This common forest dweller is more often heard than it is seen. Its song is similar to a shortened version of the robin’s, and some people say it sounds like: “where are you…here I am.” This song is repeated over and over again from dawn to dusk. In fact, the red-eyed vireo is one of the few birds you might hear even in the middle of a hot day. This bird loves to snack on insects, especially caterpillars, and fruit.
Did you know? You may catch a glimpse of red-eyed vireo nest in a forked branch. The nest is made of twigs, bark, grasses, pines needles, and lichen, and held together with spider silk.
Learn more: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
White-tailed deer does are having their fawns during this season. Though they may appear small and helpless, fawns actually have some amazing adaptations to help them grow into adulthood. The spots on a fawn’s back help to camouflage it from predators. The spots look just like the sunspots that dapple the forest floor and help the youngster blend in. A young fawn also has almost no odor, which helps protect it from the sharp noses of predators.
Because of these adaptations, a doe can leave her fawn on its own in a protected hiding spot while she looks for food. The fawn then stretches its body out and stays very still while waiting for its mother to return. If you come across a hiding fawn, the best thing to do is to leave it where it is and walk away. Its mother has not abandoned it and will most likely return to nurse it in a few hours.
Did you know? A doe usually gives birth to one or two fawns. These fawns may stay with their mother for a full year.
Learn more: Animal Diversity Web
Chances are that you have noticed the many oval leaves of Canada mayflower dotting the forest floor here at CWES. These plants are beginning to send up a short stalk full of tiny white flowers. This member of the lily family will bloom for several more weeks and then eventually produce tiny red berries that will be eaten by chipmunks and grouse.
Another beautiful plant that is now blooming in the woods of CWES is starflower. Starflower is one of those wonderful plants that looks exactly like its name says it should. The plant is now showing off its 7 white petals that form a perfect star. The amazing thing about this plant is that even when its flowers have fallen off, the leaves of the plant still form a star-shape, which will help you identify it all summer long!
Learn more: E-nature: Canada Mayflower
Freckmann Herbarium: Starflower
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