And now for the final installment of the late March-early April edition of observations – spring is such a great and busy time to be out observing what is happening in nature! Don’t forget to check out the previous two installment, Plants and Trees, and Birds and Butterflies, posted the last two days.

Amphibians and More

Wood Frog egg masses: Quite an early start to the breeding season for our little wood frogs AND a sporadic one at that—occasional warm and rainy nights; In the main swamp at Moose Hill and within the usual vernal pools/wetlands that comprise the Vernal Pool Loop, I was hearing them call during the second and third week of March, and then seeing the egg masses a few days later; these are tough amphibians, that is for sure, and according to Robert Parker Hodge (author of Amphibians & Reptiles in Alaska, the Yukon, and Northwest Territories), these MOST northerly of herps; their jelly like egg masses only provide so much protection from the elements and are quite vulnerable to sub-freezing wind chills; Luckily, though, in our parts, they are laid a good distance below the water’s surface and are generally protected from late freezes—a modifying effect of the water in these vernal pools; But we shall see how many survived this last cold spell in week’s to come.

Yellow-Spotted Salamander egg masses: almost as tough as our Wood Frog egg masses, these are slightly different in that an extra layer of “jellylike protection” (a matrix) covers them;  Certainly, another adaptation to surviving more northerly climates AND varying water conditions within the Vernal Pools/swamps they are laid in.

 

 

Garter Snake: the most northerly of reptiles also inhabits our forests and can be seen basking in the sun on a bed of leaves during late March through leaf out in May;  Quite early this year and no doubt resting in a den at the moment; A quick shift in temperature regimes (like we’ve had the past few weeks) might stress some, though; we will keep an eye for them in the forest.

Ticks and different stages of development: “Do ticks really have a purpose on Earth?”, said my wife a few weeks ago after I found one imbedded for DAYS; the adult males and females are out during early Spring, as long as the temps are above 40 degrees F; Something tells me this will be a rough year with both temperature and moisture regimes being higher than normal; DON’T be fooled by the recent cold snap, it won’t be enough to knock back their populations too much.

Non-glowing Firefly “beetles”: One of the first insects we start to see in the Spring, especially along and within bark; a harmless little group of insects with a soft elytra (or winged covering) that is unlike most beetles; good food source for birds this time of year and tough, as most beetles tend to be.

Until the next time,

-Acciavatti Instep, Non Stop

Nature Detective Notes by Michael Acciavatti. Michael is our full-time teacher naturalist who often heads out on the trails to stretch his legs and observe what is happening. His enthusiasm and knowledge make for wonderful updates about the nature of Moose Hill. We hope that you will be inspired to head out on our trails as well and enjoy the changes that each season, or better yet, each month bring to Moose Hill. We look forward to seeing you here!

There was so many things to report in my observations, that this is the second installment of the late March-early April edition. Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s installment, Plants and Trees, and check back tomorrow for the final installment.

Birds and Butterflies

Robins!: It’s so wonderful to hear these backyard Thrushes during the early morning hours! They seemed to be “on time” this year, as well—with their arrival and with their singing; Most tend to hunker down during snow storms and then are able to feed on available tree fruits and invertebrates; they spend a good deal of time on the ground, so always seem happy when that snow melts and exposes grass or bare ground—worms and insects…yummy.

Phoebes!: another Spring migrant that “says its name” when singing—“phoe-be!” (last syllable up in pitch) “phoe-be!”(last syllable down in pitch)”; Very adaptable to the presence of humans, as are Robins, but a bit more selective in their nesting habits; they CAN find food sources during early Spring snow storms, yet depends on how long that cold lasts; I will monitor whether they come to the Visitor Center and Billings Barn areas; usually it’s “now I’m here, now I’m not” with these birds.

Tree Swallows!: I couldn’t resist this picture, being a romantic and all!; These fast little flyers and gliders in our meadows were back in, almost, full force last week, feeding on the many flying insects that were present; Sadly enough, on my way home during the snow storm this past Monday, I noticed them “chasing snowflakes”, perhaps, and scraping at the barrel to find a meal along Prescott Pond where we live; Although they are able to forage on certain fruits like Bayberry, I’m not sure how well they made it through the storm; I am sure we’ll have another wave of migrants come through and hopefully they don’t endure the same conditions.

