Spring recap

[urbpan]

Okay, so spring has been officially over for a couple weeks now. I catalogued the species from the beginning of the year to March 20th here. From March 21 to July 2nd, here's the breakdown:

Plants: 50
Slime Molds: 1
Fungi: 7
Annelids: 1
Mollusks: 2
Arthropods: 14
Fishes: 2
Amphibians: 1
Reptiles: 4
Birds: 16
Mammals: 6


This represents a big increase in plants covered (makes sense, in spring), a decrease in birds (the migration is over), and an increase in all other animals (more activity in spring). The decrease in fungi is interesting, and it's nice to see new animal taxa (and one new Kingdom) added to the list.

This coming week will be Beach Week! Transitioning in later this evening (with a species found in urban streets as well as urban beaches) and continuing with species observed on our Urban Nature Walk to Castle Island in South Boston. Cheaters can preview the photos and make guesses here: http://cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com/526095.html

During spring it was much easier to find species to photograph and write about. I actually feel a little bad that some of my favorite plants are going to be skipped, because more interesting animals and fungi are going to displace them (in the project) this summer. Sorry if I skip your favorite--but you can suggest one I've missed, or might miss, if you want. I'm a people pleaser--tell me what you want to see and I'll try to do it.

Comments

[bunrab.livejournal.com]

more for summer:
bumble bee, honeybee, paper wasp, mud dauber (yeah, I know that's heavy on the stinging insects. But those are all urban species these days!!)
Fire ants? Have you done fire ants yet?
What about various termites?

I don't know why I's suggesting all these social insects. I don't even LIKE these bugs. I like spiders.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I have done the one kind of termite we have in Boston. Not sure about fire ants. I got bit up the other day, but I don't know by what kind of ant.

I've been trying to get a decent shot of a honey bee, so that's definitely on my radar. Since I taught myself what a carpenter bee looked like, I haven't seen any bumblebees (and maybe I haven't seen one in years!)

Thanks for the suggestions! Maybe we'll get a good honeybee picture today.

[harrietbrown.livejournal.com]

I used to see bumblebees quite frequently, but there's this parasite that's infected the North American bee population and killed off a significant number of bees. Consequently, it's harder to find bees. I used to have a hive under my eaves (*nudge nudge wink wink*) but I had the exterminator take it down a few winters ago. Yeah, you don't really want bees near the house.

Good luck finding bees. I love them.