Now that summer’s almost here, here’s a look back at the spring we had in terms of wildlife and nature at Innsbrook, as reported by one of our property owners, Richard McFall, in his “IBK Living in Harmony with Nature & Wildlife – Spring 2014” newsletter:

Since our winter update, we have heard about red foxes mating, bald eagles fishing, blue herons swooping, swans ice skating, ducks returning, ten point bucks romancing, coyotes howling, beavers building, and air traffic controlling delays at bird feeders during the harsh winter. Here are just a few of our nature journal notes, most from walking our dog each morning, rain or shine.

Photo by Don Bloomfield

April 2 – First geese pairing up on Lake Konstanz
April 4 – Deer resistant Daffodils in full bloom
April 6 – First Bluebird eggs in a nest on Lake Konstanz Trail
April 12 – Dogwoods finally blooming weeks later than recent years

Photo by Jane Moore, 2011

April 19 – First snails and earth worms seen slowly crossing the road
April 20 – First bluebird chicks hatched, but they were slackers who took an extra week to fledge
April 20 – First kayaking on the lake to see grass carp surfacing from the deep

April 22 – Caterpillars by the hundreds emerge from their tent colonies
April 27 – First turtle, an Ornate Box Turtle, spotted madly rushing across a road
April 30 – A Red-eared Slider turtle seen this day
May 7 – Turbocharged green beetles (Calosoma Scrutator to be exact, courtesy of Innsbrook Director of Horticulture Keith Thompson’s identification) are racing everywhere in hunt of caterpillars.

Photo by Lynette Schimming

If you would like to learn more about the variations in the seasonal cycles of plant and wildlife visit the National Phenology Network website at www.usanpn.org.

We recently learned the Innsbrook deer count showed very modest levels of deer that are quite manageable left as is. In fact, across Missouri there are reports of a significant decline in deer populations that is likely attributable to disease and drought (which sure hasn’t been an issue lately!). Of course, if you plant the wrong thing it does not matter if there are a hundred or only one deer, because that one hungry deer will make your flowers and garden into a delicious breakfast buffet. You can find recommendations for deer-friendly landscaping at Innsbrook’s very own impressive Garden Club’s website at www.gardenclubatinnsbrook.org on the “Helpful Hints” page.

Photo by Bob Wombacher

This edition’s survey question is what is your favorite wildlife to watch at Innsbrook? Leave your answer in the comments.

Richard McFall

Photo by Nancy Miller