Ever wonder what types of animals live in the woods behind your house or roam around your backyard when you are not home? If curiosity is getting the best of you, it’s time to investigate and become a critter detective!
Animals leave clues during their journeys – including teeth marks, fur, feathers, pellets, tracks or…scat. What is scat you ask? Recently, I came across an interesting pile of scat that resembled dark pumpkin seeds (or pawpaw seeds perhaps?) and much smaller seeds that resembled bird food. It suddenly became apparent I had stumbled across animal droppings. Since no tracks, paw prints or fur were visible I had to rely on the seeds, their shape and size and anything else found in the heap. Careful study of these remnants of past meals would help me... Keep reading.
A bunch of creepy critters took over Larry’s Look segment at WCNC this moring. If you missed it, have no fear and click here and see some of the animals you might meet during our next Creature Feature.
Here are some photos from the appearance.
On Saturday, October 8, volunteers from Charlotte Nature Museum, National Wildlife Foundation, and Scotts Miracle-Gro Company began to transform a section of the Paw Paw Nature Trail into a place where kids can run, play, jump, dig, act and explore.
Together volunteers moved 80 cubic yards of mulch, planted close to a hundred plants, hung bird feeders and set the stage for a dramatic facelift for the outdoor area.
Thanks to the generous support of Scotts Miracle-Gro the Museum’s area is the first of a series of Natural Play Areas which will provide children the opportunity to play outside every day.
Charlotte Nature Museum's roots are firmly planted in connecting children and families to the natural world. The creation of this Natural Play Area allows children to... Keep reading.
As we say goodbye to summer we also are say farewell to a good friend, Dr. Bierregaard. Over the years, donned in a hard hat, climbing harness, safety glasses and leather neck guard, you may have noticed him climbing a ladder on Paw Paw Nature Trail or in nearby Freedom Park checking on Barred owls (Strix varia) and their owlets or whistling for the adults to land on our Deck. Dr. Bierregard (we call him Dr. “B”) would often provide impromptu lessons for visitors about the interesting lives of the city owls.
Every year we eagerly anticipate the weighing and tagging of the owlets. Just before the owlets fledge, Dr. B would bring the fuzzy, oval-shaped birds onto our Deck and weigh, photograph and band the birds. Museum guests were invited to experience a special... Keep reading.
Interning at Charlotte Nature Museum this summer has introduced me to a side of science education that I previously only experienced as a student. Working behind the scenes and interacting daily with Museum visitors has provided a greater understanding of the effort and dedication it takes to run this amazing organization. A fixture in the in the childhoods of so many Charlotte area residents for the past 60 years, the Museum has also had a significant impact on my life.
Entering the Museum each day sparked a renewed the sense of wonder I experienced as a child during school field trips, especially when entering the rocky- walled Creature Cavern or learning about hognose snakes. These experiences had a lasting effect and contributed to my lifelong love of nature, leading me to... Keep reading.
While walking the Paw Paw Trail one of the most enjoyable things to do in Charlotte, I encountered one of our youngest visitors staring into the sky. Always seeking an opportunity to hear about an outdoor experience at the Museum, I asked what had caught her eye. After pausing a moment, she proclaimed with a smile, “Some, big, old trees!” Pleased and curious, I inquired what specifically captured her attention: a bird perched up high on a branch? A collection of leaves exploding with color?
She responded with a shrug that she “just loved looking at the big trees.”
Thinking about my own love for these pillars of the forest, I continued my stroll. Thankful for the... Keep reading.
