It is very hot and dry in the Lamar area, but always interesting.
Extreme conditions yield extreme biological activity. Perhaps most interesting
is a situation involving two lone honeylocust trees on Road V a few miles
northwest of Eads (Kiowa). These trees are perhaps 1 mile west of US287. The
tree on the south side of Rd V is a spectacle of nature, there's no other way
to describe it. Insects are the central characters in this drama, but a few
birds are involved. I've stopped at these trees many times over the years to
collect insects, look at flowers, stretch my legs, etc. Never have I seen
anything like what is going on now with cicadas. One, perhaps two, species of
large, "dog-day" cicadas in the genus Tibicen have emerged in huge numbers from
the prairie near and under this tree (I mean by the several thousands). Most
of them lie dead under the tree, but hundreds, perhaps a few thousand, are
alive and singing a deafening (jet engine level) song in the branches of the
tree. I can't imagine what it must have sounded like a week ago. Accompanying
the cicadas are hundreds (yes, hundreds) of cicada killer wasps of two species.
Cicada killers normally catch live cicadas which they paralyze with a sting,
and then bury in the ground alive with an egg (each wasp's tunnel system
includes an average of 16 cells, with 1 cicada/cell). But at present, the
focus of these BIG wasps (females have a 1.5 inch long body and 3 inch
wingspan) seems to be moisture, which they are getting as sap ooze from little
spots on the trunk and branches. Many other insects, mostly other wasps
(including a few even bigger tarantula hawks and many different species of
velvet ants) and flies are also seeking shade and moisture from this tree. To
emphasize the odd, "desperado" nature of this scene, an eastern fence lizard
maneuvered (in search of shade and/or prey) among the tangles of dense thorns
that literally cover 60% of the trunk surface, and a huge lubber grasshopper
tried to blend in with the very different mix of other insects. Yesterday on a
return visit to this tree, I saw a couple hundred Variegated Meadowhawk
dragonflies perched under the tree and on the barbed wire fence near it. As
for birds, Swainson's Hawks nested in, and still use, this tree and no doubt
have feasted on cicadas. And I saw a female Ring-necked Pheasant running away
from the trunk as I approached. Presumably she couldn't believe the feast of
cicada carcasses and low-down live ones available for the picking.
Steve Mlodinow recently reported some seemingly bizarre passerine happenings he
and Nick Moore witnessed at Prewitt. In that vein, at Lamar Community College
woods yesterday (7/27) were a very rough-looking Orange-crowned Warbler (one of
the grayer races like celeta or orestera) and what I am calling an Eastern
Wood-Pewee (essentially all-yellow lower mandible, overall pale coloration, and
bright white, bold wing bars). I got so-so pics of the pewee but unfortunately
it was totally silent).
Other interesting birds at LCC were Northern Cardinal (at least 2m and 1f),
Blue Grosbeak (family), Lesser Goldfinches, Black-chinned Hummingbird, a small
Turkey Vulture roost at the south end, and a wren (which was calling rather
quietly and briefly from Marsh Wren habitat but which reminded me more of
Carolina Wren). Willow Creek is dry from the Memorial Street bridge south thru
most of the LCC area, with only a small pond remaining down at the south end
just north of College Drive. Conspicuously absent was Red-bellied Woodpecker.
At Fairmount Cemetery at the south end of Lamar off Memorial Drive were a
family of Bullock's Orioles foraging in a honeylocust, Lesser Goldfinches, and
a somewhat-out-of-place Cassin's Kingbird.
At Thurston Res (Prowers) 6 miles or so north of Lamar were 8 Upland Sandpipers
in the parking lot and on the nearby "shore" at the end of the south side boat
ramp. These birds are definitely on the move.
While in Lamar I have seen both European Starling and Western Kingbirds eating
cicadas (perhaps a different species of Tibicen than the one (or two) involved
in the event above). No doubt many birds are taking advantage of cicadas at
present.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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