March 30

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 27 degrees and no wind. Before commencing on my weekly saunter, I glanced north and was pleased to see my first Killdeer of the year sitting on the mulch pile. Based on last year, I suspect some will nest nearby on the stone parking lot. Next, I stood at the crest of the hill and gazed west at the snowless landscape as the morning sun gave me a very long shadow. Descending the hill, I paused at Mallard Marsh to resume by Redwing Blackbird observations. To begin, I would like to introduce you to Max, one of several males that I named and will be monitoring for the next several weeks. His territory seems to be on the northeast area of the pond while another male who I’ve named Mark has staked out an area north of the trail and another who I’ve named Mike has established a territory on the northwest side of the pond. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I came to the entrance of North Woods where catkins were beginning to appear on the maples. Hiking west through the woods, I saw a few white tails of deer flashing past the trees in the distance and lots of tracks on the muddy trail close to me. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field and entered South Woods where I paused at the edge of Swanson Swamp to hear a Nuthatch, a Blue Jay and a drumming Downy Woodpecker. I exited the woods, turned east and welcomed another sign of spring as I heard the call of a Sand Hill Crane coming from the neighbors to the west. Next, I turned north to Willow Wallow where I spotted more male Redwings along the pond’s edge. The one claiming his territory on the northwest side of the pond, I named Will. Following the edge of the pond, I climbed to the top of Reflection Hill where I spotted a few Canada Geese walking on the ice of Grebe Pond making lots of noise. I descended the hill to the south and paused at Frog Fen where I spotted another male Redwing perched on a cattail to claim his territory. I named him, Fred. Heading toward Brady Cemetery, I stopped to hear a Song Sparrow singing in the warming sun. Entering Native Grassland, I walked north along the edge of Grebe Pond where I observed more perching male Redwings spaced out along the shore. Working my way from south to north toward the barn, I named them in order: Gus, Gil, Gabe and Gordy. Also, I was amazed to see about 100 Tundra Swans high overhead flying in a huge V-formation heading to their summer breeding grounds in northern Canada or Alaska. I arrived at the Classroom Building where I looked at the bird feeders for the last time this year as I plan to take them down. Finally, we made it to the car and headed home.

Pulse of life is starting to beat
Winter snows sound a retreat
Migrating birds start to arrive
Mother Nature is coming alive
Trees and shrubs start to bud
Forest trail has turned to mud
Ice on the pond is melting fast
Canada Geese are here at last
Sounds of the season ring clear
Hello spring! Glad you’re here!

D. DeGraaf

March 23

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 27 degrees and no wind. I stood on the crest of the hill and faced west to view the early spring landscape. Descending the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I saw three male Redwing Blackbirds perched on trees and cattails around the edge of the ice-covered pond. These colorful black males arrive first in the spring before the less distinctive brown females. I glanced up and watched one do a “song spread”; where he sticks out his red and yellow epaulets, hunches his shoulders and lowers and spreads his tail. This display is for staking out his territory. Soon it will also be used to attract females. Since these birds are easily seen and play an important role in our wetland ecosystems, I plan to closely monitor their population and behavior this year. Next, I followed the trail through Bobolink Meadow where I noticed a half dozen whitetail grazing in the neighbor’s corn stubble. At the entrance to North Woods, I turned south, hiked past Willow Wallow and turned west into Succession Field. Circling around the field, I spotted a couple of Oak leaves sunk down in the snow after the sun and warmed them and melted the snow underneath. I turned back to Willow Wallow where I spotted three more male Redwings perched along the edge of the pond. Climbing Reflection Hill, I paused to watch three more Redwings competing for a specific territory by dodging and swooping at each other. I circled the hill and stopped to look at Grebe Pond. Descending the hill to the south, I passed Frog Fen and continued to Brady Cemetery. Turning north, I entered Native Grassland where I saw my first Robin of the season hopping on the trail in front of me. I came again to Grebe Pond and walked along the edge where I counted seven male Redwings spaced around the edge of the pond perched in trees or on cattails singing to announce their presence. I continued past the barn to the Classroom Building where I reminisced about the buildings that once stood near here. Just south of the classroom building was a large pole barn that was taken down by the Ithaca FFA class in 1994. Just east of the classroom building was a red pole barn that was removed by FFA students in 2001. North of the classroom, next to the storage building was a chicken coop that was removed by Ithaca FFA class in 2003. Attached to the east side of the red barn was a large lean-to that was removed in 2007. Next, I walked east of the parking lot and looked at the old, stone foundation of a farmhouse that once stood here and was torn down in 1995. Then, I checked out the bird feeders where I spotted a Chickadee, a few Mourning Doves and a few Redwings. Finally, we found the car and left for home.

