Missouri Conservationist May 2022

2022·5.4 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

MISSOURI
VOLUME 83, ISSUE 5, MAY 2022
SERVING NATURE & YOU
CONSERVATIONIST
Nature is waiting
Connect with the outdoors
this spring by making plans
to plant native plants, read a
book in a hammock, or hang
a hummingbird feeder. It’s
easy to enjoy nature at a park
by having a picnic, throwing
a Frisbee with pals, or simply
getting in some steps with
your four-legged friend.
Find where to go with the free
mobile app MO Outdoors at
mdc.mo.gov/mooutdoors.
Discover nature and
Never Lose Touch.
For ways to reconnect with nature, visit mdc.mo.gov/neverlosetouch.
MISSOURI
CONSERVATIONIST
Contents
MAY 2022
VOLUME 83, ISSUE 5
Prothonotary warbler 11
ON THE COVER
Little blue heron
: JIM RATHERT
GOVERNOR
Michael L. Parson
THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
CHAIR Wm. L. (Barry) Orscheln
VICE CHAIR Mark L. McHenry
SECRETARY Steven D. Harrison
MEMBER Margaret F. Eckelkamp
DIRECTOR
Sara Parker Pauley
16
DEPUTY DIRECTORS
Mike Hubbard, Aaron Jeffries,
Jennifer Battson Warren
MAGAZINE STAFF
Least bittern 22
MAGAZINE MANAGER
Stephanie Thurber
EDITOR
Angie Daly Morfeld
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Larry Archer
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Cliff White
STAFF WRITERS
Kristie Hilgedick, Joe Jerek,
FEATURES Dianne Van Dien
DESIGNERS
11 Shawn Carey, Marci Porter
From Binge-Watching PHOTOGRAPHERS
Noppadol Paothong, David Stonner
to Birdwatching N CIRCULATION MANAGER
O
Wtheitrhe ’ssp nrion bge mttiegrr taitmioen t aot jiotisn p eak, FRANK NELS mdc.mLaour.ag Sochve/ucloernmag
America’s growing flock of birders.
by Matt Seek
16 DEPARTMENTS
Kayak Fishing 2 Inbox
Closer to the water, 3 Up Front With Sara Parker Pauley
connected to nature.
4 Nature Lab
by Emily Porter and Justin McGuire
5 In Brief
22
28 Get Outside
Assessing the Wetlands
30 Places To Go Download this
Process helps planners in meeting 32 Wild Guide issue to your
the needs of wetland species. phone or tablet at
by Doreen Mengel 33 Outdoor Calendar mdc.mo.gov/mocon.
Eastern gray
squirrel ADownndloardo foird
Inbox
Starting in 2022, MDC will begin requiring cover
crops on all new ag crop contracts. The goal is to
have 75 percent of row cropped acres in a cover crop
program within five years. —the editors
Letters to the Editor NEONICS
Submissions reflect Slowing Insecticide Movement in Soil [Nature Lab, TAPPING TREES
readers’ opinions and March Page 4] misses the easily solved problem of Our family loved the February issue. Tapping Into
may be edited for length neonics getting into our waters in Missouri. Quit using New Traditions [Page 23] about maple sugaring was
and clarity. Email
neonics on crops grown on MDC land. a huge hit. Our son, Ezra, asked if we could tap our
[email protected]
I have included two links regarding integrated maple last summer. I told him we had to wait until
or write to us:
pest management and organic methods: late winter, but admittedly this was all I knew about
MISSOURI
short.mdc.mo.gov/4J7 and short.mdc.mo.gov/4J8. maple sugaring.
CONSERVATIONIST
These methods are embraced all over the world and When I saw your article, it reminded me of his
PO BOX 180
JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65102 they are successful. There are thousands of home request. We decided to try our hand at it with the
gardeners doing this in Missouri and hundreds of guidance in your article. I didn’t know it was so
farms using these methods. simple! Thanks for inspiring a new family tradition.
Dayna McDaniel via email Jasmine B. Springfield
YELPED
Thanks for the MDC’s goal with the row crop production, UP FRONT WITH BIRDS
information on the haying, and grazing on conservation areas isn’t Up Front in the March 2022 issue [Page 3] was
six conservation to maximize yields, but enhance habitat and food beautifully done.
areas [Conservation for wildlife on conservation areas. Therefore, in I am an avid bird feeder, so I’m definitely
2022 the department made several changes to our interested in the ornithologist’s article [For the Love
Areas Get Yelped,
agricultural crop program. This growing season, all of Birds, Page 10]. Thanks for all MDC does.
