Seasonal Berry Admirer:
Berries offer beautiful splashes of color to our subdued winter landscapes and are an essential part of a balanced winter diet for many wildlife. Besides being a valuable food source, berries have also been traditionally used to brighten up greenery and other holiday decorations. Using some sprigs of non-native ornamentals like yews or native winterberries and hollies can provide an inexpensive way to augment garlands and centerpieces. Have some invasive plant management planned for the winter? Species like Oriental bittersweet can also make excellent decorations. Make sure to dispose of any invasive species carefully to limit spread and keep decorations out of reach of kids and pets. As you make plans for your garden in 2022 consider adding more berry producing Virginia native plants.
CHALLENGE: FIND 3 OR MORE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BERRIES (CULTIVATED BERRIES AND BERRY-LIKE CONFIER CONES COUNT!)
Resources: - https://mgnv.org/native-plants-winter-interest-video/
-https://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/winter-berries-for-birds/
-https://www.osgf.org/blog/2020/12/21/foraging-for-holiday-decor
Winter Bird Monitor:
If you have a bird feeder or enjoy brisk walks you’ve likely noticed we have a bevy of birds providing us company through the winter. Birds such as juncos and yellow-rumped warblers fly down from the northern reaches of North America to spend the winter in warmer climates like Prince William while others like woodpeckers and cardinals tend to stick around, visible all year. Many waterfowl likewise visit to take advantage of the relatively warmer conditions. What birds do you see?
Looking to further contribute to citizen science during this challenge? Join Project Feederwatch to report bird sightings in your backyard and for great habitat and observation tips.
CHALLENGE: RECORD 5 OR MORE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF BIRDS
Resources: -http://www.pwconserve.org/wildlife/birds/lists/backyard.html
-https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/get-outdoors-this-winter-to-see-virginias-abundance-of-winter-birds/
Winter Adaptation Assessor:
From blending in with our occasional snow to finding shelter for a few months, organisms in our area have evolved and adapted to handle the challenges of cold weather. One of our earliest flowering plants eastern skunk cabbage, (Symplocarpus foetidus), is even specialized enough to use a chemical to melt snow to expose its blooms! Look for it in early Spring (Feb-March) in boggy or wooded wetland areas. Animals have many interesting adaptations as well including camouflage, extra fur or feathers, and even for some frogs a high body sugar content that functions as antifreeze. What other examples of winter-hardy taxa can you find?
CHALLENGE: FIND 5 OR MORE PLANTS OR ANIMALS THAT SHOW CHARACTERSTICS THAT ALLOW THEM TO THRIVE IN WINTER WEATHER (BE CREATIVE, THIS IS A LONG LIST!)
Resources: https://www.chesapeakebay.net/news/blog/photo_essay_winter_wildlife_in_the_chesapeake_bay_watershed
-How do frogs survive winter? Why don't they freeze to death? - Scientific American
Winter Wild Things Challenge!
Greetings Prince William Wild Things enthusiasts! We, (the Merrimac Farm Master Naturalist Chapter), are continuing a new quarterly local challenge to inspire you to get outside and make observations! Similar to i-Naturalist’s Seek app- we will identify several taxa to focus on each season and will then issue a corresponding challenge. All you need to do to participate is upload your related observations through i-Naturalist. These challenges are open to all ages and experience levels, feel free to use the badges below to show your participation. If you have successfully completed all three challenges email us at WTCMerrimacfarmvmn@gmail.com (and send us your i-Naturalist user name) to let us know so you can be entered into a drawing to win a small prize pack!
At the end of each challenge period, we will share observation results, highlights, and announce our prize pack winner. Thank you to Prince William Forest Park for partnering with us for this round! Interested in providing challenges or donations for us for the spring challenge? Let us know!
Want to head out with a group of fellow nature lovers for a day of fun observations in Prince William County or to learn more about i-Naturalist? We will post any upcoming Wild Things Walks here. Have questions or have you completed the Fall Challenge? Contact WTCMerrimacfarmvmn@gmail.com
Our Winter 2022 Challenge will run from January 1rst - March 15th, all observations dated within this range and within the Prince William Wild Things Project area will count. *Reminder to only access public property or private property with permission when making observations.
New to i-Naturalist? Not to worry- check out this great guide to using the application.
Fall 2021 Challenge Results Available Here!
This Season’s Challenges:
