Tree Fall On The Fenceline

 I was out looking for butterflies today when I noticed what appeared to be a Cherry Laurel tree had fallen onto the fence from adjoining property into the northern fire lane.

I plan to go out in the near future and deal with it.

I also noticed today that the Cogongrass infestation at the southeast corner of the north tract has grown. It has never been treated to my knowledge even though other infestations have.

As I was passing the original Scrub Lupine planting area, I noticed a plant that appeared to be about a year old just west of an area that had been roped off to protect a mature plant from overmanagement  by contractors.

It was not flagged but it is hard to believe it was overlooked in the annual survey.

The number of Scrub Liatris along the north-south path seem to be increasing slightly.

A Pleasant Evening at the Preserve

 Monday night I settled into a spot at dusk near the northwest corner of the norther n tract to see what was flying  after dark.

In the meantime I was treated with a glorious sunset as the rainclouds cleared.

As the sun set, I could hear the booming of a Common Nighthawk, which still finds summer refuge here.

A pair of bats came zooming in above the fire lane from the lowland forest to the west.

As the darkness deepened, my lighted sheet began to become animated.

Burrower bugs landed in the first wave, followed by various species of scarabs, including a small light brown  individual  that was initially identified as a sand-loving scarab.

As usual, I was hoping for moths and eventually a few appeared.

The Southern Emerald was the first and later a Subject Lichen Moth and some micros of various species  arrived, but they remained outnumbered by the beetles.

New Bald Eagle Nest A Surprise

 

A pair of Bald Eagles have  fledged two young in a communications tower of some sort behind an industrial building across the street from the preserve.

The nest site, if I recall correctly, was formerly  occupied by Ospreys.

Today when I was checking it out, an Osprey flew by, touching off vocalization by an adult perched near the nest.

I was told by someone who works nearby that this is not one of the nests that is monitored by the EagleWatch program.

 

Industrial Expansion, Destroyed Fenceline and More

 A small piece of scrub north of the south tract's fence line has dramatically changed recently.

About 100 feet of fence has been heavily damaged as a result of the upturned scrub habitat that's in clear view toward the industrial plant on the other side of the rail spur that serves the property.

The owner is KSW LLC, a corporation registered  in Tampa, but based in Michigan, according to public records.

The most obvious question , which will be up to regulatory officials to answer, is whether there was any attempt to monitor the site for Sand Skinks, a federally protected species. before work began.

This is based on surveys on the site that revealed their presence on our side of the former fence line.

Meanwhile, the lock on a nearby gate was cut. FWC officials  have been notified.

   

Another Lupine Season Begins

 I visited the planting areas today to see if any lupine seedlings had emerged yet.

I found a couple.

In addition, at least one of the plants protected by cages to prevent being devoured by bunnies--saw some scat nearby--appears large enough to bloom this year.

The cages also contained some dead plants and some plants that may not be ready to bloom until next year

I also picked up some trash, including another golf ball, one of the most perplexing pieces of litter I fnd here.

Indian Pipes Popping Up Again

 

After a few years' apparent absence, Indian Pipes are emerging again in the pinewoods in the southern tract, which is where I have encountered them more often.

It seems they are just beginning to emerge and I will have to return to see how widespread they are this time.

Several years ago this plant was rife. Perhaps there will be a recurrence.

  

Wild Boars Arrive Again

 It has been never clear why there has been so little wild hog activity at the preserve.

This is not a complaint, just an observation.

It may be that the property is surrounded by so many residents and their barking dogs, which may be a deterrent.

The site also appears to be visited by coyotes, so that may take care of the problem.

I have not found any evidence of rooting. All I've seen are tracks.

ADDENDUM: Spoke with a neighboring property owner and learned the tracks belong to some Pot-bellied Pigs that someone released recently.