Prescribed Burn, Part 2 - Fauna

There was a very narrow window of opportunity in which the burn could take place. The burn was delayed by one week due to windy gusts and there was concern about reptiles wandering the following week. However, temperatures were cool on burn day which kept reptiles under ground. Team members scouted the area and if any reptiles had been found, they would have been carefully placed in pillow cases until conditions were safe again.

Wild Lupine is an Oak Savannah plant that requires open sun for growth. Some patches of lupine remained outside of the burn area. Any plants that burned, would quickly grow back. Lupine, along with other species including New Jersey Tea, are important host species for many insects. Burning stimulates the growth of native grassland plants and suppresses invasive species.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler hunted for insects in the tree canopy shortly after the burn extinguished itself.

Prior to lighting, a few butterflies including an Azure sp. could be seen.

Bald Eagle soaring overhead after the fire

 Field Sparrow: enjoying the sun on the day that we didn't burn.

Clover Looper Moth: resting across the road.

A small mouse (species) ran up a tree to escape the flames.

Variegated Ground Spider remained on the trail.

A member of the Leaf-footed Bugs, crawled across a fallen log, out of the fire zone.

14 Wild Turkey Eggs! Before the fire was set in the second block, team members patrolled the area looking for snakes and turtles. No reptiles were found, but an American Turkey flushed from her nest. The eggs were in a wood pile that was out of the burn area. It was expected that Mom would return once people vacated the area.