CNC Philly 2021: The Academy's "Most Wanted" List

The 2021 City Nature Challenge begins tomorrow! During the four days of the event, while we’re out making observations of plants and animals we encounter, we will also be keeping a special eye out for a few species in particular... and we want your help! Here are a few native species that we’d love to see in the CNC Philly collection!

Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/424676-Lithobates-kauffeldi
This species occurs in a narrow range along the coastal US between Connecticut and North Carolina.
Where to look: wetlands, marshes, and slow-flowing water.

Eastern Elliptio

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/151576-Elliptio-complanata
This freshwater mussel was once common in Philadelphia creeks, but is now rarely seen.
Where to look: Streambeds of local creeks

Flamed Tigersnail

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/213611-Anguispira-alternata
The most recent Academy record of this snail species is from 1998. There are a few recent observations on iNaturalist, but it is still very rare locally.
Where to look: In wooded areas, near logs, hollow trees, and rocks

Periodical cicadas

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/83854-Magicicada
The adults will not be around during the City Nature Challenge (they are expected to emerge in mid-May), but the nymphal holes and the nymphal cicadas may be evident on the forest floor. You can read all about them on the Academy blog here: https://www.anspblog.org/?s=cicadas
Where to look: The circular burrow openings can be visible in the ground, and nymphs might be visible under protected areas like logs.

Veery

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12901-Catharus-fuscescens
A native bird of North America, the veery wasn’t observed in the Philadelphia area during last year’s City Nature Challenge. Let’s try to find one this year!
Where to look: forested areas with dense canopy, especially near water sources

Here are a few more native taxa on the Academy's "Most Wanted" List!

Common Five-lined Skink: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/73788-Plestiodon-fasciatus
Fowler's Toad: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/64977-Anaxyrus-fowleri
Queensnake: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/28850-Regina-septemvittata
Slender Walker: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/205841-Pomatiopsis-lapidaria
Sundews: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/51935-Drosera
Northern Flying Squirrel: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/46266-Glaucomys-sabrinus
Falcate Orangetip: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/69844-Anthocharis-midea
Common Pawpaw: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/50897-Asimina-triloba

Happy searching!

Publicado el 29 de abril de 2021 por k_a_christopher