wildlife – Page 4 – Land Between the Lakes

25 Jul 2014

Armadillos Have Arrived

#FridayEd, Field Guide, Nature Station, Wildlife#FridayEducation, armadillo, education, field guide, friday, land between the lakes, migration, Nature Station, wildlife

By John Pollpeter, Lead Naturalist at Woodlands Nature Station People associate Land Between The Lakes with eagles, pelicans, white-tail deer, turkeys, and now – armadillos. Our region boasts the largest population of the nine-banded armadillo in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. So let’s learn about our newest resident: How did they get here? Armadillos have been naturally migrating north from two southern populations --Texas and Florida. Armadillos are native to Texas. In the late 19th century a resident of Florida introduced a small population into Florida. These two populations later merged and have been marching north ever since. Rivers and streams…

09 Jul 2014

By LBL_Admin

King of the Snakes

Nature Station, safety, Wildlifebackyard, kingsnake, Nature Station, rattlesnake, wildlife

Submitted by John Pollpeter, Lead Naturalist at Woodlands Nature Station Just like the lion is “king” of the beasts, the black or common kingsnake is “king” of the snakes. Kingsnakes regularly eat snakes, including venomous ones, as they are partially immune to the venom. Kingsnakes are not venomous. The black kingsnake will strike the rattlesnake behind the head, grasping it tightly as it coils itself around the other snake. The coils slowly constrict the rattlesnake, killing it rather quickly. After a time, the kingsnake will uncoil and begin eating, head first to unhinge its jaws, and swallowing the dead rattler.…

01 Jul 2014

By LBL_Admin

Summer in the Elk and Bison Prairie

Customer Service, Elk & Bison Prairie, Plants, Restoration, Stewardship, Wildlifebirds, butterflies, elk and bison prairie, flowers, nature, plants, wildlife

The following is provided by Curtis Fowler, Range Technician at Land Between The Lakes: Sure, the brown fuzzy things are the number one interest to most of the visitors who drive through the Elk and Bison Prairie; however, there are a lot more feathered, crawling, and flowering things in there if you are willing to take the time to slow down and enjoy them too! Remember, when it is hot, the ones wearing the coats like to find shade, so look for the other things that like to show off for visitors regardless of the weather. Enjoy your visit! --Curtis

13 Jun 2014

By LBL_Admin

First Elk Calf of the Season

Customer Service, Elk & Bison Prairie, Restoration, Stewardship, Wildlifebaby, bison, Bugle Corps, calf, cow, elk, Elk & Bison Prairie, predators, wildlife, wildlife watching, wildlife-viewing

Story submitted by Curtis Fowler, Range Technician at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area-- As spring turns into summer, bison at the Elk & Bison Prairie have been producing calves almost every week since early April. Memorial Day weekend marks the time that elk normally start producing their calves at the Elk & Bison Prairie. The first calf was seen on June 8; however, there are likely a few others hiding in the bushes. Bugle Corps staff have spotted 4 elk calves so far over the past week. This week, we located one of the newest calves and tagged it…

30 May 2014

By LBL_Admin

Wildflowers Bloom at Elk & Bison Prairie

Elk & Bison Prairie, Plants, Restoration, Stewardship, WildlifeElk & Bison Prairie, fire, habitat, Indian Pink, prescribed fire, wildflowers, wildlife

Submitted by Curtis Fowler, Range Technician at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area This gorgeous stand of Indian Pink was found in an area of the Elk & Bison Prairie that had been burned during a prescribed fire at the end of March. They are blooming along a shady creekside, creating perfect habitat for wildlife. Wildflowers can be found all across Land Between The Lakes throughout the year. Take a drive or a hike to see what you can find! For more information about Indian Pink, visit http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SPMA3.

07 May 2014

By LBL_Admin

Osprey: native again

History, Restoration, Stewardship, Wildlifebirds, conservation, native wildlife, restoration, success story, wildlife

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus Summertime visitors today often see osprey plunging "feet-first" into the lakes and ponds after their dinner -- fish. Though native to the area, osprey became victims of pesticides like DDT, illegal hunting and habitat loss. By 1950 nesting osprey could not be found anywhere in Kentucky. Beginning in 1984, Land Between The Lakes took part in a Kentucky-wide osprey restoration effort aimed at re-establishing a resident population of nesting birds. Using a raise and release technique called "hacking," our wildlife staff raised young birds isolated from human contact on a tall hacking tower near the Nature…

07 May 2014

By LBL_Admin

Bird is the Word

Nature Station, Recreationbirding, habitat, nature center, Nature Station, wildlife

On Saturday, May 10, we will devote a whole day for you to learn about some of the 250 species of birds at Land Between The Lakes. Our Woodlands Nature Watch Area provides some of the best birding in the South. Conveniently located in the crossroads of many different habitats and part of the Mississippi flyway, Land Between The Lakes attracts quite a diversity of birds. We are located between the eastern forests and the western prairies, as well as the northern dwelling birds mixing with the southern species. This combination makes the beginning of May the peak for spotting…

Tag: wildlife