Fanwood Environmental Commission

Butterflies Spotted in the Garden

Nikolai Chowdhury — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:07:59 +0000

On our latest visit to the Fanwood Nature Center, we spotted some butterflies! This is great news for the garden. It means that we will have many caterpillars to feast on our vegetation. We spotted Monarch and Swallowtail butterflies as well as a few newcomers. Also, in addition to the butterflies, in an earlier visit we noticed many white eggs on the milkweed. We hope to come back and see many caterpillars and even more butterflies. Till then, come out and enjoy the garden.

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Butterfly Garden Update 9/19

nikolaic — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:42:35 +0000

Stopped by the nature center butterfly waystation this afternoon. Lots of caterpillars and chrysalises in the garden!!

Hummingbird Moth sighted at the Fanwood Nature Center's Butterfly Garden

Nikolai Chowdhury — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:17:23 +0000

While visiting the Butterfly gardens at the Nature Center butterfly garden recently, Commissioner Sandra Redder spotted a hummingbird moth…and captured the elusive creature in action. It seemed to really like the bee balm.

Some information on Hemaris thysbe:

The Hummingbird Moth, unlike most moths, is seen on clear, sunny days. Many people do confuse it with hummingbirds because of its coloration and how it moves.

Hummingbird Moths grow up to two inches long. They have an olive-green body with red bands across their abdomen. Tufts of hairs from the end of the abdomen look a lot like feathers. The wings of this moth are mostly clear, sometimes with some red near the body.

Hummingbird Moths live in fields, gardens and forest edges.

Adult Hummingbird Moths feed on nectar from many different flowers, just like hummingbirds. Some of their favorites include: Japanese Honeysuckle, Red Clover, Highbush Blueberry, thistles, wild roses, and blackberries.

Hummingbird Moths use a long, thin, needle-like mouthpart called a proboscis to eat. The proboscis stays coiled up like a garden hose until it is time to use it. When the moth approaches a flower, it uncoils its proboscis and dips it deep into the flower where the nectar is.

(Picture credit: Sandra Redder; Information sourced from http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/hummingbird_moth.htm)

Welcome to the New Website!

Nikolai Chowdhury — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:49:47 +0000

Welcome to the new FEC Website

Fanwood 3rd Annual Build-A-Birdhouse Contest

Nikolai Chowdhury — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:34:15 +0000

Deadline for entries: October 2, 2009 (4:00pm)
Drop off entries with Registration Form at Fanwood Memorial Library

Give a bird a home & be a winner!

The Fanwood Environmental Commission is happy to invite you to participate in our second annual “Build-a-Birdhouse Contest”. Birdhouses must be hand-made with bird-friendly material, should be able to withstand weather conditions for at least one year and include a suitable mounting mechanism. Birdhouses will be used in the Fanwood Nature Center or other Borough Open Spaces.

Two fabulous prizes will be awarded in each of the following two categories:

Child (under 13 years) and
General (13 years and above)

Entries should be dropped off with Registration form at the Fanwood Memorial Library during regular library hours by 4:00 pm on Oct 2nd. Winning entries will be announced at Fanny Wood Day on Oct 4th. All entries will be on display at our table. Hard copies will also be available at the Fanwood Memorial Library, Scotch Plains Library, and the Fanwood Borough Hall.

We are thankful to the following businesses for their generous donations towards prizes in this event.
Parker Gardens
Wild Birds Unlimited
Young Paints and Varnish
Sovereign Bank

Click here for helpful tips & resources on building bird houses,

For questions or more information, email fanwoodec@fanwoodec.org

Union County Bio-Blitz

Nikolai Chowdhury — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:36:15 +0000

Friday & Saturday, June 12-13, 5:00 PM

Briant Park, Hidden Valley and Houdaille Quarry (Summit & Springfield)

Introducing the new Interactive Nature Center Map

Nikolai Chowdhury — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:08:21 +0000

Find your way in the Nature Center with our new online map utility!

Visit the Monarch Waystation at the Fanwood Nature Center

Nikolai Chowdhury — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:07:28 +0000

The fantastic Butterfly Garden is being expanded. Look out for beautiful flowers and butterflies to come!