Diario del proyecto Academy Naturalists

Welcome, Academy Naturalists! We are excited for this group to launch on Friday!

It's no coincidence that Friday also marks the start of the 2021 City Nature Challenge!

The CNC is a friendly global competition where residents of more than 300 cities compete to see who can record the most wildlife. From April 30 to May 3, we’ll be documenting the plants, animals and fungi in Philadelphia and surrounding counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Identification phase runs from May 4 to May 9 before results are announced on May 10.

Participation is easy: Any observation on iNaturalist, geotagged from anywhere in the designated area (Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties in New Jersey), and time-stamped during the four days of the event, will count towards Philadelphia’s tally!

For more info on City Nature Challenge and to follow along, check out these links:

CNC Philly iNaturalist Project Page:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2021-greater-philadelphia-area
See all of the CNC Philly observations, track progress, and help identify others' observations.

Global CNC iNaturalist Project Page:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2021
Track worldwide CNC observations and see how Philadelphia is faring compared to other cities around the world!

CNC Philly Homepage:
www.cncphilly.org
Get additional info about CNC Philly, how to participate, partner organizations, etc.

Global CNC Homepage:
https://citynaturechallenge.org/
Get overall CNC information, history, events, etc.

When the CNC ends, the Academy Naturalists group will still be a place where the Academy community, including our staff, members and supporters, can connect and explore nature together. We can't wait to see what you add to the Academy's virtual collection!

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!