BRANCHING OUT

A LOOK INSIDE• Calendar of Events 4• Kid’s Corner 6• American Holly 7• Watershed Education 7

More Than a Nap

Nature Notes By Sharon Gurtz

December• Woodchucks hibernate.

• Starlings form flocks.

• Waterfowl populations peak.

• Look for bird and squirrel nests in the bare trees.

January • Great horned owls begin to nest.

• Red fox search for mates.

• Deer shed antlers.

• Robin flocks dine on holly berries.

February• Spring peepers begin to call.

• Bluebirds and wood ducks look for nest sites.

• Maple trees start to bloom.

• Striped skunks begin to breed.

Continued on page 2

Walker Nature Education Center

Winter 11-12 Volume Fourteen

Having lived along the Great Lakes, winter meant cold, snow, and seemingly constant cloud cover. These weather conditions often produced a personal lethargy, keeping me under covers on the couch with a good book. I often found myself envying the hibernation of other mammals that could sleep away the dreariness of our winter.

True hibernation, however, is more than simply sleeping through the winter. During hibernation, an animal’s metabolism is depressed. As metabolic rate decreases, so do rate of breathing and body temperature. When these changes occur in true hibernators they are remarkable. While the subject of hibernation causes many to immediately think of Black Bears, Woodchucks (also known as Groundhogs) are a true example of hibernation.

ALL YOU CAN EATIn late summer, Woodchucks prepare for winter by gorging on food to build up their fat reserves. This timing

is important, because a fattened Woodchuck is easier for a predator to catch. There must be a balance between its need for a layer of fat to survive winter and its ability to escape predators. Woodchucks also

mate early, ensuring that cubs are weaned prior to maximum food availability. This allows adults

to concentrate on eating when food is available, and gives cubs the

chance to pack on the necessary fat layers before winter, too.

By Ken Rosenthal

Walker Nature Education Center11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA 20191

Enjoy year-round access to trails, free parking

and restroom facilities dawn to dusk.

FEATURES72 acres of forested land,

a picnic pavilion, demonstration gardens, educational signage, a

campfire ring, two streams, a pond, the entrance to 44-acre Lake Audubon and an interpretive green building,

known as Nature House.

NATURE HOUSE HOURS Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays

Saturdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sundays 1 - 4 p.m.Closed December 23-26, January 1-2, 16 and February 20.

FOR MORE INFORMATION703-476-9689 www.reston.org

Branching Out is a quarterly publication of the Walker Nature Education Center (WNEC), owned and operated by Reston Association. The mission of the WNEC is to foster an environmental stewardship ethic in thecommunity. It is named after Reston’s first Open Space and Nature Center Director, Vernon J. Walker.

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More Than a Nap continued from page 1.

Branching Out is printed on 100 percent recycled paper using soy ink. It is produced using 100 percent wind

power. Please recycle.

These fat reserves are a life preserver during the winter. They sustain a Woodchuck through the long sleep of hibernation, and also provide nutrition

after it emerges in the spring. Woodchucks wake from hibernation early in spring, often before any of their food has appeared. After emerging, they need the

remaining fat for sustenance until plants and grasses begin sprouting in spring.

At some point in autumn, a point better known to Woodchucks than scientists, they seal off the entrance to their burrow and settle in for winter. While day length has some influence on when to hibernate, recent research indicates that a year-long, internal cycle plays a significant role. The length of hibernation varies considerably by latitude. Here in Virginia, hibernation may last three to four months. In the far northern reaches of the Woodchuck’s range, they could be in hibernation for six to seven months. In South Carolina, hibernation has been recorded for about 60 days, and in other southern areas, they may not hibernate at all.

ENDURANCE TESTAs the Woodchuck enters hibernation, its metabolic rate slows significantly. Heart rate drops from 80 beats per minute (bpm) to four to five bpm. To fully appreciate this interval between heartbeats, find a digital watch or some other display that shows seconds. Make a heart noise (I like ‘buh-bump’) and then wait 12-15 seconds before repeating. This example is far more impactful when spoken aloud.

