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Wildlife Rescue League, Rescue Report Autumn, 2013
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Favorites of the Spicebush Swallowtail (right) include Japanese Honeysuckle, Jewelweed, Thistles, Milkweed, Azalea, Dogbane, Lantana, Mimosa, Butterfly Weed and Sweet Pepperbush.
Many species of butterflies are disappearing due to loss of natural habitat. Planting a butterfly garden assists in butterfly conservation efforts, as well as creates a beautiful and peaceful place for you to enjoy simple beauty in nature.
Butterflies, continued
(This butterfly was captured-photographically-on some Impatiens, so even if you plant flowers not on the butterfly list, you may attract an assortment of interested pollinators!)
These two Swallowtail butterflies are from the same family (Papilioninae), yet different plants increase the attraction of bringing more than one member of a family to your garden feast! You can plan your butterfly garden to have a layout which factors in bloom time or plant height, and you can include adornments to your garden such as a butterfly house or butterfly feeders.
For all things butterfly, visit The Butterfly Site at http://www.thebutterflysite.com, from which information for this article was obtained. Photos by Sara Lissabet.
Autumn Membership Meeting
Saturday, September 7, 2013
11:00am-1:00pm
Mason District Government Center
6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Speaker: Ken Rosenthal, Reston Association Naturalist from Walker Nature Center, will speak about moths. Moths are very diverse, and are quickly being discovered by many as a fascinating group to observe, up there with butterflies and dragonflies. Ken has been identifying moths seen at the Nature House, and has catalogued close to 100 species in just two summers. Ken will discuss what their presence means ecologically, and explore the many ways they can be observed and enjoyed.
State Fair
Known as Virginia’s Largest Outdoor Classroom, the State Fair of Virginia will be held Sept. 27 through Oct. 6 at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Va. Since 1854, the State Fair has kept to its mission to “celebrate Virginia’s heritage – to heed its roots in agriculture, advance its youth through scholarships, encourage friendly competition and foster multicultural celebrations in a fun, safe atmosphere.”
Prepare to be entertained by local musicians; witness livestock, vocational and agricultural competitions, while sampling corndogs and cotton candy, in addition to a few new favorites. For more information, visit the State Fair online at statefairva.org for details.
NPS Events
Now is a great time to explore the great outdoors by visiting our national parks. The National Park Service has Free Fee Days to help you learn about the wildlife, vegetation, the mountains, water, historical and archeological findings that represent our heritage, including:
400 endangered species 401 national parks 582 national natural landmarks 43,162 miles of shoreline 68,561 archeological sites 85,049 miles of perennial rives and streams 4,502,644 acres of oceans, lakes and
reservoirs
Free Fee Days will be held on the following days:
Aug. 25 National Park Service Birthday Sept. 28 National Public Lands Day Nov. 9 through 11 Veterans Day weekend
Go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm for more information. See you at a national park this fall.
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JR. NATURALIST
Are You My Mother?
Here’s a fun game to play with the junior member of the Wildlife Rescue League. For wildlife mammals, fall is the time of year for mating. See if your child can match the parent with the child. Answers are below.
Parent Child
Goose Lamb
Horse Duckling
Swan Kit
Sheep Pup
Duck Calf
Bear Cub
Mouse, rat Colt
Fox Cygnet
Cow Gosling
Answers: Goose/Gosling; Horse/Colt; Swan/Cygnet; Sheep/Lamb;
Duck/Duckling; Bear/Cub; Mouse/Pub;
Fox/Cub; Cow/Calf.
Animal Brainteaser
A group of squirrels is called a dray, while a group of beavers is called a colony. Test your knowledge of animal groups by completing this quiz. Answers are below.
A group of ants is called a
________________________.
A group of badgers is called a
____________________.
A group of bees is called a
_________________________.
A group of deer is called a
_________________________.
A group of eagles is called a
_______________________.
A group of lions is called a
_________________________.
A group of owls is called a
_________________________.
A group of ponies is called a
_______________________.
A group of turkeys is called a
______________________.
A group of woodpeckers is called a
_________________.
Answers: ants/colony; badgers/cete; bees/hive; deer/herd;
eagles/convocation; lions/pride; owls/parliament; ponies/string;
turkeys/rafter; woodpeckers/descent.
Do You Have a Story Idea?
We would love to include articles from Committee Members, as well as from volunteers on the great things that are taking place as we preserve wildlife. Send your articles or story ideas to Estelle Allen at [email protected] and include photos if possible. Thanks so much.
Wildlife Rescue League, Rescue Report Autumn, 2013
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Wildlife Rescue League, Rescue Report Autumn, 2013
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TWO NEW WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE
WILDLIFE RESCUE LEAGUE IN SEPTEMBER
MATCHING GRANT
A very generous donor has offered to match the next $500 in donations that we receive. Don’t miss this opportunity for your donation to have twice the impact in saving the lives of wildlife! This has been an extremely busy year and the costs for food, medicine and supplies have exceeded expectations. Please make a special donation today to help us achieve our goal of raising $500 for this matching grant. Please indicate “matching grant” on your check in the memo line. No donation is too small to help!
