March 12

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi.  The weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 38 degrees and a light wind out of the west.  Before descending the hill, I wondered if today I would get any hints from Mother Nature that spring was approaching.  Hiking toward Mallard Marsh, I was greeted by a pair of Canadian Geese who were walking on the ice and honking loudly to let me know that would be their nesting area. Walking past the marsh, I had to watch out for the Muskrat hole in the middle of the trail. Tracks near the hole indicated the animal had been out and about. Also, I recalled how earlier in the week I had spotted a Cooper’s Hawk taking off from the cattails and flying south toward Reflection Hill. As I hiked through Bobolink Meadow, several flocks of geese flew high overhead in all directions, honking as they went.  I entered North Woods where I saw numerous Wild Turkey tracks. I followed the trail west where I observed that the ice and snow on the vernal ponds was finally melting, bringing the water levels up to near normal. As I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field, I recalled from a recent hike hearing the loud drumming of the reclusive Pileated Woodpecker coming from North Woods followed by a second drumming from another Pileated Woodpecker in South Woods. This was repeated several times as each bird proclaimed its territory. Before entering South Woods, I saw the first of 5 small spiders crawling over the snow (two of them appeared to be Cellar Spiders). Entering South Woods, I followed the trail along the edge of Swanson Swamp. As I exited South Woods, I saw and heard a single Sand Hill Crane, flying very high over Bobolink Meadow. As I approached Artist Overlook, I was surprised to see a 1/4- inch long, brown ant walking slowly on the snow. Also, I spotted the 5-toe footprints and tail marks of a Raccoon on the snow near the benches. I continued along the south trail where I was surprised to see a 1/2 –inch long Ground Beetle larva crawling on the snow.  I turned at Frog Fen and climbed to the top of Reflection Hill where I noticed all around me perched in distant trees, solitary Crows and Redwing Blackbirds singing to announce their territories. I walked down Reflection Hill and came to the Classroom Building. My attention turned to the vine-covered tree next to the observation deck where several Tree Sparrows had gathered and were making quite a ruckus with their loud chirping.  As I walked to the car, I viewed through the binoculars a Robin hopping on the ground near the road. Finally, another hike was finished so I got in the car and took off for home.

All Nature seems at work. 

Slugs leave their lair


The bees are stirring,

birds are on the wing,


And Winter slumbering in the open air,

Wears on his smiling face

a dream of spring.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge