July Phenology

Purple coneflower

Did You See That?

Are you observant? If you are, you might be interested in helping us out with our phenological calendar. Phe-nol-o-gy is the study of changes in plants and animals as they respond to weather, climate, and the seasons. Each spring we anxiously await the first returning robin in the hope of warmer weather. That is a phenological event. It happens every year but the return date depends a lot on the weather. Migration and flowering are two more examples of phenological events.

OK, here's your challenge. Look around for the following seasonal/phenological changes and email EEK! when you notice any of the following...

• Goldfinches gather the downy seeds of the thistle to build softly lined nests.

• Purple coneflower, prairie dock, and the compass plant bloom in Wisconsin prairies.

• Cicadas and katydids begin to sing on warm summer days. Male katydids begin calling as they rub their legs over their rasped and ridged wings like a fiddle and bow. They can be found in trees feeding on cherry, oak, maple, and apple trees.

• Monarch butterflies are seen feeding on blooming milkweed plants.

• July can bring hot temperatures and lots of sunshine. If you live in eastern Wisconsin, listen carefully to the news for announcements of Ozone Action! Days and protect your skin.

• Black raspberries and blackberries ripen along fencerows. Berries are plucked for a meal by hungry chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, fox, skunk, black bears, birds, and people - yum!

• Karner blue butterfly adults emerge from their cocoon-like chrysalis and take flight.

• Loons are commonly seen and heard on northern lakes.

• The gypsy moth larvae, an alien invader, reaches maturity and eats all the leaves from trees in the process.

• Northern pike and muskellunge fingerlings (young) leave wetlands for open water.

• Young spiders scatter by casting their long-spun threads into the air from tree tops, riding the wind to new locations.