Stateline Woods Preserve Visitor

As you may know, Stateline Woods was recently closed for deer hunting.  During this time, our hunters made an observation that lead them to believe that there were coyotes on the property.   Since that time, we have confirmation through trail cameras that there are indeed coyotes spending some time at Stateline Woods Preserve.  We want to make sure that you are aware but not alarmed by this fact.

Eastern Coyotes are a popular topic of discussion and they typically get a fairly unforgiving light shone upon them.  Eastern coyotes typically weigh 30 to 50 pounds and they are 48 to 60 inches long.  Territories of coyotes range from 5 to 25 square miles and the territories are shared by a mated pair and their offspring.   Coyotes breeding season is January to March and they are quite vocal during this time.

Coyotes are a natural and important part of our ecosystem (the rumors that they were introduced by the game commission or insurance companies are false) and it is worth learning more about them and their habits.  Coyotes have a wide ranging diet and are advantageous eaters.  Open trash containers are easy pickings for food sources, as are small pets.  It is important to lock up your pets in the evening.   Coyotes have been in Chester County for a number of years, and potentially have been in the Stateline Woods area for quite some time.

As a species, coyotes have been very adaptable in increasingly urban settings but with proper precautions, we can coexist with this predator quite nicely.   We want to make sure you are armed with information, but also know that coyotes are not cause for alarm.  Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions regarding coyotes at Stateline Woods Preserve at 610-347-0347 ext. 103 or stewardship@tlcforscc.org

Thank you to Dan Mummert, Wildlife Biologist from the PA State Game Commission for the wonderful information!  

Dining Out for Conservation

In case you haven't heard, The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County is partnering with Half Moon in Kennett Square in January and February.  Every Tuesday, Half Moon will donate 10% of the bill to participating customers who either write Marshall Mill House on their bill, or bring in a pine cone.  Last evening kicked off the first Tuesday and was met with great success!!

They are AMAZING I assure you!

I highly recommend trying the West Coast IPA from Green Flash Brewing Company! My party was arguing between our two favorite appetizers: Crab Nachos and Gorgonzola Fries--so we had both!  Buffalo Tacos and Buffalo Burgers were the choices "du jour" for entrees. As you can well imagine, we were stuffed and did not even attempt dessert!

I encourage everyone gather a dinner party to spend a Tuesday night at Half Moon You can have your choice of delicious food (the Wild Game burger last evening was Boar), and great drinks (the regular bartender, Jamie, makes an excellent vodka tonic or try one of the 25+ beers on tap) while supporting conservation in southern Chester County!


Remember your pine cone or write Marshall Mill House on the bill so we receive a donation!! *If you are pine cone deficient, stop by our office (102 E. Street Road, Kennett Square PA) to pick up a pine cone, if we are closed they will be in a basket by the front door. 
 

Its Cold Outside!!

I realize that It's Cold Outside" can be considered a rhetorical statement, but with temperatures dropping to a brisk 5 degrees F tonight (supposed to feel more like -10 with wind chill) I think it is an apt statement.

Portions of my family who live in much warmer climates like to especially harass me when it gets this cold with pictures of flip flops and warm beaches, but with the right clothing we can survive the cold.....however, the creatures of nature who choose to overwinter in the colder temps do not have the luxury of adding layers (winter coats non-withstanding) or coming into a heated house.

Mr. Cardinal bulking up at my feeder in the cold

Instead of shopping at their local outdoor outfitter they have many great adaptations from sizing (nothern animals are typically larger bodied than southern animals) to antifreeze-like blood in frogs to prevent "frogsicles".   

I do not know if it happens to you, but whenever we are going into a cold snap, my birds empty my feeders quite rapidly--and spend a lot of time snacking on the seeds of plants that were cut in my flower beds.  It is not a lack of maintenance issue--I leave my plants tall in the winter to provide food for birds, insects, and probably a few small rodents too....  The reason that the birds eat so much is because they are burning valuable calories staying warm, and need to consume more calories just to stay warm.  Brings new thoughts to the phrase "eating like a bird" doesn't it? 
 
Are you interested in learning more about Wildlife in Winter??  Join TLC for Part I in our Wildlife In Winter Series on January 26.   If you like to read, you may want to check out Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival by Bernd Heinrich.  It is a fascinating snapshot of life in the wild in the winter. 

Thank you!

TLC is so grateful for all of our supporters who helped to make 2013 a wonderful year as we preserved land, preserved historic sites, educated tomorrows conservationists, restored habitat, helped to implement best management practices, improved the quality of life in southern Chester County, and had a lot of fun.

  

We look forward to seeing you in 2014!! Thank you for supporting our mission!
Learn more about 2014 with TLC

Northern Harrier spotted at Stateline Woods Preserve

One of our winter raptor residents was spotted at Stateline Woods Preserve over the weekend.  Keep your eyes peeled if you have found yourself with a few days off and are going to be out hiking.  The Northern Harrier is one of my favorite winter raptors (maybe because it was one that I first learned to identify) The white stripe at the base of the tail and the unique hunting pattern of soaring low along the fields are its easily identifying features.  

Sadly, I was only armed with my cell phone, so I only managed this
shot of the hay field--if you find yourself with a better photo of the Northern Harrier at one of TLC's Preserves, please send it our way!

Happy Holidays to all from TLC! 

Winter Solstice Celebration

The Winter Solstice is the one day of the year we have the least amount of daylight and the longest amount of darkness. There are about 9hrs:19min:57s of daylight, compared to the summer solstice (save the date for 6/21/14) which has around 15 hours of daylight!

This change in day length is due to the direction of the Earth's tilt relative to its rotation around the sun. During the winter solstice the Earth's tilt is directed away from the sun, and during the summer solstice the tilt is pointed towards the sun. 

This occurrence is celebrated in all corners of the world on December 21st. From this date on, the days become longer until we reach the summer solstice. Celebrations are centered around light and warmth to symbolize the coming of the light. 

TLC has celebrated the Winter Solstice for four years by offering people the chance to gather and enjoy time together atop of our Crossfield Hill - a special spot on our Stateline Woods Preserve that would have been a road leading to a 32 house development if not for our conservation efforts.

Our 2013 Winter Solstice Celebration took place this past Saturday (December 21st) and included a winter time story-teller, Dagmar Holl, who told Lenni Lenape stories of the origin of light and the evergreen tree. Food, drinks and conversation was enjoyed by all. The children especially enjoyed lighting and decorating the evergreen tree atop Crossfield Hill. 

Stay tuned for details on our solstice events in 2014. 

Project SNOWstorm

Though temperatures are to dip back below freezing over the next 24 hours, the balmy 60 degrees F when I headed to work this morning, has me picturing bathing suits and swimming, not snow pants and sledding!

I know we have been mentioning Snowy Owls quite frequently (perhaps our staff is a little caught up in the craze) but can you blame us?? Beautiful, exotic, and unusual birds getting more people interested in birding which hopefully translates to more interest in conservation.   Project SNOWstorm was announced as a way to learn more about these beautiful creatures that have captured the hearts of the Northeast.   If you are interested, this is an interesting article talking not only about Snowy Owls and the science behind them: http://mdcoastalbays.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/the-snowball-effect-of-project-snowstorm/

Keep your eyes peeled for a flash of white over the holidays and be sure to let us know if you find a snowy owl in southern Chester County!