Bees in Bunkers

From the Common Questions page of this blog:

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY BEES IN THE BUNKERS?


There are many common species of solitary bees that nest in the ground. Solitary bees construct individual nest tubes, each with its own opening.


They often nest in large congregations with many nesting holes arranged very closely together.

Ground nesting bees generally prefer nesting in areas with morning sun exposure and well drained soils containing little organic matter ... like bunker faces. Tunnels are excavated in areas of bare ground or sparse vegetation and damp soils are avoided.


Solitary bees rarely sting.

Geese

Geese will choose a mate when they are about three years old and will stay monogamous for life, raising new families together each year. If one mate dies, the other mate will sometimes wait several years before choosing a new partner or might even stay single.

Geese have a very strong instinct to return to their general area of birth to mate and nest. They will either return to the exact site or to a nearby pond or other body of water. Migratory geese will even fly 2,000-3,000 miles to return to these sites. Geese like to build their nests on the ground at isolated sites near water.

The female goose will build a nest and line it with down plucked from her body. She will lay one egg each day until the full clutch of about 5 eggs is obtained. After all the eggs are laid, she will sit on her nest to incubate the eggs, which takes about 28-30 days.

During this time, we participate in the nest destruction program through the state of Michigan. Taking the eggs and destroying the nest prevents the geese from returning next year.

Geese

Canada Geese are regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the guidelines set forth by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 making it unlawful to kill, sell, hunt, disturb nests and eggs, or purchase and possess migratory birds unless permitted by the Secretary of the Interior.


One of the ways to reduce the number of visits from these "rats on wings" is to destroy the nests so they don't return the following year. This requires a permit from the DNR. We have participated in this program the last three tears.

Geese prefer open areas like golf courses because they get nervous about predators when they can't see at least 10 meters around themselves. Most golf courses are mowed low enough that the geese can see long distances and that is why so many courses struggle with these pests.

During the winter, we routinely harass the geese to keep the courses clear of these pests.

The Winged Rat

Also known as a Canadian Goose. Nearly driven to extinction at the beginning of the 1900's, efforts at reestablishment have been so successful that the current population is thriving. So much so that airplane passengers to property owners are crying fowl.

Canada Geese love open lawns because they can easily digest grass and they afford wide open vistas for the geese to see predators. Unfortunately this includes airports and golf courses. It is estimated that just under 3 million geese are 'harvested' by hunters every year but these flying rats are so prolific that it has done nothing to dent the population numbers.

Control? There are a few things you can try, but geese are very difficult to control.

The most effective method for us has been harassment. Using an air horn or loud noise maker (like a propane canon at airports) to scare the geese away seems to work if done consistently. If nothing else, is does provide some enjoyment. We also use a 'coyote decoy' to scare the geese, but it too needs to be moved regularly so the geese don't catch on to what you're doing. You can check out http://www.pcsoutdoors.com/ for a selection of bird decoys. Or Gemplers has a nice selection too.

We are permitted to destroy nests when they appear in the spring. Nest destruction is a necessity if you don't want the geese to return year after year. Barriers like fencing and screening are marginally effective as are chemical repellents. It is important to use a variety of methods; together they may reduce your goose nuisance, but most likely won't eliminate it.

But as Choo Choo Love says at http://www.lovecanadageese.com/: "The lead goose is the conductor, his flock the orchestra. Together, they are a symphony of joy, a chorus for the ages."

So beautiful.

Coyotes

Eastern Coyote Canis latrans


You will see coyotes on the golf courses in the winter. I’m not quite sure why they are more prevalent in the winter but it’s most likely due to the absence of humans and this is also their breeding period so they may be more active. Most of the sightings have been around holes 4, 2 and 7 on the South Course.

The following is taken from the MiDNR website where you can find more information on coyotes:

There is wide variation in the coyote's color, but generally their upper body is yellowish gray, and the fur covering the throat and belly is white to cream color. The coyote's ears are pointed and stand erect, unlike the ears of domestic dogs that often droop. When observed running, coyotes carry their bushy, black tipped tail below the level of their back.

Coyotes are opportunistic and will eat almost anything available. They will also prey on unattended small dogs and cats, if opportunities exist. Some coyotes learn to kill smaller livestock, such as sheep, goats, calves, and poultry. Larger animals are almost always consumed as carrion. Coyotes are active day and night; however, peaks in activity occur at sunrise and sunset. Coyotes generally feed at night.

Their presence in subdivisions and urban or suburban areas, while surprising to many folks, is a result of increasing populations (both coyote and human) and encroachment of human environments into their natural habitat (from development of rural areas).

eastern Coyote photo from wikipedia