19-APR-2011
Pond
The pond is looking very sparse in terms of cattails. In past years we have had quite a thick stand of last year's cattails for the red-winged blackbirds to nest in. This year, the blackbirds are also sparse around the pond. There are far fewer nesting sites now. I am feeling a bit upset that we agreed to remove so many cattails a couple of years ago. However, I guess we didn't count on the muskrats eating so many roots, and then the beaver activity of the previous two winters contributed as they too will eat cattail roots.
While standing on the bridge surveying and musing to myself, a number of people stopped to chat. Almost all of them asked about the beaver, and many commented on how "naked" the pond looks these days.
19-APR-2011
Tree swallow, pair
A pair of swallows checking out a nest box. It was a lovely sunny day, if a bit cool. The swallows were swooping and diving over the pond, calling away, a lovely spring sound. The only new bird I saw today was a hermit thrush by the Interpretive Centre.
18-APR-2011
Fire
Barry mentioned to me that he had seen a fire at the corner of the Old Field. Today was the first time I had a chance to get over there and sure enough, a big fire, one from this spring. The usual spot seems to have been abandoned in favour of this. It is likely time for a load of manure to be delivered here!
18-APR-2011
Mouse nest
This is the mouse nest found in the base of the fallen tree.
18-APR-2011
Fallen
This old conifer with an ancient and decrepit nest box on it, has broken off and tipped down the slope. The tree has been dead for awhile and was used by various critters for many reason, including feeding on the insects that invade dying trees. In the stump I found a cozy hollow with the felted remains of a mouse nest that included several cardinal feathers in its composition.
18-APR-2011
At the feeder
The BYG feeder was busy with a lot of chickadees, and these two woodpeckers, the hairy on the ledge and the downy at the suet. you can see the size difference quite clearly here. On the ground were many dark-eyed juncos, perhaps 20 or so. Also at the FWG today, a flock of about 15 common redpolls, several northern flickers, and great blue heron in the pond.
18-Apr-2011
Song Sparrow
Despite the chilly, windy conditions, this song sparrow was singing away from the top of a tree swallow box in the Old Field. Of course, they don't nest in boxes, but they find these ones a convenient perch from which to sing and attract a mate.
12-APR-2011
Hairy Woodpecker
Barry found this hairy woodpecker probing for insects on this stump.
12-APR-2011
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) at willow flowers
Barry was at the FWG and commented that the day was much less windy, and there were many bees around the willow flowers. He got this excellent shot of a honey bee coming in for a landing. Barry also noted that he saw a phoebe and northern flicker in addition to the juncos, goldfinches and other regulars. A hawk "exploded out of the New Woods by the barn and got chased toward the IC" by starlings. He said it had a long straight tail and was likely a cooper's hawk. Lots of things happening around the garden as spring comes on, including less desirable activities, such as a possible fire by the Old Field (it is that time of year again!), and a dog running into the pond. We need those signs back up there!
12-APR-2011
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) at willow flowers
This is an interesting photo by Barry, because it shows how small the honey bee is relative to the willow flowers (which are not that big either). You also get a good sense of how big the pollen packets are on the legs of the bee. You may know that most bees carry the dry pollen grains on the legs or under the abdomen, which are caught by the scopae, or hairs, especially designed for gathering and holding the pollen. But honey bees and bumblebees mix pollen with nectar in order to make this sticky mass which they then transfer to their nest sites.
11-APR-2011
Butterfly meadow
This is one corner of the Butterfly Meadow that Diane and her volunteers have been working on. The heavy rains of April 10 created little ponds all over the garden, including here. Diane is hoping to begin working again on the meadow soon, and anyone who lives in this area and would like to be involved is invited to turn out on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m., meeting at the FWG interpretive centre.
11-APR-2011
Red elderberry leaves
Another sign of spring - the leafing out of the red elderberry shrubs. Speaking of spring signs, there were golden-crowned kinglets in the woods, and one male brown-headed cowbird, in addition to the red-winged blackbirds, robins, etc. It was too windy for swallows and they were absent. Down at the pond a few wood frogs were giving tentative 'quacks'.
