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