Milkweed Munchers

The Common Milkweed can be seen throughout most of Kentucky and is found on many Kentucky State Parks. Lake Cumberland does have milkweed plants in various areas of the park. The milkweed is a native plant.  Many people see the milkweed as a nuisance plant, but to the insect world it is their life line. 

As you can see the milkweed has numerous pods of buds on the plant.  As they mature and blossom they become an essential food source for many insects that are a very important part of pollination of other plants too. Keeping a healthy balance in nature is the key to ensuring the existence of food sources for everyone.

The Common Milkweed is very beneficial to the insect world of nature.  The milkweed provides food and nourishment to numerous types of insects especially Monarch butterfly larvae, Swallowtail butterflies, Bumblebees, Honeybees, Ruby Throated Hummingbird, Black Carpenter Ants, and the beautiful Snowberry Clearwing Hawk Moth.  These are just a few insects that depend on the milkweed plant for food.

Here you can see the Snowberry Clearwing Hawk Moth sipping nectar from the beautiful purple blossoms.  Once the pods are in full bloom they provide a substantial food source for the moth.

 

Here we see the bumblebee and hawk moth dining together.  It is not unusual to see four to five bumblebees on one blossom.  The huge purple balls of nectar attract almost any hungry insect present.

So when you sneeze and snarl...remember the importance of the milkweed plant in nature.

For more information on the common milkweed plant visit the following websites:

http://natureinstitute.org/txt/ch/Milkweed.pdf

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/common_milkweed.htm

Written by:  Kathy Myers- Volunteer

Black Rat Snake, Friend or Foe?

Usually when most people see a snake of any kind the first response is a shrill scream to KILL IT, KILL IT!  One thing we humans need to learn though is that all snakes are not the same.  While we should in most cases try to avoid killing any snake, understanding snakes could accomplish that in many cases.

Always remember to never attempt to touch or pick up a snake unless you have been trained in proper snake identification and handling.  Knowing the difference in venomous and non-venomous snakes is essential  in the wild and could save your life.

At Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Robert Myers, the park naturalist captures a black rat snake each year to use in his snake programs. In the programs he covers snake facts/myths and behaviors.  The programs give guest a chance to see and touch a snake but in a controlled setting and with someone who knows and understands the snake and uses proper safety precautions.

The black rat snake is a very timid type snake.  They usually can be picked up correctly with no problems from the snake, with the exception of getting squirted with a little musk that has a very foul odor and taste.  The musk release is their way of protecting themselves from predators that might want to eat them. 

The black rat snake loves to dine on rodents, usually mice, but they will consume chipmunks, moles, lizards, frogs,  and other small mammals.  The black rat snake is a constrictor which means they bite their prey and then squeeze it until it suffocates before they eat it.


The black rat snake climbs very well in the trees. They are also  good swimmers,  which also allows the to get to various hunting locations easily.  Black rat snakes are often found around barns, houses, grain silos, and old buildings because of the food source present.  They have been known to be a farmer's best friend for killing mice and rats which damage, destroy, and carry diseases.

Actually, you might find this snake in most locations where a food source is available.  The point to remember is that the black rat snake is non-venomous, non- aggressive, is helpful around farms and homes, and is only searching for food, so before grabbing the hoe or stick to KILL IT...step back and give it a chance to move on away.

To learn more about the black rat snake you can visit these online websites:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/Factsheets/Blackratsnake.cfm
http://muwww-new.marshall.edu/herp/snakes/black_ratsnake.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_rat_snake

Written by : Kathy Myers- Volunteer

Baby Wildlife. Are you helping or hurting?

Many examples exist of people driving along down the road or working on their property and encountering a baby deer, Raccoon, Opossum, etc. Often, individuals are quick to swoop the animal up into their arms, and begin to worry about the care of these small, infant animals. Baby wildlife naturally looks very helpless when encountered. Newly born deer slip, trip and fall to the ground and stand with unsteady legs, just learning how to stand and walk. These animals' mothers are generally in close proximity to the babies, but may be just out of sight. More times then not, most people pick up these animals in an attempt to help, but are actually hurting the well being of these infant animals.

Baby Raccoons in their den (Photo courtesy of Thomas Barnes).

Animals are great parents. They raise and nurture their infants much like people and excel at being parents. They tend to the every need of their babies and will put their lives on the line in order to raise their young. This sometimes includes leaving their babies to search for food, or staying a distance from their young as much as possible to prevent attracting attention to an area where their young may be hiding. So even if you see a baby animal seemingly alone, more often than not, its mother will be close by. Sometimes there are special circumstances, where a baby's mother is hit by a vehicle, or the baby is somehow injured to the point that without human intervention it will not survive. But even in these cases, one must be careful. Injured wildlife will fight for their lives and will make every attempt to defend themselves. Some animals may be sick, and a bite from one of these animals could pass diseases like rabies on to the well meaning person trying to help. One must also bear in mind that in many cases it is illegal to transport wildlife.

Dawkins Line Rail Trail Officially Opens

One of 24 trestles along the first 18 miles of the Dawkins Line

RICEVILLE, Ky. —  Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear, along with trail enthusiasts and local officials, opened the first 18-mile section of the Dawkins Line Rail Trail today, June 15, 2013. The former railroad line is the newest adventure tourism attraction in Eastern Kentucky for hikers, horseback riders and cyclists.

“We want the Dawkins Line Rail Trail to attract tourists and help develop the local tourism economy,” Gov. Beshear said. “I know people are excited about the future of this trail and what it can do for this region.”    



The Governor and First Lady joined with other officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony near Riceville in Johnson County, where an unimproved trailhead will be located.

Governor and Mrs. Steve Beshear enjoying a
bike ride along the Dawkins Line.

The first 18-mile leg of the trail, from Hagerhill in Johnson County to Royalton in Magoffin County, features 24 trestles and 662-foot Gun Creek Tunnel. Another trailhead is located at Royalton in Magoffin County.

Commissioner Elaine N. Walker getting ready
to do some mountain bike riding.

“The natural beauty and rolling hillsides are perfect for hiking, cycling and horseback riding,” said Mrs. Beshear. “There’s a great demand for new trails and I believe the Dawkins Line will become very popular very soon.”

Work on the rail trail – the largest in the state -- was carried out by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The trail will be managed by the Kentucky Department of Parks. The Finance and Administration Cabinet issued a contract to BOCA Enterprises of Hagerhill for construction of the first phase and work was completed this month.

Gun Creek Tunnel (662 feet long)

State funding for the 36-mile former rail line was initially provided by the 2006 General Assembly. The purchase of the property from the R.J. Corman Railroad Group was finalized in the spring of 2011. The trail name comes from the Dawkins Lumber Company, which developed the rail line in the early 1900s for timber harvesting and transportation.

The Dawkins Line is modeled after another successful rails-to-trails project in southwest Virginia -- the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail. The trail in Virginia attracts over 200,000 visitors a year and has led to new businesses with a positive economic impact.

The Dawkins Line is for horseback riders, bicyclists, and hikers.

 The 18-mile section currently has two unimproved trailheads; one near Riceville at Swamp Branch and the second at Royalton. Both have parking areas. The Dawkins Line Rail Trail is open during daylight hours and motorized vehicles are prohibited.

The second phase of the Dawkins Line Rail Trail is in the planning stages.  More information about the Dawkins Line Rail Trail is available at THIS WEBSITE. 

Article From The Herald Dispatch, Ashland, Ky