April 27

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 43 degrees and no wind. I stood at the crest of the hill and noticed Max perching and singing in a Honeysuckle bush before he flew to his usual willow on the east side of Mallard Marsh. Descending the hill, I saw Mike, Mark and Bob flying in and out of their territories chasing females who would stop and perch on cattails. On the pond, Leopard Frogs croaked while a muskrat swam on the smooth surface making a V-shaped wake. I passed through Bobolink Meadow and entered North Woods where I noticed a few green shoots of Wild Iris poking through some standing water. At the vernal pond, a large tree had fallen over the boardwalk. Following the trail, I spotted a few leaves of Trout Lilies sticking up through the leaf litter. Exiting the woods, I circled Succession Field where I heard the loud call of a Pileated Woodpecker as it flew overhead from North Woods to South Woods and landed in a tree nearby. Entering South Woods, I spotted my first crayfish chimney of the year. I hiked along the edge of Swanson Swamp where I was pleased to see Mother goose was still on her nest. Also, I saw a juvenile Fox Squirrel lying dead next to a tree with no indication of a cause. Exiting the woods, I turned east where I saw twigs on an apple tree that had been chewed by deer. I turned north and made it to Willow Wallow where Will was moving around chasing females and bachelor males. Hiking east along the edge of the pond, I spotted a nesting pair of Tree Swallows perched on a bird box. I climbed Reflection Hill and circled around to gaze at Grebe Pond. Heading south, I descended the hill and approached Frog Fen where Fred was perched in a tree without any females around. I headed toward Brady Cemetery where I could make out the croaking of Chorus frogs coming from a shallow pond to the south. I passed the cemetery, entered Native Grassland and hiked north to Grebe Pond where Gus was perched in his favorite tree. Gabe was in his tree along with a female. When I arrived to check Gill’s territory, he was flying around chasing bachelor males and females. Further along, Gordy was not around. Approaching the barn, I was surprised to see a fresh turkey carcass west of the trail. Also, I heard the tweeting sound of Spring Peepers. These tiny, well-camouflaged frogs are rarely seen. They’re tan or brown in color and about an inch long. These nocturnal amphibians are carnivores feeding on beetles, ants, flies, and spiders. Passing the barn, I admired the wigwam the school children had covered this past week. Next, I walked over to the picnic tables and recalled my shock last Sunday finding a Killdeer nest with 3 eggs in the fire pit that we planned to use during the coming week. Despite a protest from the mother, I moved it to a safer place. Finally, we made it to the car and headed home.

A remote swamp far to the west
Found your spot on an island nest
In cattail reeds where you reside
You lay very still. You easily hide
I quietly approach. Stop very near
Symbol of spring, glad you’re here
I marvel at you. Respect your ways
Hope you survive the coming days
Mother goose, instincts are strong
Goslings will come. Won’t be long

D. DeGraaf

April 20

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was partly sunny with a temperature of 28 degrees and a stiff wind out of the west. Standing on the hill, I looked west at a landscape where there was little evidence of spring. Descending the hill, I stopped at Mallard Marsh and looked around for my Redwings. Max and Mark both went from perching on cattails in their respective territories to chasing after two female Redwings that flew in and out of their territories. Mike was perched in a leafless ash tree north of the trail with another female perched nearby. Redwing Bob was nowhere to be found. Continuing through Bobolink Meadow, the dog and I waded through large puddles after another week of heavy rain kept the ground saturated. At the entrance to North Woods, a solitary swan flew overhead heading northeast. Turning north, I headed toward Willow Wallow where I caught a glimpse of an ant mound out in the field sprouting new shoots of green grass topped with a dusting of snow. Approaching the pond, I was alerted by the sound of Sand Hill Cranes and turned around in time to see three of them flying low over the neighbor’s cornfield. I paused at the pond where I was unable to find Will. However, the furry catkins of a pussy willow caught my eye. I circled Succession Field and entered South Woods where I walked quietly by the mother goose that laid still on her nest as she did last week. Exiting the woods, I came to Artist Overlook where I stopped to observe Sora Swale where the pond had expanded to twice its size due to all the rain. Following south trail, I recalled earlier in the week seeing a colorful, male Rufous-sided Towhee. Continuing east, I approached Frog Fen where I was surprised to see a half-frozen Mud Minnow on the trail. I paused briefly and thought I spotted Fred, but this male flew away and perched in another territory. I continued south to Brady Cemetery, turned north and entered Native Grassland. Continuing north, I arrived at the south end of Grebe Pond to check out the Redwings. Gus and Gabe both flew to their perches from across the pond. One female Redwing was perched on a cattail about halfway between them. At Gill’s territory there was lots of commotion as he was watching over two females as well as chasing out a small group of bachelor males. Approaching the barn, Gordy was perched on a cattail in his territory with a female bird close by. Also, two drake Mallards swam nearby. I passed the barn and classroom to walk down the north driveway almost to Rich Rd. where I spotted the dead deer that had been killed by a passing car earlier in the week. A few puncture holes in the carcass were probably from the two Turkey Vultures I saw flying nearby a few days ago. Finally, we got in the car and headed out.