Body temperature is also depressed. A Woodchuck’s body temperature will drop from 98°F to 38°F. At that point the Woodchuck’s body temperature is not much higher than the temperature in its den. The deepest portion of the den where they sleep is usually 5-6 feet underground, below the frost line. Compare this to a Black Bear, whose temperature has a relatively smaller drop, from 99°F to 88°F. To put these temperatures in a human context, hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature below 95°F. Both the Black Bear and Woodchuck spend their winter with a body temperature lethal to us.

Hibernation involves near-constant food consumption over several months, a severe reduction in metabolic activity over several more months, and a loss of 33-50% of total body weight by winter’s end. This resembles a rigorous endurance test more than a restful sleep. Not waking up from hibernation is nearly as significant a source of mortality to Woodchucks as predation. I no longer envy hibernating mammals, but I do admire the adaptations that enable them to survive through the winter.If you want to learn more about animals and their winter adaptations, I highly recommend reading Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival by Bernd Heirich. It is fascinating, knowledgeable and very accessible.

Please & Thank You By Katie Shaw

The on-going support of the community is essential to the nature center. Many people choose to support the center through volunteer work, others through cash or in-kind donations. Here are some ways that you can help, like your friends and neighbors below.

PleaseTax deductible donations are gratefully received by our charitable 501c3 organization, Friends of Reston, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Write “Nature Center” in the memo section of your check. You will receive a letter of receipt for tax purposes.

If you can donate one of the following items in new or like new condi-tion, please contact kshaw@reston.org or call 703-435-6510. Friends of Reston will provide you with a letter of receipt for tax purposes. Wish List: binoculars, freezer, black oil sunflower seeds for feeders, and any of the out of print Crinkleroot books or Newcomb’s Wildflower Guides.

Thank You to the Following Donors: Beth Lannon, Northern Virginia Stream Restoration Bank, George Paine, Barbara Paolucci, and Meg Keadle Rayford.

Thank You to the Following Volunteers: Osman Aijazi, Carolyn Badila, Amanda Barkan, Sarah Betti, Ryan Cash, Jayme Colosimo, Ramon Colon, Diane Blust, Erin Brandt, Michelle Cabrera, Kayannah Calhoun, Nancy Callahan, Anne Cannizaro, Meg Carroll, Hyder Cheema, Nancy Davis, Freya De Cola, Mbenoye Diagne, Karen Elliott, Becky Findley, Pam Findley, Maryann Fox, Malee Garcia, Karla Gonzales, George Graning, Carol & Jay Hadlock, Fiona Hagen, Hana Hanfi, Amalia Harte, Katie Heatherly, Chris Howard, Victoria Howard, Stephanie Huard, Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Katherine Kelly, Kayla Kent, Phenan Kidane, Marlene Koester, Beth Lannon, Catherine LaValley, Denise Lee, Olivia Leshock, John & Fran Lovaas, Catherine Linberg, Aalliiee Malmberg, Grace McCarthy, Suraya Mobasherul-lah, Muzzammil Mehdi, Wasay Mehdi, Benjamin Moody, Bob Mowbray, Kevin Munroe, Melissa Murphy, Katie Neal, Valerie Nelson, Polly Noble, Lana Omary, George Paine, Barbara Paolucci, Ponmali Photavath, Andy Rabin, Aidyn Ghulam Rasul, Greg Reinfeld, Reston Garden Club, Maria Silva, Manali Sontakke, Abby Studen, Avery Thompson, Meagan Thompson, Belen Torres, Richard Torres, Carolyn Tran, Lia Wang, Theresia Wortgewalt, Lina Wu, Will Yafi, Tamara Zeki, Richie Zeisler, and all of the native nut collectors.

Halloween Thank You

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We appreciate the 63 volunteers who helped create a fun and fantastic Halloween event despite the spooky, wet weather of “Snowtober”.

ATTENTION SCOUT LEADERSThe Walker Nature Education Center can help your organization earn patches & badges.

