April: Week 2

Week 1  |  Week 2  |  Week 3  |  Week 4

A distinctive behavior of the phoebe (above) is that it constantly flicks its tail when perched. A phoebe nest with chicks (below). ​

The Eastern Phoebe Arrives These interesting birds are found in many spots at CWES, but they prefer wooded areas near water. Phoebes will soon be building their nests on cliffs, bridges, and under the eaves of buildings. These nests are made of mud and moss cemented to structures, and then lined with fine grasses and hair. In early May, 2-6 white eggs (sometimes speckled with red) will be laid in this nest. Watch the buildings at CWES for signs of phoebe nests and listen for their raspy call of “fee bee" which sounds quite a bit like them saying their name. Did you know? The Eastern phoebe was the very first bird to be banded! One was banded in 1804 by John James Audubon when he attached a silver thread to its foot to track it. Learn more: Cornell Lab of Ornithology ​

 

Painted turtles are omnivores and eat duckweed, algae, tadpoles, small fish, insects, and crayfish. ​

Painted Turtles Emerge from Lakes Painted turtles spent this winter hibernating underwater in nearby lakes. They burrowed into the mud where they breathed through the skin in their mouths. Once they emerge they will mate, and in early summer the female will lay 3-9 small white eggs in a hole she will dig on land. She will choose a location that is sunny and near water, and then bury her eggs to protect them from predators such as squirrels, skunks, foxes, raccoons, and snakes. After about ten weeks these eggs will hatch, and may live as long as thirty years. Amazing!!! The sex of a turtle is determined by the temperature of the egg it develops in. Lower temperatures will result in male turtles, and higher temperatures will result in females. Male painted turtles are slightly smaller and flatter than females, and have longer front claws. Did you know? The top of a turtle's shell is called the carapace. The bottom half of a turtle's shell is called the plastron. Learn more: Animal Diversity Web ​

 

​

​Coyote Pups are Born Coyotes (Canis latrans) are adaptable animals found all over North America. They breed in February and March, and their pups (usually 6) are born during this week. The pups are cared for by both of their parents, and will stay in their den for about a month. Coyotes often use and enlarge the dirt dens of woodchucks and badgers to raise their pups in. These dens will be used year after year, and usually have several entrances. Once the pups are weaned (at one month) they are fed regurgitated food by both of their parents. When they are able to hunt for themselves they will catch mostly small mammals, but may also eat snakes, birds, large insects, and carrion. The maximum lifespan for these nocturnal hunters is ten years in the wild. Learn more: Animal Diversity Web

 

​

Mink Pups are Born The American mink (Mustela vison) prefers to live in wooded areas near water. They consume small mammals, frogs, crayfish, fish, and even ducks! They hunt mostly at night and sometimes in the water. Their thick fur with oily guard hairs keep them waterproofed and their partially webbed feet are helpful for paddling. Mink are members of the Mustelidae family which also includes weasels, badgers, skunks, otters, martens, fishers, and wolverines. Minks produce a powerful musk from anal glands to attract mates during the winter breeding season. Minks have their 1-8 pups in burrows on the banks of rivers and lakes. If the agressive little animals can avoid being hunted by birds of prey, coyotes, and snakes, they usually live 3 years in the wild. Learn More: Animal Diversity Web

 

Leopard frog numbers have been declining in the state due to habitat loss and chemical pollutants. ​

Leopard Frogs Begin to Call This medium-sized frog spent the winter hibernating in the mud on lake bottoms and breathing through their skin. Listen for this spotted frog's call which sounds like someone running their finger over a full balloon. Click here for a sample of their call at the Seagrant Website. Like most frogs, male leopard frogs are smaller than the females. During April and May they mate and lay eggs in clusters of hundreds on aquatic plants. Depending upon water temperatures, the eggs will hatch in 1-3 weeks and the tadpoles will metamorphose into frogs 2-3 months later. Tadpoles eat mainly algae and plant matter. Adult frogs eat insects, earthworms, and even smaller frogs! Special Skin: All amphibians have sensitive skin that they breathe through in addition to their lungs. They shed this skin from time to time and then eat it. Make sure to wash and wet hands before trying to catch or hold an amphibian! Do you know why frogs close their eyes when they swallow? They push their eyeballs into the roof of their mouths to help them move their food along! ​

 


Thanks to Tony Phillips from the SUNY Stony Brook Math Dept. for use of the bird calls on this page.