Miller House update
We have made repairs to the roof and septic system of the Miller House after a tree fell on the house during a tropical storm last summer. Following the repairs, we have since begun to transition the Miller House into an education center. Hope’s collection of books, manuscripts, and artwork (as well as artwork from her father, Edmund J Sawyer, a renowned ornithologist) will soon be moved to the library of the Miller House. If you would like to volunteer out of the elements, and with less physical demands, perhaps a day helping to organize the Refuge library would be for you. If you are interested, reach out and let us know.

Six-Day Firearm Season week
We had an eventful week during the 6-Day Firearm Season week, which took place December 7-12. Between our manager, Trustees and volunteers we were on the trails every day and covered the perimeter. We discovered a number of new tree stands offsite, adjacent to the Refuge as hunters regularly set up at our borders. A lot of target practice gunfire could be heard in the days leading up to Six-Day Firearm Season, and gunfire was heard throughout the week from property surrounding the Refuge.

In addition to specifications regarding firearm types, there are some points that differentiate this week from the rest of the hunting season(s). This week, in our experience, tends to be the busiest time of the entire season, during which we see (and hear) the most hunting activity. Reasons for that, according to NJFW, are:

• it is tradition (traditionally and historically when people do their hunting)
• it is the first opportunity to use a firearm (and first dibs at what might be available)
• permits and money (only the regular firearm permit is required during this week; to hunt any other time in the season, additional permits are required)

This information serves to reinforce the importance of patrolling the Refuge during all hunting seasons, and especially during 6-Day Firearm Season week. Thank you to those of you who were able to help this season!

Annual UWR Earth Day Cleanup April 25, 2021
On Sunday, April 25 the Refuge will be hosting our annual Earth Day Cleanup. Rain or shine, we will start at 11am on Piney Hollow Road to collect trash along a two-mile stretch that is adjacent to Refuge trails.

This is an important and long-time event for us, not only to clean up our environment in general, but also to gather debris before it migrates into the Refuge. We pick up and cut plastic beverage ring holders, particularly hazardous for animals. Items that are recyclable are separated from others for proper disposal.

Afterward, we will meet back at Miller House for a potluck vegan lunch. To keep our expenses down, we ask that each volunteer bring one or more vegan items to share with everyone. Please be aware that we do not allow any beverages in plastic bottles at the Refuge. Gloves are encouraged, masks are required, and sections will be assigned to socially distance.

RSVP by Wednesday, April 21 either to manager@unexpectedwildliferefuge.org or by calling: 856-697-3541.

Here are some recent news media articles concerning beavers. You can see our entire list, a tribute to this wonderful keystone species, in our Beavers in the News page. If you come across a news item on beavers, please send us the link so that we can consider it for inclusion.

Beavers return to Dorset for the first time in 400 years -- Emer Scully

"Their construction allows for deep pools of water which offer animals shelter from predators and a place to store food, and turns the surrounding land into a mosaic of nature-rich habitats. Beaver dams, ponds and channels help human communities too - by preventing flooding through slowing, storing and filtering water as it flows downstream."

Tallahassee beaver's misadventures end with a bubble bath -- Sandy Beck

"Recently, St. Francis Wildlife was called to rescue a small, adult beaver that had gotten stuck in a storm water treatment facility. The Tallahassee Fire Department, Tallahassee Animal Control and a Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy also arrived to offer back-up if needed. Yes, this is a town of animal lovers."

Mercer County deer need you
As cities and towns develop land and make changes to the landscape that make it more attractive to white-tailed deer, the inevitable result is a growing number of human-deer conflicts, ranging from garden and ornamental browse damage to roadway collisions. One of the most publicly supported and sustainable ways for communities to resolve these conflicts is by promoting policies of co-existence, which acknowledge the need to resolve conflicts while also encouraging appreciation of wildlife.

There are various ways to increase biodiversity and forest regeneration. Borrowing from the field of forestry, one can utilize the following techniques: permanent or moveable fencing, overstory thinning, small patch cuts, liming, fertilization of soil, stem protectors, etc.

We must be proactive and persistent for nonlethal deer solutions in 2021. Take action for deer! Contact Mercer County and tell them to stop cruel and ineffective deer killing and replace with effective, science based nonlethal conflict and impact management strategies.

Please write polite messages to:

• Brian M. Hughes, Mercer County Executive: E-mail: bhughes@mercercounty.org; telephone: 609-989-6518
• Andrew Koontz, Mercer County Commissioner, Chair: E-mail: akoontz@mercercounty.org; telephone: 609-989-6627
• Samuel T. Frisby, Mercer County Commissioner, Vice Chair: E-mail: sfrisby@mercercounty.org; telephone: 609-989-6557

Protect our waters and wildlife from plastic waste
Plastic pollution harms wildlife. It’s easy for a bird, fish or turtle to mistake small pieces of plastic for food--especially when there are millions of pieces of it floating in our waters, forming enormous garbage patches in our oceans.

