April 30, 2013: April Photo Collage

April 2013 photos from the blog by Wolf Oesterreich, Kevin Kane, and Erv Klaas.

April 29, 2013: Bloodroot

Today was the first time that I have seen Bloodroot in bloom at the park.  The plant gets its name from the red juice that oozes from the roots when cut or damaged.  Initially, the leaves emerge coiled around the flower stalk and should "flatten out" after the flower appears.  Bloodroot is a member of the Poppy Family (Papaveraceae). 4/29/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 28, 2013: Greening Up

Although we are almost three weeks behind last year at this time, things are finally starting to green up with the recent warm weather.  This is a view from west of the bridge looking northeast across the inlet and the north lake. 4/24/13 (Kevin Kane)

April 27, 2013: Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

Spring must really be here now that the Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels are out and about.  Note the distinct alternation between pale stripes and rows of pale pale spots against a dark field.  These squirrels store food in burrows to feed on during bad weather, but survives on its own stored fat during its hibernation from Fall to Spring. 4/26/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 26, 2013: Wetlands Filling Up

Note the water in Pools A and B.  These areas have been dry for months.  Most of the waterfowl have settled into this area, especially the Northern Shovelers and Blue-winged Teal.  One American Bittern was observed skulking along the SW shoreline. 4/25/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 25, 2013: Tree Planing

A Forestry Silviculture class from Iowa State U. under the direction of Dr. Richard Hall, assisted the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park in planting trees for a wildlife habitat plot.  We planted 700 seedlings of Wild Plum, Hazalnut, Chokecherry, Serviceberry, Gray Dogwood, and Nannyberry on April 24, 2013. These are all species that are native to Iowa and will replace the invasive Siberian elm that were removed from this area. 4/24/13 (Erv Klaas)

April 24, 2013: Wolf's Bird Walk

Nice day for a bird walk with Wolf and about a dozen others. The photo is of Wetland F as the clouds and rain started rolling in around 6:30.  Looking west from the east shore of the wetland. 4/24/13 (Kevin Kane)

Wolf. Oesterreich leads the group in spotting some of the bird life around the east shore of the south lake on Wednesday.

April 23, 2013: Events Tomorow (4/24/13) at AHHP

Dear Friends:

Sorry for the short notice but there are two events tomorrow that many of you may want to attend at Hayden Park.

1. Tree planting north side. Follow the upland trail to Jensen's Pond. 2:30 pm.

2. Interpretive walk, 5:30 pm. Meet at Calhoun Park off Dawes Drive. Led by Wolf Oesterreich. Numbers of waterfowl are dwindling but there are 14 Eared Grebes present on the South Lake near the outlet. Also, lots of American Coots. The Coots have been leaving the water to feed on the green grass next to the trails.

Erv Klaas

April 22, 2013: Happy Earth Day!

Here St. Cecilia Catholic School fourth graders Nora Benson, 9, right, and Riley Austin, 10, spray paint storm drain stencils as part of an Earth Day event held at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames, Iowa, April 22, 2005. The 2005 Earth Day celebration focused on how important wetlands are to the water supply and how individuals can improve the environment.

Credit: AP/Ames Tribune

April 21, 2013: Marbled Godwits

Monday afternoon (4/15), while riding laps around the Park, I observed 7 Marbled Godwits in flight. These large (18") shorebirds circled the center section of the Park several times before continuing on to the northwest. Note the long long, slightly up-curved bill and the tawny coloration. 4/15/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

 

April 20, 2013: Last Year...

Last year at this time things were very green and the city was burning the prairie at AHHP. 4/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

April 19, 2013: Grebes

On this gusty Friday I found 1 Horned Grebe (left) and 6 Eared Grebes (right) amongst the American Coots.  All but 3 of the Eared Grebes were in full breeding plumage.  Note the similarities between the two species.  The Horned Grebe has a thicker bill, fuller golden "horns", and a chestnut foreneck. 4/19/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 18, 2013: Osprey on the Wing

One of two Ospreys seen flying over the south lake on Tuesday, April 16. (Erv Klaas)

April 17, 2013: Erv's Field Notes #56

Small flock of Blue-winged Teal on south lake. 4/16/13 (Erv Klaas)

Ada Hayden Heritage Park, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. Partly cloudy, east wind, temperature 44 degrees F.