Red-Shouldered Hawks: I’ve seen a number of these hawks circling overhead and making that distinctive, loud “Kyah! Kyah! Kyah!” over the past 2-3 weeks, often in pairs; Like Robins, Phoebes, Tree Swallows, and a handful of other birds, these are your “long distance migrants” that overwinter down in the southeastern US; So great to hear and see them back again down in these parts! A pair nested at the sanctuary at the Museum of American Bird Art last year and I am guessing that they’ll favor that again, instead of the woods around us; A little smaller than your Red-Tailed Hawk with a tail that isn’t always so “broad”, reddish coloration in spots and banding, are good field marks.

Blue Jays mimicking: blue jays are such an intelligent species and I love that they will often “mimic” the call of Red-shouldered Hawks AND Red-tailed Hawks; But why do this in the first place (and I have heard them carrying on around our Visitor Center)?? To monopolize food resources, of course!  Plenty to read about this behavior, so check it out on the web!

 

Yellow-shafted Flickers and…Red-Bellied Woodpeckers: two similar-sized woodpeckers with fantastically similar ranges, yet..one migrates (the Flicker) and the other does not (the Red-Belly); Down south they may occupy a similar niche, but not around here; the Red Belly (pictured here) tends to be a little more secretive, nesting in the forest, and occasionally making its squirrel-like “chuck, chuck, chuck” call;  whereas the Flicker tends to nest closer to forest edges and human settlement…often foraging for ants on the ground, and alighting with a “kek, kek, kek, kek…” and showing the yellow shaft beneath its wings; no wonder it doesn’t spend much time here in the Winter!

Kingfisher: Every Spring I always look forward to hearing the coarse “rattle” of this bird as it flies through our nearby marsh and pond, flapping its wings in a type of unison; They spend their winters in the southeastern US and tend to do a bit of moving around in order to find open water in which to dive into and fish; Females (like the one in this picture) are slightly more colorful than males, and that brownish band on the chest is a giveaway; Unusual in the bird world, but it works for them!

Great Blue Heron in flight: Graceful, majestic, patient, and more are all adjectives I would use to describe this fantastic bird; No doubt that the latest Spring snow storm forced many to the coast OR had them hunkering down beneath a tree; masters of disguise, keep an eye out for them in these places, along ponds, and in the air.

 

Spring Azure: an early Spring Butterfly in our forests.

Eastern Comma: another early Spring butterfly found within open forests and forest edges; like the Spring Azure, Mourning Cloak, and a few others, they overwinter as adults.

Mourning Cloak: always one of the first, early Spring butterflies I grew up seeing in VT; saw one a few years ago at Habitat laying dormant beneath a hollowed-out log; A big question is “will these butterflies rebound from this past week’s cold and snow?” they are slightly more delicate than other insects, but northerly species and tougher than we think.

Check back tomorrow for the next installment: Amphibians and More.

Until then,

-Acciavatti Instep, Non Stop

Nature Detective Notes by Michael Acciavatti. Michael is our full-time teacher naturalist who often heads out on the trails to stretch his legs and observe what is happening. His enthusiasm and knowledge make for wonderful updates about the nature of Moose Hill. We hope that you will be inspired to head out on our trails as well and enjoy the changes that each season, or better yet, each month bring to Moose Hill. We look forward to seeing you here!

Welcome to Spring!!

Quite a March it has been with large swings in temperature, plenty of wind (as a battleground sets up between North and South), flower buds popping, more birds singing, froggies chorusing, and even a little snow.  Thanks to that strong, March sun and a warmer than normal surface temperature, the “white stuff” didn’t last more than a few days.

Well, that was what I was INTENDING on starting our notes with, but….Old Man Winter has reared its head just to remind us that we live in New England and it’s “only April.”  I was as shocked as you all to see this much snow down in southeastern MA, but having lived in both VT and upstate NY most of my life, snow storms like the one we had on April 4 were more the norm.  Back in late April of 1983 we had over a foot in NY where I was visiting relatives.  And in the foothills of the Green Mountains back in 1997, we also had close to a foot of snow with scant amounts in the Valley below.

