01-MAY-2013
Eastern phoebe with nest material
A pair of eastern phoebes has decided to nest over the security light on the side of our centre. Last week, they were investigating a much more busy site on the front of the building, but I guess they rightly decided it was too busy. I watched them for quite awhile and marveled at how they carried tiny bits of vegetation (mosses and other plant matter), one beakful at a time, back to the nest site, and then spent much time positioning it just so.
01-MAY-2013
House finch and eastern phoebe
At one point, the phoebe was sitting down on the light and arranging the plant material for its nest, when a house finch flew in. It was about to land when the phoebe sat up and the finch 'back-pedaled' furiously!
01-MAY-2013
Scilla (Scilla siberica)
A garden plant and non-native, that is growing in small clumps in a couple of places around the garden. These early blooming flowers are very attractive to bees and provide sustenance to those species which emerge early in the season. They are suggested as a good pollinator plant by the Xerces Society, in their wonderful book, "Attracting Native Pollinators."
01-MAY-2013
American kestrel, male, with meadow vole
The kestrel has found some food. He was calling to his mate, and eventually flew off with his prize.
01-MAY-2013
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
At last... some wildflowers in our woods. These beauties are amongst the first to appear in spring. They are now in full bloom in many locations throughout the woods, having spread well over the years, thanks to ants who help disperse the seeds.
01-MAY-2013
Backyard Garden on May 1st
This is our "model" backyard garden, where we showcase ways to garden in a wildlife friendly manner, with plants that are beneficial for wildlife (nectar, seeds, etc). The garden is just awakening from a long winter...