Some Musings on a Very Erratic Spring

By Beth Sullivan

In February and March we could revel in the spring feel, even though it confused the plants and some creatures. Then in mid-April we were once again thrown a stretch of out-of-sync weather that was an unkind throwback to winter. It is hard enough being human and adjusting to the wild swings, at least this human would prefer a bit more consistency! But it can be life threatening for some wildlife.

Spring Timing

Some things happen in synchrony with the length of days, the hours of daylight inspire some birds to migrate and flowers to bloom. The Phoebes and Tree Swallows arrived on time in the last week of March. They immediately were hit by the cold stretch in early April and being insect eaters, were severely challenged. They eat flying insects, and in that snow and rain, there were none. Some birds can adapt to other food sources, but it’s not so easy for these two species. It is hard to really know how these birds fared and if there was mortality, but now that the temperature has climbed, and the insects have re-emerged, the Phoebe is singing from his favorite nest site at the barn next door, and the Tree Swallows are back to their business of arguing about the best real estate at Knox preserve.

The Tree Swallows are back looking for the best nest site. Photograph by Rick Newton.

The Osprey come back pretty regularly each year, influenced a bit by which way the wind is blowing as they make their way north. In general, they are not too affected by colder weather. Though the water did not freeze, colder air at the surface will drive fish deeper in the water, making them harder to catch.

The Osprey are investigating our newest platforms in several preserves. Photograph by Rick Newton.

We noticed that several established nests were removed from utility poles along the Rail Road tracks before the birds returned this year. Now we are watching them take up residence on some of the new platforms we put up for them. We have had a report that our recently erected platform on Continental marsh has seen some activity, but that the Osprey have chosen to return to their nest in the trees.

This Bullfrog emerged from hibernation to find some interlopers at the edge of the pond.

Temperature matters

Some things happen in response to temperature: blossoming of certain plants when the temps warm up. My Quince bush began to blossom but then dropped all the partly opened blooms in the cold snap. I know there have been no Hummingbirds in the area that rely on the nectar, and now I wonder if there will be enough for them when they come back at the end of the month. Other fruit-bearing trees and shrubs may have been impacted adversely if their buds froze, or if pollination didn’t occur during the cold period. We may not know the impact of that until later in the season when we, and the birds, are looking for fruits and berries.

Quince bloomed very early with the warmth, then dropped the blossoms.

Woodland wildflowers like this Bloodroot are blooming.

And then some things just keep on marching along: the invasive plants green up earliest, the ticks are out and we are beginning our spring stewardship efforts again.

But the beautiful greens are showing, woodland wildflowers are budding, the great Blue Herons have returned to their nests at Henne, Robins are pulling worms out of the softened ground, and it makes everything seem all right.

Herons have returned to Henne Preserve. 

Toads trill in vernal pools. Photograph by Bruce Fellman.

Photographs by Beth Sullivan unless otherwise indicated.

A Perfect Weekend!

By Beth Sullivan

One weekend: Mother’s Day, Migratory Bird day, glorious weather, a perfect trifecta! Had to get out into my favorite habitats and once again, I hit the swamps! This time a hike on Avalonia’s Henne Preserve in North Stonington was the perfect way to enjoy all three elements.

The cooler weather and slow start to the season has kept the trees from being fully leafed out. The northward migration also may have slowed a bit, but the beautiful south breezes this past week have pushed up all the migrating birds, and they were still easy to see high in the trees.

Walking into the Henne, along the grown in fields, Blue Winged Warblers and Eastern Towhees were singing. The forest floor was just greening a bit with Canada Mayflower, also known as Wild Lily of the Valley. Stooping to check out some of the minute flowers, I was aghast to see I had knelt in a patch of just sprouting poison ivy. Beware: its leaves are small and red right now, but still potent!

Wild Lilly of the Valley.

Poison Ivy is small and red and will still make you itch. 

Walking into the preserve, passed a large woody vernal pool and the deep base of a bull frog rang out. They are the last to emerge from hibernation and will be calling for the next month or more. Small wet seeps run down from the hillsides, and they are lined with blue violets and anemones and skunk cabbage. Both color forms of Jack-in-the-Pulpit were really becoming more open and visible along the trail.

Walking along the glacial esker we had a perfect overview of the entire marsh below. The wooded slopes down to the water have several large trees showing signs of ambitious beaver work.

This trail follows along the esker.

Busy Beavers.

Canada Geese were the most noisy and active. Red-winged Blackbirds were a close second for noise. Tree Swallows flashed and twittered out over the grasses and waterways. They seem to have an abundance of tree holes for nesting opportunities.

