A Whole Lot of Work = A Whole Lot of Fun!
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For the whole month of October, I was getting prepared for the Dark Sky
Wonders event at Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site. On October 14th, Kathy, Gerald,
Ruth, Roxanne, and Jim Griggs (Site Administrator at BLSHS) helped me with painting
wooden discs to look like the planets Jupiter & Saturn, with Venus painted too. These
discs were turned into necklaces to be handed out at the event. On the day of the event
the weather was fine, and Jim and I met with Tim White, his three astronomers, Missy,
Ruth, Gerald, Kathy, and Roxanne. Daniel Brigman, the Site Administrator from Knob
Noster State Park also attended to help. Jim was kind enough to provide pizza and
soda for the volunteers and electricity at the day use shelter house for Tim’s
presentation. The astronomers set up their telescopes, the projector was set up at the
shelter house for Tim’s presentations on light pollution and telescopes. We had
information on the importance of dark skies, free goodies that were candy themed
(Starbursts, Milky Ways, and Star Crunch) hot cocoa, and water. Decorated star jars
lead the way to the presentations. Between 50-80 adults and children attended, and it
was a great success with warm temperatures and clear night skies! To make any event
a success, it takes a great team!
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As part of our citizen science projects Ruth, Gerald, Roxanne, and myself met at
Karse Bogher to sample Lake Creek for Stream Team. It was a chilly fall morning, and
Roxanne was kind enough to bring her four wheeler which she hooked up to her trailer
to bring us to the site quicker, and to bring the tools we needed. When we arrived, the
stream was so low there were only pools of water, and no flow, which meant no riffles.
We were not able to do a discharge sampling, but we were able to conduct the site
visualization, chemistry, and macroinvertebrate samples, although one of the samples
had no little aquatic critters. Ruth and Gerald though were able to collect some of the
critters in their vials and collectively, it was a success.
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On the day of our meeting on November 1st, Roxanne, Ryan, Marge, and myself
met at the Chimney Swift tower to put up a plague that Roxanne had created. We
decided on how high up to put it and where to place it where people could see and read
about it. Afterwards, we headed to the Good Samaritan Care Center’s butterfly garden.
Most of the perennials were sleeping for the coming winter months, so we decided to
deadhead some of the flower tops, but leave some inches for bugs to take shelter in. A
few of our natives went to seed, so we collected some common milkweed, shining
bluestar, and prairie dock. Ryan fixed our original sign, and we added a new sign that
talked about the importance of having native plants. Then while Ryan and Marge left to
get the meeting ready, Roxanne and I went to Butterfield garden and cleaned out a few
weeds, some spiky sweet gum seed pods, and burr oak nuts. We also placed another
support pollinators sign there.
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When we got to the church for our meeting, Roxanne had fun advanced training
on how to make survival bracelets. She gave us a sheet with step-by-step instructions,
and walked us through the process. These bracelets are fun to make once you get the
hang of it, and what makes them a survival bracelet is every part can be used. The
clasp contains a compass, whistle, and fire starter. Even the paracord that we used to
make the braid can be unraveled and used if needed. While making the bracelet was a
challenge, the hard work paid off, just like all the projects our group does together!
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Barn Owl Production Report 2022
Thanks to Steve Cooper for providing this information
FINDINGS
Overall, the 2022 Barn owl nesting season within the Hi Ridge Complex and environs was very successful.
Number of fledglings is the highest recorded since the inception of this project in 2014. Please see attached
chart for details.
We entered the 2022 nesting season with 27 known artificial nesting setups. As the season progressed 2
additional boxes were added but were installed too late to be utilized by any nesting pair. Twenty-one (21)
setups had nesting activity for a 77% rate of use. Sixty-six (66) owlets survived to fledge.
The data also indicates a mortality rate of nearly 51% (lost eggs and missing owlets). A search of available
research literature failed to reveal if that rate is outside the norm. As a pre-emptive measure, an additional
predator guard was installed on each of the 19 pole-mounted structures.
MAINTENANCE
Five (5) of the original wooden boxes were rehabbed this year. Improvements include:
1) exterior painted white to reduce interior temperatures
2) expanded “livable space” 28-36%
3) install vent for improved air circulation
All setups received new wood chips and were sanitized with a 10% bleach solution.
DISCUSSION
The project lost one private landowner in Pettis County but gained two new partners. The setup from the
Pettis County site was relocated to Hartwell C.A. and will be available for the 2023 nesting season. One new
partner is within the Green Ridge geography. An interior style box has been installed in their barn which has
documented owl roosting activity. The second private landowner is in eastern Cass County. This landowner
has documented Barn owl nesting activity for several years. Upgrades were completed on two existing
structures and a new setup was installed in their 65-acre prairie reconstruction.
There was a severe nationwide outbreak of the Avian Bird Flu during the nesting season. Safety protocols
were implemented by the monitoring team to minimize any exposure.
The volunteer monitoring team has produced and distributed an annual production report since the
inception of this project in 2014. Those reports have elicited limited response. If you do not care about Barn
owls and/or this project, please contact a member of the monitoring team and we will unsubscribe you from
the mailing list. The monitoring team apologizes for inconveniences of unwanted mailings.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to Max Alleger. It was his initial support and financial backing that allowed this project to
happen starting in 2014.
The Hi Lonesome Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists realized the value of this project and selected
the construction and installation of 13 nesting structures as their Capstone Project in 2016. Chapter
members Ruth and Gerald Schlomer adopted this project as their own priority. They have volunteered
hundreds of hours to the monitoring and reporting of the owls since 2014.
The private landowners who have contributed time and space to expand this project beyond the public land
domain.
And a special thanks to the Blackwater District field staff for providing access, materials and the maintenance
of access trails to the nesting setups on public lands within the Hi Ridge Complex.
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Important Information
Chapter Dues for 2023, are still just $12 per person. Please get your dues to Marge Lumpe to be an active member.
Be sure to get all your 2022 hours in by January 15, 2023.
Just go to our webpage: hilonesome.missourimasternaturalist.org to report your hours, find upcoming Advanced Training and Community Service opportunities.
To receive your Annual Certification Pin, you need 40 Community Service hours and 8 Advanced Training hours each calendar year. There are plenty of opportunities to earn these hours, just go to our webpage and see what interests you.
Check out the photos in the photo gallery on our home page! Send any photos you have to Jerry Barnabee and he will get them added in.
If you have any questions about hours or volunteer opportunities, contact Roxanne Stockdall..
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