Make a Date with a Naturalist to...Lead a fun and educational program in an achievement area such as:Forester, Naturalist, Wildlife, Eco-action, Earth Connections, Earth is Our Home, Earth and Sky, Water Everywhere, Senses, Animals and more.FEE: $4 per participant (minimum charge $40), RA Members $6 per participant (minimum charge $60), Non-members

Lead a Campfire Fun or Campfire Cookery program.FEE: $5 per participant (minimum charge $50), RA Members $8 per participant (minimum charge $80), Non-members

NOTE: The Campfire Ring can also be rented for self-use. Fee: $10/hr. for RA members and $15/hr. for non-membersYou bring the wood and the water.

Lead a Community Service Project with your group. FREE.

Activity kits are also available on loan for Birds, Trees and Watershed requirements.

Call 703-476-9689 and press 3 or e-mail naturecenter@reston.org for details and reservations.

CALENDAR

DECEMBERWINTER WREATHSSaturday, December 3 ∙ 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.$15/wreath RA members$20/wreath non-membersAll agesGet started on your holiday decorating by making festive wreaths for your home. Listen to seasonal music and enjoy mulled cider and cookies. All supplies provided. Fee charged per wreath, not per person. When making reservations, include number of persons in your party and how many wreaths you would like to make. Reservations required by November 30.

WHOO’S THERE?Monday, December 5 ∙ 10 - 11 a.m.$5/child RA members$8/child non-membersAges 18 months to 35 monthsWhile many birds fly south for the winter, owls stay and face the cold weather. Learn how owls stay warm and read “Owl Moon.” Hoot like an owl and make a feathery craft. Reservations required by December 1.

WINTER WOODPECKERSMonday, December 12 ∙ 10 - 11 a.m.$5/child RA members$8/child non-membersAges 3 to 5Woodpeckers love to search the trees for food, even during winter. Learn about woodpeckers and other birds who peck on trees. Take a short hike to look for their homes and make a fun craft. Reservations required by December 9.

CANDLE MAKINGFriday, December 16 ∙ 7 - 8 p.m.$5/child RA members$8/child non-membersAges 5 to 12Before light bulbs, candles were an important item in every home. Learn where wax comes from and discover how candles are made. Dip a pair of candles

CRAFTY COYOTESMonday, January 9 ∙ 10 - 11 a.m.$5/child RA members$8/child non-membersAges 18 months to 35 monthsWho is the noisiest wild dog? The coyote, of course. Learn about coyotes, howl in a coyote chorus, feel some coyote fur and make a neat craft to take home. Reservations required by January 6.

HOT STARS ON A COOL NIGHTFriday, January 13 ∙ 7 - 8:30 p.m.$4/person RA members$6/person non-membersAll agesWinter is a great time to explore the galaxy. Learn about celestial objects that are now in view. Then head to the boat ramp at Lake Audubon Pool to check out the stars over the water. Hot cocoa will be provided. Reservations required by January 10.

OWL PELLET INVESTIGATIONThursday, January 19 ∙ 7 - 8 p.m.$5/child RA members$8/child non-membersAges 5 to 12Owls eat a variety of small animals. Learn how owls catch their prey, which owls live in Reston, and what they like to eat. Become a nature detective and dissect a real owl pellet! Reservations required by January 16.

ENVIRONMENTAL FILM NIGHT: TAKING ROOT – THE VISION OF WANGARI MAATHIFriday, January 20 ∙ 7 - 9 p.m.$5 suggested donation

AdultsTaking Root tells the dramatic story of

Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy—a movement for which this charismatic woman became an iconic inspiration. After the film, there will be a short discussion. Brought to you in partnership with Sustainable Reston. Reservations required by January 17.

Call 703-476-9689 and press 5 or e-mail naturecenter@reston.org for reservations and information. Advanced reservations are required for all fee-based programs. Programs may be canceled in the event of severe weather, severe weather warnings or low enrollment. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All programs will be held at the Walker Nature Education Center 11450 Glade Drive, unless otherwise noted.

of Events

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and decorate a pillar candle with natural materials. Keep your candles for yourself or give them away as gifts. There will be colonial music and refreshments while we work. All supplies provided. Reservations required by December 13.