I parked at Calhoun Park on the southeast side and walked along the south shore. A large flock of American Coots were hanging out around the lake outlet. A little further to the west I could see a large group of ducks huddled close together. As I got closer I could see they were mostly Shovellers. The Shoveller is a dabbling duck that has a large spatulate bill with serrations along the edge adapted for straining out micro-crustaceans such as copepods and daphnia from the water. I estimated there were a few hundred Shovellers in several “clumps” all along the shoreline. They reminded me of a group of vultures and ravens feeding on a mammal carcass. But these birds were swimming vigorously in place with their heads underwater. The groups consisted of both males and females and individuals were flying in from other parts of the lake to join the fun. Every few minutes the tightly packed clumps would “dissolve” for a minute or so and then reform. It was quite a sight. I have read about this kind of behavior in the Shoveller on their northern breeding ground but this is the first time I have seen it. Check out www.adahaydenpark.blogspot.com/ for photos.

A few individuals of other species were also present and seemed to be attracted to the “feeding frenzy.” I identified Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Blue-winged Teal, Eared Grebe and American Coot. Even a pair of Canada Geese showed some interest although these grazers are ill-equipped to feed on microscopic aquatic animals. As I continued my observations two Ospreys flew over and I saw a Common Loon far out in the middle of the lake. As I was leaving, the flock of coots on the eastern shore started leaving the water on foot, climbing over the riprap and up the bank to graze on the grass along the bike path.

If you have been to the park in the last month you may have noticed that a grove of trees on the north side have been cut down. The trees that were removed were Siberian Elm, an introduced species that is considered invasive in the park. Seeds from the older trees caused an infestation of a dense stand of seedlings in a nearby old field. The seeds have spread far and wide in the park and over time, we hope to eliminate them from the park. City crews have mowed this area a couple of times but they have re-sprouted. Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park have purchased 700 seedlings for a wildlife planting in this area. We hope the planting will take place on Wednesday afternoon, April 24. A Forestry class under the direction Dr. Richard Hall will be in charge of the planting. If you are willing and able, come on out. They may need some help.

April 16, 2013: April Pool F Photo

This composite photo shows the Pool F area and the highlands to the northwest and north. 4/16/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Compare April's photo with:

March:

and February:

April 15, 2013: Osprey

At least 3 Ospreys have been present since the 14th.  They have been fishing constantly and have been quite successful!  They'll dive into the water, carry the fish like a torpedo in their talons, and then fly to a large tree, where they'll consume the prey.  This photo shows an Osprey on the east side of Pool F. [This is a digiscoped photograph.] 4/15/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 14, 2013: Red-breasted Merganser

This male Red-breasted Merganser is one of three merganser species that are migrating through our area.  The other two are the Hooded and Common Mergansers. 4/8/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 13, 2013: Wilson's Phalarope

This female Wilson's Phalarope was found feeding on the south lake, near a large group of Northern Shovelers.  Phalaropes are shorebirds and are unique in that the females are larger and more brightly colored than the males.  They feed on the water, often spinning around, stirring up the larvae, crustaceans, and insects that they feed upon.  [This is a digiscoped photograph.] 4/12/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 12, 2013: Sunset on a Cloudy Day

Sun sets on a cloudy April evening, looking west-sothwest from east shore of south lake. 4/7/13 (Kevin Kane)

April 11, 2013: Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Ducks finally showed up last week. This female (1 of 2) was found on the 3rd on the north lake. 4/3/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 10, 2013: Common Loon

This Common Loon, in breeding plumage, was 1 of 3 found on the main lakes on Thursday (4/4). A dive normally lasts less than a minute, but can go as long as 3 minutes (under certain conditions). However, don't expect to see the loon pop up near where it went under. They can cover great distances. 4/4/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 9, 2013: Bufflehead

This drake Bufflehead was one of more than 23 present on the south lake on the 1st.  Buffleheads are small ducks that nest in woodlands near lakes and ponds.  They constantly dive.  Females are duller and have a horizontal white patch on each cheek. 4/1/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

April 8, 2013: North End Development

"Quarry Estates" will be the new development on the northwest corner of the park.  See this link to read more about it.  The hills to the north and west will soon look far different from down on the lake with large houses ringing the park boundary.  Imagine yesterday's photo with houses lining the hills in the background.