Canada Goose takes wing.

An osprey screeched from its huge nest atop a large and solid snag in the center of the marsh. From the edges its mate called back and forth. They are likely on eggs right now.

Osprey on tree nest.

As the trail drops down toward the water level we were greeted by the sounds of other wet-shrub land birds: Yellow Warblers were all over, Yellow –throated Vireos chattered and rattled, and Song Sparrows seemed to sing from almost every other bush.

This small stream is lined with violets and spring greens. 

Out on the point we took the time to just stop and look and listen. The beaver dam still stands and the tumbling water sounds were hypnotic. Painted turtles sunned and then plunked into the water when they felt disturbed.

Painted turtles were everywhere, basking in the warm sunshine.

A Perfect Great Blue Heron Mother's Day

The very best show, however, was put on by the Great Blue Herons in the three nests. High in flimsy snags over the water, the birds seem awkward and out of place. As we watched one nest, the parent bird began to fidget. She stood up and began to peck at something down in her nest. She continued this poking and moving for quite a while as we watched and waited. We were rewarded by the sight of two fuzzy heads wobbling at the edge of the nest. A Happy Mother’s day!

Look close-there are two new hatchlings waiting for lunch.

Photographs by Beth Sullivan.

Early May

This is such a wonderful time of year. It is so hard to decide where to go and what to look for. Everything happens fast, and changes occur before our eyes. Early May is perfect for walks in the woods before the leaves are fully out and blocking scenic views.

A great place to hike now is Avalonia’s Henne Preserve on Babcock Road in North Stonington. It is an area of varied habitats, but the gem, the most special center piece, is the large fresh water wetland created by beaver damming activities. The wildlife is easy to view, but it is best with binoculars.

Entrance to the Henne Preserve. Photo by Rick Newton.

The first glimpses of the pond and marsh are from high on a rocky esker. Looking through the trees, you can see a large portion of the marsh, emerald green with new grasses and sedges, meandering watery channels. Stark snags, trees long drowned by the rising waters behind the beaver dams, punctuate the area and rise high over the water. Scan the tops and trunks of these trees and you will see that many are riddled with perfectly round holes. Over many years Downy Woodpeckers created nest holes, probably while the trees were still alive and part of a forest. Now these holes are occupied by Tree Swallows. At this time of year there is great competition over nest sites. Males and females soar and swoop and frequently squabble a bit over prime real estate. In the late afternoon the air is filled with chatter and chirps of the Swallows, and the deep dark backs of the adult males go iridescent purple and blue in the sunlight.

An Osprey on its nest. Photo by Rick Newton.

Great Blue Heron nest inside the red circle.
 Photo by Beth Sullivan

From your vantage point on the esker, you will note a large dead, tree trunk in the center of the marsh. It is still strong and solid, and atop the trunk is a wonderful, huge Osprey nest. Most of us are used to seeing the man-made nesting poles along the shoreline. It is quite unusual to find a natural one like this. The Osprey are actively nesting now; often one is sitting still, most likely on eggs now, and the mate is perched nearby. There is a lot of calling and whistling between them. Scan with binoculars to the left of the Osprey nest and you will see a Y shaped snag tree. Look carefully inside the red circle. On top is a very different nest; all airy and light with twigs. If you are lucky and observe closely, you may see the Great Blue Heron fly in and settle down on her nest there. We get used to seeing these long legged waders in the water or along shorelines. It is quite a treat to see them land in a tree and, somewhat gracefully, nestle down.

If you choose to follow the path around the pond and down to an overlook, you will be able to notice signs of the beavers working on trees along the path. All sizes of trees show the tell-tale marks of beaver lumbering. Each stump, large or small, shows the cone shaped top of beaver work. Down on the overlook, the dam itself is visible, and the lodge is a large structure out in the deeper water behind the dam. They are pretty secretive creatures, but by sitting still and quiet at dawn or dusk, you maybe rewarded with a glimpse.

Timber! Beavers at work.  Photo by Rick Newton.

Beaver lodge. Photo by Beth Sullivan.

On a sunny May day you can hear frogs, see turtles basking, and watch Canada Geese and Mallards. Wood ducks are present there as well. Several species of warblers make the marsh area home. Listen for the Barred Owl hooting from the swamp edges. Enjoy the show put on by the swallows, and witness the Osprey and Great Blue Herons nesting. So much to see and hear, so much reward for a short trip on a beautiful Preserve. Explore during all seasons and observe the changes. It is beautiful not just in May.

There are trail maps and photos on the Avalonia website.

Follow nest webcams for Osprey and Great Blue Heron at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Written by Beth Sullivan.