DIGITAL CAMERA SCAVENGER HUNTWednesday, December 28 ∙ 2 - 3 p.m.$4/person RA members$6/person non-membersAll agesCalling all shutter bugs! Bring your digital camera, and search the trails for a list of interesting things and creative pictures to compose. Gather back at Nature House where we will warm up with refreshments, enjoy your photos and award prizes in kids and adult categories. Reservations required by December 22.

JANUARYWINTER BIRD COUNTSaturday, January 7 ∙ 7 a.m. - NoonFree, AdultsJoin us for a half-day annual bird count throughout Reston’s natural areas. Meet local bird experts, learn tips on identification and have fun while helping obtain important information about our feathered friends. Enjoy lunch, tally results and swap stories back at Nature House following the count. Reservations required by January 4.

Thank You Seed Collectors The following volunteers dropped off seeds at the nature center as part of the Potomac Conservancy’s Growing Native initiative. They collected nearly 300 pounds of acorns, walnuts and other tree seeds. The seeds have been taken to the state forestry nursery where they will be planted and used to restore riparian forests in the 15,000 square mile Potomac watershed.

A.L. BarnumCarol IvoryJennie KaufmanJulie Bender & Brendon PerkinsEileen DoughtyCynthia O’Connell & Steven RobinsonDomenick DiPasqualeJoseph PembertonBret LeslieCatherine LindbergMichael SheaffertLisa Mayne

CALENDAR of Events

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STINKY SKUNKSMonday, January 23 ∙ 10 - 11 a.m.$5/child RA members$8/child non-membersAges 3 to 5Despite their smelly reputation, skunks are very neat. Find out what skunks like to eat, why they are black and white, and if they are active during the cold winter months. Make a cute craft and sing a silly, smelly song! Reservations required by January 20.

MENU FOR THE FUTUREMondays, January 23 – Feb. 27 ∙ 7 - 8:30 p.m.$25/person RA or RCC members$30/person non-membersAdultsJoin this facilitated discussion course about modern food systems and our role as consumers in a global food marketplace. Participants will receive a book of readings that form the basis of each of the six discussions. The readings consider food from cultural, economic, ecological, health and social perspectives. Coordinator: Diane Blust, Sustainable Reston Local Foods Working Group. Brought to you in partnership with Reston Community Center. (Pay your fee when you pick up course materials approximately two weeks before the first session.) Reservations required by January 9.

HOME HUNTING IS FOR THE BIRDSSaturday, January 28 ∙ 11 a.m. - Noon$4/person RA members$6/person non-membersAll agesThe best time to spot bird nests is in the winter when the leaves are gone. Learn how birds select a location and make their nests. Examine some real nests up close, then go on a short hike to see if we can find some along the trail. Reservations required by January 25.

FEBRUARYTRACK LABSaturday, February 4 ∙ 11 a.m. - Noon$5/person RA members$8/person non-membersAll agesAnimals are all around us, but we don’t always see them. Discover the clues that animals leave behind. Learn how to tell the footprint of a fox from that of a raccoon. Make a track bandanna, and go on a hike to look for signs of wildlife. Reservations required by February 1.

THE MATING GAMEFriday, February 10 ∙ 7 - 8 p.m.$4/person RA members$6/person non-membersAdultsJoin a naturalist for an enlightening exploration of our local wildlife’s weird, wild and wonderful mating scene. Find out which male fish wants to appear as a female, which amphibians can “hug” too much, and the hidden costs of being too attractive. Reservations required by February 7.

GROOVY GROUNDHOGSSaturday, February 11 ∙ 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.$5/child RA members$8/child non-membersAges 3 to 5Groundhogs are rodents with many names who can do more than just dig holes. Learn about their other names, how deep they can dig, and what else they can do besides dig. Make a groundhog puppet to take home, and enjoy a snack and story. Reservations required by February 8.

