Date: Wed, 7 May 2003 18:33:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: Joshua S. Rose
Subject: Wildathon 2003 at Irvin Farm
 
Howdy folks,
 
The Wildathon took place on Sunday, and was a great success! The only bad
part was the beginning, when I slept late due to a mis-set alarm clock,
and the other early risers - Craig Armstrong, Mike Swaim, Mary Jane Epps,
and Ross Emery and his father Stephen - didn't hear any nocturnal birds
while waiting for me. It was all uphill from there, except for Irvin's
always-abundant spring crop of ticks!
 
It was an all-around team effort. Ross and Stephen, on their first DNHS
foray, caught and identified - as far as they could - a myriad of insects,
spiders, and other invertebrates, and also caught a skink so we could
confirm that it was truly a Five-lined. Mike toted half his own weight in
field guides through miles of forest. Craig ferreted out animal signs,
including an Ovenbird nest full of eggs - for the second year in a row!
Mary Jane rushed from place to place exclaiming "oh cool!" over almost
every fungus, slime mold, moss, and liverwort, and a large fraction of the
vascular plants too. And Airlie and Caitlin lured us out of the Irvin
Tract for lunch, then joined us in finding plants and critters along the
edge of University Lake. We got an assist from a fisherman who drifted up
near us and pulled a Largemouth Bass out of the water!
 
Final species tally: 319! So those who took my recommendation and pledged
10 cents per, your donation to Audubon stands at $31.90. Many thanks!
 
Most species below were on the Irvin Tract, except where noted. + = plant
in flower
 
        Exotic plants, 32 species:
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) +
Japanese Stilt-grass (Microstegium vimineum)
Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense)
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Oregon Grape (Mahonia bealei)
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) +
Autumn-Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) +
Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor) +
Tree-of-Hell (Ailanthus altissima)
Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacorus) +
Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca) +
Mock Strawberry (Duchesnea indica) +
Common Chickweed (Stellaria media) +
Common Plantain (Plantago major) +
Narrow-leaved Ribwort (P. lanceolata) +
bush-clover (Lespedeza sp.)
White Clover (Trifolium repens) +
Small Hop-clover (T. procumbens) +
Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Dandelion (Taraxicum officinale) +
Thistle (family asteraceae) +
Common Sheep-Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
Curly Dock (R. crispus) - University Lake
Cleavers (Galium aparine)  - University Lake
Corn Salad (Valerianella sp.) - University Lake
Wild Garlic (Allium vineale)
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Apple (Malus sp.)
Fescue (Festuca sp.)
Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata)
 
        Native flowering herbs, 48 species:
Black Cohosh (Cimifuga racemosa) - University Lake
liverleaf (Hepatica sp.)
Wild Heartleaf (Hexastylis arifolia)
Patridgeberry (Mitchella repens)
Wooly Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens)
Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) +
Sessile-leaved Bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia)
Rue Anemone (Anemonella thalictroides)
Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginiana) +
Solomon's-Plume (Smilacina racemosa)
Clasping Venus' Looking-glass (Triodanis perfoliata)
Narrow-leaved Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) - University Lake
Lizard-tail (Saururus cernuus) - University Lake
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens maculatum)
Crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis)
Rattlesnake Hawkweed (Hieracium venosum) +
Cranefly Orchid (Tipularia discolor)
Spotted Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata)
Hog-peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata)
Kidneyleaf Crowfoot (Ranunculus abortivus) +
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) - University Lake
Dogbane (Apocynum sp.)
Snakeroot (Sanicula sp.)
Elephant-toes (Elaphantopus sp.)
Duckweed (Lemna sp.) - University Lake
Path Rush (Juncus tenuis)
Foxtail Sedge (Carex lurida) +
other sedge (Carex sp.) +
Wild Oats (Uniola sp.) - University Lake
Broomsedge (Andropogon virginiensis)
Panicgrass (Dichanthelium sp.)
Canadian Clearweed (Pilea pumila)
Bluet (Houstonia caerulescens) +
Carolina Crane's-bill (Geranium carolinianum)
Plantain-leaved Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia) +
Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus)
Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense)
Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta) +
Violet Wood Sorrel (O. violacea) +
Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza sp.) - University Lake
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria sp.)
Wild Lettuce (Lactuca sp.) - University Lake
Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.) - University Lake
Bittercress (Cardamine sp.)
Cinquefoil (Potentilla sp.) +
Bedstraw (Galium sp.)
 
