wildlife - PoPville

District Residents can now “apply to keep their personally-owned honeybee hive on one of seven designated beehive sites”

Published April 25, 2016 at 1:55PM

honeybees

From DPR:

“The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) today announced a new beekeeping program in partnership with the DC Beekeepers Alliance. In an effort to support urban beekeeping and to increase pollination in the District, residents of the District of Columbia may apply to keep their personally-owned honeybee hive on one of seven (7) DPR designated beehive sites.

Bees are essential to the health of the ecosystem and natural environment. Bees contribute to the pollination of seeds which ultimately yield flowering plants and fruit.

To participate in the beekeeping program, individuals must be District residents, complete a twelve (12) hour beekeeping course, and submit an application available on DPR’s website. Space is very limited.

For more information, application, and frequently asked questions please visit: Urban Beekeeping Program”

and remember: “If you see a swarm of bees, please call or text (202) 255-4318 or email [email protected] and and a team of DC beekeepers will spring into action to give house-searching honeybees the home they are looking for!”

#Awesome

Today on the Duck Beat – Duck Defenders

By Prince Of Petworth

Published April 25, 2016 at 10:00AM | Updated April 25, 2016 at 10:23AM

duck defenders
Photo by Judy

Ed. Note: I love that three separate readers captured and sent us the shot above. Thanks to all. As since we’re in the season – if you catch a great duck scene or any greatness for that matter please email [email protected] or tweet us @PoPville Thanks!

Heidi writes this morning: “I think the ducks learned how to read.”

crossing
Photo by The Basics

And yesterday The Basics captured the great scene above: “check out this act of animal kindness on 13th Street NW!”

“There are 10 ducklings with their mother walking west on K Street between 19th and 20th.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published April 21, 2016 at 2:01PM

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“Dear PoPville,

There are 10 ducklings with their mother walking west on K Street between 19th and 20th. Sighting occurred about 5 minutes ago. Put the alert out for duckling crossing escorts please!!!”

Hurrah!! Our First Downtown Ducklings of the Season

By Prince Of Petworth

Published April 20, 2016 at 10:00AM

ducklings

Thanks to a reader for sending yesterday afternoon:

“A rare moment of cuteness near L’Enfant Plaza on 7th in front of Pizza Autentica.”

Keep your eyes peeled for street crossing escorts and email [email protected] when you do please!

What the Helen of Troy is This?

By Prince Of Petworth

Published April 19, 2016 at 10:02PM

I was just admiring the woods from the Melvin Hazen Trail and then I noticed this and ran faster than that time I was surrounded by ne’er-do-wells at 2:30am…

Standing Sentry outside Peet’s

By Prince Of Petworth

Published April 14, 2016 at 10:05PM

These ducks seriously love Peet’s.

1101 17th Street, NW

Were the Birds Crazy Loud This Morning?

By Prince Of Petworth

Published April 14, 2016 at 11:25AM

birds
Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

Saw some folks on Facebook and twitter mentioning some loud bird squawks very early this morning. Anyone else hear more than usual springtime squawks? One reader asks:

“There seems to be a tropical bird squawking outside my window or in the area. I live in Brookland two blocks from the metro by Dance Place. I’m guessing someone lost their pet bird? It has been making non stop noise since 1:45am. Can not spot it, but can defiantly hear it.”

What do you think pet bird, or just regular birds. Though 1:45am does seem usually early? Do we have an ornithologist in the house?!?

“Meet Freedom and Justice, MPD’s Bald Eagles” Liberty and Honor Coming Soon?

By Prince Of Petworth

Published March 25, 2016 at 10:05AM

eagle

From MPD:

“Meet Freedom and Justice the pair of bald eagles who have taken over the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Academy in Southeast, DC. This week MPD launched a live streaming of the Bald Eagle Nest Cam after the pair of eagles laid two eggs last month.

Live Eagle Cam

Freedom and Justice have nested there for eleven years, one hundred ten feet up an oak tree. On Thursday, February 18, 2016, Freedom laid her first egg at 4:30 pm. A second egg followed at 8:10 am on Saturday, February 20, 2016. The eaglets are expected to hatch between March 23 and 28.

Freedom, the female, has primary responsibility for incubating her eggs and caring for the young chicks, once they hatch. Justice, the male, has the crucial job of catching fish and bringing them for his mate and hatchlings. (more…)

“Whiskey, tango, fox trot” at the Tidal Basin

By Prince Of Petworth

Published March 21, 2016 at 9:45AM

fox trot

Thanks to Reana for sending Sunday:

“Whiskey, tango, fox trot. We caught him mid rodent snack!”

“Just after 8:00am this morning, the first eaglet emerged completely from its shell.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published March 18, 2016 at 9:15AM

From DOEE:

“Since mid-February, hundreds of thousands of viewers have tuned into the DC Eagle Cam to watch “Mr. President” and “The First Lady,” the two bald eagles who returned to the U.S. National Arboretum last year to breed for the first time in nearly 70 years. The pair has been incubating two new eggs since earlier this year and at approximately 10:00pm on March 16, American Eagle Foundation camera operators confirmed that the “pipping” process has begun. Once a full break in the egg has been made, it can take anywhere from 12-48 hours for the eaglet to fully emerge from its shell. Just after 8:00am this morning, the first eaglet emerged completely from its shell. (more…)