Saying no to single use plastic and polystyrene foam containers is something we can do now to help wildlife. Please make the pledge to avoid these plastic products; your personal action and commitment will be vital in this campaign.

Please also sign and share the petition urging Governor Murphy to ban plastic foam take-out cups and containers: Protect our waters and wildlife from waste

Common tumblebug one of nature's recyclers
This common tumblebug (or tumble beetle), a small species of dung beetle, was seen traversing the gravel near our cabin barn. Found on all continents except Antarctica, dung beetles break down, bury, and consume animal waste, thereby recycling nutrients and helping plants thrive. After locating a dung pile, they grab pieces of the dung which they then roll (or tumble) into a ball. They may be found in pairs, with one member rolling while the other rides on top of the ball, as if navigating. After rolling the balls, they bury them for safe keeping using their strong front legs with outward pointing spines. The balls will be used as food or as brood balls in which the female will lay her eggs.

White-spotted sawyer beetle at Headquarters
Since construction was completed, the front steps of Headquarters have been trafficked by many visitors, including this white-spotted sawyer beetle. Common wood-boring beetles in North America, they can be clearly identified by the white spot, for which they are named, at the top center of the elytra (the hard, outer wings). They have very long antennae; in males they can be up to twice their body length but in females they are only slightly longer than body length. White-spotted sawyer beetles are a saproxylic species, spending at least part of their life cycle dependent on dead or dying wood. Both adults and larvae feed on conifers, breaking down the fibers of decaying trees, helping to add nutrients back to the soil. And coincidentally, this species shares the name “Sawyer” with our co-founder Hope’s family!

Striking spreadwing last summer
Damselflies and dragonflies were all over the Refuge this past summer--in wooded inner trails, on the pond edges, buzzing by us in the air. And we enjoyed every opportunity to observe and photograph them, educating ourselves about the many different species' behaviors and characteristics. This male elegant spreadwing, a large species of damselfly, was an especially beautiful sight with his metallic green thorax shining like a jewel. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies (both are a suborder of the order Odonata) but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most damselflies fold their wings in along their bodies when at rest, though as their name suggests, spreadwings rest with their wings spread open--holding them at an angle away from their bodies. Elegant spreadwings are one of the longest of the damselfly species in NJ, and from May through August we hope to spot them again, in and around our freshwater habitats.

More to ant mounds than meets the eye
We had to be extra careful when traveling in and out of Miller House when this group of 20 or so ant mounds was present, making sure we did not disrupt them. Although we can't be sure, they may all lead to one nest as there can be many entrances and exits to a single nest. An ant mound has 3 major purposes: it serves as the entrance to the belowground nest, it helps control the nest's internal temperature, and it helps protect the nest from predators or other intruders. They are built by worker ants who remove belowground soil they excavate during tunneling and nest chamber construction. The soil is then deposited aboveground, forming a mound. The second photo, taken in a different location on the Refuge about a month earlier, shows just one mound, but we think the contrast of the two different soil types is interesting.

Pearl crescent butterflies around the Refuge
The pearl crescent butterfly is a common and widespread butterfly species throughout the eastern US. With a wingspan of 1-1.5 inches, they are a small to medium sized butterfly, and they tend to be orange and brown with black markings in variable patterns. Not visible in these photos, the pearl crescent butterfly is named for a small, white crescent moon shape on the underside of the forewings. They can be found in habitats such as wooded edges, pastures, and fields, with males patrolling open areas for females. Though the photos may be a bit blurry, the two different individuals seen here, photographed about a year apart, exhibit differing black markings (click photos for larger view).

Bald eagles active on our main pond
It has been very exciting to observe and document the adventures of our resident bald eagles over the past year. We regularly see two adults, likely a mated pair, and a juvenile on our main pond. Although we have not seen a nest (yet) we have good reason to believe that this is a mated pair and one of their offspring and that the pair has a nest very close by. When these photographs were taken, it is likely the juvenile had recently fledged the nest, as mom and dad could be seen and heard calling to the young eaglet perched in a nearby treetop. Bald eagles are full grown at about 9 weeks old. They fledge at about 11 weeks, though in most cases, parents continue to deliver food for up to another two months. Previously listed as Endangered, bald eagles have made a remarkable recovery in NJ due to a combination of environmental and conservation efforts; reinforcing the idea that programs to protect and conserve wildlife can and do work. And we are very happy that UWR is among the places providing them safe habitat within which they can thrive.

