.

"Pinch pots" are easy to create without a pottery wheel.

A hole should be dug that is about 2 feet deep.

The green pottery goes on the bottom. We found that it helps to put the pottery on top of a cinder block inside the hole instead of resting on the bottom.

Gently layer kindling on top of the pottery and keep it burning for at least 3 hours. Be patient! The hardest part is waiting for the embers to cool. It can take 2 days before the embers are all out. Leave the pottery in the pit undisturbed until completely cooled.

Carefully excavate the hardened pieces from the pit.

Paint the pieces using ordinary acrylic paint and finish with a clear coat of sealant (these pieces would not be suitable to serve food/drink). Voila!