27-APR-2018
Tree swallow
As Claudia and I were cleaning out the bird boxes, five tree swallows appeared swooping over us and calling. A couple landed on a snag nearby and watched as if to say "hurry up!".
27-APR-2018
Tree swallow
We'd just finished with this box when a tree swallow landed on it as if claiming it.
27-APR-2018
Tree swallow
Swallow numbers have declined across eastern North America in the last few decades, and while some areas are reporting the same number of nesting swallows, others are seeing far fewer. We're hoping that we get some more swallows nesting this year than in the last few/
27-APR-2018
Black-capped chickadees
This chain link fence around the Pond was being used by this chickadee to ...? Play? It was weaving back and forth through the links, up and down, left and right.
27-APR-2018
Red trillium (Trillium erectum)
Just starting to pop up in the old woods area. With the predicted warmth and sun of next week, they should soon start flowering.
27-APR-2018
Northern flicker
Drumming away on the tin roof of the shed, this flicker seemed to be having a grand time making a lot of tinny noise.
27-APR-2018
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
One of the first spring native wildflowers to appear. These short-lived flowers are a happy sight after a long winter. The leaves, at present furled around the stem, will continue growing and last long after the flowers have vanished. The flowers attract a wide variety of insects including bees and butterflies. An interesting factoid: the seeds are distributed by ants.
27-APR-2018
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Another view of the bloodroot flowers.
27-APR-2018
Honey bee on willow
Willows attract numerous insects, particularly when the weather is warm and sunny. The honey bees were the most numerous today.
27-APR-2018
Red-winged blackbird, female
The female red-winged blackbirds are back and the pairs will be nesting soon.
27-APR-2018
Winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis)
A cultivated garden flower that attracts many bees in early spring when little else is available for pollinators. This plant will be in flower when there is still some snow on the ground.
27-APR-2018
Paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus)
Insects are making an appearance, slowly, including this native wasp.
27-APR-2018
Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus)
This one survived the long winter and is probably hungrily awaiting fresh growth.
27 April 2018
Groundhog (Marmota monax)
We think this might be Isabelle's bane. I'm sure this scruffy fellow was day dreaming of all the delicious wildflowers that will be coming up soon in our Backyard Garden.
27 April 2018
Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides)
This poplar tree on the south side of the Old Woodlot was also just starting to bloom. Not very conspicuous, but up close the flowers look quite exotic and beautiful.
27-APR-2018
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
Another view of the pretty coltsfoot flower.
27 April 2018
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
One of the earliest blooms at the FWG, this plant is not native, but it provides pollen to early bees. In the last few years, many have come up between the rocks that form the dam under our bridge.
27 April 2018
Andrenid bee
SG: I checked the willow tree at the end of the our pond because when it blooms, it's usually covered in bees. It was, but I found it impossible to get a good photo of any of them. However, Andrenid bees tunnel into the nearby slope and I was lucky to see one resting from its work.
27 April 2018
Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus)
Another early spring "riser," Wood Frogs were calling in our pond, and these two were locked in a passionate embrace. Well, maybe not passionate, but we can expect eggs and tadpoles soon.
7 April 2018
Eastern Phoebe
People are reporting first sightings of Eastern Phoebes on the nature listserv, so here is my (Sandy) first for the FWG this year. It was sitting on shrubs at the edge of the pond, swooping out close to the water surface occasionally to grab an insect.
09-APR-2018
Killdeer
These two were found in the mud on the edge of the Rideau Canal just below the FWG, so not technically in the garden, but close enough! A nice sign of spring, anyway.
09-APR-2018
Song sparrow
Several song sparrows around the pond in the few cattails existing at the moment. Elsewhere in the garden there were another 5 or 6 of these sparrows, mostly well hidden.
09-APR-2018
Mourning dove
One of three doves found at the garden today. One is nesting, the other two were nearby.
09-APR-2018
Mourning dove
One of three doves at the garden this morning. This one was in the BYG enjoying the sun in a patch of open, snow-free ground.
09-APR-2018
Song sparrow
This song sparrow was in the Backyard Garden (BYG), picking up the fallen seeds from the feeder. Others were found by the pond, the old field and near the old woods.
09-APR-2018
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
I wonder if there has ever been a monthly blog without a red squirrel photo or two or three? I'll have to check that sometime. This is one of 8 reds found today around the garden, most of them appearing very busy.
09-APR-2018
The old woods
As can be seen, in wooded areas the land is still snowy. In open places it is either thick slippery mud or more snowy patches. Some areas are dry-ish, but this is mud season after all.
09-APR-2018
American goldfinch and house finch
Lots of goldfinches singing and calling from various locations around the garden, including a couple at the old woods feeder sharing space with a lone male house finch.
09-APR-2018
Red-winged blackbird
Not as many blackbirds as I was expecting. This was the only one that was visible, though I heard one or two more calling. I was hoping to see grackles as well, and though they have undoubtedly been found at the FWG already this season, I didn't see any today.
Other birds found today: American robin 2, northern cardinal 3, black-capped chickadee 5, american goldfinch 8, house finch 1, starlings 6, song sparrow 6-8, crow 2, mallard 2, and a double-crested cormorant flying over.
09-APR-2018
American goldfinch
At the feeder by the old woods.
09-APR-2018
Groundhog
Every spring a groundhog or two appear, but they don't stick around long in most cases, either they move on or they are killed by dogs, or possibly foxes, though we see almost no evidence of foxes at the garden anymore. In the past we would frequently see tracks and scat as well as the animals themselves.
09-APR-2018
Willow catkins
One day soon when the catkins flower, we should see bees and other insects around this large willow by the pond.
09-APR-2018
Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
09-APR-2018
MAllard, male
While looking at the pond, a pair of mallards flew in and soon settled on the turtle raft for some preening (next photo).
09-APR-2018
Mallards, pair
Engaged in some heavy duty preening, using the turtle raft. Later, I saw them sitting on the shore under the willow.
09-APR-2018
The amphibian pond
Mostly ice-free, except for a thin skin of ice on the eastern portion.
