Wildlife Observations: October 30, 2020
Monarch butterfly on chrysanthemums. Photo: David Dee
Deprived of access to my most fertile observation grounds — the Crum Woods (curse you, COVID!) – I have recently rediscovered the Taylor Arboretum, in the very southwest corner of Nether Providence Township. Taylor Arboretum consists of 30 acres bounded on one side by Ridley Creek and containing a nice mix of habitats – woods, meadow, creek, and wetlands. Its many native plants, including meadows full of goldenrod and several patches of pawpaw trees currently bearing fruit, attract wildlife.
In the second week of October, I observed a northern parula warbler and an eastern towhee, and a passerby whose name I failed to ask reported seeing a Philadelphia vireo and a Swainson’s thrush. Then, on October 25, I saw yellow-rumped warblers, white-throated sparrows, and slate-colored juncos. All three species are summer residents of Canada and harbingers of the wrap-up of fall migration. They will perhaps continue further south, but they do take up winter residence in this locality, so maybe they will settle in and set a spell.
COVID has me dreading the coming winter. When I see these birds over the cold months, I will try to remind myself that our area is a winter respite to some species. Conditions are far more bitter elsewhere.
Taylor Arboretum is well worth a visit, but note that the 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. hours deprive the nature enthusiast of the prime dawn and dusk periods for viewing wildlife.
A box turtle in Rose Valley. Photo: David Dee
In my own Swarthmore backyard, I observed an eastern towhee and a common yellowthroat — a male with its distinctive black mask reminiscent of a cartoon burglar. I also saw a great blue heron standing in the creek in Little Crum Creek Park.
David Dee of Rose Valley submitted photographs of a late-migrating monarch butterfly and an eastern box turtle. “Busy day in nature here at 8 School Lane,” he reported. “Somehow the turtle managed to survive crossing a busy School Lane during the afternoon rush. We found him in our driveway heading toward the marshy area below Thunderbird Lodge.”
Polyphemus moth caterpillar. Photo by Ruby Hoffman.
Polyphemus moth caterpillar. Photo by Jonathan Hodgson.
Both Jonathan Hodgson and Ruby Hoffman submitted photographs of polyphemus moth caterpillars, observed respectively on the Smedley-Leiper trail and near Swarthmore-Rutledge School. It is worth visiting the Swarthmorean’s digital edition to see the day-glow bright chartreuse color of these creatures. And — our observations metamorphose from caterpillars to butterflies — Andrea Knox submitted a photograph of a sulphur butterfly on asters in her Swarthmore yard.
Sulphur butterfly on asters. Photo: Andrea Knox
Photo by Lily Ann Hoge
Lily Ann Hoge of Swarthmore submitted a photograph of a seemingly angry praying mantis.
Peter Prown of Rose Valley submitted a short video clip of two northern flickers performing a dance, and Emi Caywood submitted a photograph of a turkey vulture in front of SRS.
Adrianna Borgia of Swarthmore submitted a photograph of new beaver activity at the start of the Valley Walk trail near the Strath Haven condos. The Crum Woods are closed to the public at present, but this peek around the corner into the woods reassures us that beavers continue to be present. I also observed two beaver-gnawed trees in Smedley Park and was glad that their range has extended farther upstream on the Crum.
Please continue to send your observations and photographs of wildlife species in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District area by clicking/tapping the button below.
