An Intriguing Burrow May Mean Gopher Tortoise Arrival

 

While I was checking the third McFarlin's Lupine planting area, I discovered an intriguing looking burrow that was not there the last time I visited the area, which was last spring if memory serves.

The shape of the opening suggests it is a Gopher Tortoise burrow. There seemed to be tracks at the entrance. which indicates it is active. 

The preserve has not had a gopher tortoise population in the time I have been monitoring it. I have seen two gopher tortoises of unknown origin, but they did not persist. I found one of them dead. Not sure what became of the other one.

As noted in an earlier post, I recently found the empty shell of a Florida Box Turtle. but they do not dig burrows, so I can rule out that species as the occupant.

I will have to recheck the area from time to time to document what is happening.

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Checking On The Lupines

 

I went out over the weekend to see if any McFarlin's Lupine seedlings had begun emerging and what the status of the existing plants were.

I did not see any seedlings and when I checked the second planting area. I found none of the seedlings from last year had survived.

In the third planting area one remaining mature plant appeared healthy and likely to bloom this spring if it survives.

I will check again in a few weeks.

The Fire Lane Becomes A Fire Lane Again

 I was pleasantly surprised  on New Year's Day to see the mowing crew had arrived recently to give the fire lane a haircut so that it becomes a fire lane again.

I was visiting to collect trash exposed in the sand after recent rains. I collected a bucketful of glass shards, cans, bottles and an old shoe. 

The mowing crew did leave the area around the first lupine planting area alone as agreed to previously.

I briefly checked on the lupines in the second planting area. A few are still surviving and appeared healthy.

I will begin checking on new seedlings  in a few weeks.

The north and south fire lanes are flanked by exotic trees. 

One thing to watch is whether they cause problems inside the preserve. These species become quite  large at maturity, so they could become an issue if they become established.