April 30, 2009 at 5:53 am04 (Uncategorized)
A Tom Turkey vists our lawn in search of food
Both Tom and Hen turkeys have been visiting our lawns regularly this week, scratching under various bird feeders. This photo was taken through three panes of (dirty) glass and an interior window screen, approximately 6:15 a.m. The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), from which our domestic turkey is descended, was eliminated from Massachusetts by 1844 due to over-hunting and loss of habitat. Wildlife management programs during 1960-1980 have reintroduced them to our state. The Turkey prefers open woodlands and forests with scattered natural or man-made clearings.
The male or Tom turkey is 48″ long from head to tail; the female smaller at 36.” The Tom is a large plump brown and bronze bird with striking blue sheen and red bare head and throat. It sports an upright “horn” on its head, a long straight black beard in the center of the chest, and spurs on its legs. The Hen is thinner and less striking than the male, and lays 10-12 buff white eggs with dull brown markings in a shallow, leaf-lined depression concealed in vegetation on the forest floor. She incubates the eggs for 28 days. The young poults fledge in 6-10 days. The Hen leads the young to food.
Other turkey facts: Turkeys roost in trees at night, often over water. Males hold “harems” of up to 20 hens. Turkeys are strong flyers and swift runners. Their hearing is excellent. The Turkey almost became our mational bird, but lost by one vote to the Bald Eagle. Turkeys eat insects, seeds, and fruit.
Fact-checked using Birds of Massachusetts by Stan Tekiela (2000) Cambridge, Minnesota: Adventure Publications. p. 181.
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April 27, 2009 at 4:34 pm04 (Uncategorized)
A Shadbush in bloom where our fields meet the woods
Another sign of sopring comes with the blooming of the shad. The Shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis) is one of many closely related species known as Shad, Serviceberry, Juneberry, and Sugar Plum. The Candada Shadbush is usually less than twenty feet high and has several upright trunks forming a clump. It grows on hillsides, moist thickets, and open woodlands. The young leaves are covered with wooly hairs and have finely toothed margins. The leaves are elliptical. The fruit is purplish black. The bark on mature specimens is gray with sepia brown stripes.
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April 25, 2009 at 4:33 pm04 (Uncategorized)
Bluets dot the meadow with tiny clumps of white
Bluets (Houstonia caerulea) have pale blue to white flowers with a yellow “eye.” The leaves on the stems are in pairs, short and narrow. Bluets tend to grow in clumps in grassy fields.
Nature observations for the week ending Saturday, April 25, 2009:
- A Blue Azure butterly and two Mourning Cloak butterflies were seen flying in sunny wooded areas
- A white cabbage butterfly was seen flying over open fields
- Both Tom and hen turkeys seen every day this week during morning and afternoon times near bird feeders. The Tom more wary than the hen. The hen visits twice a day.
- A pair of bluebirds are nesting in one of eight bluebird boxes set out around the meadow; two others are also occupied – one with house sparrows and one with tree swallows. The remaining five are empty (so far).
- A walk across the meadow this week revealed the following wildflowers: Pussytoes, Bloodroot, Cinquefoil, Self-Heal, Wild Strawberry, White Violets, and Blue Violets
- We watched a small group of crows mob a red-tail hawk today. As the crows approached the pine tree into which the hawk had taken cover, the hawk took evasive action, launching into a series of circles that spiraled upward. The hawk did more gliding than flapping and the crows, although coming quite close at first, gave up the chase. Soon the hawk was just a speck in the sky. We marveled at its conservation of energy.
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April 21, 2009 at 6:37 am04 (Uncategorized)
Forsythia's golden bells add a splash of color
Forsythia (Forsythia sp.) is not a native North American shrub. It is, however, one of the earliest spring flowering plants. The many small yellow flowers resemble little bells. Forsythia is native to China and Korea and makes an ideal plant for borders, hedgerows, or privacy screens. The arching hanging branches of Forsythia can reach a height of nine feet and higher, The golden yellow flowers appear before the leaves unfold. The dense tangle of woody branches make ideal cover for birds. Our stands of Forsythia generally hold three or four Catbird nests each year.
