# Specialized Habitats And Microenvironments **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 6, 2021, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150 "2021-08-06T12:34:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2023, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/161 "2023-09-18T10:51:26Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’ve mentioned that we do controlled burns around here as part of our management - the year prior to a burn will look different than the year after. Yeah, I’m sure I read that a burn was planned for this year, but I can’t find anything specific (like a date…) But your comment set me searching, and I found this interesting update from just over a week ago: > **[Wakehurst’s American Prairie: The next chapter | Kew](https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/american-prairie-next-chapter)** > > For visitors to Wakehurst last year, the American Prairie’s sea of yellow was hard to miss and hard to forget. But it’s been looking slightly different this year, and there are plenty of reasons why. > This summer, our Prairie Gardener, Jack, has been cutting down native weeds to prevent them from seeding, whilst allowing more sunlight to reach the prairie plants below, with minimal disturbance to the soil… > > …Eleven species, grown in the nursery, have been introduced to the prairie this summer, including white wild indigo _(Baptisia alba)_ , wild bergamot _(Monarda fistulosa)_ and wild lupine _(Lupinis perennis)_ , an old favourite from the prairie’s first few years. j ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2023, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/162 "2023-09-18T11:13:20Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Yeah, I’m sure I read that a burn was planned for this year, but I can’t find anything specific (like a date…) Safely performing a burn is heavily dependent on weather conditions, moisture levels in the plants and soil, and so on. So they usually don’t set a firm date too far in advance, and they can be rescheduled at the last minute. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/163 "2023-09-19T02:02:27Z")
It’s interesting that I don’t see goldenrod which has become terribly invasive with our hotter, drier summers. But, given that invasive quality, I can hardly blame the gardeners for keeping it out of your meadow. The purple liatris (aka blazing star) is always a cheerful sight sticking out of the black-eyed susans. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/164 "2024-02-04T20:42:32Z")
Finally some clarity: We _do_ have beavers in the swamp! 🙂 Here he comes: [![](https://i.imgur.com/8eAydZ0.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/8eAydZ0.jpeg) Gets some branches: [![](https://i.imgur.com/ZLYNR3B.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ZLYNR3B.jpeg) And carries them away: [![](https://i.imgur.com/ZuNCLgK.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ZuNCLgK.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/6VY3o8X.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/6VY3o8X.jpeg) And, alas! we have racoons too: [![](https://i.imgur.com/Lhee8kD.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Lhee8kD.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/OTyuBMn.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/OTyuBMn.jpeg) And a roe deer. Just one, it seems, always alone: [![](https://i.imgur.com/TsYebnZ.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/TsYebnZ.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/165 "2024-02-04T22:02:54Z")
That’s about as cool as it gets! j ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/166 "2024-02-04T23:57:35Z")
None of the “big” animals come out during the daytime, where the camera takes much better pictures. I have been moving the camera around and those are finally conclusive pictures: not great, but clear enough in the sum. Still a lot to learn: where do the beavers and the racoons (there are more than one of both) have their dens? Is there really only one roe deer? Is there only one fox? Do the wild boars live here, or do they only come wandering through? I suspect the latter. What path do they use? If they can come and go, how come the roe deer stays put but does not seem to get any visitors or company? The swamp, btw, is wetter than ever before. It is raining a lot around here. Which is good, I guess. Only trees keep falling down, the soil is so soft. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/167 "2024-02-06T21:34:41Z")
It all sounds fantastic. More updates! Now, you have (at bare minimum) connections to Spain, right? I mention this because we’re in Cordoba right now, where there is the strangest microhabitat. The old Roman bridge a cross the river acts like a weir, and downstream of it is Sotos de la Abolafia, a complex of scrubby, wooded islands. We fell into conversation with a couple of birders (they always overshare) - apparently there are 140 species frequenting the habitat, and this in the middle of the city! There is a Spanish wiki, which I’ll link as it includes a photo. [Sotos de la Albolafia - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre](https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotos_de_la_Albolafia) j ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/168 "2024-02-06T22:15:03Z")
Updates: Sorry for the sub par camera. Those are the boars. Biggest animals here: [![](https://i.imgur.com/rWLZPg5.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/rWLZPg5.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/ffVNc7n.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ffVNc7n.jpeg) And the racoon again: [![](https://i.imgur.com/QkWJFqU.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/QkWJFqU.jpeg) Córdoba? Lucky you, nice place to be. Don’t miss the Plaza de la Corredera, have lunch there and a caña (small beer) or two with the aperitivos, tapas y raciones. I’ve been there only once, but I have fond memories. Should you go in the direction of Seville next, don’t miss the [Parador de Carmona](https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-carmona). If they still serve it, their lamb in honey sauce (_paletilla de cordero con salsa de miel_) is to die for. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/169 "2024-02-17T19:59:16Z")
