05-MAY-2014
Song Sparrow
Song sparrows are one of the earliest sparrows to arrive back in our area, generally found about the 3rd week in March. They are very common and a number of pairs nest at the garden. Unfortunately, they nest on or close to the ground and this makes their nests very vulnerable.
05-MAY-2014
Male Red-winged Blackbird
Robert arrived at the pond in time to view the battle between two red-wingeds, showing the same behaviour as described below. This is one of the contestants, 20 minutes later - possibly the "winner" as the other bird was the one that got a good soaking. Males must exert a lot of energy defending their territory from other males! I (Christine) observed this behavior early in the morning, and when Robert arrived later in the day, the disputes were still going on! Not necessarily the same two males, of course!
05-MAY-2014
Female Red-winged blackbird
This female red-winged blackbird was in the Backyard Garden staying close to her mate.
05-MAY-2014
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
It is always such a pleasure to see these flowers in the ash woods. One of our early spring ephemerals which grows and flowers before the trees in the woods leaf out. Once they do, even the large leaves of this plant will eventually vanish. As I was at the garden early and it was chilly and cloudy, the flowers were not yet open, but later in the day as the sun came out and warmed up the land, these flowers will unfurl.
05-MAY-2014
Red-winged blackbird, male
This male flew down to ground and began walking through the grass, stopping every few feet to give his loud o-ka-ree call, which always looks so very physical, as the wings spread, the red epaulets stand out, and the bill is opened to maximum width!
It was rather interesting, if not also a bit horrifying, to watch two male red-winged blackbirds having a territorial dispute. I thought for sure murder was on the books. One attacked the other when he flew too close to what was no doubt a chosen territory. Grappling with each other, they fell through the cattails, eventually ending up in the pond, one upside down, wings spread, the other on top, with a firm grasp on the upside down guy's bill. He was pushing the hapless bird down into the water, but then, suddenly, it was over, and both flew off, none the worse for wear.
05-MAY-2014
Red-winged blackbird, female
Peering over the edge of the bird feeder in the Backyard Garden. The females return a couple of weeks after the males, but once they arrive the pairing up and nest-building quickly follow. This year, because of the very long and cold winter, even the males were later returning.
05-MAY-2014
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
It was a big disappointment to see huge masses of garlic mustard appearing in a section of the old field. I think the abundance of this species this year, demonstrates just how resilient this plant is, and how resilient many invasives are. At this particular site, garlic mustard was dug up by the root about 5 years ago. The following year there was none, the year after there was a reappearance and masses of the stuff was pulled out by the roots and bagged for disposal. In the early summer of 2012, the site was rototilled in an effort to get rid of both lamium (next photo), and garlic mustard. Last year, there was no sign of either species, this year, both are vigorously growing.
05-MAY-2014
Lamium
Long ago, when this site in the old field was used as a leaf dump, bits of garden debris came in with the leaves, including lamium and celandine. The lamium spread and spread and flourished. As noted under the previous image, much effort was spent trying to get rid of this plant, but this year it is back.
05-MAY-2014
Cedar waxwings
As I approached the pond this morning, a flock of cedar waxwings landed in the walnut tree nearby. They stayed only a few minutes before flying in the direction of the Arboretum. This is the thing about birding these days... birds come and go, often staying for only a minute or two before heading off.
05-MAY-2014
Tree swallow
They're back! And have been back, in fact, for several weeks. These insectivorous birds are already checking out and claiming nest boxes at the Fletcher garden. The cold, rainy weather hasn't been great for these birds (and other insect-eating species)but even when we can't see them, there are insects (lots of midges, for example), up above our heads, enough to give some sustenance to these birds.
05-MAY-2014
Grey squirrel
This squirrel seemed to be taking a survey of the garden from one of the benches in the Backyard Garden.
05-MAY-2014
Daffodils
In the Backyard Garden, there are numerous clumps of daffodils. Although a non-native species, these lovely golden blooms provide nectar for a variety of bees and flies, when little else is in bloom.