Rooted Wisdom Podcast Launch Sept. 26 | |
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In this new podcast series, Anthony Cohen, historian, Menare Foundation president, and explorer of the American past, sets out to find the stories of the Underground Railroad. Visiting well-known and overlooked sites, Rooted Wisdom reveals the people and places that shaped our history and considers how their stories continue to shape our lives today.
Building off the 2022 Rooted Wisdom: Nature’s Role in the Underground Railroad Guided Experience, which explores how freedom seekers used their knowledge of and connection to nature to aid in escaping enslavement, the Rooted Wisdom podcast will extend to investigate the larger history of the Underground Railroad.
Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 26 at the Avalon Theatre in Easton for the launch of the podcast. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the event will run 7–9 p.m. The event is free, but advance registration is encouraged here for the in-person event.
The program will also livestream at rootedwisdom.org; click here to register for the virtual event.
The program will include the presentation of excerpts from the first three episodes of the new podcast and a panel discussion and Q&A with the series host, historian Anthony Cohen, and episode guests Mecca Lewis and David Greaves. Project collaborator George Burroughs of Beech Works will moderate the discussion.
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Have you ever wondered just how many living things there are at the Arboretum? Then join us on this Saturday, September 7, for a Bioblitz!
During the day, you'll join experts to try to find and identify as many living things as possible. If you like, you can register for an evening segment to identify as many nocturnal insects as possible. Click here to register for the Bioblitz, and click here to register for the nocturnal insects component.
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Pearl crescent butterfly. Photo: Vivian Stacy. | |
Shore Lit Book Talk is Sunday | |
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Christopher Tilghman’s new novel, On the Tobacco Coast, is the final installment in his decorated Mason family series, which is set on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and based on the Queen Anne's property that has been in his family since the 17th century. The novel addresses themes of history, race, and legacy that are deeply relevant to our local community.
Tilghman will be in discussion with Shore Lit Founder Kerry Folan Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre in Easton. The event will conclude with a panel featuring artists and writers working with Eastern Shore history—including author Carole Boston Weatherford, multi-media artist Jason Patterson, and photographer Jonna McKone.
Admission is free; click here to register.
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Beer Garden with Serene Green! | |
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Kick off fall with an afternoon of live music, great beer, and tasty food in one of the Eastern Shore's most beautiful outdoor spaces. Our big fall fundraiser, the Beer Garden takes place on Saturday, September 28.
Enjoy the sounds of award-winning bluegrass band Serene Green while sipping drinks from Ten Eyck Brewing Company, Bull and Goat Brewery, and Cult Classic Brewing Company. Refreshments from Blue Monkey Street Tacos, the Red Shef, and Beltway Bistro will also be available for purchase.
Tickets are available online now! Registration is capped and the fee increases the day of the event, so register today!
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Raptor Identification
Wednesdays, September 11 & 18
10–11:30 a.m.; $20 members, $25 non-members
In our area, you can find two common species of Buteos and one that passes through, two species of Accipiters, three Falcons, an Eagle, the Osprey, and the Northern Harrier. Birder Jim Wilson will focus on identifying them based on size, shape (or structure), and behavior. You'll also learn the differences between Buteos, Accipiters, and Falcons and their favorite things to eat.
Youth birders interested in learning more about raptors are invited to attend. Contact Jim if you have any questions at wlsngang@verizon.net.
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Hummingbird Nesting Boxes and Mobbing | |
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I get emails once a week from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This week, they mentioned that members were questioning recent ads they had seen for a hummingbird "nesting box." We build nesting boxes to help cavity nesting birds because of the decline in natural or woodpecker made holes in dead trees.
To take advantage of our desire to help birds in any way we can, some people of very doubtful integrity are selling a hummingbird nesting box. Hummingbirds never, repeat NEVER, build their nest in a cavity and will never, repeat NEVER, use a nesting box. If you are tempted to buy one, just take your money and donate it to Adkins where it will be put to better use!
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird Nest. Photo: Gary Kessler, The Westborough News. | |
I was walking from my garden to the house when I noticed birds 'screaming' at something. I oozed over to where I could observe them. I saw two Mockingbirds, two Carolina Wrens, House Finches, Carolina Chickadees, a Tufted Titmouse, a Black and White Warbler, and an American Redstart, all frantically fluttering about and repeatedly giving very loud alarm calls. I carefully searched the bushes and found a six-foot black snake on its way down an elderberry stalk. | |
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Black snakes are notorious for raiding bird nests and eating eggs or baby birds. They watch bird activity and can figure out where a nest may be. A Carolina Wren nesting box was about five feet away. The snake may have noticed the box and decided to investigate. I checked the box and there were no eggs or babies, but lots of spider webs, which led me to believe that the nest had not been used for a while.
This type of bird activity, called mobbing, attempts to harass the predator (snake, owl, raptor) so it will move away. Mobbing also warns others about the presence of predators. Once a bird starts screeching, other birds tend to join in. It can be a mixed species gathering like I watched or just one species, like crows. Crows hate Great Horned Owls with a passion. The owl will eat crows, and crows have long memories. This video shows crows in relentless and noisy mobbing action. Count the crows if you can!
The picture of the Carolina Wren nesting box probably does not fit your idea of a birdhouse. I got the design from the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology All About Birdhouses website. It has nesting box and platform designs for 61 bird species. If you are considering putting up nesting boxes, I recommend you find the right design and put them up now. Bluebirds, Titmice, Downy Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Wrens, and Chickadees will snuggle up in them during cold winter nights.
Please contact me with any questions at wlsngang@verizon.net.
Jeobirdy Answer: This bird will use a nesting box but will also nest in anything from a box of nails to door wreaths to hanging planters.
Jeobirdy Question: What is the Carolina Wren? The locations listed are just a few of the places Wrens have nested in my yard and garage. Cornell calls its plans for the Wren box a "pseudocavity” because the Wren likes partially enclosed areas.
Jim Wilson
Birder/Arboretum volunteer
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Memberships are critical to our success. If you're not a member, please consider joining today. An Arboretum membership also makes a wonderful gift. Click here for more information. | |
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