I find that Spring is like an actress, bold,

Who enters Nature's stage on perfect cue,

For weary watchers of the winter's cold

Are tired of black and white and want a hue

Of vibrant leafy green or brilliant red;

They long for yellow daffodils which say

That life and growth and beauty are not dead,

But only for a season had to stay

Beneath the frozen belt of winter's girth.

So out Spring struts, her lines are strong and clear—

Her statement in the smell of soft, damp earth

Compels and captivates for those who hear.

It is impossible to doubt and mope,

When Spring performs, then hearts are full of hope.

Linda Neff

March 16

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. Early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 23 degrees and a light breeze from the northeast. I recalled on my hike a year ago this week recording a temperature of 51 degrees. From the crest of the hill, I gazed west at a white landscape as an inch of snow fell overnight. Descending the hill toward Mallard Marsh, I scared up eight rooster pheasants. Then, I passed the pond and scared up four hen pheasants. Walking through Bobolink Meadow, I counted eight deer running west toward Succession Field. Entering North Woods, I followed the trail west where I noticed a few trees had dark stains on their trunks from bleeding sap. I exited the woods, continued around Succession Field and entered South Woods where I was greeted by a few honking Canada geese in Swanson Swamp. I exited the woods and proceeded east to Artist Overlook where I stopped to view Sora Swale. Following the south trail, I turned south at Frog Fen and headed to Brady Cemetery. Passing the cemetery, I entered Native Grassland where I immediately got off the trail and walked over to a large snow-covered cement slab where a building once stood. Back in 1993 when we acquired the property, there were several old, abandoned buildings throughout. The one here was a large pig barn. In 1997, through the efforts of Ithaca FFA students and their instructor, Karl Merchant, the building was demolished. Next, proceeding north to Grebe Pond, I paused to recall a rare sighting earlier in the week as an adult mink ran over the ice near a muskrat lodge and disappeared in the brush on the north shore. These fierce predators will often spend time in muskrat dens where they hold out for a day or two while they feed on the carcass of the den's tenant. Continuing north along the edge of the pond, I scared up one rooster and two hen pheasants. Also, I was pleased to hear and see a few Redwing Blackbirds who had returned from their winter migration. In addition, I spotted a male Cardinal high in a tree singing to stake out its territory-one of the first signs of spring. I arrived at the barn, pulled the door open and walked in. I looked around at all the old farm tools and equipment and thought about one of our guides, Marti Raske who passed away earlier this week after being hospitalized with intestinal complications. Marti loved going to yard sales and auctions to purchase these things for a simple machines lesson she designed for the school children. Next, I exited the barn and entered the granary that again brought back memories of Marti teaching the kids about farming history, using equipment she had acquired for the Nature Area. Marti was a kind and gentle woman who loved all creatures, especially dogs and cats. She was committed to the success of this place and will be greatly missed. Finally, we made it to the car and headed for home.

Rhythm to nature
A pace to my walk
Ears perk up
From the deer I stalk
I look in the field
Tracks in the snow
It’s hard to tell
I think it’s a doe
She stands and stares
Through morning haze
Whitetail of winter
I admire your ways

