By Alisa Boswell-Gore STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University scientists launched a five-year project this year to study the state’s wild turkey population. The number of turkeys in Oklahoma has steadily declined over the past 15 years, and there are a variety of factors that could be contributing to the problem, according to Colter Chitwood, assistant professor of wildlife ecology in the OSU Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. “This is part of a…

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – The world’s fascination with honey bees is linked to a population decline during the past decade that threatens the production of fruit, nut, forage, vegetable and other crops that rely on pollination. The permanent disappearance of pollinators would be detrimental to society. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture report not only bees but also wasps, butterflies, other insects and birds are all responsible for pollinating more than 100…

How to attract hummingbirds to the landscape By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Hummingbirds seem to have the precision, speed and appeal of a U.S. Air Force fighter jet, and these quick-winged feathered friends are fun to watch in the landscape. Typically appearing in the U.S. from April through August, hummingbirds are the smallest of all bird species. But despite their tiny stature, hummingbirds play an important role in the ecosystem, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State…

By Brian Brus STILLWATER, Okla. – Drivers need to pay more attention to deer crossing Oklahoma roads while the animals are listening to other instincts this time of year, said Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Extension wildlife management specialist. Elmore provided some insight and tips for dealing with deer on the move: Oklahoma deer are not migratory, but they do move more within their territories during seasonal changes.When food supplies decrease, deer may explore closer…

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – Like a total eclipse of the sun or rare blood moon, the mass emergence of periodical cicadas is a natural phenomenon that piques interest worldwide. While the 17-year cicada is crawling aboveground now on the East Coast and in the upper Midwest, state Extension specialists say Oklahoma is in the clear.  Eric Rebek, Oklahoma State University entomology professor and Extension specialist, said the Brood X species of periodical cicada making headlines this summer is…