Naturalists encourage bird baths, feeding and keeping an eye out for summertime nesters.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) says summertime is for the birds. According to MDC naturalist Angela Pierce, though spring is when birds may come to mind the most, there are many reasons to consider them in the hotter months.

“Many birds can use some help to beat the summertime heat,” said Pierce. “Bird baths, especially at different height levels, can provide backyard birds with a refreshing chance to get a drink or cool off with a bath.”

Pierce recommends changing the bird bath water periodically to cut down on mosquitos and clean it occasionally with a scrub brush to prevent the spread of diseases.

Though many people feed birds in winter, bird feeding is also beneficial in the summer months. Pierce recommends adding different foods to the normal backyard menu such as artificial nectar for hummingbirds, oranges and grape jelly for Orioles and mealworms for bluebirds. For the artificial nectar, mix ¼ cup sugar to 1 cup water and pour into a hummingbird feeder.

Pierce said to be on the lookout for summertime nesters such as American goldfinches, American robins and mourning doves. American goldfinches start nesting in June or July. They feed their young seeds, so they must wait until these seeds develop on plants. American robins continue to nest in summer, having up to three broods. The mourning dove beats the robin by having up to six broods a year, nesting well into the early fall.

“Summer-time nesters sometimes cause people to worry,” Pierce said. “It can surprise people to see baby birds that haven’t quite figured out how to fly and end up falling out of the nest, but people should not interfere with fledgling birds.”

Instead, Pierce suggests not drawing attention to the young bird, staying a distance away and leaving it alone. Keep pet cats or dogs away from the fledgling and realize the bird’s parents are keeping a close watch from a distance.

“Bird parents will only return when people aren’t around,” Pierce said.

More information about summertime birding will be included in “What’s the Buzz,” an upcoming free program at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, Saturday, June 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. No registration is required for this event. Participants will learn how birds, bees, butterflies and even bats work to pollinate flowers throughout the summer.

Taney County angler catches state-record sunfish
Congratulations to Dominik Penner on breaking the state record by catching a 1-pound, 5-ounce redear sunfish on a trotline.

Taney County, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Dominik Penner of Merriam Woods Village became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he caught a redear sunfish on Table Rock Lake. The new “alternative method” record fish caught by Penner on May 14 weighed 1 pound, 5 ounces. Penner’s recent catch broke the previous state record of 1-pound, 1-ounce, caught earlier this year.

Penner caught the fish on a trotline. A trotline is a heavy fishing line with baited hooks attached at intervals by means of branch lines called snoods. A snood is a short length of line which is attached to the main line using a clip or swivel with the hook at the end.

MDC weighed the redear sunfish on a certified scale at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson.

“This is the sixth state-record fish this year. 2017 is shaping up to be a year for state-record fish,” said MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson. “The mild weather we have had this year means more anglers are fishing, and catching big fish.”

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.

Advance, Missouri -  Preston Wuebker, Advance High School 2017 graduate, signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO. 

Preston is the son of Jeff and Tiffany Wuebker.

Fontbonne is a Division III school that plays in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC). 

Pictured are seated from left to right Tiffany Wuebker, Preston Wuebker, and Jeff Wuebker. Back row from left to right are Advance Head Coach Bubba Wheetley, and Advance Athletic Director James Hamlin
 

Dexter, Missouri - Warm weather is made for grilling and marks the beginning of the summer cook-out season.  It also marks the beginning of summer athletic practices for high school sports.  The Bearcat football team met with coaches for some in-classroom instruction and check-out their gear for the 2017 football season. To celebrate their summer work-outs athletes were treated to a cook-out.

Dexter Queen and County Wide Insurance gathered on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 to treat local Dexter athletes with hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, and drinks during the first day of summer athletic training for several high school students. 

Athletes were thrilled to get a break from in-classroom instruction and eat outside at Charles Bland Stadium.  More than 50 athletes and several coaches including Dexter's new Activities/Athletic Director, Aaron Pixley, were on hand to devour Dexter's famous hamburgers and hotdogs.

"We had 48 football players in attendance today," commented Dexter head football coach Kevin Goltra.  "We had probably 10 - 15 out due to vacations and other school functions, but still a good turn-out."

"The athletes were introduced to some new offensive formations and defense that we will run later this year during the regular season," continued Goltra.  "Students attended a classroom setting and used visual diagrams as well as watched video during the morning hours before lunch.  There were also break-out sessions where the players met with their individual offensive and defensive coaches to learn their expectations and get introduced to the drills they will be running in practice."

"Lunch was graciously provided by Dexter Queen and County Wide Insurance before we had a walk through of some plays and then issued equipment.  Wednesday will be a practice," stated Goltra.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Mules Booster Club has named soccer player Sophie Rowland and golfer Nathan Woolard the Poplar Bluff High School Athletes of the Month for April.

Nathan, a junior, was a medalist for best score in the Jackson Invitational and Conference Championship, which he helped win along with the Notre Dame and Poplar Bluff Invitationals, according to his coach Billy Pyland. Nathan also qualified to play in the Class 4 State Golf Tournament.

Sophie, a sophomore, has broken last year’s record with 18 assists this season. She has also scored six goals. Academically she is first in her class with an 11.4286 GPA, according to her coach, Rusty Crafton, who says she is a great leader on and off the field. “(Sophie) wants to get better each day,” he stated.

Pictured presenting the awards to Sophie Rowland and Nathan Woolard on Tuesday, May 9, is Booster Club member Brian Taylor.

Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District