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.