October
Monthly Weather Review
Rainfall Total – 3.5 in
Highest Temperature - 84°F
Lowest Temperature - 46°F
Average Wind Speed – 7.2 mph
Thursday, October 2
- CWF staff observed a spiky black caterpillar making its way across the road—who knew such tiny travelers take such bold daily journeys? (species not specified)
Friday, October 3
- Interns enjoyed a day in the creek searching for aquatic life such as crayfish.
- A beautiful Tiger Moth (Arctia caja) was spotted resting in the shade before taking flight.
- A Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans) jumped across the creek-bed rocks and leapt straight into Thompson Creek.
Tuesday, October 7
- While checking beetle traps, staff spotted a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) perched on a tree limb—who knew these raptors watch fieldwork with such interest?
- After a brief rainstorm, a vibrant rainbow stretched over the office building.
Wednesday, October 8
- A stunning sunrise greeted staff this morning, lighting up the landscape.
Thursday, October 9
- During an afternoon walk, staff saw a Barred Owl (Strix varia) glide overhead and land in a nearby pine tree—silent flight at its best.
- A brown Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa) was found waiting outside the office door.
Friday, October 10
- Fall interns continued work on their research collections. Wingate University student Erik Vega proudly displayed a crayfish he identified and returned to the creek.
- Staff and Wingate intern Ella Harm used an endoscope camera to explore the inside of a large den, likely used by Bobcats (Lynx rufus) or Coyotes (Canis latrans)—a rare behind-the-scenes look into wildlife shelter.
Tuesday, October 21
- During the weekly game-camera route, morning sunlight beautifully illuminated one of the woodland prairies.
Thursday, October 23
- A small green Spotted Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) with black dots landed on CWF staff—who knew such tiny beetles could be both striking and ecologically significant?
Friday, October 24
- Fall color is in full effect at Carolina Wildlands. One tree displayed brilliant reds and oranges at the top as the color slowly moved downward.
- A Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) was discovered under a wooden coverboard, enjoying the warm soil beneath.
- One of the fall interns set out tunnel traps baited with Vienna sausages in Fireworks Pond in hopes of catching crayfish.
Friday, October 31
- This Halloween was spent observing Thompson Creek. Interns continued their research collections, finding more crayfish and spotting a Carolina Mantleslug (Philomycus carolinianus) on a fallen tree.
