Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
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Summertime at Ottawa NWR

8/3/2016

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​One of my favorite parts of summer is the blooming of wildflowers. Colorful Black-eyed Susan's, pale blue Chicory, and so well-named Queen Anne's Lace line the ditches of NW Ohio. Such a perfect array of color against the storm clouds that seem to visit daily at Ottawa NWR.

I have many childhood memories of these wildflowers with my grandmother.  Queen Anne's Lace, also called Wild Carrot, was my favorite find.  The flowers are so delicate and lacy with a purplish center. We would always cut a few stems and take them back to grandma's kitchen where she would put just a little bit of food coloring in the vase.  The next morning when we woke, the flowers would be bursting with color instead of their typical white.  I thought it was magic! 
​
The wildflowers you will see at Ottawa NWR are host plants to a variety of butterflies. Some caterpillars, like Monarchs, only eat a specific type of plant- milkweed. Queen Anne's Lace is host to eastern black swallowtails.  This time of year, you can sometimes spot the striking caterpillars in the Lace stands.

Here is a list of butterflies and their host plants that you may find in this area.  Be sure to look closely!
American Painted Lady: Daisy, Burdock
American Snout: Hackberry
Black Swallowtail: Parsley, Dill, Fennel
Clouded Sulphur: Clover
Cloudless Sulphur: Apple, Clover
Comma: Elm, Hops, Nettles
Common Buckeye: Snapdragon, Loosestrife
Eastern Tailed Blue: Clover, Peas
Gray Hairstreak: Mallow/Hollyhock, Clover, Alfalfa
Monarch: Milkweed
Mourning Cloak: Willow, Elm, Poplar, Birch, Nettle
Peal Crescent: Aster
Queen: Milkweed
Question Mark: Hackberry, Elm, Nettle, Basswood
Red Admiral: Nettle
Red-spotted Purple: Black Cherry, Willow, Poplar
Silver-spotted Skipper: Black Locust, Wisteria
Spicebush Swallowtail: Spicebush, sassafras
Spring Azure: Dogwood, Viburnum, Blueberry, Spirea, Apple
Tawny Emperor: Hackberry
Tiger Swallowtail: Black Cherry, Birch, Poplar, WIllow
Viceroy: Willow, Poplar, Fruit Trees
Zebra Swallowtail: Pawpaw

Nature Tip: If you go looking for caterpillars in nettle patches, please wear protection!



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    Author

    Aimee Arent,
    Executive Director

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Friends of Ottawa NWR
14000 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449 

  
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419-898-0014 x13
friendsofottawanwr@gmail.com

 EIN: 34-1904821   
Visitor Center open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm.
  • HOME
  • YOUR REFUGE
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Ottawa NWR Complex
    • Refuge Challenges
    • Recent Sightings
    • Visitor Center
    • Kids Corner
    • Wildlife Drive
    • Endangered Wildlife
    • Endangered Plants
    • Research >
      • Bald Eagle Updates
      • West Sister Island Rookery
      • Blanding's Turtles
    • Gallery >
      • Most Memorable Moments
      • Photos by Friends
    • Wildlife Observation & Birding Tips
    • Timing of Bird Migration
    • Spring Birding Spots
    • Fishing and Hunting Information
    • Refuge Staff
    • EV Charging Station
    • Barn Quilt Trail
    • Know Your Signs
    • National Wildlife Refuge System
  • Who we are
    • Our Story
    • Friends History
    • Network of Friends
    • Strategic Goals
    • Financials
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends Staff
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events >
      • Spring Migration
      • Recycle Round Up
      • Photography Contest
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • Nature Programs
    • Friends Projects >
      • Bird Friendly Facility Project
      • Fox Nature Preserve
      • Marinewood Restoration
      • Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve
      • West Harbor Project
      • Wildlife Drive Improvements
      • Visitor Center Fishing Access
    • Recent Accomplishments
    • Carrying on a Legacy
  • HOW TO HELP
    • Donate
    • License Plate
    • Become a Member
    • Wheels for Wetlands
    • Legacy Gifts
    • Federal Duck Stamp Program
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Portal
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Conservation at Home
    • Say No to Balloon Releases
  • Shop