This is an exciting time of year as we watch spring rapidly unfold. All the photos here are from this week, with the highlighted species appearing right on schedule. White trillium and marsh marigold have burst forth in the past 3 days, particularly between the pond (distance marker #10) and the glade (#14). See the photo to the right. Violets, foamflower, and wild ginger are newly open, and shadbush, a small tree (so named because it flowers when the shade are running), is in flower (it’s also known as serviceberry).
With birds, new spring migrants are appearing daily; the last two days on the trail have brought yellow warbler, common yellowthroat, chestnut-sided warbler, great crested flycatcher, and Baltimore oriole, while ruby-crowned kinglet and house wren appeared a few days earlier. The pond always has surprises (three shown here). Bluebirds investigated the bluebird boxes just north of Dugway Rd, but tree swallows have take n over nesting in all four. You can watch swallows fly in and out of the boxes.
Don’t overlook other kinds of wildlife, too, such as emerald green tiger beetles and cabbage white butterflies along the trail and painted turtles sunning at the pond margins. Keep your eyes open; every week is different.