Latest news on the Wakehurst Prairie: [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ABLVV87XxRZ0TeoAXHOosbfM2yc7DpN9ClIv7Merm4Vddh2iIhQQcd-dwoOAOUjvRcN4qLl2O0xhR_rilZKR6l5ApJ0a5sa_SuLVCJpTTLJ6ZMimNtN-gzo=w480-h315-p-k "New item by j") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/hW9wnNtDMeQC1AVh6) Click for the full image, google photo etc etc. I’m disappointed - I was looking forwards to a burn… Going back to Sotos de la Albolafia from a few posts back, this is a much better description than I could manage to find using my phone: > **[Sotos de la Albolafia](https://www.andalucia.org/en/cordoba-natural-spaces-sotos-de-la-albolafia)** > > This nature area is located where the Guadalquivir River flows through Córdoba, in the heart of the city. Prolonged absence of human intervention a... j ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/170 "2024-02-17T23:22:56Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Tumbleweed, for example, is NOT native to the western US despite being an iconic representation of it in movies. Russian thistle. Damn commies! ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/171 "2024-02-26T21:37:33Z")
The @Crane 😉 is already there, in february! [![](https://i.imgur.com/miR0YgO.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/miR0YgO.jpeg) They are a couple and can be very loud and spectacular in their mating displays. The swamp, as you can see, is still extremely wet. That bit will be ferns and yellow irises in summer, except the part in the left of the picture where the crane is heading to, which is about 6’ deep. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/172 "2024-02-26T22:04:25Z")
Cool! There are a few places in the UK where there are stork populations - one of which is (no joke) along the River Parrett in Somerset. We took a few days out that way a couple of years ago, visiting friends but taking a detour to look for cranes. (No luck, of course.) j ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/173 "2024-02-27T12:08:47Z")
Great habitat! ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/174 "2024-03-09T22:09:00Z")
Is that a crane too? Do albino cranes exist? [![](https://i.imgur.com/tCUven5.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/tCUven5.jpeg) Closer up (and blurrier), the same bird: [![](https://i.imgur.com/Umw0CTl.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Umw0CTl.jpeg) Compared with the usual crane, same spot, same distance, about the same time: [![](https://i.imgur.com/1bukqGv.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/1bukqGv.jpeg) Same size, same neck, same beak. Is that an albino crane? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/175 "2024-03-09T22:37:48Z")
A favorite spot in Maine with estuarine habitat. > **[Trails & Beach](https://www.wellsreserve.org/visit/trails-beach)** > > Explore the Maine coast on your own or join one of our naturalists for a tour. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/176 "2024-03-09T23:17:15Z")
I found the _Seidenreiher_ / Little egret (_Egretta garzetta_) on the net: > **[Vogelporträt: Seidenreiher - NABU](https://www.nabu.de/tiere-und-pflanzen/voegel/portraets/seidenreiher/)** > > Seidenreiher sind seltene Brutvögel oder Durchzügler in Mitteleuropa, daher ist es eine kleine Besonderheit, diese eleganten Schreitvögel zu beobachten. Sie brüten nämlich hauptsächlich in Südeuropa. Mit dem komplett weißen Gefieder haben sie große... But the beak seems to be black even for juveniles and it shows some feathers pointing back from the head the motion sensor camera does not show. Wikipedia describes it should be nowhere near Berlin: > **[Little egret](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_egret)** > > Mangaon, Maharashtra, India > E. g. garzetta > E. g. immaculata > E. g. nigripes > Ardea garzetta Linnaeus, 1766 ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/177 "2024-03-10T04:31:53Z")
Possibly a great egret. > **[Great egret](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_egret)** > > The great egret (Ardea alba), also known as the common egret, large egret, or (in the Old World) great white egret or great white heron, is a large, widely distributed egret. The four subspecies are found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe. Recently it is also spreading to more northern areas of Europe. Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world, it builds tree nests in colonies close to water. > The great egret was formally described in 1... ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/178 "2024-03-10T08:21:59Z")
Yes, that seems to be it: the beak colour is right and they are described in the German wikipedia as “guests” (not breeding) in Berlin. The English wikipedia does not locate them here, but the local birdwatchers do report seeing them. Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/179 "2024-04-24T13:47:19Z")
New updates: We finally have ducklings! I was fearing the bird flu had prevented the hatching, as is happening in many other places. Well, here they come, at least six, very freshly hatched: [![](https://i.imgur.com/jryK8Q1.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/jryK8Q1.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/wB6RMsY.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/wB6RMsY.jpeg) A great spotted woodpecker! Have only managed to see them from quite a long way away until now, seldom seen so close to the ground: [![](https://i.imgur.com/DMbFgzq.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/DMbFgzq.jpeg) The beaver remains nocturnal and so far this year without companion: [![](https://i.imgur.com/38V8QT0.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/38V8QT0.jpeg) And I suspect we have a rat, but am not completely sure, the ears seem a big big, the legs a tad too long for a city rat: [![](https://i.imgur.com/ohn4kQj.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ohn4kQj.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150/180 "2024-04-26T19:32:48Z")
Cool photos keep them coming j [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialized-habitats-and-microenvironments/948150.md?page=10)