April 30 , 2008

Wood Frog Update #2: Starting yesterday, our Wood Frog eggs began to hatch. Although some are still in the eggs, (and their shape can now be seen through the clear, jelly-like eggs) many are now swimming about, dining on boiled lettuce, and other debris in their tank. They sure do grow fast!

April 28 , 2008

A large bunch of wet birds have been in-and-out of the large maple outside the office windows. Over a dozen species perched within the maple's branches over the course of the day, including Purple Finch, Chipping Sparrow (first of the year here) and Northern Cardinal.

Also, Heather's Women's Walk on Sunday yielded some nice blooming wildflowers. Trilliums, Bloodroot, Cut-leafed Toothwart, and Meadow Rue (not yet in bloom) were among the botanical treasures that the group encountered.

April 25 , 2008

Our first Spring Bird Walk commenced this morning. This first walk of the season took place at the Nature Center, and our group observed:

Wood Frogs 1
Canada Goose (flock of 17 overhead) Tree Swallow
Duck sp. Black-capped Chickadee (1 seen entering nesting cavity)
Turkey Vulture White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruffed Grouse Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Rock Pigeon American Robin
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Yellow-rumped Warbler
Downy Woodpecker Northern Cardinal
Hairy Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow
Northern Flicker Song Sparrow
Eastern Phoebe White-throated Sparrow
Blue Jay Red-winged Blackbird
Blue-headed Vireo Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird

On another note, with yesterday's Vacation Camp group, we were discussing frogs. The Wood Frogs just recently (this week) began laying their eggs. The group helped start a tank in which we will be rearing the frogs, and we will be posting their progress in development in the Nature News. The first update is from today, at which point not much development has occurred.

April 24 , 2008

While hiking with our camp group, we came upon a Spring Azure, the third butterfly species of the year! On Monday, Cabbage Whites were seen around the center, and several other Milbert's Tortiseshells have been seen over the last two weeks.

April 18 , 2008

An early morning trip to Berlin Pond yielded a Bald Eagle, Rusty Blackbird, and American Bittern, to name a few of the highlights! Later in the morning a hike around the property yielded Ruffed Grouse drumming, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers hammering, and Flickers searching the field. A Palm Warbler also showed up by the river.

April 16 , 2008

Some exciting visitors came to the Nature Center today. A Palm Warbler was around for the better part of the afternoon, hopping around the lawn, picking off the cluster flies. A Rusty Blackbird also stopped by, and sung from atop a tall Sugar Maple by the building.
Palm Warbler










Photo by Larry Clarfeld

April 9 , 2008

A warm-weather ski to the Marshfield Cliffs, to monitor Peregrines turned up two falcons, who exhibited nesting behaviors. It also turned up a pair of Great-blue Herons, which perched atop the cliffs! Golden-crowned Kinglets and Brown Creepers were heard singing throughout the day.

April 8 , 2008

Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Our first butterfly of the year, a Milbert's Tortoiseshell, was spotted sunning itself on the building today. NBNC staff also enjoyed lunch outside for the first time this year, soaking up the sun's rays. During lunch, a pair of Ravens cruised across the fields, and Song Sparrow's and Red-winged Blackbirds sung for us as we ate.

April 7 , 2008

Spring is an exciting time to be a nature enthusiast. Every day seems to bring a new surprise. Today, at NBNC, we were greeted by our first Savannah Sparrow and our first Common Grackle of the year! What new arrivals have you seen lately? Let us know and we'll post your observations!








Photo by Larry Clarfeld