Sue Ann (Suna) Kendall

A Winter Mealworm Feeder for the Bluebirds

October 17, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Donna Lewis

I love the Bluebirds. In the winter I try to help them out by feeding them dried mealworms. They probably like live worms more, but they are more expensive and harder to get. But a little help during harsh weather is still a good thing.

Every year I hate to see the dried worms ruined by rain or ice. However, the Bluebirds will not use any feeder that is closed in. They want an open platform with a perch on it. They do not like anything that they have to go inside.

I have tried many types of feeders marketed for them. They have not worked.

I have been watching the birds for years, so I know what they do. I thought maybe a clear container with a small cover might do. I placed it on a square plywood board, put a back board on the North side to block some of the rain and wind, then watched to see if that would even take a chance and go for the worms.

Success!! They did. Boy, was I excited. Now, I will see what happens when the severe weather arrives. That will be the real test.

They do not like rope or bungee cords attached to the feeder. They might think they are snakes? I don’t know. I hope the wind does not blow the feeder off.

Anyway, we will see soon if the feeder keeps some of the worms dry.

You have to observe our wild friends to see how they feel about something we have made for them. Think like a bird. Keep learning by observing.

Who are you gardening for?

Learning about Squirrels

October 9, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

Master Naturalists attended a squirrel program at All Things Wild. Here are some things we learned.

The smallest is the Pigmy 3.9 inches, while the largest- Buthan at 4 feet.

Texas has mostly Fox squirrels. They nest in trees while Rock squirrels nest in the ground. All have excellent hearing and smell and can detect food a foot under snow. When they lay down flat and stretch out to cool it is called a “sploot.”

Tails are used to signal, parachute, cool off and provide shelter. The most interesting fact is that they can rotate their ankles 180 degrees to enable them to climb face down, as seen in the picture of Violet.

If you find a ” Pinky” baby, put it in a warm box with a rice filled sock warmed in the microwave. A mom will not claim a cold baby and baby squirrels do not have body heat. Keep predators away! If after four hours the mother has not claimed it, bring it indoors. Never leave it in the dark. Hydrate the baby with a few drops of water or Pedialyte, very slowly with a dropper. Do not let the baby get too hot on a heating pad. Raising squirrels requires detailed instructions and about 3-4 months until they can be released.

Pictures below show ages based on their tail sizes. Violet came to the shelter disabled and is now an ambassador.

Squirrels adapt to urban areas, help plant trees, and are a natural resource. Sign up for the ATW newsletter and be sure to call them for help in dealing with injured wildlife.

We’ve Been Busy

October 4, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

Our Chapter President, Carolyn Henderson, was asked to put together ten photos of activities our group has engaged in over the past year, so they can be shared at next week’s Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting in McAllen, Texas (we will get to see the eclipse there!). We want to share this recap with all our blog readers and Facebook friends, too.

We look forward to more fun the rest of the year and in the future. Join us if you want to! You don’t have to be a member to attend our meetings and activities.

Master Naturalist Mike Conner, developer of the trail, explains “swales”

A Walk in the Yard

September 30, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Michelle Lopez

I decided to play the game “what’s blooming in the front yard today” and was surprised at a few. The Vitex tree is blooming. Maximilian sunflowers are bursting and the tall goldenrod is starting to bloom. More newcomers are Tropical sage, Southern annual saltmarsh aster, Prairie false foxglove, Whitemouth dayflower, Rio Grande copper lily and still hanging around are Texas bluebells, Cowpen daisies, Buffalo-bur, Prairie tea, Silverleaf nightshade, Tievine, Violet ruellia, Texas snakeweed, Gulf vervain, Lindheimer Doveweed, Carolina snailseed, Turkey tangle frogfruit, Bitterweed and Snow-on-the-prairie.

They Aren’t Supposed to Be Blooming!

September 27, 2023September 25, 2023 Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Gene Rek

Late January is the beginning of spring for the honeybees. That is when the cedar elm trees begin to blossom, and the bees start bringing in sacks of yellow pollen. Pollen is protein for bees, thus particularly important for a healthy hive.

*Bees coming into their hive packed with yellow pollen from the elm trees*

Today when I was in the woods the trees were buzzing. It’s not unusual to find bees busy in trees in late summer or fall when they might find galls on oak trees or dewy sap on pecan leaves. I was curious as to what was causing all this activity. I was not surprised to find them on the elm trees, but the reason they were there did surprise me. The elms are in bloom! Some of the trees are in full bloom while others are fading.

We received almost 2.5 inches of rain last week. After a brutal summer did this cooling off to ninety degrees fool the trees?

More bee action around the cedar elm blossoms

I’ve never observed this before. Maybe being a Master Naturalist is making me more observant of such things.

[Editor’s note: I noticed that mesquite trees were blooming at my ranch this week. iNaturalist wasn’t able to ID my photo, perhaps because they were blooming at an unusual time.]