        Native vines, 8 species:
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) +
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) +
Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)
Catbrier (Smilax bona-nox)
Sawbrier (S. glauca)
Carrion Flower (S. herbacea)
greenbrier (S. sp.) +
grape (Vitis sp.)
 
        Native woody flowering plants, 42 species:
Fringe-tree (Chionanthus virginiensis) +
Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) - University Lake
Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium)
Downy Arrowwood (V. rafinesquianum)
Mapleleaf Viburnum (V. acerifolium)
Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) +
Black Highbush Blueberry (V. fuscatum) w/unripe fruit
St. Andrew's Cross (Hypericum hypericoides)
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)
Mockernut Hickory (C. tomentosa)
Winged Elm (Umlus alata)
American Elm (U. americanus)
Umbrella Magnolia (Magnolia tripetala) +
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Painted Buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) +  - University Lake
Sourwood (Oxydendron arboreum)
Hearts a-Bustin' (Euonymus americanus)
Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)
Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)
Black Willow (Salix nigra)
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)  - University Lake
Wild Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) +
American Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
American Holly (Ilex opaca) +
Yaupon Holly (I. vomitoria) +
Blackberry (Rubus alleghaniensis) +
Dewberry (R. sp.) +
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) - University Lake
ash (Fraxinus sp.)
Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)
Black Oak (Q. velutina)
Post Oak (Q. stellata)
Southern Red Oak (Q. falcata)
White Oak (Q. alba)
Sycamore (Populus occidentalis) - University Lake
Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Southern Sugar Maple (A. barbatum)
 
        Gymnosperms, 4 species:
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
Shortleaf Pine (P. echinata)
Virginia Pine (P. virginiana)
 
        Ferns and lycophytes, 10 species:
Shining Club-moss (Lycopodium lucidulum)
Ground-cedar (Diphasiastrum digitatum) - University Lake
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Netted Chain-fern (Woodwardia aereolata)
Southern Lady-Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)
Mosquito Fern (Azolla caroliniana) - University Lake
Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron)
Southern Grape-Fern (Botrychium dissectum)
Rattlesnake Fern (B. virginianum)
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
 
        Mosses, 18 species:
Lesser Smoothcap Moss (Atrichum angustatum)
Wavy Smoothcap Moss (A. undulatum)
Silky Forklet Moss (Dicranella heteromalla)
Broom Moss (Dicranum scoparium)
Pale Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum albidum)
Seductive Moss (Entodon seductrix)
Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum)
Worm Moss (Bryoandersonia illecebra)
bark moss (Anomodon minor)
moss (Platygyrium repens)
treelike moss (Climacium sp.)
moss (Ulota sp.)
moss (Grimmia sp.)
moss (Hedwigia sp.)
moss (Plagiomnium sp.)
moss (Isopterygium sp.)
moss (Orthotrichum sp.)
moss (Fissidens sp.)
 
        Liverworts, 4 species:
Greater Scented Liverwort (Conocephalum conicum)
Red Bark Liverwort (Frullania asagrayana)
bark liverwort (Leucolejunia sp.)
Common Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha)
 
        Fungi and similar critters, 17 species:
Eyelash Cup Fungus (Scutellinia scutellata) - University Lake
Honey Mushroom (Armillaria mellea)
Deer Mushroom (Pluteus cervinus)
Cinnabar Polypore (Pycnoporus cinnabarinus)
Turkey-tail (Trametes versicolor)
false turkey-tail (Stereum sp.)
white rot mushroom (Mycena sp.)
hardwood shelf polypore (Ganoderma sp.)
Earthstar (Geastrum sp.)
puffball (Lycoperdon sp.)
finger fungus (Xylaria sp.)
mushroom (Russula sp.)
mushroom (family Cortinariaceae)
cup fungus (class Pezizales)
Old Man's Beard (Usnea sp.)
Dog Vomit Slime Mold (Fuligo septica)
Wolf's Milk Slime Mold (Lycogala epidendrum) - University Lake
 
