Get Outside in May

Our State Flower

Hawthorns are shrubs or small trees that occupy almost every kind of soil in every part of the state. In fact, there are dozens of kinds of hawthorns, but in the Show-Me State, there is one hawthorn that stands above the rest. That is the downy hawthorn. Named Missouri’s official state flower in 1923, its flowers resemble small apple blossoms.

Bee Thankful 

May 20 is World Bee Day, a day set aside to acknowledge the role and importance of bees and other pollinators in our ecosystem. Take some time to get to know the species of bumblebees that call Missouri home. You may notice bumblebees more this month, but their numbers are declining. If you find bumblebees on your property, watch them from afar and leave them be. To learn more about Missouri’s bumblebees and how you can help them, 
visit short.mdc.mo.gov/48L.

A Month for Mothers

May is the month we celebrate our mothers. But mothers in the animal kingdom also deserve some recognition. In most species, it is the female that takes on most of the responsibility of raising young. The female crayfish, for example, carries her eggs on her abdomen. Even after they hatch, which may take two to 20 weeks, they remain attached to her through two molts, or about a month. That is a lot of togetherness.

A Capella Amphibians

Frogs and toads come together with their unique calls, filling the air with a soundtrack for spring. See if you can distinguish one call from another. Here’s just a few examples:

• Blanchard’s cricket frog: a metallic gick, gick, gick.
• Gray treefrog: a musical, birdlike trill.
• Eastern narrow-mouthed toad: a bleating, nasal baaaa, which sounds like a lamb.
• Western narrow-mouthed toad: a short peel sound, similar to a buzzing bee.

For more information on Missouri’s frogs and toads and their sounds, visit MDC’s online Field Guide at short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9d.

Conservation Families: Time to Trap Insects

Saturday • May 17 • 9:30–11:30 p.m.
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center 
2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Registration is not required. For more information, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4jU or call 573-290-5218.

All ages

Hear that beetle buzzing past? See that butterfly fluttering along? Peep the bug burrowing in the dirt? Come and go at your leisure to this insect-centered event. Enjoy a naturalist-led table focusing on interesting insects found in Missouri. Then, take a net, magnifying glass, and insect keeper and attempt to catch some intriguing insects yourself. With the aid of an insect identification book and naturalist staff, identify each insect you catch.

Learn to Fish: Catfishing Under the Moon

Friday • May 16 • 12–1 p.m. 
Online only
Registration required by May 16. To register, call 888-283-0364 or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4jJ.
All ages

Catfishing is a great way to spend time in nature and catch some food. With the temperatures going up, fish tend to be less active during the day. Join us for this virtual program about night fishing for catfish. You can expect to learn equipment, how to choose a location, common species, safety, and more.

Simple Outdoor Moments

Beginner Birdwatching
Spending time in nature is never wasted.

Find a Place to Go.
Download the free MO Outdoors app.

Natural Events to See This Month

Here’s what’s going on in the natural world.

• Common nighthawks arrive.
• Hoary bats are commonly seen.
• Regal moths fly through August.
• Blue-eyed Mary blooms.
• Eastern collared lizards mate.