Chipco Choice application 4-25-13

This week we are making our biannual treatment of Chipco Choice for mole crickets.  For more information on this topic please follow this link to one of our past blog posts

Blue Bird Nest Boxes

We recently relocated our blue bird houses out on the course. Previously we located the houses on trees with in a forested habitat.  These boxes were rarely used so we went back to research why.  We discovered that Blue Birds prefer grassy open areas for nesting sites.  We relocated our houses around a 6 weeks ago and we already have activity in all of our houses!

4/11/13

Nests were built are under construction in all 5 nest sites
5 eggs were in the box at hole 5 and 1 egg in the box on hole 9.

Nest from hole 5

 4-25-13

Eggs were located in boxes located on holes 9, 2 and 17.  0 eggs were in the boxes on 1 and 15.  Our first brood of hatchlings are in the nest box on hole 5.




Hatchlings on hole 5.


 

New plant material (Florida Azalea 'Escatawpa') added to the left of 9 Green

We recently have removed the overgrown unsightly brush to the left of 9 green.  Over the last few weeks we have added some new native plant material that will be a welcome addition to this beautiful hole.  The plants we have selected will provide seasonal color during the spring, summer and fall seasons!  The plants that have been planted in this area are Red Maple (acer rubrum), Sweetbay Magnolia (magnolia virginia), Wax Myrtle (myrica heterophlla), Florida Flame Azalea 'Escatawpa' (rhododendron austrinum 'escatawpa') and Muhly (muhlenbergia capillaris)

The newest addition to our facility is the Florida Azalea.  This variety was actually selected from the escatawpa river basin just a few miles away.  This plant has orange/yellow blooms that resemble honeysuckle during the month of April.  The flowers are very fragrant and they will attract humming birds and butterflies!

Florida Flame Azalea 'Escatawpa'

Florida Azalea being visited by a beautiful butterfly.

 

 

 

 Any entomologists out there chime in on the identification of the butterfly!