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April 20, 2009 at 5:44 pm04 (Uncategorized)
Raccoon footprints resemble tiny hands
The Raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a common and easily recognized mammal in the northeast. It is chiefly nocturnal. Raccoons have five toes on both feet. They can open latches, untie knots, turn unlocked doorknobs, and open jars. This dexterity, combined with their curiosity, can result in a lot of mischief. Their footprints resemble human baby hand prints. Raccoons are omnivores and actively seek out frogs, fish, salamanders, shellfish, insects, birds, eggs, mice, decaying carcasses, berries, nuts, corn, and garbage dumped by humans. Tracks of raccoons are often found near water. That is where the soil is often soft and muddy and more likely to leave an impression. In the photo above, the hind feet sunk into the mud deeper than than the front feet. Three to six raccoons are born in a hollow log during April or May.
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April 19, 2009 at 4:42 pm04 (Uncategorized)
Cowslips - another Spring wildflower
Cowslip (Caltha palustris) can be seen growing in clumps in swampy areas next to roadsides in our town, or along streams and brooks or even in wet meadows. It can grow alongside a fast-moving stream. Another name is Marsh Marigold. The flowers are waxy in appearance and the same color as buttercups. The leaves are shiny and heart-shaped. Some people eat the leaves as greens.
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April 17, 2009 at 4:55 pm04 (Uncategorized)
Bloodroot - an early spring wildflower
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) grows on dry rocky slopes and near streams in rich, open sunny woods. Usually, Bloodroot grows in a large patch as oposed to a single plant. The flower is white, the young leaves open and close against the stem. The white flower occurs at the top of an orange stem that can be 6 to 12 inches tall. After the flowers fade, the leaves grow much larger. The stem and root yield a reddish juice when cut – hence the name Bloodroot. Deer will feed on these plants in early spring., even though the sap can be toxic. The seeds of the blood root are spread by ants. The ants are attracted to a special part of the seed covering, and the seeds later germinate in the the ant tunnels.
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April 14, 2009 at 6:06 pm04 (Uncategorized)
Violets bloom in a sunny spot of the meadow
Higher up on the meadow, near the border of the woods, and in a sunny location I found small clumps of violets (Viola canadensis) growing. These will spread in grassy areas and are one of the first wildflowers to bloom during Spring in our neighborhood. Others include Hepatica, Bloodroot, Cowslips and Cinquefoil but we will report on these separately as they bloom.
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April 12, 2009 at 1:50 pm04 (Uncategorized)
This is the time of year we listen for the annual arrival of a another migrating species of bird, and note the departure of other species that spent the “warmer” winter months with us. So far this season we have welcomed the return of the American Woodcock, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe and the Yellow-Shafted Flicker. At the same time, we noted the departure of the Pine Siskins that co-mingled with resident Golfinches at our winter feeders. They are returning to Newfoundland and Labrador. By next week we should be seeing returning Tree Swallows soaring over the meadow.
Birds that remain with us all year and are daily visitors to our bird feeders include Goldfinches, Mourning Doves, White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-Capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, White Throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Juncos, Cardinals, and Blue Jays. Not coming to the feeders but frequently spotted include the Red-Tailed Hawk, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Barred Howl, Great Horned Owl, Crows, and Robins.
Other signs of the season this past week included seeing a wood frog near a woodland pool, a garter snake basking in the sun on some flat stones by our garden pool, and a lone hen turkey crossing the meadow.
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April 3, 2009 at 5:47 am04 (Uncategorized)
We heard our first sprng peepers of the season last night.The April 2009 Issue of MassWildlife News contains the following bulletin.
“Despite the seeming lack of spring weather recently, the season for amphibian movements is upon us. Salamanders, Spring Peepers, Wood Frogs, and toads will be ambling and hopping across Bay State roadways on warm wet nights, heading to vernal pools and other wetlands to mate and lay their eggs. The height of spring amphibian activity comes during warm, rainy nights when Spring Peepers are heard calling. Thousands of frogs, salamanders, and toads move across roadways under these conditions and many amphibians are squashed by vehicles traveling after dark. Some local communities and conservation groups host salamander crossings at key places where traffic is slowed to allow for the safe passage of these animals. Other local groups meet at known “Big Night” crossings or look for new road crossings to share this seasonal phenomenon with the public or to document the presence of nearby vernal pools. This month, consider doing your daily errands before dark or during dry evenings as a way to reduce amphibian traffic mortality. Another useful website with information on vernal pools, crossing signs, and additional educational materials can be found at the Vernal Pool Association website, www.vernalpool.org.”
With more rain forecast for he next few days, our local “big night” could occur soon.
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