CHEEKY CHIPMUNKSMonday, February 13 ∙ 10 - 11 a.m.$5/child RA members

$8/child non-membersAges 18 months to 35 monthsChipmunks emerge from their winter dens this month. Join us to read “Chipmunk Song,” make a chipmunk mask, and then go looking for our chipmunk friends who have just woken up! Reservations required by February 10.

FEBRUARY BIRD WALK: RESTON’S LAKES - WATERFOWL AND RAPTORS TOURSunday, February 12 ∙ 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.FreeLake Audubon Boat Ramp - 2070 Twin Branches Drive, next to Lake Audubon Pool.AdultsParticipants are invited to gather at the South Lakes Shopping Center Starbucks later in the morning to warm up, and then check for birds on Lake Thoreau. If the birding is especially good, we may caravan or carpool to other Reston sites. Leader: Kevin Munroe

OWL PROWLFriday, February 24 ∙ 7 - 8:30 p.m.$5/person RA members$8/person non-membersAll agesMeet a wildlife rehabilitator from the Raptor Conservancy for an up close look at some live owls of Virginia. Then prowl along the trails in search of the nature center’s resident owls. It will be a hootin’ good time. Reservations required by February 21.

While the leaves are off most of the trees in our woods, it is a wonderful time to look for my forest friends. Other than us delightful squirrels, one animal you may spot is a White-tailed Deer. Deer are some of the largest animals found in Reston. They can measure up to three feet tall at their shoulders, and usually weigh between 100 and 150 pounds. That’s more than a lot of you reading this story.

In the winter, White-tailed Deer have a grayish-brown coat. This color helps the deer blend in or be camouflaged with the trees that appear mostly gray. In the summer, the deer’s coats are more of a reddish-brown color, which helps

them to be camouflaged with the rich colors seen during that time of year.

Male deer are called bucks. You can usually tell which deer are male by looking for antlers that grow on their heads. However, each year in December and January bucks shed,

or drop, their antlers. They will begin to grow a new pair in March.

Although deer may prefer to eat the leaves of fresh, green plants, they survive the winter by eating acorns, twigs and buds from different types of trees,

and leaves from evergreen plants. Usually, deer are most active at dawn and dusk.

This winter, see if you can spot one of these graceful animals, or even just a glimpse of their white tails, raised like flags, as they run away into the forest.

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Kid’s Corner

By Earl the Squirrel with help from Abby Stocking

A Deer Winter

L B E C A U S E T H S H E Y H

A I V F E B U C E K G T E E T

T H A P O T N R W C I G G Z D

S H C T Z O B Q Q B W V D G W

E L G K E I H I U M T Y C L V

R I A C V T S R E L T N A M R

O W J O A N I E M J E Q A A E

F H R B E M X H K R D O E M T

L E A N D E O D W X T F Y M N

T W Y V F R D U E M X W E A I

Q N T K O F Q H F E V Y C L W

D O H Z B N N A Y L R Z S V G

F A W N C I U K O G A D G Q I

Z G J G Z G S O R U U G P K N

D X V N I Z Y O M B C D E J E

FINDANTLERS

BUDSCAMOUFLAGE

DEERDOE

FAWNFOREST

HERBIVOREHOOF

MAMMALTWIGS

WHITETAILWINTER

Instructions:1. Ask an adult to cut two circles from the paper plate to make eye holes.2. Color one side of the plate brown3. Glue the large craft stick onto the side of the plate you left white, centered

below the eye holes so that it sticks out past the plate like a handle.4. Glue the black pom pom onto the brown side of the plate below the eyes

so it looks like a nose.5. Trace your hands onto the piece of brown construction paper.

Cut them out.6. Glue the handprints along the top edge of the plate

so that they stick up like antlers.7. Once the glue has dried, hold

the mask to your face to look like a deer.

Materials: Paper plate

Brown markers or crayons

Large craft stick

Small black pom pom

Glue

Scissors

Brown construction paper

Deer Mask Craft

Why Do Male Deer Need Braces?

ANSWER: Why do male deer need braces? Because they have buck teeth.

Hidden Message Word SearchCircle the words from the list below.