        Beetles, 14 species:
Twig Girdler (Oncideres cingulata)
stag beetle (Platycerus virescens)
Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata)
Bessbug (Passalus cornutus)
big brown rove beetle (Quedius sp.) - University Lake
false bombadier beetle (Galeritula sp.)
false darkling beetle (Eustrophinus sp.)
darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae)
bark-gnawing beetle (family Trogositidae)
click beetle (family Elateridae)
whirligig beetle (family Gyrinidae)
ladybug beetle (family Coccinellidae, tribe Coccinellini) larva and adults
ground beetle (family Carabidae, tribe Carabini)
scarab beetle (family Scarabeidae) grub
 
        Other Insects, 33 species:
Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata)
Blue Pirate (Pachydiplax longipennis) just emerged
Blue Corporal (Ladona deplanata)
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata)
Fragile Forktail (I. posita) - University Lake
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glauca) - University Lake
Pearl Crescent (Phycioides tharos)
longhorn moth (family Incurvariidae) - University Lake
Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) egg case - University Lake
Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis) egg case
wood roach (family Blattidae)
dobsonfly (family Corydalidae)
Golden-backed Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus) - University Lake
Bluebottle fly (Calliphora sp.)
long-legged fly (family Dolichopodidae) metallic bronze
hover fly (family Syrphidae)
fruit fly (family Drosophilidae)
cranefly (family Tipulidae)
blackfly (family Simuliidae)
mosquito (family Culicidae)
green lacewing (Chrysoperla sp.)
mud-dauber wasp (family Sphecidae)
leaf-footed bug (family Coreidae)
assassin bug (family Reduviidae) nymph with bright red abdomen
black aphids (Aphis sp.)
treehopper (order Homoptera)
tree cricket (Oecanthus sp.)
katydid (family Tittigoniidae) nymphs
shorthorn grasshopper (family Acrididae)
jumping bristletail (order Microcoryphia)
dipluran (order Diplura)
termites (order Isoptera)
 
        Other invertebrates, 20 species:
Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
other ticks (family Ixodidae)
Six-spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton)
jumping spider (family Salticidae)
green jumping spider (family Salticidae)
striped wolf spider (family Lycosidae)
white-backed wolf spider (family Lycosidae)
funnel-web spider (family Agelenidae)
spiny orb weaver (Gasteracantha sp.)
orb weaver (family Aranaeidae)
long-jawed orb weaver (family Tetragnathidae)
daddy long-legs (class Opiliones)
yellow-legged cyanide millipede (Harpaphe sp.)
millipede (class diplopoda)
centipede (order scolopendromorpha)
pillbug (class isopoda)
earthworm (family Lumbricidae)
Spotted Garden Slug (Limax maximus) exotic species - University Lake
land snail (order pulmonata)
long pointy creek snail (order pulmonata)
 
        Fish, 2 species:
Swallowtail Shiner (Notropis procne)? schools in creeks
Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) - University Lake (caught by a
                                                                fisherman)
 
        Herps, 8 species:
Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus)
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)
Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta) - University Lake
Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciata)
Bullfrog (Rana catesbiana)
Green Frog (R. clamitans)
Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans)
Fowler's Toad (Bufo woodhousei)
 
        Mammals, 4 species:
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Raccoon (Procyon lotor) tracks
Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Beaver (Castor canadensis) sign - University Lake
 
        Birds, 55 species:
Canada Goose - bird count area
Mallard
Wood Duck - bird count area; secondhand report
Red-shouldered Hawk
Turkey Vulture - University Lake
Spotted Sandpiper - University Lake
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher - University Lake
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Kingbird - University Lake
Barn Swallow - University Lake
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - University Lake
American Crow
Fish Crow - on Franklin Street at lunchtime
Blue Jay
Red-eyed Vireo
White-eyed Vireo
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Eastern Bluebird - bird count area
Wood Thrush
Northern Mockingbird - bird count area
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling - on Franklin Street at lunchtime
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Northern Parula
Pine Warbler - University Lake
Prairie Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird - including a nest with eggs!
Hooded Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-breasted Chat
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Indigo Bunting
Northern Cardinal
Eastern Towhee
Song Sparrow - University Lake
Chipping Sparrow - bird count area
Common Grackle - bird count area
Brown-headed Cowbird
Eastern Meadowlark - bird count area
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow - exotic species