June 1

Saturday was a good day at Forest Hill for a hike with my dog, Remi. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 69 degrees and a light breeze from the southwest. At the crest of the hill, I gazed west at a lush landscape. I walked down the hill toward Mallard Marsh where I noticed several blossoms of Goat’s Beard. At the pond female Redwings were quite vocal as they moved nervously around the cattails indicating eggs were hatching and chicks were being fed. Entering Bobolink Meadow. I could barely make out a deer far to the west. I came to the entrance to North Woods and turned south toward Willow Wallow where I saw a colorful male Goldfinch perched near the ground. Turning west at the pond, I followed the path around Succession Field where I noticed the raspberry bushes were blossoming. I continued along the edge of South Woods and came to Artist Overlook where I stopped to observe Sora Swale. Continuing along the south trail, I saw some Bugleweed that had been planted several years ago for an Eagle Scout project. Further along, I saw lots of yellow hawkweed buds and blossoms on the trail. Also, I was pleased to get a brief glimpse of my first Redwing fledgling before it flew into the undergrowth. I turned south at Frog Fen where I noticed a usually dry vernal pond filled with water after another week of heavy rain. I passed Brady Cemetery and continued north through Native Grassland to Grebe Pond where more female Redwings flew nervously around their nests giving their warning calls. I hiked along the edge of the pond where I saw a patch of Sensitive Ferns. Before reaching the barn, I checked out the much decomposed turkey carcass. Also, I recalled earlier in the week my surprise in getting a close up view of a Sora Rail wading in the cattails. Finally, I passed the barn and came to the Classroom where I remembered the successful partnerships we’ve had with Alma College students and faculty over the past 20 years Early on, faculty members, Murray Borrello and Dick Roeper had some of their students do basic research on flora and fauna. These two instructors also conducted the first official field trip in 1998 for 75 elementary students. Next came faculty member, Mary Theresa Freund and her archeology students who performed several digs near the old farmhouse. More recently, faculty member, Mark Seals has taught an outdoor science course where his students work on improvement projects as well as assist the guides. Also, over the years, faculty member, Mike Bishop has done numerous bird banding demonstrations for school children. Next, I walked around the west side of the Classroom to see the blossoms on the Black Locust tree. Then, I proceeded down the south driveway and looked up into a large Sugar Maple tree and could barely see the head of a mother raccoon sleeping at the entrance to her den where her babies were sighted yesterday. Finally, we returned to the car for our trip home.

I honor a place called Forest Hill
Being there is quite a thrill
We celebrate our twentieth year
Raise a glass. Give a cheer
Abandoned farm in the countryside
Is now a place of beauty and pride
Progress was made, I can attest
Mother Nature did the rest
Trails were cut. Wetlands thrived
Yellow school busses soon arrived
Thanks to all who labored, I’d say
To make this place what it is today 

D. DeGraaf