Wednesday, September 9, 2020
By: Jillian Pyle, Easement Steward
In 2020 alone, the spotted lanternfly have spread to 12 new counties, bringing the total to 26 Pennsylvania counties. Spotted lanternfly have also crossed state lines making their way into Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
Read MoreWednesday, May 13, 2020
By: Melissa Reckner, Penguin Court Program Manager
Some modified blooms attract fewer pollinators and yield less nectar. Plants that need the help of insects, birds and other animals to pollinate and help create their progeny often supply a sugary reward for the foraging pollinator in the form of nectar—the divine drink of the...
Continue ReadingTuesday, May 12, 2020
By: Jillian Pyle, Easement Steward
The praying mantis is a master of deception with a seemingly benign appearance. Despite its tranquil praying pose, this elusive creature is actually quite the predator of the insect world. Most people are able to identify a praying mantis, but many are unaware there are both native and invasive species of mantises in our area. Gardeners often recognize the praying mantis as a guardian against pests. The benefit of their efficiency, however, is questionable since they do not discriminate on what will be their next meal.
Continue ReadingTuesday, May 5, 2020
By: Susan Charkes, Easement Steward
Pollinators and their partners come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Innumerable assortments of butterflies, bees, moths, flies, beetles, birds and bats are drawn to visit myriad varieties of fragrant, colorful flowers where they sip nectar and collect pollen. Pollination both feeds the pollinators and enables plants to reproduce. But there is one very important pollinator that is colorless, has no sense of smell and doesn’t drink sweet nectar: Wind.
Continue ReadingMonday, May 4, 2020
By: Melissa Reckner, Penguin Court Program Manager
Spring is here! Although birds continue to migrate north, many call Pennsylvania home and are looking for nesting places to raise their young. The nesting material birds use varies among species and habitats, but can include mosses, grasses, twigs, pine needles, leaves, animal fur, feathers, mud, spider webs and more! Help birds find what they need by creating your own one-stop shop of nesting materials to hang in your backyard.
Continue ReadingSaturday, April 25, 2020
By: Melissa Reckner, Penguin Court Program Manager
If you have some leftover plastic Easter eggs that you are looking to repurpose, try out this fun DIY activity that your backyard birds will appreciate and find very appetizing!
Continue Reading