Out of the womb of winter
In the season of rebirth
Mother Nature’s offspring
Emerge from the earth
Out of softening soil
Come insects of the ground
Under a decaying log
Worms and slugs are found
Out of a swelling pond
Mallard ducks appear
Out of a burgeoning forest
Come the hungry deer

D. DeGraaf

April 13

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 34 degrees and a steady wind out of the southwest. Starting out, I was greeted by Redwing Max who flew west from a tree behind the Classroom Building to his usual perch on the east end of Mallard Marsh. I stood at the crest of the hill and noticed a subtle hint of green over the waterlogged landscape after a solid week of heavy rain. Descending the hill to the marsh, I observed a female Redwing perched near Max and another perched near Mark in his territory on the west side. In the mean time, Mike was perched in his usual spot in a Cottonwood tree north of the trail. Entering Bobolink Meadow, I noticed Redwing Bob who recently established his territory here and has become another of my closely watched, named birds. I walked into North Woods where I spotted some lush green moss on the muddy trail. I exited the woods into Succession Field where three grazing deer took off and ran into South Woods. Circling around, I entered South Woods where I saw some fresh fungi growing on a fallen log. Looking out into Swanson Swamp, I was barely able to make out a female goose sitting on her nest in the same spot where one nested last year. Further along, I noticed the skull and fur of an opossum lying on the wet leaves. I exited the woods, turned east, then turned north to Willow Wallow where I spotted Will perched in his usual spot on the west side of the pond. Heading east, I climbed to the top of Reflection Hill and looked down on Grebe Pond where I spotted a solitary Grebe swimming and diving. Also, I recalled earlier in the week seeing a pair of Mute Swans floating peacefully near the south shore. I descended the hill to the south and paused at Frog Fen where at first Fred was nowhere to be found. However, heading toward Brady Cemetery, I stopped, turned around and saw him perched in his usual spot. Passing the cemetery, I entered Native Grassland and walked north toward Grebe Pond where I looked through my binoculars to see Gabe perched in his usual tree and a Belted Kingfisher perched close by. Following the edge of the pond, I looked back to see Gus in his tree and looked ahead to see Gill with a female Redwing perched nearby. Moving ahead toward the barn, I saw Gordy in his spot without the female that has been hanging around him. I wondered if that female was the same one that moved to Gill’s territory. I arrived at the barn and thought about the history of this building. For several years after the barn became part of the Nature Area in 1993, it continued to deteriorate and was unusable. In 2007, thanks to funding from the RESD, the lean-to was removed and major restoration of the interior and exterior took place. Finally, we made it to the car and headed home.

Chilly morning in April
Mother Nature’s domain
Trail is muddy and wet
Skyward, a threat of rain
Clouds are thick and dark
Wind is blowing strong
Pause by a cattail marsh
Ears find a blackbird song
I walk by a grove of trees
No leaves yet to be seen
I walk by a favorite field
Displays a hint of green
Ground has finally thawed
Pleased to hear robins sing
I can’t wait to discover
What the season will bring?

D. DeGraaf

April 6

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 32 degrees and a slight southerly wind. Before starting my hike I gazed at the neighbor’s farm and thought back to the 1990’s when the former owner illegally piled dead cows on his property adjoining North Woods that was both an eyesore and a source of rotting flesh odor. After, reporting him to the authorities, he reluctantly covered the pile with dirt. Fortunately, he has long since retired, moved away and the current owner seems quite neighborly Standing on the hill, I looked west at a bleak landscape. Descending the hill, I spotted Redwing Max in is usual perch on a willow tree next to Mallard Marsh. Next, he flew down and clung to a cattail only about eight feet from Redwing Mark. In the meantime, Redwing Mike sat high in a Cottonwood tree north of the trail surveying his turf. Suddenly, a pair of noisy Mallards exploded from the water and headed south. Passing through Bobolink Meadow, I turned south and headed toward Willow Wallow where I noticed several Mole mounds on the trail. Approaching the pond, I thought I saw Redwing Will perched in his usual spot. However, as I got closer, I was surprised to see that it was a male Cowbird while Will was perched on a cattail several feet away. I circled Succession Field where I could barely make out 10 deer that blended so well standing in the brown grass staring at me. Also, I walked by what maybe the last patch of snow for the season. At Artist Overlook, I stopped to hear a pair of noisy geese staking their claim to Sora Swale. Following south trail, I noticed a few snowflakes and came to Frog Fen where I heard Redwing Fred, but did not see him. I continued south to Brady Cemetery, turned north and entered Native Grassland. Continuing north toward Grebe Pond, I spotted Redwing Gabe, flying from a Box Elder tree to his usual perch next to the pond. Arriving at the pond, while unsuccessfully looking for Redwing Gus, I heard the haunting call of a Pied-billed Grebe. Also, up ahead along the pond’s edge was a group of blackbirds flying at each other in Redwing Gordy’s territory. As I got closer, I noticed they were Grackles intruding on his territory. As he chased the away, I saw Gordy return to a favorite perch close to a female Redwing; the first one I’ve seen this spring. Looking back, I also noticed Redwing Gill at his perch. Approaching the barn, I was pleased to see a pair of colorful male Buffleheads swimming near the north shore of the pond. I assume they will be heading north to their summer breeding grounds in Canada. Finally, we passed the Classroom Building, got in the car and headed out.

Early spring the meadow sleeps
No cricket or grasshopper leaps
Patches of snow dot the ground
Green grass cannot be found
On a cattail stalk a Redwing clings
Claims his turf. Perches and sings
Ice on the pond continues to thaw
Crows of the sky will caw and caw
Trees of the forest are mostly bare
Mother Nature has much to prepare

D. DeGraaf