March, Page 22].
new agricultural crop contracts that were bid out John Foster via email
I’ve spent many
will have a waiver giving the option to plant neonic
days exploring the
treated seeds the first year of the contract. However, Sarah Kendrick sings! My love of birds runs deep.
wild lands of our
in future years, all plantings will require neonic free My two life-listing aunts traveled the world, but
beautiful state, but
seed. The one year waiver was put in place since always enjoyed the local feathered friends around St.
these are all new many farmers purchase seed in late summer or early Louis. We learned early the use of field glasses, bird
destinations for me! fall. In addition, the department is in the process feeders, and hiking outdoors. Now, I’m passing this
J. Biehle of initiating a cover crop program for cropped acres on to my grandkids — and Sarah’s article helps.
via email on conservation areas that will improve soil health. John Ruck via email
Connect With Us!
Conservation Regional Offices
Headquarters Southeast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730 Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880
/moconservation
573-751-4115 Central/Columbia: 573-815-7900 Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100
@moconservation PO Box 180 Kansas City: 816-622-0900 St. Louis: 636-441-4554
Jefferson City, MO
Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420 Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161
@MDC_online 65102-0180
MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSIONERS The Missouri Department of
Conservation protects and
Have a Question for manages the fish, forest,
a Commissioner? and wildlife of the state.
Send a note using We facilitate and provide
our online contact form at opportunity for all citizens to
mdc.mo.gov/commissioners. MMaarrggyy SStteevveenn MMaarrkk BBaarrrryy use, enjoy, and learn about
EEcckkeellkkaammpp HHaarrrriissoonn MMccHHeennrryy OOrrsscchheellnn these resources.
2 Missouri Conservationist | May 2022
Up
Want to see your photos
Front
in the Missouri Conservationist?
Share your photos on Flickr at
flickr.com/groups/mdcreaderphotos-2022
or email [email protected].
with Sara Parker Pauley
_ Among life’s greatest gifts are best mates of the outdoor
variety — the ones you choose to hunt, hike, and fish with, sit
around a campfire and discuss life’s meaning, or look up at the
stars and be silent with. At the end of my life, among my list of
greatest gratitudes will be my outdoor mates, both the human
and the four-legged kind.
I had to say goodbye to one such mate this last month. Even
1 when he couldn’t lift his head at the end, he still forced a wag, a
thump or two, just to convey he was still with us. That was our
1 | Juvenile
common five- 2 black Labrador Scout — best four-legged friend ever — always
lined skink by happiest being with people and most certainly ready for his
Devin John Held, next outdoor adventure, be it chasing squirrels, swimming in
via email
the creek, or just lying in the grass with all four legs pointed to
2 | Hickory the sun. It was the worst of days — saying farewell — and yet
Canyons Natural
gratitude for his life far outweighs any sorrow.
Area by Perry
Eck, via Flickr A dear friend once told me the best way to pick good friends
is to decide if they bring you joy and make you better. I thought
3 | Plains pucoon
of this the day we said goodbye to Scout and smiled through
and Ohio
spiderwort at my tears. Every day of his life I can assure you, he brought joy
Sand Prairie CA and over time made me a better human. You were a good boy,
by Kathy Bildner,
Scout. Here’s to our best outdoor mates — may we treasure
via Flickr
them each and every day.
3
SARA PARKER PAULEY, DIRECTOR
[email protected]
The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the official monthly publication of the Missouri
Department of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO (Mailing address: PO
Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.) Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs
of the Missouri Department of Conservation is available to all individuals without regard to their race,
Want another chance to see color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Ques-
tions should be directed to the Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102,
your photos in the magazine? 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or to Chief, Public Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S.
Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.