April 7, 2013: Spring!

A beautiful spring Sunday afternoon looking north from the bridge. 4/7/13 (Kevin Kane)

A note from Todd Burras:
My daughter and I picked up trash around a few of the ponds at Ada Hayden this afternoon, and at one of the ponds we spooked 15 great blue herons, along with many ducks. That's the most herons I've ever seen at once. Very neat. We also found a Canada goose that must have been killed last night because it wasn't there yesterday. We also saw two woodcocks -- one in the pond near the Harrison Road parking lot and another in one of the ponds much further north. One was more drab brown and the other was a more brightly colored tan and almost maize color. Really fun to watch them fly.

April 6, 2013: Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle. 4/4/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

This photograph documents the flyover of a juvenile Golden Eagle, No. 261 for the Park List.  Note the two white "windows" (base of primaries) in the wings, white tail with distinct dark terminal band, and the small head.  A juvenile Bald Eagle would show more white mottling in the wings and body, with a larger head.  Golden Eagles are listed as "Accidental" in Story County, with at least 4 previous records.
Wolf. Oesterreich

April 5, 2013: Wolf's March 2013 Species List

Note the large spatulate bill on this drake Northern Shoveler.  Over 50 were present on the south lake Monday afternoon.  4/1/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

A total of 78 avian species was recorded this month.  The month started with hundreds, then thousands of geese.  By the end of the month these numbers had diminished to double digits.  We're near the end of the waterfowl migration, but at the start of almost everything else.

Based on citations in the 3rd Edition of “The Birds of Story County, Iowa,” by Stephen J. Dinsmore and Hank Zaletel (2001), plus my personal updates to the records, the single male Greater Scaup found on the 7th through the 9th may represent a new extreme early Spring record (former record set on 15 March 1988 at the Slater sewage lagoons) for Story County.

Listed below, following the species’ names, are the date(s) of sighting(s), plus the occasional miscellaneous information regarding numbers, gender (♂=male, ♀=female), age (im=immature, ju=juvenile, abp=adult breeding plumage, ad=adult, anb=adult non-breeding), color phase (b=blue, w=white), and location (BY=back yard).  The order follows the 52nd Supplement (2011) to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds and the 11th Supplement to the 7th Edition (1998).

