[Mnbird] BBS and Q about Japanese Beetles

[John Hamer]

I really enjoyed your summary on the quantity of species.  We just moved
from our home in Mound where I had maybe a 20th of an acre restored to
tallgrass prairie. I had a smattering of Japanese beetles. They didn't seem
to have a favorite food and they are quite obvious sitting on a leaf .
They never did any extensive damage to.any particular plant. I was really
impressed that you had so many snapping turtles.  We were short on snappers
dead on the road. I didn't see many wandering around in people's
yard looking for a place to lay their eggs.  I birded the area behind the
MN Valley Natl. Wildlife Headquarters just after the flood waters went
down.  There were 3 dead snappers floating in a little backwash.  I thought
it might be because of the flood but another person on MN birds said they
have a pond where they saw a pair breeding, the next thing they were
floating dead.
Thanks for the post.

John Hamer



On Sun, Jul 2, 2023 at 7:48 PM Meierotto, Richard R. via Mnbird <
mnbird at lists.mnbird.net> wrote:

> By
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> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
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> *From:* Mnbird <mnbird-bounces at lists.mnbird.net> on behalf of Allen Batt
> via Mnbird <mnbird at lists.mnbird.net>
> *Sent:* Sunday, July 2, 2023 3:28:52 PM
> *To:* Mnbird at lists.mnbird.net <Mnbird at lists.mnbird.net>
> *Subject:* [Mnbird] BBS and Q about Japanese Beetles
>
>   For 30+ years of Junes, I’ve done a Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) covering
> parts of Mower, Freeborn and Steele Counties. A BBS isn’t only a frolicking
> foray away from life’s accustomed roads, it’s a practice in mindfulness. I
> start at 5:02 a.m. and make 50 stops for 3 minutes each and tally every
> bird I see or hear. Like many things in life, it’s important to listen.
> Each year, the Red-winged Blackbird has been the bird I’ve counted most
> often. The BBS never fails to thrill and surprise. I heard a Willow
> Flycatcher “Ah-choo.” Sandhill Cranes appeared as usual, but Trumpeter
> Swans did not. I see one Chimney Swift each year. Oddly, it’s always just
> one. Red-headed Woodpeckers weren’t in numbers high enough to cause anyone
> to consider a hunting season, but I saw a bunch. The collective noun for
> woodpeckers is a descent. I see that in flickers in my yard each year, but
> the Red-headed Woodpeckers were cleverly spaced for my constant amazement.
> Another highlight didn’t involve a single bird. I saw more Snapping Turtles
> than mosquitoes. I love a BBS—it keeps my 3-minute egg timer employed.
> Excelsior!
>   On another subject, that of Japanese Beetles, beautiful botherations
> that feed on over 300 plant species. I’ve heard and read that starlings are
> prime predators of adult beetles. Garter snakes and grackles were
> mentioned. I know skunks and raccoons tear up a lawn in their pursuit of
> Japanese Beetle grubs and chickens have plucked a few adults, but has
> anyone seen anything eating the adult beetles?
>
> Al Batt
>
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