D. DeGraaf

March 9

Saturday would have been a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. However, we were at 250-acre Sapphire Lake near Lake City hiking with our good friend, Jeff Reynolds and his dog, Winnie. The late morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 34 degrees and a gentle breeze out of the south. We left the car and followed a trail down to the lake where we estimated the snow depth at one foot. Next, we stepped out on the snow-covered ice and walked along the shore where we saw some large White Pine trees just ahead. Continuing along, we spotted a scraggly looking Jack Pine tree. The rare Kirtland’s Warbler will only build its nest in a young Jack Pine. In neighboring Crawford County, large stands of these pine trees are periodically burned by the DNR to cause their cones to open and distribute their seeds for new tree growth. Crossing the lake, we saw lots of snowmobile trails going every which way along with several deer tracks. Also, I was surprised to see a Ring-billed Gull feather on the snow. This common shore bird usually migrates south in winter but will stay around if there is open water and a food source. Arriving on the far shore, we observed some leafless Tag Alder trees with their distinctive catkins dangling from the branches. A decoction of its bark was used to treat digestive disorders. Also, it was used to treat skin diseases, especially boils. Nearby were some needleless Tamarack trees and a few Maple trees that were starting to bud. We circled back and noticed a small patch of Phragmites. This invasive reed was once grown to control erosion along riverbanks. It can spread rapidly and choke out cattails. Finally, we arrived back at the car and headed back to Jeff’s home in Cadillac.

I wonder a lot about those trees,
Why do they bear flowers, fruits & seeds?
And shrivel when their foliage freeze;
Then blossom in the summer breeze.
Why are they cursed not to walk?
Is it to be reaped by birds & bees?
Do they quiver when the wind stalks?
And bow when the tempest whips.
Why do they crawl upright?
Is it to worship the Eternal Light?
Do they whimper in the moonlit night?
Or just shimmer until dawn arrives.
The trunks, the rinds, the twigs;
Their shields against Nature's rots.
But would they sense the twinge

When humans break their rods?

Ross H. Bruce

March 2

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 19 degrees and a slight northwest breeze blowing a few snow flurries. I stood at the top of the hill and looked west to see that the landscape remained white as another 5 inches of snow fell earlier in the week. I strolled down the hill, past Mallard Marsh into Bobolink Meadow where I saw a couple of deer far off in the neighbor’s corn stubble. At the entrance to North Woods, I spotted lots of turkey tracks. I turned south and hiked to Willow Wallow where I stepped out on the ice and continued south across the frozen pond. Wandering between dense brush, I saw plenty of evidence of rabbit and deer activity. I got off the ice, returned to the trail and circled Succession Field where I was disappointed to notice fresh snow mobile tracks. Walking on the path along the western boundary, I glanced to the west across the fence and wondered what the Nature Area would be now if we had acquired that land back in the 1990’s. For it was in 1993, soon after hearing news about the RESD leasing 90 acres from the Conservation District, the landowner to the west offered to sell us 120 more acres to expand the nature area all the way to Pingree Rd. In 1997, the land was appraised and a grant to the DNR’s Natural Resources Trust Fund was submitted and rejected. Shortly thereafter, he reduced his offer to 58 acres and in 1998, a second grant was submitted and approved. However, unable to agree on a selling price, the owner withdrew his offer and grant funds were returned to the DNR. So it was only then that the Nature Area property was established and development could begin in earnest. Next, I turned east and followed the trail along the edge of South Woods to Artist Overlook where I gazed down at Sora Swale. I followed south trail all the way to Frog Fen where turned south and continued to Brady Cemetery. Ascended the hill into the cemetery, I past a few grave markers and gazed at the surrounding landscape. Next, I walked around and discovered the gravestone of Sarah White, wife of Amos White who owned and farmed the Forest Hill property in the early 1860’s before it was purchased by Joseph Brady. Two of Joseph’s sons, James and Samuel were part of the Brady family farm and were also buried here. The snow-covered ground around the grave markers was filled with a variety of animal tracks including some made by crows. Leaving the cemetery, I entered Native Grassland and followed the trail north to Grebe Pond. I got off the trail, walked out on the ice and followed the east shoreline back toward the barn. I passed the barn and arrived at the Classroom where I checked out the bird feeders. Finally, we made it to the car for our trip back to Alma and home.

I wander a cemetery up the hill
I frequently visit. I enjoy it still
I walk, pause and snoop around
This place is hallowed ground
I gaze at the surrounding land
View from here is really grand
Gravestones are worn, no doubt
Weathering has rubbed them out
Markers speak of yester years
Buried ones were pioneers
Part of history has been told
Many here were brave and bold

D. DeGraaf