Kaw Valley Almanac for June 14 – 20, 2021
Many animals are becoming more nocturnal to beat the heat these days, and with the waxing moon, expect more night activity, so be careful when you drive in the country after dark.
Many animals are becoming more nocturnal to beat the heat these days, and with the waxing moon, expect more night activity, so be careful when you drive in the country after dark.
Mulberries are ripe, elderberries and blackberries are blooming and wild raspberries are forming. But don’t forget about ticks and chiggers if you are out picking berries!
Sign up for a hike with Kaw Valley Almanac writer Ken Lassman on National Trails Day, coming up Saturday, June 5!
Recent rains have begun a significant increase in fruiting mushrooms which will only increase as temperatures warm. There are more than 400 mushroom species in Kansas, so keep an eye out for a wide variety of these fungi in coming weeks.
There’s been lots of publicity about 17-year cicadas in the Northeast U.S. emerging this year, but the local “Kansas” Brood IV emerged in 2015 and won’t reappear again until 2032.
This may be the time of year with the most variety of bird
species easily visible or heard. Smartphone apps can record birds and ID them by their songs.
In area woodlands, black locusts and May apples are blooming as are strawberries, while wild cherry blossoms are winding down.
Warmer temperatures predicted for this week may end morel season unless we get more rain, which might actually happen.
Ken Lassman will be posting his weekly nature updates here to help you tap into ancient, ever-renewing cycles that might help you find your place on this planet more interesting.
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