April 23

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The mid- morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 47 degrees and a steady wind out of the southwest.  Before descending the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I was reminded earlier in the week that spring had finally arrived since I noticed a pair of Starlings was once again building a nest in the small metal cap on top of the propane tank behind the Storage Building. I walked past Mallard Marsh through Bobolink Meadow and entered North Woods. Following the trail west, I recalled a few days ago seeing a pair of reclusive Wood Ducks flying ahead of me making their familiar squeaking call. I exited North Woods and continued around Succession Field where I saw several small shoots of grass sticking up through the winter thatch giving the meadow a subtle greenish tint. Entering South Woods, I noticed a 3-inch-diameter birch log lying on the ground with some rare white, cup fungus growing on it. I hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I could barely make out a female Canadian Goose sitting still on her nest on a small island. She was very well camouflaged against the surrounding vegetation. I suspected her mate was swimming nearby to keep guard. Looking up, I noticed a large rectangular-like hole high up a tree that was probably the opening to a Pileated Woodpecker nest. Continuing through South Woods, I came upon a 4-inch-diameter decaying log on the ground covered with white, scaly shelf fungus. I exited South Woods, continued past the picnic tables and turned north toward Willow Wallow. Hiking along the edge of the pond, I saw a few young cattail shoots sticking up above the water. Climbing to the top of Reflection Hill, I was pleased to observe a pair of Pied-billed Grebes swimming on Grebe Pond. A pair of these small diving ducks had nested here for many years. I headed south past Frog Fen to Brady Cemetery where I was glad to see that someone had cleaned up the trashed TV set that was lying next to the road. I turned north into Native Grassland where I noticed how the frequent rain during the week had left quite a bit of standing water in the field. Also, I saw some Velvetleaf and prickly thistle rosettes growing next to the trail. In addition, I was pleasantly startled to see a flock of about two-dozen Arctic Terns flying rapidly west over Grebe Pond. This medium-size shore bird is white with a fork tail, a black head and a red beak for catching fish. I passed the barn and headed for the van where I noticed some Common Chickweed with their tiny white flowers spreading along the ground on the eastside of the Classroom Building. Finally, another hike was finished. So, I took off for home.

The wood is decked in light green leaf.

The swallow twitters in delight.

The lonely vine sheds joyous tears


Of interwoven dew and light.

Spring weaves a gown of green to clad


The mountain height and wide-spread field.

O when wilt thou, my native land,

In all thy glory stand revealed?

Ilia Chavchavadze