 In the December issue, we plan to feature SUBSCRIPTIONS: Visit mdc.mo.gov/conmag, or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249. Free to adult
even more great reader photos. Use the Missouri residents (one per household); out of state $7 per year; out of country $10 per year. Notifica-
HY tion of address change must include both old and new address (send mailing label with the subscriber
syuebarm-riosusinodn pmicettuhroeds so af bnoavtiev eto M siesnsodu uris wyoildulri fbe,e st OTOGRAP natu amdbdeitri oonna il te) nwtirtyh o6f0fic-deas.y notice. Preferred periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, Missouri, and
flora, natural scenery, and friends and family NN PH PPhOoSnTeM: 5A7S3T-5E2R2: -S4e1n15d , ceoxrtr.e 3sp8o5n6d oern 3c2e4 t9o. CCiorpcuylraigtihotn ©, P 2O0 2B2o xb y1 8th0e, JCeofnfesresrovna tCiointy C, MomOm 6i5s1si0o2n- 0o1f 8th0e.
engaged in outdoor activities. Please include OR LY State of Missouri.
where the photo was taken and what it depicts. TAYL Printed with soy ink
mdc.mo.gov 3
Nature
L A B
by Dianne
Van Dien
Lone star tick (female) American dog tick (female)
Each month, we highlight research
MDC uses to improve fish, forest,
and wildlife management.
COMMUNITY SCIENCE
Ticks and Tick-Borne
Illness Study
_ Sending live ticks through the mail may seem Blacklegged tick (male & female) Gulf coast tick (female)
odd, but that’s exactly what MDC and A.T. Still Univer-
MDC and A.T. Still University are conducting a statewide survey of ticks,
sity’s (ATSU) Deb Hudman, senior research associ-
focusing on the four human-biting species above. Getting bit by a tick does
ate in microbiology and immunology, have asked not mean you will get a disease, but it’s a good precaution to check yourself,
Missourians to do. “We’re receiving ticks from our your family, and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.
citizen scientists and using those samples to survey
for diseases in each county,” explains MDC Ecological
Health Unit Science Supervisor Matt Combes. stage of their life cycle or lay eggs if the tick is an
Ticks are mailed to Hudman’s lab, where they are adult female. They need three blood meals to com-
identified, and a subset are tested for bacterial patho- Researchers plete their life cycle; each blood meal increases their
gens that can infect humans. Data is compiled by chances of acquiring pathogens. Bacteria detected
get help
county and posted on the ATSU website. When the in Missouri ticks include those that cause ehrlichio-
from
study is complete, results will be reported to the Cen- sis, tularemia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Missourians
ters for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mis- “Missourians have made this work possible,”
for a state-
souri Department of Health and Human Services. says Hudman. “I estimate that 3,700 people have
wide survey
“When ticks bite, they release antihistamines and submitted ticks so far. Without their participation,
of ticks and
anticoagulants,” says Hudman. “They do everything there’s no way we could cover the entire state.”
they can to not be detected and then they put in a tick-borne The tick survey runs from April 2021 through
cementing agent to hold themselves in place.” pathogens September 2022. View a map of current survey
Once attached, ticks ingest blood until they are results by county and find how to participate at
full. They then drop off the host to molt into the next www.atsu.edu/ticks.
NIVERSITY
U
Tat iac Gklasn acend Tick-Borne Illness Study MAN | A.T. STILL
1- Eggs Female lone star ticks can After DEB HUD
1t(8o2 ,dt8hi2fef1 ep rtreiocnkjets cs hpt asevicneice bes) eAepnr islu 2b0m21it ted 4 - Adult lay up to 2500 eggs each hatthhlalrr toetcieuchk gilnishfg eg , o NIVERSITY; TICKS:
U
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4 Missouri Conservationist | May 2022 Learn more at www.atsu.edu/ticks
In Brief
News and updates from MDC
APPLY
 MDC will offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall, with at least one
FOR ELK permit designated for qualifying area landowners and the remaining permits for the
general public.
AND BEAR MDC will also offer 400 permits for the taking of a maximum of 40 black bears
during the second Missouri black bear hunting season this fall. At least 10 percent of
HUNTING
black bear permits will be allocated to qualifying area landowners.
Only Missouri residents who will be at least 11 years old by the first day of the hunt
PERMIT
NG APPLICATIONS for which they are applying are eligible to apply for elk and bear permits during the
O
OTH OPEN MAY 1, application period, May 1–31. All permits will be assigned through a random drawing.
OL PA DRAWINGS For more information on elk and elk hunting in Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov/
OPPAD OCCUR JULY 1 elkhunting.
N
ONNER; BLACK BEAR: mbedaALcre.phmaupronnly.t g mifnooogrv r./tehb eua bybpoeeuartrm bpileatsrcm,k t hibtr eaoanurdgs hea lnMkd pD beCer’mas rfi rth eruaenn MtdinOogm Hin du Mnratiiwsnsigno guaspri p Ma,t a tmhy r1do–cu3.gm1h oo an.g lpionever/ mati t
DAVID ST vendor, or by calling 1-800-392-4115. Results of the permit random drawings will be
ELK: available online by July 1.
mdc.mo.gov 5
In Brief
Ask MDC to working in it — and searching
near areas where the grass has been
matted down — is another strategy
Got a Question for Ask MDC? for identifying birthing sites and
avoiding them with machinery.
Send it to [email protected]
or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3848. To minimize human scent being
deposited on fawns when handling
them, it’s best to wear latex or
nitrile gloves. Move them into thick
Q: I found these things growing vegetation as close as possible to
on the leaves of a smaller tree where they were found. The mother
DISCOVER WEIRD next to our pond. What are they, should have no trouble relocating
WILDLIFE FACTS WITH NEW and what species of tree is this? a fawn that’s been moved less than
PUBLICATION  These galls are caused by elm 100 yards.
The mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, sack gall aphids, a species native to
and insects of Missouri are diverse, remark- Europe. Although the galls appear Q: On a morning walk, I spotted
able, and sometimes just plain strange. dramatic, they are not a concern for this amphibian. Can you tell
From the American beaver, whose teeth tree health. me, what species is it?
are chainsaw-sharp and never stop grow- The tree is likely a slippery elm.  This is a central newt in the
ing, to box turtles, who partially freeze over Slippery red elm leaves have a lot of eft — terrestrial, but immature —
the winter and still survive, it’s a weird, wild stiff hairs on the upper surface and Elm galls stage of life. The eft stage occurs
world out there. You can now learn more almost feel like Velcro when crushed between the aquatic larvae and the
with MDC’s new book, Strange but True. between index finger and thumb. winged aphids emerge from grass to aquatic adult.
Adapted from the pages of MDC’s Plant galls are abnormal growths make a return migration to elm where Central newts have a complex life
award-winning children’s magazine Xplor, on the external parts of plant tissues they overwinter in bark crevices. cycle. Breeding occurs in wetlands,
Strange but True is a 136-page, full-color — akin to benign tumors or warts in such as ponds and swamps, in late
book that offers more than 350 fun facts animals. Galls are generally initiated Q: We live on a 20-acre farm; March through early May. Courtship
about Missouri wildlife at its strangest. on a plant by the egg-laying or about 16 acres is pasture. A behavior from swimming activities
Written by Xplor editor Matt Seek and feeding activities of various insect local farmer takes care of the to tail fanning occurs in the wetland
illustrated by nature artist Mark Raithel, species, or in this case, aphids. fields for us. Last year at least between the male and female until
Strange but True is your guide to all the If you slice one of these reddish two, possibly three, fawns
unusual, unique, and unbelievable stuff sacs open, you may see insects were killed because he couldn’t
that goes on in nature. inside. The winged aphids that see them in the tall grass. He
Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, emerge from elm galls in the managed to move one to the
the Strange but True guidebook will have summer fly to various grasses where edge of the field just in time. NG
O
H
syleooauurr nliai’snu gng ahntieinvwge , f wuscnirl dainlticffhoeir.nm Tgha teyio ogunur aihdbeeoabudot, o Makn iisds- they colonize the roots. In the fall, Itso tpKhreeeervpeei nangnt yssttuihlcl ihins gea nwfacewo unc’ans ntfie rdrssot ? NOPPADOL PAOT
now available for purchase for $8.95 (plus survival strategy. Until they are about NEWT:
saht iMppDiCn gn)a otnulrien ece ant tmerds canraotuunrde sthhoep s.tcaotme. Toor trwuno wwheeenk st hoeldy ,h feaawrn dsa anrgee ur ncloikmeliyn gto. NS; CENTRAL
fimnddc .am noa.gtuorve/ 4cJeVn.ter near you, visit short. Pareoaukn fda wJunnineg 1 i.n H Moiwsseovuerri, oif cfcaurmrs ers DEER FAW
coathne ar vfioeidld h wayoirnkg u, nmtiol wAiunggu, satn, dth ey WHITE-TAILED
cchanan imceps roofv efa nwonts o bnulyt othf eg srouurvnidva l HENDRICKS;
H
nqeusatiiln agn db irmdes,a dsuocwhl aarsk bs.o Abdwdhiittieo nally, GALLS: RUT
White-tailed deer and fawns walking the edges of the field prior ELM
A tri-colored bat weighs
as much as a quarter.