And how about those torrential rains on April 7?!  We must’ve had close to 2” in spots.  Combine that with temperatures rebounding into the 50’s and we have, “Bye, bye snow…for now!”

Remember, the months of March through mid-April continue that “battle of North and South”—not a Civil War reference, but a meteorological one, where cold air out of Canada (Polar or Arctic in origin) clashes with subtropical air from the Gulf of Mexico.  Lucky for us, it’s usually just snow and a few rumbles of thunder that we need to contend with VS. tornadoes in the southern Plains, southeast, and mid-Atlantic. We might get some more of the “white stuff” over the next few weeks, but by month’s end, more consistently warm air will be the norm, as the days lengthen and the sun’s angle gets higher in the sky.  Lots of light at the end of this tunnel!!

With Spring arriving there are so many things to share with you. In order to make this long list a little easier, I am dividing this into three groupings: Plants & Trees, Birds and Butterflies, and Amphibians and More. Check back over the next two days for the next two installments of the observations I have made in the last few weeks.

Plants and Trees

Daffodils: squashed under 4-6 inches of heavy snow earlier this month and no doubt gasping for air, but lovely and perky in this photograph just a few weeks ago; Our flower garden variety Daffodils are not from these parts, yet are well-adapted to survive the rigors of New England seasons—bred in even more northerly climes; one of my favorite Spring ephemerals that lasts but a month or two (leaves and all, shriveling back).

Blue Snow Drops: another Spring ephemeral that’s “up with the sun and gone with the wind”; one of the earliest flowering plants we see, blanketing our lawns with this lovely blue or white; like the Daffodil it is also non-native and able to withstand these great changes in temperature that occur up here in New England

Forsythia blooming: No doubt that the recent temperature plunge AND resulting snow have crushed many of these flowers, so brilliant a week earlier.

Red Maple flowers—male: Some of the earliest of our trees to flower, giving off a “reddish-orange” hue from a distance; Driving along our roads and highways, this is one tree that you can identify clearly this time of year; the male flowers usually appear before the female ones to spread their pollen…hopefully, before the ravages of an early Spring snow

Red Maple flowers—female: These bright red flowers tend to appear just after most male flowers have opened up AND for good reason too: “Why bloom any earlier than you need to?”  New seeds (and genetic potential for the species) will be produced IF they are properly fertilized during the Spring; And IF that happens like usual, standing or flowing water will carry them to a scarified embankment so that they may potentially germinate;  After the madness of the weather, let’s just say that I am monitoring each flower closely for development into these samara-type seeds

Willow flowers (male): this genus of plants (especially the shrubbier species) also inhabits our wetlands and displays its flowers nice and early; One of the most northerly of shrubs, willows are a hardy lot, so no worries about their being able to survive cold temps and snow!  Just look at those little “pussy cat mittens!”

American Elm flowers: the Massachusetts state tree is one of the larger species to flower in the early Spring, also within wetlands and alongside streams & roads; still occasionally ravaged by Dutch Elm Disease in certain areas (western MA and up through VT), there are many healthy individuals in our neck of the woods IF you just look carefully enough—check out their classic form (below) and swelling flower buds as you drive from Cobb’s Corner up the hill to Sharon Center….there is one on the right (beside the best Daffodils ever), then a larger individual quickly on the left, and finally another large tree on the right just past the white Chabad House; ALL are in flower now and hopefully made it through the storm.

The “vase-like shape” of an American Elm: those 3 trees I just mentioned (in Sharon) possess some of this lovely form, but not quite like those that grow in more open areas of New England.

Check back tomorrow for the next installment: Birds and Butterflies.

Until then,

-Acciavatti Instep, Non Stop

Nature Detective Notes by Michael Acciavatti. Michael is our full-time teacher naturalist who often heads out on the trails to stretch his legs and observe what is happening. His enthusiasm and knowledge make for wonderful updates about the nature of Moose Hill. We hope that you will be inspired to head out on our trails as well and enjoy the changes that each season, or better yet, each month bring to Moose Hill. We look forward to seeing you here!