March 14

Friday, Remi and I hiked at Forest Hill Nature Area. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 32 degrees and a stiff wind out of the South.  At the crest of the hill, I gazed west at a landscape still in winter’s grasp. I descended the hill past Mallard Marsh where I heard a pheasant and soon noticed its fresh tracks on the hard, crusty snow. Following the trail through Bobolink Meadow, I recalled earlier in the week leading a group of Alma College biology students on a hike to demonstrate some of our wildlife conservation efforts. Entering North Woods, I headed west where I spotted lots of Raccoon tracks. At the boardwalk I could see that snow was beginning to melt and expose the ice on the large vernal pond. Exiting the woods, I turned west and circled Succession field before entering South Woods where I noticed some fresh Pileated Woodpecker holes in a dying Ash tree. I exited the woods and turned east where I spotted some fresh wild turkey tracks. Making my way to Artist Overlook, I stopped to view Sora Swale and heard my first male Redwing Blackbird of the season calling from Willow Wallow. Following the south trail, I turned south toward Brady Cemetery and scared up a herd of 16 deer next to Frog Fen. Most of them hightailed it toward the cemetery while one ran east where it stopped and stared at me. Arriving at the road by the entrance to the cemetery, I noticed a variety of tracks including my first Red Squirrel tracks. I turned north, continued through Native Grassland and paused at an ice-covered Grebe Pond. Following the edge of the pond, I finally got my first glimpse of a male Redwing Blackbird perching in a nearby tree. Despite the prolonged winter, my records show that male redwings first appeared about this same time last year. I passed the barn and came to the Classroom building to check out the bird feeders when I saw a rotund Woodchuck heading toward me. After it saw us and left the scene, my attention turned back to the feeders that were occupied by some Gold Finches and a Downy Woodpecker. Finally, we got to the car for our trip home.

When will nature wake from its long sleep?

When will green replace snow so deep?

Looking for a muskrat to break the ice?

Listening for a goose to call once or twice?

Soon the sun will thaw frozen ground?

Soon swooping swallows will be found?

Finally redwings returned to the marsh?

Finally the wind has stopped being harsh

Waiting and waiting for spring to show

Loosen your grip winter! Time to let go!

D. DeGraaf