6 Missouri Conservationist | May 2022
to working in it — and searching
near areas where the grass has been
matted down — is another strategy
for identifying birthing sites and
avoiding them with machinery.
To minimize human scent being
deposited on fawns when handling Nathan Ingle
them, it’s best to wear latex or
PULASKI COUNTY
nitrile gloves. Move them into thick CONSERVATION AGENT
vegetation as close as possible to
offers this month’s
where they were found. The mother
AGENT
should have no trouble relocating
a fawn that’s been moved less than
100 yards. ADVICE
Q: On a morning walk, I spotted Central newt, eft stage
this amphibian. Can you tell
me, what species is it? the female selects a mate. Over a
Fishing for black bass post-
 This is a central newt in the period of weeks in May and June,
spawn can be exhilarating.
eft — terrestrial, but immature — a female can lay 200–375 eggs,
stage of life. The eft stage occurs singly, on aquatic plants. These hatch Females gather in schools off
between the aquatic larvae and the after three to five weeks. The larvae the bank, aggressively feeding.
aquatic adult. live in water until late July or early
Try targeting points coming
Central newts have a complex life August, then transform into land-
out of coves, rocky outcrops,
cycle. Breeding occurs in wetlands, dwelling efts. After living two to
such as ponds and swamps, in late three years on land, they return to a or bluffs. Male black bass stay
March through early May. Courtship pond or swamp, mature into adults, behind to watch the nests.
behavior from swimming activities and spend the rest of their lives
Locate nests around the bank
to tail fanning occurs in the wetland mostly in water. To learn more, visit
line and throw anything that
between the male and female until short.mdc.mo.gov/43p.
floats on the water. To protect
his nest, the bass will strike
the lure with aggression. Be
mindful of the regulations
where you’re fishing. On
most streams south of the
Missouri River, black bass
What
must be released March 1
through the Friday before
IS it?
Memorial Day weekend. This
allows black bass time to
Can you
guess this spawn in the colder water. For
month’s more information, consult
natural
the Wildlife Code of Missouri
wonder?
at short.mdc.mo.gov/Z8T
The answer is on
and A Summary of Missouri
Page 9.
Fishing Regulations at
short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9n.
mdc.mo.gov 7
In Brief
SPECIES OF RARE MISSOURI PLANT
Oklahoma Grass
Co n s e r v a t i o n
Pink Orchid
Co n c e r n
Oklahoma grass pink orchids
(Calopogon oklahomensis)
are primarily distributed
from southwest Missouri to
the coastal regions of Texas
and southern California.
They prefer drier habitats,
such as prairies, pine
savannas, flatwoods, and
meadows, avoiding wetter
sites preferred by other
Calopogon species. Their
widely spaced pink-to-white
fragrant flowers appear to
be upside down, with the
lip at the top of the flower.
The orchid uses deception
to attract pollinators. A tuft
of orange-yellow hairs on
the pedallike lip resembles
pollen, which attract bees.
Bees of sufficient weight find
themselves forced backwards
into the column by a hinged
structure called a labellum.
Pollen that was already
attached to the bee is left
behind and as the bee exits
the flower, it picks up a fresh
load of sticky pollen found
on the end of the column.
WHY IT’S IMPERILED MDC RESTORATION EFFORTS WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Due to the loss of prairie habitat Ongoing efforts to restore populations If you are visiting a native prairie and see
to agriculture and urbanization, of this rare species include protection Oklahoma grass pink orchids, contact MDC State
Oklahoma grass pink orchids are and management of high-quality prairie Botanist Malissa Briggler (Malissa.Briggler@
considered vulnerable and appear remnants and working with partners that mdc.mo.gov). Your help can provide valuable
to have been extirpated from also manage and own prairie remnants information needed to conserve and determine
much of their historic range. on both public and private land. the status of this rare species in our state.
8 Missouri Conservationist | May 2022