Surprises can pop up during any nature walk. Yesterday, June 11, I found 38 bird species on a morning trail walk, including several of our most colorful: Baltimore oriole, yellow warbler, rose-breasted grosbeak, scarlet tanager, goldfinch, and indigo bunting. But the surprise was flushing three woodcock, a species I haven’t seen here before. As always, the pond has active wildlife; the great blue heron and killdeer shown here are examples, and geese and mallards are usually present.
The list of flowering plants changes weekly. Mayapples are fading, white campion and herb Robert are fully open, spreading dogbane has just begun, and milkweed is in bud. Many invasives are flowering along the trail edges, especially chervil. Wild parsnip will soon add to the mix. Dame’s rocket is another abundant
invasive that is flowering now; some will continue to flower through the summer.
Another pop-up surprise was finding a female snapping turtle laying eggs at the trail edge (Sharon photo). Chipmunks, red squirrels, deer, and painted turtles are always around, and green frogs have been calling loudly. The trail also supports a jelly fungus known as witches’ butter, but don’t put it on your sandwich! The trail is an active place.
