Comments on: Milkweed or What to look for in early July http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/07/03/milkweed-or-what-to-look-for-in-early-july/ A Bird Blog with Kate St. John Sat, 18 May 2013 21:53:18 +0000 hourly 1 By: Nellie Curran http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/07/03/milkweed-or-what-to-look-for-in-early-july/comment-page-1/#comment-7919 Nellie Curran Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:46:08 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=8324#comment-7919 Rowing on the Alleghrny River July 25 by the 62ed St. Bridgre we saw a Peregrin Falcon resting and enjoying the sunshine on one of the beams. Sorry I did not have a camera with me.

]]> By: Kate St. John http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/07/03/milkweed-or-what-to-look-for-in-early-july/comment-page-1/#comment-7825 Kate St. John Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:57:58 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=8324#comment-7825 First cicada called tonight, July 10, 2009.

]]> By: Marcy C http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/07/03/milkweed-or-what-to-look-for-in-early-july/comment-page-1/#comment-7790 Marcy C Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:33:10 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=8324#comment-7790 I just dug up and potted common milkweed, so if anyone would like to visit, I share, esp for the monarchs. I raise “kids” every year and this year I am starting on my second generation. I already release 20 in June…which was a month early from my earliest record for caterpillars and eggs (May 30).

The milkweed smells so good and it is busy with everything from bees, bugs, birds and butterflies. I will be cutting down about 1/2 of my plants after they are done blooming, so I can have fresh, tender leaves for the monarch caterpillars to munch and grow on. I also save the dried stems and put those out about mid-April for the Orioles to use for nesting material…they prefer the gray fibers over anything else I put out including untwisted baler twine(you get with bird seed). Other birds use the fibers also….it’s one of my favorite plants and it’s a native….

(If interested in plants, email me and I can share, as long as I have plants.)

]]> By: John English http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/07/03/milkweed-or-what-to-look-for-in-early-july/comment-page-1/#comment-7789 John English Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:57:48 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=8324#comment-7789 I’ve noticed that praying mantis also like milkweed. I’ve often found monarch eggs and mantis egg bundles on the same plant.

]]> By: Holly http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/07/03/milkweed-or-what-to-look-for-in-early-july/comment-page-1/#comment-7788 Holly Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:10:53 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=8324#comment-7788 errrr…that should have read, collecting and planting milkweed SEED.

]]> By: Holly http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/07/03/milkweed-or-what-to-look-for-in-early-july/comment-page-1/#comment-7787 Holly Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:10:24 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=8324#comment-7787 I am fairly sure that I will be collecting and planting milkweed next year. If I am not completely mistaken, isn’t it a very sweet and strong aroma?

A friend sent this very very cool link to a woman who makes sure a few of the Monarch butterflies hatch and get away safely each year, it was what inspired me to plant some in my garden next year.

http://chevymom0.blogspot.com/

it is fascinating for me to watch how quickly the caterpillars grow!

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