DOUGH RAI$ER AT UNO
Help Wildlife Rescue League raise $$dough$$ by eating at Uno Chicago Grill located at 3058 Gatehouse Plaza in Falls Church, VA 22040 anytime on September 9, 2013. Uno will donate up to 20% of the cost of your meal to WRL. You can eat in or take out! Bring your family, invite your friends! Help WRL raise much needed funds by participating. Please provide the coupon below to your server.
Wildlife Rescue League, Rescue Report Autumn, 2013
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Flying Mammals
These nocturnal creatures are the only mammals that can fly. Clothed in fur, they mate in the fall and winter, and give birth to live pups with hands and feet in the spring. As predators of night-flying insects, they play a vital role in preserving the natural balance in nature and your neighborhood.
According to the Va. Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 17 bat species can be found in the Commonwealth. They are divided into two specific categories:
Cave bats – hibernate in caves along the western edge of the state; and
Tree bats – hibernate in leaf clusters, under decaying logs, in hollow trees, or in old buildings or abandoned mines throughout the entire state.
Roosting in caves, hollow trees, storm sewers, buildings and under bridges, Big Brown Bats can be found in parks, farms, cities and forests in Northern Virginia. At night, they feast on insects and are a valuable source in controlling mosquitoes. For night owls, the best places to see bats are next to a stream, lake or pond where insects are plentiful, along the edge of a forest, or around streetlights in your community.
That’s a Groundhog!
On weekends, my black lab, Kirby enjoys long walks on the W&OD Trail. Shortly after passing mile marker 36, we saw a short, squat animal with a long, thick tail scamper ahead of us, into a thicket of grass.
What was that? Apparently, Kirby wanted to find out. I quickly gained control and asked a family near us did they see the brown, fury animal. “There are a lot of squirrels around here,” the couple’s elementary-aged son replied happily. “
I went online to find out if I actually saw a squirrel on steroids. National Geographic listed the mammal as a rodent, one of 14 species of marmots, commonly known as a groundhog or woodchuck. As an herbivore, the groundhog whose path we crossed, was simply finding food to build up reserves for the winter.
You don’t have to travel far to learn about wildlife. The up-close, experience led me to find out more about groundhogs. In addition to predicting the start of spring or the endurance of six weeks of winter in February, they are great tree climbers and swimmers.
The little guy I met on the Trail didn’t have it all wrong. Groundhogs are the largest members of the squirrel family.
Nature Programs for Adults & Children
Local juridictions are now taking reservations for Fall/Winter classes at Nature Centers.
Arlington County Parks and Recreation: Birding trips and walks, preschool and elementary after-school programs, family programs: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/nature/TheSnag.aspx
Fairfax County Parks: Campfire programs, preschool and elementary after school program, weekend programs for families, Animal Vets, Build Your Own, and family programs: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes/#
Prince William County: http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/park/Pages/Leisure-Magazine.aspx
Loudoun County: http://www.visitloudoun.org/Experience-Loudoun/Recreation/Nature-Attractions
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YES! I want to be a WRL member and help save Virginia’s native wildlife!
Membership benefits include: Rescue Report Volunteer Opportunities Meetings Classes and much more! Sign up online at http://wildliferescueleague.org/paypal.html; call 703-391-8625;
email [email protected], or mail this form with your check to: Wildlife Rescue League, P.O. Box 704, Falls Church, VA., 22040
NAME: ________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________________________ CITY: ______________________________ STATE:_______________ZIP: _________________________ PHONE: __________________________________ EMAIL: _____________________________________ Individual (1 yr) - $25 Family (1 yr) - $35 Organization (1 yr) - $35 Rehabber - Complimentary* Individual (2 yr) - $40 Family (2 yr) - $60 Organization (2 yr) - $60 Rehabber - Complimentary*
* With copy of current permit
Donor Member - $100
I have also enclosed an additional donation in the amount of $ ________________________
WRL LEADERSHIP DIRECTORY
2013 Board of Directors
President: Beth Axelrod Vice President: Available Treasurer: Sally Johnson Secretary: Sara Lissabet Members at Large: Grace Holden Pam Fulmer 2013 Committees
Fund Raising: Beth Axelrod and Pam Fulmer Public Education: Available
Public Relations: Kimberley Sisco Rehabilitator Education: Available
Volunteer Coordinator: Negda Jahanshahi Hotline Coordinator: Patti Hoffman Hotline Training: Available
Hotline Scheduler: Wendy Bader Hotline Online Rehab List: Ali Drew Hotline Transport Coordinators: Lucy Wiggins and Gary Reals Membership and Data Mgr: Doug Brown
Rehabilitator Liaison: Grace Holden Supplies Buyer: Charlene Devol Mealworms Buyer: Yvonne Young Supply Depots: Amo Merritt, Nora Missell, Erika Yery Donations Chair: Don Fowler and Diane Hopkins Statistics Manager: Jerry Blondell Information Mail-outs: Cathy Epatko Webmaster: K. Sridhar Constant Contact Managers: Steve Nunes Rescue Report Editor and Distribution: Estelle Allen, J.C. Fogerty, Katherine McMahon Facebook Manager: Bill Hicks
To contact WRL Board and Committee Members, or to apply for the available positions, please email
[email protected], or call the administration line 703.391.8625
www.wildliferescueleague.org
WRL HOTLINE: 703.440.0800
The Wildlife Rescue League Post Office Box 704 Falls Church, Virginia 22040 Address Service Requested
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID MERRIFIELD, VA PERMIT #2461
