26-APR-2010
Red-winged Blackbird, male
The water is relatively high in the pond making it difficult for the red-wings to build their nests. However, they are resourceful, so I hope they can find enough space in the cattails above the water to successfully nest.
26-APR-2010
White-throated Sparrow
These sparrows are moving through our area right now, being seen at FWG in small numbers at present.
26-APR-2010
Common grackle
These grackles have been nesting at FWG in the last couple of years and are making life busy for the red-winged blackbirds who hate them and are constantly chasing them away from the pond.
26-APR-2010
Tree swallows
Jeewanthi took this photo earlier today. The colours on these swallows are so irridescent. They are still checking out nest boxes, not settling on any particular one yet. It looks like there are about a dozen swallows in the garden, though they fly so fast and call so loudly that it seems like more. In fact, there may be fewer than a dozen.
26-APR-2010
Muskrat
I went back to the FWG this evening and spent a bit of time sitting by the pond. This very small muskrat was on shore eating some fresh cattail stems. Unfortunately, the second he got wind of me, he vanished into the water... which is what he is about to do here.
26-APR-2010
Muskrat
Here the little muskrat is eating fresh cattail growth. So at least one of the muskrats survived the winter. Last summer there was a family of two adults and at least two, perhaps three, young. I would imagine the young have been sent away!
26-APR-2010
Lady beetle (Coleomagilla maculata) on dandelion
This is one of our native lady beetles, common spring through fall, but particularly in spring.
26-APR-2010
Chaos! How many toads can you count in this photo?
It is the peak of American toad mating season and this looks like it is a good year for them. Last year the mating season was brief and there were not many toads found. Today it seems there must be between 70-100 or more in the pond. How many can you count in this photo? I make 26, but there may be a few I have missed! This is just a fraction of the toads found.
26-APR-2010
Calling toad (Bufo americanus)
Only the males call, so for every male heard and seen calling like this one, there is likely a female silently waiting somewhere in the vicinity.
26-APR-2010
Let me outta here! American toads
Like all breeding frogs, toads will jump on anything that comes close. I've seen them following turtles, even birds! I also watched this morning as one lone male saw movement and jumped... onto the back of a mating pair which promptly sank. he resurfaced (and so did they later), and jumped on this toad (middle) at the same time as another male did. I assume the toad in the middle is female, but not sure. Usually the males are much smaller, so possibly, although male toads will mistakenly jump on other males if they sense them moving nearby. Better to jump first and discover your mistake after rather than let a female get away, I guess.
23-APR-2010
Weasel, probably long-tailed
This little guy was found by Jeewanthi near the FWG. Not having seen it, and not being able to see the entire animal, I'm not sure if it is a short-tailed or a long-tailed weasel, however Jeewanthi said the tail was very long, and another of our volunteers saw what he is very sure was a long-tailed weasel in the winter. So.... The former is more common, but the latter is also seen.
Such an adorable face! But a ruthless little predator! some of you may remember when we had a short-tailed weasel living in the hollow door frame of the centre about 11 or 12 years ago. The adult carried three youngsters up into the frame and then went and killed a young red squirrel, bigger than her, which she proceeded to drag up into the door frame!
23-APR-2010
Weasel, probably long-tailed
Another view of this gorgeous little Mustelid. YOu can see how closely related they are to mink, otter and fisher.
