Category: Advanced Training Report

Learning about Squirrels

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

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”
Chapter members gathered after climbing the Rancheria Grande trail in Milam County
Uncommon flower found on the Rancheria Grande trail – “Propeller Flower” or Alophia drumondii
ECR chapter presentation to the Little River chapter Master Gardeners on using native plants at the wildscape
Girdled Glossy Privets being removed
Planting a bur oak at a local park in Cameron
Visiting purple martin houses near Buckholtz
New trainees attend class on insects given by Wizzie Brown, AgriLife Agent from Austin
TPWD Intern at Mother Neff State Park takes the chapter on a guided tour
Jackie Thornton teaches a bee class in Rockdale about setting up watering sites for bees
Master Naturalists talk with community members about feeding bees with native plants

Learning about Raccoons

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

Master Naturalists attended a recent All Things Wild (our region’s wildlife rehabilitation center) program on raccoons. They are more active than the opossums we learned about recently and require much care from the TPWD-permitted volunteers. 

Raccoon presentation, from the ATW Facebook page.

Some facts about racoons:

  • Raccoons eat almost anything, and rub items between their hands in water to tell what kind of food they have.
  • Babies stay with their mothers for five months.
  • They purr when happy.
  • Their fur is not waterproof, so they do not swim much. 

We were informed by the presenters of disease risks with racoons and how to humanely get them to leave your property.  They do not make good pets, and as always, you should contact a rehabilitation center if in need of help with them. 

You can see some of the reasons not to keep raccoons as pets in this photo from the ATW Facebook page.

Animal Ambassador River lives at the center and is blind and has seizures. 

Exciting news from All Things Wild is that there are plans underway to acquire permanent land for an expanded center nearby with direct access from a highway. 

By the way, make sure you sign up quickly for their programs, as they fill up within two hours.

Land Trust Info at July Chapter Meeting

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Sue Ann Kendall

Last night’s Chapter Meeting was very informative and a lot of fun. We even had a couple of visitors, and that prompts me to remind you that anyone who happens to be in Cameron, Texas on the second Thursday of any month is welcome to join us at All Saints Episcopal Church. Potluck at 5:30, followed by our program. The monthly meeting follows the presentation. At this month’s meeting, we were privileged to learn from a presentation on land trusts and conservation easements and how they work, from Melanie Pavlas and Lauri Mason, Executive Director and Outreach Manager for Pines and Prairies Land Trusts. This was especially relevant, since Milam County is now a part of the area served by Pines and Prairies.

Melanie shared her passion for land trusts with us.

As we were listening to how land trusts can preserve land from being over-developed, yet let the owners live on the land and farm/ranch just as they always had, many ears perked up. I think they’ll be getting a few phone calls from Master Naturalist landowners! Melanie and Lauri both said they love to talk to folks about what they do, and promise they aren’t trying to sell anything. But, honestly, if one’s heirs aren’t interested in preserving land for use by native plants and animals, this sounds like a great idea.

Please visit their website to learn more about how you can enjoy your land and ensure its preservation in the future.

As usual, we had some milestones to mark, and this month we honored Neil Wettstein for achieving his initial certification, as well as Ellen Luckey from our most recent class for also getting in her first year’s certification in addition to the initial one. Whew.

Members Pamela Neeley, Cindy Rek, and Gene Rek were recertified for 2023. Congratulations to all.

Ellen Luckey, Pamela Neeley, Carolyn Henderson (Chapter President), Neil Wettstein, Cindy Rek, and Gene Rek

There was also some fun, as our cheerleader and iNat superhero, Linda Jo Conn, presented Eric Neubauer with a “Big Spider Badge” in honor of his contributions and of the fact that he’s presenting a talk at the upcoming 2023 Texas Master Naturalist meeting.

Eric self designated it, the badge says. That was fun.

After the meeting, we were joined by Dale Kruse, plant expert extraordinaire (especially mosses and bryophytes, he will tell you), held an orientation meeting for the group of folks who are going to take a class on grass identification with him. Having done this twice myself, I know they will learn so much they’ll feel like their heads will explode, but it will be fantastic. We’re lucky to have people so willing to share their time and expertise with us.

Learning about Opossums

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

Master Naturalists Patricia and Catherine attended an All Things Wild program on opossums. Sign up early for these programs, as they fill up fast.

Opossums are beneficial to have around for many reasons. For example, each one eats about 5,000 ticks a year, and they eat all venomous snakes except for coral snakes. 

Here are some more opossum facts:

  • They are unlikely to carry rabies because their body temperature is too low. 
  • If you relocate them, make sure it is in a safe place near water. 
  • A dead opossum may have babies in its pouch. If you can get them, keep them warm and take them to a rehabilitation facility.
  • A mom can have delayed conception; she decides the best time to mix sperm with her eggs.

So much to learn!

We were able to interact with Beteljeuce and others, as well as ask questions. We were also offered refreshments. 

What a wonderful place to have near Milam County.