Wildlife Sightings: Yes, Please Share
I struggled with whether or not to report the recent beaver activity on Crum Creek to the Swarthmorean. There are two schools of thought on wildlife observations: some keep sightings secret so as not to risk disturbing the animals with excessive gawking. I have encountered observers in the Crum Woods who clearly prefer to hold their sightings close to the chest. I decided, however, that I belong to the other school: I want to publicize wildlife sightings to raise awareness of our natural surroundings. Through knowledge of what’s out there we can encourage behaviors that will promote habitat preservation and coexistence with other species.
To that end, I proposed to the Swarthmorean editor the possibility of a recurring article on wildlife sightings. These articles would be modeled after ones I’ve followed while visiting family on Martha’s Vineyard: the Vineyard Gazette has a weekly list of unusual bird sightings submitted by interested readers. While birds are my chief interest, I was thinking of soliciting a broader array of wildlife sightings that may be of interest to readers. Examples from my own observations this year would include American Redstarts, Eastern Screech Owls, the beavers (obviously), crayfish in Little Crum Creek (an indicator of less polluted water), Eastern Red-back Salamanders and a Giant Leopard Moth. Readers could submit photographs as well. Sightings should be limited to those seen physically within the boundaries of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District municipalities. However, since the Crum Creek Reservoir touches in Nether Providence any sightings therein or thereon would be fair game (Hooded Mergansers are regular winter residents of the reservoir).
So, if anyone would like to participate and submit sightings for publication in the Swarthmorean, please complete the form below.
Let’s see if we can build a better understanding of our natural surroundings.
