Lake Ripples - May 2009
LCC E-News Bulletin
June Presentations about the Lake!
Learn more about the lake at these upcoming events.
Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Natural History Tales and Trails
At the Mount Independence Historic Site, 497 Mt. Independence Road, Orwell, VT
A ramble aroudn the grounds of Mt. Independence with a lake natural history discussion.
Free
Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 7:00 PM
The Nature of Lake Champlain
At Bixby Library, 258 Main Street, Vergennes, VT
Natural history readings and discussions about the lake.
Free
Lake Look - How Can I Keep From Singing
As spring advances the world fills with sound. Months of winter’s muffled silence give way to a great symphony of singing, gurgling, croaking, and drumming. Yet what we hear as a joyous ensemble masks some nasty competition.
Birds are the best known chorus members. They communicate a variety of messages to others of their species through song, but mostly they say “stay away from my territory, unless you are a female ready to mate”. Researchers have shown that if a bird is removed from a territory, playing a recording of its song will prevent other birds from occupying the territory.
Not all birds rely upon song for auditory communication. Ruffed grouse cup and then vigorously flap their wings to create a drumming sound. Woodpeckers bang against trees not just to get food but also to communicate. Snipe and woodcock conduct aerial displays where sounds are created by the wind whistling through their feathers. MORE