AVIAN
     GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: 8 (32+), 14, 15 (583+), 16-23, 24 (5), 25 (19), 26 (7), 31 (~75)
     SNOW GOOSE: 11 (~150), 15 (2w + 4b), 16 (3w), 19 (1w), 26 (1 w), 31 (1w)
     ROSS’S GOOSE: 16 (1), 17 (3), 19 (5), 2 (2)
     CACKLING GOOSE: 1 (1), 2 (20+), 3, 7, (3), 8, 11 (2), 12 (4), 13 (12+), 14, 15 (8+), 17 (11+), 19-22,
                                    26 (20+)
     CANADA GOOSE: 1-31
     TRUMPETER SWAN: 1 (11 ad + 6 1st Winter), 2 (5 ad + 6 1st Winter), 3 (4 ad + 4 1st Winter), 4 (2 ad +
                                    5 1st Winter), 5 (6 ad + 4 1st Winter), 6 (2 ad + 6 1st Winter), 7 (8 ad + 6 1st
                                    Winter), 8-9 (2 ad + 4 1st Winter), 10, 17 (9 ad + 3 1st Winter), 18 (5 ad),
                                    19 (7 ad), 21 (2 ad + 3 1st Winter), 27 (2 ad), 29 (2 ad), 31 (2 ad)
     TUNDRA SWAN: 1 (1 1st Winter), 2 (1 ad), 3 (1 ad + 1 1st Winter), 5-6 (1 ad), 7 (1 1st Winter)
     WOOD DUCK: 5 (2♂ + 2♀), 16 (6♂ + 1♀), 17, 19 (16♂ + 10♀), 20, 22-28, 29 (1♂ + 1♀), 30 (1♂)
     GADWALL: 1 (3♂ + 3♀), 2 (3♂ + 1♀), 4 (2♂ + 2♀), 5-7 (3♂ + 3♀), 8 (4♂ + 3♀), 9 (5♂ + 4♀),
                                    11 (5♂ + 4♀), 12 (3♂ + 2♀), 13 (4♂ + 4♀), 14, 15 (14♂ + 9♀), 16 (29+), 17-19,
                                    20 (50+), 21-23, 24 (30+), 25-28, 29 (21+), 30 (17), 31 (10+)
     AMERICAN WIGEON: 13 (2♂ + 1♀), 15 (3♂ + 2♀), 16 (3♂ + 1♀), 17-19, 20 (4♂ + 2♀), 21 (6♂ + 4♀),
                                    22-28, 30-31 (1♂ + 1♀)
     MALLARD: 1-31
     BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 19-29 (1♂ + 1♀), 30 (5♂ + 3♀), 31 (6♂)
     NORTHERN SHOVELER: 16 (1♂ + 1♀), 26 (1♂ + 1♀), 27 (3♂ + 2♀), 28, 29 (14+), 30 (13), 31 (~31)
     NORTHERN PINTAIL: 13 (4♂ + 2♀), 14 (4♂ + 1♀), 15 (30+), 16 (50+), 17, 19 (1♂ + 1♀), 20, 21 (30+),
                                    22-26, 31 (1♂)
     GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 15 (6♂ + 2♀), 18 (6), 20 (2♂ + 1♀), 22-23 (1♂), 24 (8♂ + 4♀), 25 (5♂ + 2♀),
                                    27 (4♂ + 3♀), 28, 29 (3♂ + 3♀), 30 (5♂ + 4♀), 31 (6♂ + 2♀)
     CANVASBACK: 6 (2♀), 14 (7♂), 16 (2♂), 17-18 (3♂ + 1♀), 19 (3♂), 20 (1♂), 22 (8), 23 (7♂ + 3♀),
                                    24 (20+), 25 (9+), 26 (6+), 27-28, 29 (23+), 30 (12+), 31
     REDHEAD: 1-4 (3♂), 6 (4♂ + 1♀), 7 (3♂), 8 (4♂ + 2♀), 9 (1♂ + 1♀), 14 (9♂ + 7♀), 15 (4♂ + 5♀),
                                    16 (12+), 17-18, 19 (4♂ + 4♀), 20, 21 (4♂ + 4♀), 22, 23 (11♂ + 12♀),
                                    25 (1♂ + 1♀), 27 (1♂), 28, 29 (5), 31 (1♂)
     RING-NECKED DUCK: 10 (2♀), 13 (1♂), 14 (12♂ + 2♀), 15 (70+), 16 (75+), 17-23, 24 (5♂ + 1♀),
                                    25-28, 29 (34+), 30 (1♀), 31
     GREATER SCAUP: 7-9 (1♂)
     LESSER SCAUP: 1-4 (2♂), 5 (8♂ + 3♀), 6 (5♂ + 1♀), 7 (8♂ + 3♀), 8 (13♂ + 8♀), 9 (18♂ + 13♀),
                                    10 (9♂ + 3♀), 11-12 (6♂), 13 (8♂ + 11♀), 14 (5♂ + 11♀), 15 (13♂ + 4♀),
                                    16 (50+), 17-26, 27 (1♂ + 1♀), 28, 29 (4♀ + 2♀), 30 (26), 31
     BUFFLEHEAD: 15 (1♂), 18 (2♂ + 1♀), 19-25 (1♂ + 1♀), 26 (1♂), 27 (3♂), 28 (2♂ + 1♀),
                                    29 (3♂ + 2♀), 30 (12), 31 (16+)
     COMMON GOLDENEYE: 1 (3♂ + 2♀), 2 (3♂ + 1♀), 3 (4♂ + 1♀), 4 (2♂ + 2♀), 5 (4♂ + 3♀),
                                    6 (3♂ + 3♀), 7 (5♂ + 4♀), 8 (4♂ + 2♀), 9 (2♂ + 2♀), 10 (3♂ + 2♀), 11 (1♂),
                                    12 (3♂ + 3♀), 13 (1♂ + 1♀), 15 (3♂ + 2♀), 20 (1♀), 24 (1♂), 29 (1♂ + 1♀),
                                    30 (1♂)
     HOODED MERGANSER: 4 (4♂ + 1♀), 5 (1♂ + 1♀), 7-8 (1♂ + 1♀), 11 (1♂ + 1♀), 14 (2♂ + 1♀),
                                    16 (8♂ + 2♀), 19 (1♂ + 1♀), 20 (5♂ + 1♀), 21 (1♂ + 1♀), 23 (1♂ + 1♀), 24 (1♂),
                                    25-27 (1♂ + 1♀), 28 (6♂ + 3♀), 29 (3♂ + 3♀), 30 (1♂)
     COMMON MERGANSER: 10 (7♂ + 5♀), 12 (1♂), 15 (3♂ + 1♀), 16 (4♂ + 2♀), 20 (4♂ + 1♀), 26 (1♂),
                                    29 (6♂ + 7♀), 30 (1♂ + 2♀), 31 (4♂ + 8♀)
     RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: 11 (1♂), 29-30 (2♂), 31 (2♂ + 1♀)
     RUDDY DUCK: 29 (4♂ + 3♀), 31 (2♀)
     RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 17 (1♂ BY), 20 (1♂ BY), 24 (1♂ BY), 27 (1 + 1♂ BY), 29-31
     PIED-BILLED GREBE: 30 (4)
     HORNED GREBE: 18 (1), 20-21 (1)
     DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 29 (1)
     GREAT BLUE HERON: 19 (1), 20 (2), 21-23 (1), 24-25 (3), 26 (1), 27 (3), 28-29 (2), 30 (1), 31 (2)
     TURKEY VULTURE: 14 (1), 15 (6), 30 (1), 31 (2)
     OSPREY: 31 (1)
     BALD EAGLE: 1 (1 ad), 7 (1 im), 8 (1 ad + 1 4-yr), 9 (1 4-yr), 10-11 (1 ad + 1 4-yr + 1 im),
                                    15 (1 ad + 1 im), 16 (2 ad + 1 4-yr + 3 im), 17 (1 ad + 1 4-yr + 1 im),
                                    19 (1 4-yr + 1 im), 20 (1 ad + 1 im), 21 (1 ad + 3 im), 23 (1 4-yr + 2 im),
                                    24 (2 ad + 2 im), 25 (1 ad), 26 (1 im), 27 (1 4-yr + 1 im),
                                    28 (2 ad + 1 4-yr + 1 im), 30 92 ad)
     SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: 3 (1 ad), 5 (1 im BY), 10 (1 im BY), 16 (1 ad), 23 (1 BY), 25 (1 im),
                                    30-31 (1 im BY)
     COOPER’S HAWK: 3-4 (1 im BY), 7 (1 im BY), 11 (1 BY), 15 (1 ad), 22 (1 im), 28 (1 im BY), 29 (1 im),
                                     31 (1 im BY)
     RED-TAILED HAWK: 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (1), 6 (2), 7 (1), 9 (1), 11 (2), 12-13 (3), 14 (1), 15 (3), 16 (4),
                                    17 (3), 18-19 (2), 20 (6), 21 (1 + 1 dark phase), 22 (3), 23 (1), 24-25 (4), 26 (3),
                                    27 (4), 28-30 (2), 31 (4)
     AMERICAN COOT: 5 (1), 11 (1), 28 (2), 29 (5), 30-31 (6)
     KILLDEER: 14 (1), 15 (4), 17 (3), 22-23 (1), 25 (2), 28-31
     AMERICAN WOODCOCK: 29 (2), 31 (2)
     RING-BILLED GULL: 8 (1), 15 (2), 23 (1), 26 (1), 27 (2), 28 (42+), 29 (230+), 30 (~100), 31 (~50)
     HERRING GULL: 28 (2 ad), 29 (1 im), 31 (1 ad)
     MOURNING DOVE: 1-2 (6), 3, 8 (1), 9 (2), 10-12, 13 (6+), 14-17, 19-24, 26, 28-31
     GREAT HORNED OWL: 3 (1), 4 (2)
     BELTED KINGFISHER: 11-12 (1♂), 16 (1), 18 (1), 30 (1♂)
     RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 1, 5, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 29-30
     DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1-31
     HAIRY WOODPECKER: 2-3, 7, 9-10, 15-17, 21, 26, 30
     NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 3 (1), 11 (1), 30 (6+)
     AMERICAN KESTREL: 15 (1), 19-23 (1♂), 27 (1♂), 30 (1♂)
     EASTERN PHOEBE: 29 (1), 31 (1)
     NORTHERN SHRIKE: 1 (1), 10 (1), 13-14 (1), 16-17 (1), 23-25 (1)
     BLUE JAY: 9, 11-12, 15-17, 20-21, 24, 26, 30-31
     AMERICAN CROW: 1-31
     BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1-31
     WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 2, 4, 6-7, 13, 17, 19-21, 27-28, 30-31
     EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 14 (3♂), 29 (12), 30 (4♂ + 1♀), 31
     AMERICAN ROBIN: 8 (14), 10 (1), 13 (1), 14-31
     AMERICAN PIPIT: 31 (2)
     EUROPEAN STARLING: 1-3, 4, 6-31
     CEDAR WAXWING: 19 (~12), 21 (12 BY), 24 (2 BY), 30 (20 BY)
     AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: 1-7, 9-31
     FOX SPARROW: 30 (4)
     SONG SPARROW: 1 (8), 2 (2), 3 (5), 4 (7), 5 (4), 6 (5), 7 (4), 8 (1), 9 (2), 10-11 (1), 12 (5), 13-14 (1),
                                    16 (1), 18 (2), 20 (1), 23-25 (1), 26 (2), 28 (1 BY + 1), 29 (2), 30 (20+), 31
     SWAMP SPARROW: 13 (3), 24 (1)
     HARRIS’S SPARROW: 2-3 (2 BY), 4 (1 BY), 6-7 (2 BY), 8 (1 BY), 9 (3 BY), 10-12 (1 BY),
                                    15-17 (2 BY), 22 (1 BY), 23-24 (2 BY), 27 (1 BY), 30 (1)
     DARK-EYED JUNCO (Slate-colored): 1-31
     DARK-EYED JUNCO (Oregon): 12 (1)
     NORTHERN CARDINAL: 1-31
     RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 13 (1), 14 (4♂ BY), 15-31
     EASTERN MEADOWLARK: 31 (2)
     COMMON GRACKLE: 15 (1), 16, 17 (2 BY), 19, 21, 23-31
     BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 25 (4♂), 26 (2♂), 29 (4♂), 30-31 (1♂)
     PURPLE FINCH: 16 (1♂ BY), 18 (BY - 1♂ + 1♀)
     HOUSE FINCH: 1-31
     COMMON REDPOLL: 24 (2 BY)
     PINE SISKIN: 2 (1 BY), 7 (2 BY)
     AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-9, 11-12, 15-17, 23-30
     HOUSE SPARROW: 1-31

