Wildlife Sightings This Week: July 20-25, 2019
Thanks for the interest shown in the Swarthmorean’s new “Wildlife Sightings” report.
Crayfish in Little Crum Creek. Photo by Robert Scott.
This week, my own observations have consisted of a common garter snake and a crayfish, both in Little Crum Creek where it emerges from its underground conduit on our property at the corner of Lafayette and South Princeton Avenue. There are several species of crayfish native to Pennsylvania, and a few invasive species as well. I’m not able to distinguish the species. If any readers have any expertise in this area please take a look at the photograph at swarthmorean.com and let me know your thoughts as to which species it is.
I also observed an immature red-tailed hawk on the unit block of East Possum Hollow Road in Nether Providence, and had regular visits from ruby-throated hummingbirds to the bee balm I planted in our yard for purposes of attracting them. Hardly unusual sightings, but I never tire of seeing hawks and hummingbirds.
Melissa Lewicki of Swarthmore observed that an immature hawk matching the description of an accipiter has been a steady resident of the 200 block of Vassar Avenue in Swarthmore. Accipiters are raptors which have evolved to have long tails and short wings (relative to other hawks) for purposes of swooping between trees to prey on songbirds. Its most likely a Cooper’s hawk (more common in this area) but possibly a sharp-shinned hawk. Cooper’s hawks are a few inches larger than sharp-shinned hawks. But it’s not easy to distinguish between the species, especially with an immature specimen.
William Menke of Swarthmore reports:
“This white sulphur butterfly landed on the flower bouquet at the center of the table — on the meadow rue, in particular. I have seen these outside for weeks, but for it to be indoors was a surprise. Maybe it hatched on one of the property’s flowers that I had brought in.”
White sulphur butterfly. Photo by Bill Menke.
Several people have expressed interest to me about this column, so I know you’re out there — please keep the observations coming. I would especially appreciate some reports from Nether Providence, Rose Valley or Rutledge. Please submit observations using the form below.
