Get Out!

Fun things to do and great places to discover nature.

• In May, eastern bluebirds begin raising a second batch of babies. Watch for mom and pop visiting nestboxes and look for their first batch of youngsters hunting for insects. Young bluebirds have speckled brown bellies, not the red and white bellies of adults.
• At sundown, look for bats fluttering around your backyard and near street lights. There’s no reason to be scared of these flying mammals. In fact, a single bat in a single night can eat hundreds of insect pests.
• Back in the day, hunters dug deep pits to trap lions and tigers and bears. The unsuspecting animals would fall into the holes and couldn’t climb out. You can catch smaller beasts — ant lions, tiger beetles, and woolly bear caterpillars — by burying a coffee can so it’s flush with the soil’s surface. Put rocks around the can and lay a small board on top. This will protect whatever you catch from sun and rain. Check your trap often, and release any insects you catch after you’ve taken a look.
• Some people see worms on a sidewalk after a storm and think, “Gross!” Others think, “Let’s go fishing!” If you’re the second type, gather the stranded wigglers in an empty coffee can and stuff in some loose, wet leaves. Keep the worms in a cool, shady place for a few days until you can get to your favorite fishing hole.
• Since school’s out, why not move your bedroom outside? It isn’t as hard as it sounds. Just pitch a tent in your backyard and pretend it’s your room for the summer. You can even run an extension cord to the tent for a fan or reading lamp. How many nights can you sleep outdoors?

Looking for more ways to have fun outside? Find out about Discover Nature programs in your area at mdc.mo.gov/events.