Month: March 2025

Monarchs Passing through Milam County

Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall1 Comment

by Donna Lewis

A few weeks ago I had the few Monarchs that I was able to see on our property here in Central Texas.  I have only counted about one dozen in all. That is a sad number considering there used to be hundreds crossing our pastures. I have been counting them for years and reporting this information to Journey North and several other organizations.

This serious decline is happening to most butterfly species. The Monarch is just an iconic species that we all recognize.

There needs to be more citizens who try to help them. Probably all who read our Master Naturalists blog will do something. But most people will not. This could be that they don’t know what to do, or they think their small actions won’t matter. Everything matters.   Remember that.

So, action means leaving natural area’s unmowed till after all the milkweed has gone to seed. It means learning about all of our pollinators and planting appropriate native plants for where you live. There are lists online about these plants. Yes, these plants can be hard to find. It means looking to volunteer groups like Texas Master Naturalists for advice.

These are the things we love and work hard to educate ourselves about them.

As humans we like to neaten up our yards and pastures. That is not what butterflies, birds and mammals like. A mower means death to them. So just taking a little more time to be aware of what is living near you. If you loved moving to the country, then do not change it.

The Beatles have a song by John Lennon that talks about this. The song is, “Let it be, let it be, speaking words of wisdom, let it be…”

Remember what something beautiful means to you…and work to save it.

It’s Dry Over at the Wildscape

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by Catherine Johnson

The Wildscape is especially dry for this time of year. Good news is a lot of weeds have shriveled.  The pictures include super tough Elbow Bush, Evergreen Sumac, Inland Sea Oats, Sideoats Grama, and the Bug Patrol.  We started with 20 roots of native purple Tall Asters and now have thousands to give away.  Contact me if you want any. 

Martins Hanging on in an Ever-changing World

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by Donna Lewis

As you are aware if you live in Central Texas, the weather has been cold and very windy as of late.

My Purple Martin Colony has had to deal with a number of very difficult weather events. Windy conditions mean that flying insects are not flying. Many are grounded until the winds die down. No insects mean no food for Martins.

 Last night, I watched my Gourd Houses as my Martins returned to their homes just as dusk appeared.  The little bit of the sun setting was enough for me to see them.

As I turned to go back in my house, I heard them chirping very softly to each other. That was not normal as they are generally quiet when they come in for the night.

An hour later it was completely dark and I went out on my porch again to check on them. They were still softly singing. Every gourd had music for all to hear. What a heartwarming moment. It made me sad and glad at the same time.

All living things are important to this world. They may even care for each other more than we are aware of. We must remember to protect this earth, not just for them, but for us too.

A sweet event I was fortunate to witness. Remember our fellow earthly creatures…

Wolf Spider Update

Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall1 Comment

by Eric Neubauer

To the outside world it may seem like I’ve been in hibernation but that isn’t so. One current project is making face shots part of my wolf spider observation routine. It’s a lot harder than the dorsal and
ventral views I’ve been doing for a long time. A spider needs to be encouraged to stretch up the side of a container for best results and then stay there for more than a second. It’s especially difficult with spiders small enough to balance on the head of a pin. I’m making progress but it till takes multiple attempts and a lot of prodding.

This is a typical Hogna incognita. His/her body is just over 1 mm wide and just over 3 mm long. It most likely left its mother in late October or early November and has been hanging out ever since. They have grown little over the intervening months and regardless of whether they are in captivity or wild, the only notable different is the ones in captivity are fat and the ones in the wild are skinny. In a month or two they will start to grow rapidly and most will mature in July. Sex can only be determined a little before maturity.

I rarely bother to look when it’s cold, but I did this time and found this one still moderately active at 43 degrees. By the way, Dr. Russell Pfau has started the scientific paper for this new species in earnest. I just reviewed a draft yesterday. We’ll be chasing down a several other loose ends in the same genus later this spring, but that will be another story.

New Space at the Wildscape

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by Catherine Johnson

During the recent Wildscape Workday, a small but focused group moved remaining donated items into the garden to be reused or repurposed.  This leaves a lovely, shaded area for Community Outreach events.  Our first children’s program was held there with Lisa and Donna teaching Girl Scouts about clean air and water.