Write the remaining, uncircled letters in the spaces below to find the answer to the joke.

Answer at bottom of page...

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Native Spotlight: AMERICAN HOLLY(Ilex opaca) By Sharon Gurtz

The American Holly is a native evergreen tree common to the southeastern United States. Hollies are slow growing but can reach 50 feet. In our area, they are often seen as a smaller (20 – 30 ft.) understory tree or in woodland borders. Hollies prefer acidic to slightly-acidic soils but can tolerate a variety of soil types. Plant American Holly trees to screen your yard from neighbors, streets and pathways or to add visual interest to your understory landscaping. Color Year-RoundAmerican Holly foliage is attractive in forests, yards, and holiday decorations. In addition to the beautiful green leaves present year-round, the tree produces tiny white flowers in spring that are a good nectar source for native bees. Colorful red berry-like fruit mature in autumn and persist into winter. Berries will be present on the female plants that have been pollinated by a neighboring male plant.

Wildlife OasisThe American Holly provides excellent winter shelter for birds and other animals when most forest trees have lost their leaves. Its red fruit is eaten by many birds including the Northern Flicker, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Mockingbird, White-throated Sparrow, Eastern Towhee and Wild Turkey. Other animals known to eat holly include deer, squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, raccoons, mice and rabbits. The American Holly also provides good nest sites for a variety of songbird species, especially bluebirds and thrashers.

American Holly is a good native alternative to bamboo and privet.

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Watershed Education Programs Reach Entire 7th Grade By Abby Stocking

This October, seven Reston Association employees from the Walker Nature Education Center and Watershed Management staff partnered with teachers from Langston Hughes Middle School to help provide a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) for the entire seventh grade. RA staff led six programs for approximately 350 students, which included five hands-on stations located near a tributary of Snakeden Branch. Students learned about stream chemistry, macroinvertebrate sampling, stream geometry, stream flow, and stream habitat.

As part of their MWEE, an additional 130 gifted and talented seventh graders from Langston Hughes participated in the annual Beaver Pond Field Trip, a joint program of the U.S. Geological Survey and Reston Association. Students visited eight learning stations in The Glade Stream Valley. Nature Center staff conducted an interactive unit on the natural history of beavers and beaver management. Watershed Management staff presented information about the stream restoration project. RA staff was pleased to share the importance of our water resources with these 480 students. Doing so helped teachers and students meet their curriculum’s science requirements.

Recognizing the value of hands-on environmental education, the Chesapeake Executive Council adopted the Meaningful

Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) initiative in 2000. Virginia agreed to

supporting this multistate effort upon signing the Chesapeake Bay

Agreement in 2000, and subsequently the Chesapeake

Watershed Education Agreement: Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship in 2005. MWEEs promote Bay stewardship to ensure that each student has a valuable

watershed experience before graduating from high

school.

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDRESTON, VA

PERMIT NO. 21Walker Nature Education Center11450 Glade DriveReston, Virginia 20191

8 Branching Out Winter 11-12

www.reston.org

Looking for the perfect spot for a community meeting, family gathering or business retreat? Affordable and attractive rentals are available at the nature Center.Nature House Multipurpose Room 664 square feet of space in new Nature House, capacity 94 people, seats 44 people with tables and chairs. Parking and restroom access.RA Member or Reston not-for-profit fee $30/hr.Non-member or Non-Reston not-for-profit fee $50/hr.For profit/corporate fee $75/hr.

Nature Center Pavilion 576 sq. ft. pavilion with picnic tables and bench seating in a beautiful woodland setting. Parking and restroom access.RA Member fee $20/hr.Non-member fee $30/hr.For profit/corporate fee $50/hr.

Campfire Ring Campfire pit with bench seating, small pavilion and picnic tables. Roadside parking. No restroom. RA Member fee $10/hr.Non-member fee $15/hr.For profit/corporate fee $25/hr.

Renters must supply their own wood and water to extinguish the fire.

RENT SPACE AT THE NATURE CENTER

For details and reservations, call 703-476-9689 and press 3 or

e-mail naturecenter@reston.org.