Insect Pooters and Phenology Study

Insect pooter?  What's that?  It's an easy-to-make device to collect insects using inhalation.  We're not quite ready to use them outside yet because it's still pretty cold, but we made pooters to use later.  Here's what you need: 

• Clear plastic tub with cover (the size of your average cottage cheese container, but clear)
• 2 straws of large-ish diameter (1/2" is good; we used straws that florists slip on some large plant stems)
• small, sharp scissors
• masking tape
• small piece of netting
• rubber band

Here's how to make it:

•  Place opening of straw on the container's cover and trace around (sharpie works well); then use scissors to pierce the hole and carefully cut it out.  Insert the straw.
• Place netting over the opening of the straw that is below the container's top - in other words, the opening that will be inside the container.  Use rubber band to fasten the netting to the straw.
• Place opening of the other straw on the side of the container and trace around it.  Cut the hole and insert the straw so that a couple of inches of straw are inside the container, with the rest outside.
• Snap the top (with straw) onto the container.  
• Use small pieces of masking tape to block of any small air spaces around the straws where they insert into the holes.

We then practiced "capturing" raisins and chocolate chips.  We inhaled through the top straw while holding the side straw near the raisin (or choc. chip).  It is sucked into the container, but the net keeps it from getting into the straw leading to your mouth.  Of course we opened the containers to eat our captured "bugs!"  We'll use the pooters with real insects later on.

Before we prepared to go outside for a walk around the trail, our instructor quizzed us on seasonal happenings that have been occurring from Jan. until now.  Did you know that...

• In Jan, black bear cubs are born and great horned owls start nesting?
• In Jan, raccoons, beavers and gray squirrels begin looking for mates?
• Coyotes and skunks are looking for mates in Feb?
• Ducks that migrated, red-winged blackbirds, grackles and turkey vultures are returning in mid-late Feb?
• Skunk cabbages start sprouting and blooming in late Feb/early Mar?
• In early-mid Mar barred owls and red-tailed hawks are nesting?
• Black bear, snapping turtles and chipmunks are starting to become active?
• In late Mar, the young of red foxes, gray squirrels and river otters are being born?
• In mid-Mar to early April, spotted salamanders and wood frogs are heading to vernal pools to breed?

Speaking of seasonal changes, the Green Rangers are studying these changes for 11 species of animals and plants found in the Eastman Conservation Area.  We are among the 4000 or so citizens who collect and contribute data to the American Phenology Network's database.  "Phenology" is the timing of seasonal activities of animals and plants.  These seasonal activities are a "leading indicator of changes in the earth's environment."  Scientists and organizations can use the database for their research into climate change, invasive species, wildfire prediction, etc..  These are the plants and animals that we are keeping track of:

chipmunk
white-tailed deer
red-winged hawk
chickadee
snapping turtle
painted turtle
garter snake
spotted salamander
white pine tree
witch hazel
skunk cabbage

During our trail walk, we noted that many skunk cabbage plants are up and blooming.  We heard, but did not spot, chickadees.