08-APR-2013
Two chipmunks under the feeder
There were at least three chipmunks around the BYG, and these two were having a great time feeding in the spilled sunflower seeds.
08-APR-2013
Red squirrel
This pensive little guy was sitting above the roosting box it has taken over.
08-APR-2013
Willow catkin
Here is another happy sign of spring. Soon, the pollen will turn these catkins yellow and the tree will be alive with early emerging bees such as Andrenids, Colletes, Nomadas, as well as beeflies and other insects. I can't wait!
08-APR-2013
Old field in snow
Looking at the old field, it still looks like deepest winter. But while deep-ish in part here, many other areas are snow free, or almost so. So, spring is coming...
08-APR-2013
Amphibian pond
Looking west to the red barn, we can see that the pond is still half frozen. However, at this end, by the bridge, the water is quite deep and running fast over the dam. It won't be long before frogs are breeding, red-winged blackbirds are nesting, and and aquatic invertebrates will be seen again.
08-APR-2013
Meadow vole nest
This big ball of grass gave shelter during the winter, to meadow voles, in their sub-nivean world. All over the garden, in open grassy areas, you can see, as the snow vanishes, multiple piles of chewed off grass, but this big pile was an extra cosy shelter for some!
08-APR-2013
Raspberry canes chewed by meadow voles
Early in the winter, I thought voles were pretty scarce around the area, including at the FWG, but walking around today, I see how wrong I was. As the snow recedes it reveals the network of tunnels created by these little creatures through the grass, under the snow. Here, is a pile of chewed raspberry cane bits.
08-APR-2013
New spring growth
Well, here is a hopeful sign. Daffodils poking through the soil in the BYG. Once they are in flower, they'll attract quite a lot of insects including many of the solitary bees.
08-APR-2013
Fly (Muscid) sp. )
Flies were quite abundant today, flying around the red barn (as here), the old field, the Interpretive Centre, etc. All the ones I saw were Muscids (Muscidae family), which are often the earliest flies to emerge.No other insects notice, though when the sun came out I was hoping for a mourning cloak or two! However, Arachnids were numerous - in many of the grassy areas, such as the old field area, there were literally hundreds of tiny dark spiders. I could not get a photo of any of them, they were moving just way too fast.
08-APR-2013
Hackberry bark
This rather intriguing looking corky bark, belongs to one of several small hackberry saplings growing in the ash woods. They appeared there many years ago, and I have no idea which species they are, but they are not the Celtis occidentalis, which is native to the area (though very uncommon).
08-APR-2013
Sumac bark chewed by red squirrels
Every year at this time, we see much evidence of feeding on bark of trees, particularly staghorn sumac. This is the work of the red squirrel.
08-APR-2013
American kestrel, pair
I had not been to the FWG for over 10 weeks, and it was very good to get back. I got out of the car to the sound of many song sparrows singing. And then, within a few minutes, I saw this handsome pair! We haven't seen kestrels around for some years, so this was a REAL treat!
