Rare Flameflower Adventure

Six intrepid BRFAL-VMN members braved a hot and humid summer day in June at Bald Knob Natural Area Preserve to view the rare Piedmont fameflower in bloom.  Guided by Jordan Daniels and Grace Cecil, Mountain Region Assistant Stewards for Virginia’s D.C.R. - Natural Heritage Program, we also learned about the local flora and geology on the 1.3-mile hike through woodlands and grassland barrens.

Bald Knob is a monadnock, an isolated hill of metamorphic rock that weathers and erodes slower than the rocks of the surrounding lowlands.  The mafic rocks of Bald Knob are rich in minerals, which contribute to the fertile soil here.  

The Piedmont fameflower is known to exist at only five locations on Earth, all within the Piedmont of Virginia and North Carolina.  Bald Knob Natural Area Preserve protects the largest population of this rare wildflower.  Blooms open only in the early afternoon of sunny summer days and thrives in the shallow soil and southern aspect of Bald Knob N.A.P.   With succulent leaves to store water, this flower can survive the water-stressed soil and summer heat.

On the day of our chapter field trip, the Fameflower did not open up its bloom in all its glory, due to a cloudy day with a thunderstorm on the horizon.  But, it was still a treat to see this tiny plant with its pretty purplish-pink petals.  Other Virginia native plants that we saw in bloom at Bald Knob: Eastern Prickly Pear, Carolina Wild Petunia, Climbing Milkvine, Common Milkweed, Purple Passionflower, Common Yarrow, Black-eyed Susan, & Oxeye Daisy.  

It’s definitely worth returning to Bald Knob N.A.P. on a sunny summer day to catch the Piedmont fameflower open its bloom!

-by Sue B.

Mark your calendars!

 

Baby Bluebirds!

 

There is good news from our bluebird monitoring team! The first hatch of the season has arrived.

This week, Box 10 revealed 5 chicks and Box 11 has 6 healthy chicks. Another nest is close behind, with 6 eggs that will hopefully hatch soon. It is a strong and encouraging start for our local bluebird population.

Our monitors continue their weekly checks, tracking nest activity and supporting this important conservation effort. Shout out to all of our monitors, led by Dick and Calvin! 

Monarch Monitoring Takes Flight

Spring is underway, and BRFAL volunteers have begun monitoring milkweed for monarch life stages at Booker T. Washington National Monument as part of the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project.

This North America–wide effort, led by Monarch Joint Venture, tracks monarch eggs, caterpillars, and milkweed growth to support conservation. In our area, BRFAL participates through both at-home efforts and registered public sites.

At BTWNM, two sites are being monitored this year: a common milkweed patch in the Heritage Garden and an unmowed area beyond the historic grounds. Milkweed emerged in early April, and weekly surveys began right away.

As of April 21, volunteers have recorded 41 milkweed plants and 3 monarch eggs in the garden patch, and 16 plants with no eggs yet in the unmowed area. It is still early in the season, and more activity is expected in the weeks ahead.

Monitoring involves collecting data on milkweed density, noting the presence of monarchs across all life stages, and tracking weekly rainfall. Each observation helps us understand monarch populations across the North America.

The local team includes Sue B., Calvin M., Jennifer H., Posie M., Sandy W., Lynn F., and Lorraine A.- shout out to them!

Those interested in participating can complete training through the Monarch Joint Venture, and contact Sue B for more information.