MAMMALIAN
     VIRGINIA OPOSSUM: 13 (2)
     Bat sp.: 29 (2)
     WHITE-TAILED DEER: 1 (1 BY), 5 (7 + 3 BY), 6 (6 BY), 8 (1♂), 9 (4 + 1 BY), 11 (3 BY + 10),
                                    13 (6 BY), 14 (2), 15-16 (7), 20-21 (4), 24 (2 BY), 26 (5), 27 (4), 29 (12), 30 (3)
     FOX SQUIRREL: 1-6, 8-9, 11-19, 22-31
     EASTERN CHIPMUNK: 23 (1), 29-20 (1)
     EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1-3, 5-6, 8-9, 12-14, 16, 18-19, 21-31
Wolf. Oesterreich

April 4, 2013: American Woodcock

American Woodcock. 3/31/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

The photograph shows the American Woodcock found in the bluff woods on the 31st.  Another one was located in the woods on the west side of the amphitheater (Upland Trail).  The first 2 were flushed from the east side of Jensen Pond on the 29th.  I went back out near 8pm and heard at least 1 "peenting"

April 3, 2013: Jensen's Pond

Eastward view of Jensen Pond.  3/30/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

When compared with the photo from 3/30/12 (below), there is a definite lack of green.

April 2, 2013: Bald Eagle

Sub-adult Bald Eagle. 3/27/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

This sub-adult Bald Eagle is probably a 4-year-old bird.  Note that the head is not yet completely white, the bill is not entirely yellow, white speckling on the belly, and the tail is not completely white.  In flight, the tail shows a dark terminal band.  This bird has been present at the Park for much of the year.  A juvenile was also present today.

Wolf. Oesterreich

April 1, 2013: Last of the Snow?

Hopefully we are done with this scene in the park for this year.  3/11/13 (Kevin Kane)