A potpourri of plant life at the Refuge Our diverse habitat provides for a great variety of plants. They range from those that live on the ground, thrive in swamps or in open water to those that make other plants their home. We continue to add to our growing list of photographs, including those of newly identified plants as well for those already in our records, but for which we did not have images. The photos here represent just a few examples of the diversity of species. You can see the full list of the hundreds of species seen at the Refuge in our Plants at the Refuge page on our Web site.

Dedicated volunteer patrolling for 30 years
For the past 30 years Mary Ann Gurka has been volunteering with the Refuge, patrolling during Six-day Firearm Season week, helping to protect wildlife from hunters. Recounting her early days of patrols, she would meet Hope either at the cabin or on the boundary trail near Station 6, and Hope would instruct her where to go, always staying on the outer boundary trail to help deter hunters. At that time, Mary Ann had recently become a vegetarian after reading through some information on the horrors of factory farming; a friend had given her the pamphlet to read and upon finishing, Mary Ann threw away every meat item in her home. Wanting to learn more about how she could help animals and connect with like-minded people, she researched local organizations and came across Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, which remains a part of her life today. This past hunting season, Mary Ann once again patrolled during Six-day Firearm Season week with our manager, Jen, sharing stories of her experiences. We are very grateful for the dedication of volunteers like Mary Ann!

Winter then and now
The construction of our new Headquarters building was completed last summer and our manager is experiencing her first winter in the new building. When going through some pictures of the old cabin, we stumbled upon this snapshot from a snowy winter day in 1984. It is quite a change compared to the new Headquarters photographed in the recent snowstorm earlier this month, 37 years later! Although there are many fond memories associated with the old cabin, the updates were necessary to keep the Refuge protected by providing adequate housing for an on-site manager. As we share old memories, and make new ones, we continue to be grateful for everyone who has helped to make the new Headquarters possible. If you would like to contribute, please visit our Home page for more information and help us by donating towards our remaining debt on this project.

If you have a story about Hope, volunteering, or the Refuge in general that you would like to share please call or email us. We would love to hear your stories and perhaps even highlight them in a future issue of Beaver Tales to share with our readers!

Simple ways to help the Refuge
Do you have a birthday coming up? Instead of buying presents for you, you could ask your friends to make a donation to the Refuge. Or, what about that stuff in your garage you have been meaning to get rid of through a yard sale? Why not pledge to give the proceeds to the Refuge, letting the public know that their purchase price will go to help wildlife and the environment.

Helping wildlife and the Refuge in the future
We remind you to please remember Unexpected Wildlife Refuge when planning your will and estate. It is an easy, effective and lasting way to help the Refuge... and wildlife. When talking with your estate planner, just provide them with our name, address and tax identification number (23-7025010). This is one of the most important gifts the Refuge can receive. If you have already included us in your future plans, thank you!

Here are a few of the current issues where animals can benefit from your help. We urge you to take action and share with others.

NPR Promotes Cruel "Chicken" Wings: Earlier this month, NPR’s “All Things Considered” included a segment about “chicken wings” for Super Bowl watchers. A freelance food writer was interviewed by an NPR host about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the cost of chicken wings, and together they joked about how to eat the “wings” and so on. Near the end of the segment, the host asked her guest about “wings” for vegetarians/vegans, and the food writer said they’re available but aren’t “proper wings” – mere “faux” wings, don’t you know?

Given the torture inflicted on chickens from the hatchery to the slaughterhouse, including dragging them, face down and fully conscious, through paralytic electric shock water to fit their living bodies to the machinery and facilitate removal of their feathers after they are dead, we are asking that you express your opposition to NPR and the show’s producers.

Contact NPR to express your concerns: Contact All Things Considered; Protest Show Denigrating Chickens and Encouraging Violence

Support animals everywhere by going vegan: February is "Vegan Cuisine Month". Follow the link below to learn the history of vegan cuisine, read about the honorees for each day in February, and find vegan resources including recipes, and vegan restaurants in your area.

Vegan restaurants need your support. Where vegan options don't exist, let's encourage progress. Big events aren't happening, but it's a good time to dream. Do smaller activism now to lay the foundation for the future.

Please follow this link for more info, and patronize your local vegan restaurants: Vegan Cuisine Month

The team for this edition:

• David Sauder, story contributor and editor
• Jen Collins, story and photo contributor, and editor

Unexpected Wildlife Refuge
Mailing address: P.O. Box 765, Newfield, New Jersey 08344-0765
Web site: http://unexpectedwildliferefuge.org/
E-mail: info@unexpectedwildliferefuge.org
Telephone: 856.697.3541